Abstract: A solar cell comprising a back electrical contact, amorphous silicon semiconductor base and junction layers and a top electrical contact includes in its manufacture the step of heat treating the physical junction between the base layer and junction layer to diffuse the dopant species at the physical junction into the base layer.

Abstract: Electrical path failures in thin film photovoltaic cells are avoided by disposing at least one blocking layer in the cell to prevent undesired electrical contact which might otherwise occur between the transparent and opaque electrical contacts as well as between one of the contacts and the semiconductor which is remote from it.

Abstract: Solutions of chitin in dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone or mixtures of these in combination with a minor proportion of lithium chloride.

Abstract: A solar air heater is vertically disposed and composed of a plurality of parallel, horizontally disposed slats resembling a venetian blind. The slats are positioned with their upper faces facing the sun and at an acute angle relative to the horizontal such that the winter sun will produce multiple heat absorbing reflections between adjacent slat surfaces, whereas the summer sun will be reflected back, if desired, so as to impart little or no heat to the heater. Air is circulated through the heater between the slats, thereby becoming heated as it absorbs heat from the slats. This heated air is then sent into a structure, such as a room of a house, via air ducts or the like to heat the structure or is sent to such other areas as desired, the solar air heater being attached to or forming a part of the structure that is to receive the heat produced by its use.

Abstract: A conventional absorption refrigeration system is combined in series with a vapor compression refrigeration system to effect the improvement, which comprises compressing the vapor refrigerant from the evaporator before introducing it into the absorber and/or compressing the vapor refrigerant from the generator before introducing it into the condenser. One bypass permits direct operation as a vapor-compression refrigeration system. Bypasses also permit direct operation as an absorption system.

Abstract: A new method for producing high-strength films, fibers and other shaped articles from chitin has been discovered, whereby an anhydrous solution of chitin is made into the desired shape, the chitin is insolubilized with an organic non-solvent for the chitin and the resultant shaped article, if desired, is oriented, by cold drawing until its properties, such as tensile strength, are substantially enhanced. The films, fibers, and other shaped articles capable of being oriented or in oriented form, are novel and useful in such applications as food wrap and surgical sutures.

Abstract: A cooling system for air conditioning of buildings which comprises creating a cold medium by dissolving a salt in water, said salt being characterized by forming an endothermic solution, passing air through or over said cold solution to cool the air before introduction into said building, after the potential cooling effect is exhausted the salt is recovered by evaporation of the water from the solution with hot air, said hot air being at least partly heated by solar energy.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters or amides are obtained from aryl, heterocyclic, vinylic, ethynylic, and benzylic halides and substituted derivates thereof, by reacting same with an alcohol or primary or secondary amine and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a palladium catalyst and if necessary a tertiary amine at about 20.degree.-150.degree. C and from about a half to about 100 atmospheres pressure. A typical example is the conversion of bromobenzene into n-butyl benzoate at 100.degree. C and one atmosphere of carbon monoxide in the presence of tri-n-butyl-amine and a catalytic amount of PdBr.sub.2 [P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 ].sub.2.

Abstract: Chitin, either as such or in toasted form, has been found to be an effective extender and filter for tobacco. It can be used in substantial amounts with tobacco blends without adversely affecting such physical properties as packing ability, burning rate or retention of ash. Organoleptic properties such as aroma, taste and smoothness are little affected. To the degree that chitin is used in the mixture, nicotine and noxious tars are reduced. Mixtures of chitin and tobacco represent new compositions.

Abstract: A continuous cyclic process for removing sulfur dioxide from gases produced in the combustion of fossil fuels or in chemical and metallurgical operations by means of an aqueous solution including the carbonate of an alkali metal to absorb said oxide out of said gases whereby the metal carbonate is converted into the metal sulfite. A two step recovery process is employed to reproduce the aqueous carbonate solution for reuse in the absorption step and to produce hydrogen sulfide which may be converted into elemental sulfur by well known means, if desired.

Abstract: A mixture for the storage of heat energy utilizing a heat of fusion material includes sodium sulfate decahydrate, borax as a nucleating agent, and hydrous magnesium aluminum silicate (attapulgus clay) as a homogenizing agent. This composition maintains the salt-hydrate in suspension during repeated heating and cooling cycles.A method is also disclosed for preparing the mixture which includes the steps of mixing water with the attapulgus clay, adding a nucleating agent to the initial mixture, and mixing the initial mixture, including the nucleating agent, with a heat of fusion material such as sodium sulfate decahydrate.

Abstract: Aldehydes are obtained from aryl, vinylic and heterocyclic halides and substituted derivatives thereof, a tertiary amine, carbon monoxide and hydrogen at from about 50.degree.-175.degree.C under from about one to 200 atmospheres pressure and with PdX.sub.2 [P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 ].sub.1 or 2 as a catalyst where X is acetate or a halogen. The ratios of carbon monoxide to hydrogen are not critical but the most favorable reactions are usually obtained with ratio from about 0.1 to about 10. A typical example is the conversion of p-bromoanisole to anisaldehyde in 84% yield at 150.degree.C in 18 hrs. at 1000 psig. of 1:1 CO to H.sub.2 with one mole percent of PdBr.sub.2 [P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 ].sub.2 as catalyst and with tri-n-butylamine as the tertiary amine.

Abstract: Azo compounds especially useful for dyeing polyamide fibers on which the compounds exhibit improved fastness and dyeability properties contain a phenyl diazo component having a substituent in the 4-position and hydrogen, chlorine or bromine in the 2-position, and a tetramethyl substituted tetrahydroquinoline coupling component.

Abstract: 1. The reduction of turbulent drag of fluids flowing through conduits such as pipelines, channels, troughs and streams, or of drag on an object which is moving relative to a fluid, which comprises adding to said fluid a mixture of soluble polymeric substances and of suspended fibers.2. Process fluids, consisting of the above-mentioned mixtures of dissolved polymers and suspended fibers, which exhibit decreased pressure losses under conditions of turbulent flow as compared to the carrier liquid but which exhibit heat or mass transfer rates which are of the same magnitude as those of the unmodified carrier liquid. That is, process fluids for which the heat transfer rate per unit of pumping power required is greater than that exhibited by the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A continuous cyclic process and apparatus for removing sulfur dioxide (and if present, sulfur trioxide) from gases produced in the combustion of fossil fuels or in chemical and metallurgical processes by means of an aqueous absorption solution including potassium carbonate to absorb said oxides out of said gases whereby potassium carbonate is converted into potassium sulfite (sulfate). A two component, two stage molten process is employed to recover potassium carbonate for reuse in the absorption step and to liberate hydrogen sulfide which may be converted to elemental sulfur by well known methods.