Abstract: In a probe microscope 120 for causing a sample 112 and a tip portion 118a of a probe 118 on the sample side to approach each other, detecting an interaction between the sample 112 and the sample-side probe tip portion 118a, and obtaining surface information of the sample 112 from the interaction, the probe 118 being a flexible needle-like probe; the probe microscope 120 comprises vibrating means 122 capable of rotating the probe 118 while flexing the sample-side tip portion 118a thereof so as to draw a circle having a size corresponding to an increase and decrease in the interaction between the sample surface 112 and the tip portion 118a, and detecting means 124 for detecting the increase and decrease in the size of the circle drawn by the sample-side probe tip portion 118a due to the interaction and obtaining, from the increase and decrease in the size of the circle, information about the distance between the sample 112 and the sample-side probe tip portion 118a.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating for substrates comprising zirconia partially stabilized by yttria and having a density greater than 88% of the theoretical density with a plurality of vertical macrocracks homogeneously dispersed throughout the coating to improve its thermal fatigue resistance. The invention also discloses a process for producing the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A process for producing a 1,3-diol, e.g., 1,3-propanediol, or a 3-hydroxyaldehyde is disclosed which comprises contacting a combination of an epoxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the present of a rhodium-containing catalyst effective to promote the hydroformylation of the epoxide at conditions effective to form at least one of a 1,3-diol and a 3-hydroxyaldehyde, the contacting occurring in the substantial absence of a promoting amount of alkali metal ions, and at least a portion of the rhodium-containing catalyst being formed substantially without incorporation of the epoxide. A process for producing such rhodium-containing compositions is also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions suitable for producing high density ethylene polymers in a low pressure gas phase process with low accompanying ethylene hydrogenation are produced by forming a precursor composition from a magnesium compound, titanium compound and electron donor compound; diluting said precursor composition with an inert carrier material; treating said diluted precursor compositon with a boron halide compound; and activating the precursor composition with an organo aluminum compound.