Abstract: A method for deposition of an electrolyte material on a porous substrate in which a suspension of particles having a controlled surface charge and suitable for use as an electrolyte is formed and the porous substrate, which is made of an electrode material is immersed. A voltage is applied across the suspension between an electrode in contact with the suspension and the porous substrate, whereby at least a portion of the particles migrate toward the porous substrate and are deposited on the porous substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin graft copolymers (II) from linear and well defined polyolefin copolymers (I) containing divinylbenzene comonomer units, wherein R, in formulas I and II, is a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl group or a C6 to C10 substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and wherein G and G′, independantly, are selected from —H, —OH, epoxy, —NH2, —COOH, anhydride, —Cl, —Br, —M, —COOM (M=metal, e.g., Li, Na, K and Ca) or a polymer chain having the molecular weight of at least about 500, which can be derived from both step and chain polymerization reactions. G and G′ can be selected singly or in a combination of two or more thereof. In the graft copolymer composition, the combined alpha-olefin mole .% (x+y) is from about 50 to 99.9 mole %. Preferably, x+y is from 85 to 99.9 mole %, and most preferably x+y is from 95 to 99.9 mole %.

Abstract: A method and apparatus disclosed for cost-effective net shape precision ausform finishing the engagement surfaces of ball and roller bearings, for enhancing the surface strength and durability of bearing inner and outer races. The method consists of induction heating to austenitize the contacting surface layers of rolling element bearing races, followed by martempering (or marquenching), and then net shape roll finishing of the induction heated contacting surface layers in the metastable austenitic condition to finished dimensional accuracy requirements, and finally cooling to martensite. The apparatus utilizes a fixed vertical through-feed axis for the workpiece bearing race with capability for rotation and linear up and down positioning motion, and two coordinated and controlled laterally-moving infeed axes for roll finishing tooling dies.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to transition metal catalysts for the practical synthesis of important chiral molecules. The transition metal catalysts comprise chiral ligands based on chiral amine oxazolinyl ligands. The invention includes methods of making the catalysts, and methods of performing reactions using the catalysts.

Abstract: The sequence is disclosed both as the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 and as the corresponding amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 7. Five other amino acid sequences are also disclosed, two from rice and three from Arabidopsis, SEQ ID NO: 2 through SEQ ID NO:6, respectively.

Abstract: The process incorporating the invention enables fabrication of dense, highly textured (fraction of oriented grains >20 vol. %) alumina. The method uses a mixture of aluminum metal powder, alumina powder, tabular alumina grains and a liquid phase former. A dry powder mixtures of these components is compacted by dry forming techniques such as roll compaction, uniaxial pressing, forging and/or double action pressing. The formed part is then heated at 0.5-10° C./min. to a temperature between 450 and 500° C. and is held for 2-15 h, and is then heated at 1-10° C/min. to 900-1070° C. and is held for 2-10 hours to convert the aluminum particles into alumina. The part is then heated to a higher temperature (>1400° C.) to form a liquid phase which assists densification and promotes the growth of the tabular alumina grains. The aspect ratio range of the textured alumina grains is from 2-14.

Abstract: Polyolefin diblock copolymers are prepared via a chain transfer reaction with a borane dimer compound during a transition metal-catalyzed olefin polymerization in a process that resembles a transformation from transition metal coordination polymerization to free radical polymerization via a borane end group. The polyolefin diblock copolymers may be represented by the following formula: (Transition Metal Prepared Polyolefin)-b-(Free Radical Prepared Polymer), wherein the polyolefin segment is a homo-, co- and ter-polymer prepared by transition metal (especially metallocene catalyst) coordination polymerization of at least one olefin, and the free radical prepared polymer segment is prepared by free radical polymerization of at least one vinyl monomer, such as styrene, maleic anhydride, acrylates, methacrylates and their mixtures. The resulting diblock copolymers are useful as the interfacial materials to improve the interaction between polyolefins and other materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aseptic biological production or processing of cells, tissues and/or microorganisms is provided. The apparatus includes a support housing having an interior chamber, a disposable liner lining the interior chamber and a head plate attached to the liner forming a sealed chamber with the liner. After use the liner can be disposed and the apparatus can be reused with a new liner. In this way, the apparatus simplifies cleaning and ensuring validation required by pharmaceutical and food industry standards.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composite material for use in recovery of radionuclides, metals, and halogenated hydrocarbons from aqueous media. The material has very high surface area, and includes nanometer sized, zero-valent iron on a support. The material can be used to remediate aqueous media which have contaminants such as radionuclides, metals and halogenated hydrocarbons from aqueous media.

Abstract: A biosensor based on complexes between biomolecule receptors and colloidal Au nanoparticles, and more specifically, colloid layers of receptor/Au complexes that can be used to detect biomolecule analytes through measuring of binding-induced changes in electrical resistance or surface plasmon resonance. Also disclosed is a method for detecting and analysing carrier-borne chemical compounds with Raman spectroscopy using an improved SERS substrate. Further disclosed is an improved method for detecting compounds in solvents using capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A coupling coefficient is a measure of the effectiveness with which a shape-changing material (or a device employing such a material) converts the energy in an imposed signal to useful mechanical energy. Device coupling coefficients are properties of the device and, although related to the material coupling coefficients, are generally different from them. This invention describes a class of devices wherein the apparent coupling coefficient can, in principle, approach 1.0, corresponding to perfect electromechanical energy conversion. The key feature of this class of devices is the use of destabilizing mechanical pre-loads to counter inherent stiffness. The approach is illustrated for piezoelectric and thermoelectrically actuated devices. The invention provides a way to simultaneously increase both displacement and force, distinguishing it from alternatives such as motion amplification, and allows transducer designers to achieve substantial performance gains for actuator and sensor devices.

Abstract: A highly porous three-dimensional biodegradable poly(organophosphazene) matrix with hydrolytically unstable side chains is prepared and used as a scaffold for the growth of osteoblast cells. In a preferred embodiment, the poly(organophosphazene) includes between 10 and 90% hydrolytically unstable side chains including glucosyl, glyceryl, glyceryl, imidazolyl or ethoxy units, for example, poly[(methylphenoxy)(ethyl glycinato) phosphazene]. The addition of the glucosyl, glycinyl or glyceryl side chains to the polymer can also be used generally to enhance growth rates of cells adhered to the polymer, presumably through uptake and metabolism of the simple sugar or alcohol units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a beam strain gauge to measure strain in a material which incorporates the theory of beam mechanics and the use of a full Wheatstone bridge circuit. In all cases the beam or beams used are not attached directly to the material to be measured, thereby making the beam or beams insensitive to transverse strain. The use of beam mechanics allows the use of the full Wheatstone bridge circuit, which has many desirable properties for strain measurement. Some of these properties are self compensation for temperature and a higher gauge output signal. The beam strain gauge can be employed using silicon chip technology and provides many advantages over the current conventional strain gauges.

Abstract: An electroactive device incorporating the invention includes an electroactive ceramic annular substrate having a pair of opposed planar annular surfaces, a hollowed interior region and a thickness aspect. A first cap having a concave shape that extends into the hollowed interior region includes a rim portion, bounding the hollowed interior region, and joined to a first one of the planar surfaces. A second cap having a concave shape that extends into the hollowed interior region includes a rim portion, bounding the hollowed interior region, and joined to a second one of the planar surfaces. A potential measured across the ceramic substrate enables a field change in the ceramic substrate to be sensed, the field change caused by flexure of the ceramic substrate as a result of a pressure applied to the first and second caps.

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form highly branched, liquid polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which comprises (1) an alkyl aluminum component, (2) an aluminum or gallium trihalide component, and, optionally, (3) a Group 4 metallocene dihalide component.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and recombinant expression constructs for inducing and sustaining high-level production of a recombinant polypeptide in yeast. The invention specifically provides high copy number recombinant expression constructs that express high levels of trans-acting transcription factors that in turn induce expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a heterologous or endogenous recombinant polypeptide. The invention more specifically provides constructs that express galactose-inducible and temperature-sensitive transcription factors. The invention also provides constructs comprising nucleic acids the transcription of which is regulated by the transcription factors expressed by the construct. The invention also provides yeast cells transformed by the recombinant expression constructs of the invention that permit sustained high-level expression of a recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: A new method of treating water to remove perchlorate contaminant is disclosed. Water is fed through a filter bed containing perchlorate-reducing microorganisms. The microorganisms reduce the perchlorate, thereby decontaminating the water. An oxidizable substrate serves as an electron donor to the microorganisms. The invention results in safe to undetectable levels of perchlorate in the treated water.

Abstract: An electroactive device incorporating the invention is configured from an electroactive ceramic hollow sphere having an inner surface, an outer surface, a wall thickness aspect and a radius aspect. Conductive electrodes are positioned on opposed surfaces of said sphere and conductors enable application of an electrical potential between the conductive electrodes to enable a field to be applied to said sphere that causes a dimension change in the radius aspect and thickness aspect thereof. In one embodiment the sphere has a d33 direction parallel to the thickness aspect, and d31 & d32 directions parallel to the sphere surfaces and in another embodiment the d33 direction is perpendicular to the thickness aspect, and d31 & d32 directions are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the sphere surfaces. The sphere is preferably supported by a rod that either passes throng one opening in the sphere or through two opposed openings. Further, the rod may include a pathway for other instrumentality's.

Abstract: This invention is to develop novel transition metal catalysts for the practical synthesis of important chiral molecules. The invention emphasizes asymmetric catalysis based on chiral bidentate phosphine ligands with cyclic ring structures which could be used to restrict conformational flexibility of the ligands and thus the efficiency of chiral transfer can be enhanced through the ligand rigidity.

Abstract: A new and distinct regal Pelargonium having rose pink flowers with deep burgundy upper petals and a scarlet eye on the lower petals with a white center above a mound of medium green foliage. The new cultivar has improved cutting production, rooting speed, and branching and earlier flowering time than ‘Fantasy’.