Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing ordered parts by stereolithography from non-ordered liquid crystal monomers. Liquid crystal monomers contain stiff, rod-like mesogenic segments which can be aligned by an external force such as shear, electric field or magnetic field, causing an anisotropy in properties. When cured in the aligned stated by photopolymerizing the aligned monomers the anisotropic structure is "locked in" resulting in materials with anisotropic physical and mechanical properties. The rigid structure of the mesogenic segments can result in cured networks with high glass transition temperatures if the spacer groups which connect the mesogenic core with the reactive end groups are kept short. Glass transition temperatures of postcured parts ranged from 75 to 148.degree. C. depending on resin and processing conditions. A mechanical anisotropy on the order of two was measured for aligned samples.

Abstract: A thermal energy transport and storage system is provided which includes an evaporator containing a mixture of a first phase change material and a silica powder, and a condenser containing a second phase change material. The silica powder/PCM mixture absorbs heat energy from a source such as a solar collector such that the phase change material forms a vapor which is transported from the evaporator to the condenser, where the second phase change material melts and stores the heat energy, then releases the energy to an environmental space via a heat exchanger. The vapor is condensed to a liquid which is transported back to the evaporator. The system allows the repeated transfer of thermal energy using the heat of vaporization and condensation of the phase change material.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage composition is provided which is in the form of a gel. The composition includes a phase change material and silica particles, where the phase change material may comprise a linear alkyl hydrocarbon, water/urea, or water. The thermal energy storage composition has a high thermal conductivity, high thermal energy storage, and may be used in a variety of applications such as in thermal shipping containers and gel packs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating the group III element component of a group III-V material from an aqueous waste containing a group III-V material to allow for their recovery and beneficial use. The method includes adjusting the pH of an aqueous waste containing a group III-V material to a pH from about 9.5 to about 12.5 by adding an alkali metal hydroxide base to the aqueous waste; precipitating a group V element oxyanion by adding a soluble alkaline metal salt to the aqueous waste; separating the group V element oxyanion from the aqueous waste; adjusting the pH of the aqueous waste to form a group III element hydroxide precipitate by adding a mineral acid to the aqueous waste; separating the group III element hydroxide precipitate from the aqueous waste; and recovering the group III element from the group III element hydroxide precipitate.

Abstract: A system for actively damping low frequency noise in an enclosure is provided comprising an acoustic wave sensor, and acoustic wave actuator, and an electronic feedback loop. The acoustic wave actuator is substantially collocated with the acoustic wave sensor within an enclosure. The electronic feedback loop is operative to generate a signal at its output by applying a feedback loop transfer function. The feedback loop transfer function comprises a selected second order differential equation including a first variable representing a predetermined damping coefficient and a second variable representing a tuned natural frequency. The transfer function defines a frequency response having a characteristic maximum gain substantially corresponding to the value of the tuned natural frequency and creates a 90 degree phase lead substantially at the tuned natural frequency. The feedback loop output signal represents a rate of change of volume velocity to be produced by the acoustic wave actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the analysis of a fluid to determine the remaining useful life of the fluid and whether the fluid has become contaminated. The method can be performed either on-line or off-line, however, the on-line method is preferred. In the method, a sample of the fluid is contacted by a single electrode which is connected to the ground potential by means of the equipment in which the fluid is used. A current is applied to the sample through the electrode and the conductivity of the sample is measured. The conductivity measurement can then compared to known values for the fluid to determine the remaining useful life of the fluid and whether the fluid has become contaminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which can be used to detect the abnormal operating condition of equipment, such as engines and machinery, the usefulness of the fluid, and the content of wear metals and elemental constituents in the fluid. The method comprises the steps of bringing at least two electrodes into contact with a sample of a fluid to be analyzed; applying a square voltage wave form to the electrodes at a predetermined scan range and scan rate to cause a current to flow between the electrodes; monitoring the current at the electrodes to determine a current output signal; using the current output signal to measure the conductivity of the fluid; and analyzing the sample to determine a content of wear metals and elemental constituents in the sample.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is provided comprising a transducer housing, a piezoelectric assembly, and a seating assembly. The transducer housing includes a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, and an ultrasonic window positioned at the front end. The piezoelectric assembly is positioned within the transducer housing and comprises a piezoelectric assembly substrate and a piezoelectric laminate formed over a front surface of the assembly substrate. The seating assembly is arranged to secure the piezoelectric assembly within the transducer housing such that at least a portion of the piezoelectric laminate is aligned with the ultrasonic window. The transducer housing, the assembly substrate, and the seating assembly are preferably constructed of high temperature and high pressure materials characterized by substantially equivalent coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber composition comprising a fiber forming polymer and a phase change material integrally incorporated throughout the fiber forming polymer which is either a polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene ether or mixture of various polyolefins. The phase change material has a melting temperature between about 15.degree. C. and about 65.degree. C. The fiber composition can be used as a loose fill insulating material for use in clothing or bedding articles or can be formed into a fabric for the same uses.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive actuator is provided comprising an actuator base, a magnetostrictive assembly, an actuator frame, and a flexible disk. The magnetostrictive assembly includes a magnetostrictive element. A first end of the magnetostrictive element is mechanically coupled to the actuator base. A first portion of the actuator frame is mechanically coupled to the actuator base. The flexible disk includes a perimetrical disk portion and a bearing surface portion. The perimetrical disk portion is mechanically coupled to the second frame portion and the bearing surface portion is mechanically coupled to the second magnetostrictive element end portion. The magnetostrictive actuator comprises a magnetostrictive material portion and a plurality of cooling fluid bores formed within the magnetostrictive material portion.

Abstract: A method of admitting and receiving a sample into a gas chromatographic column is provided in which a step increase in pressure is performed in combination with the application of a negative axial thermal gradient to provide pre-separation of solutes in the sample within the inlet region of the column. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample into the column at a first pressure and temperature, rapidly raising the temperature to invoke a negative axial thermal gradient, and then substantially instantaneously increasing the pressure. The method causes the solutes in the sample to be partially separated into narrow zones within the inlet region, resulting in eventually achieving maximum resolution.

Abstract: An optical system is provided comprising an entry window, an exit window, a radiation transmissive membrane, and first and second lenses. The entry window and the exit window define a radiation path extending from the entry window to the exit window. The radiation transmissive membrane is positioned along the radiation path between the entry window and the exit window. The membrane defines a first chamber between the entry window and the membrane and a second chamber between the membrane and the exit window. The first fluid is included within the first chamber so as to intersect the radiation path and the second fluid is included within the second chamber so as to intersect the radiation path. The first lens operative to focus radiation directed through the entry window at a focal point located within the second fluid. The second lens is operative to focus radiation passing through the exit window.

Abstract: A microwavable thermal energy storage material is provided which includes a mixture of a phase change material and silica, and a carbon black additive in the form of a conformable dry powder of phase change material/silica/carbon black, or solid pellets, films, fibers, moldings or strands of phase change material/high density polyethylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate/silica/carbon black which allows the phase change material to be rapidly heated in a microwave oven. The carbon black additive, which is preferably an electrically conductive carbon black, may be added in low concentrations of from 0.5 to 15% by weight, and may be used to tailor the heating times of the phase change material as desired. The microwavable thermal energy storage material can be used in food serving applications such as tableware items or pizza warmers, and in medical wraps and garments.

Abstract: A method for fire retarding porous products used for thermal energy storage and products produced thereby is provided. The method includes treating the surface of the phase change material-containing porous products with a urea fire-retarding agent. Upon exposure to a flame, the urea forms an adduct with the phase change material which will not sustain combustion (is self-extinguishing) in air. No halogens or metal oxides are contained in the fire retardant, so no potentially noxious halide smoke or fumes are emitted if the product is continuously exposed to a flame.

Abstract: A building product having thermal energy storage properties in the form of a cementitious hollow core building block having a hollow core or cores and having within the hollow core(s) a composite containing a phase change material. The composite may be a cementitious plug sized to fit the hollow core(s) and having a phase change material imbibed into the pores and matrix thereof or having polyolefin pellets containing a phase change material or silica particles containing a phase change material incorporated at the wet mix stage of formation of the cementitious plug. The composite may also be a polyolefin plug sized to fit hollow core(s) and having a phase change material contained within the matrix thereof. Finally the composite may be polyolefin pellets containing a phase change material or silica particles containing a phase change material packed in a container sized to fit the hollow core(s).

Abstract: A structural member is reinforced by applying an adhesive material between a reinforcement surface of the structural member and an adhesion surface of a support plate, positioning a vacuum assembly adjacent to an exposed surface of said support plate so as to create an inner space between an exterior surface of said vacuum assembly and said reinforcement surface, and creating a partial vacuum in said inner space so as to force said vacuum assembly and said plate towards said reinforcement surface. A prefabricated vacuum assembly is a vacuum assembly comprising a flexible porous film, a flexible non-porous film, and a flexible sheet of breather material positioned between said porous film and said non-porous film.

Abstract: A mechanical test system is provided comprising a primary actuator arranged so as to create mechanical movement of a first specimen holder along an axis of actuation and an oppositely oriented secondary actuator arranged so as to create mechanical movement of a second specimen holder along the axis of actuation. The magnetostrictive actuator comprises a magnetostrictive assembly including a magnetostrictive element and a flexible disk mechanically coupled to the magnetostrictive element. The magnetostrictive element comprises either a magnetostrictive material portion with a plurality of cooling fluid bores formed within the magnetostrictive material portion or an epoxy matrix with a plurality of cooling fluid bores and a plurality of magnetostrictive rods formed within the epoxy matrix.

Abstract: A polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte is provided which may be formed into a thin film having a room temperature conductivity of from 10.sup.-5 S cm.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-3 S cm.sup.-1. In one embodiment, the composite electrolyte comprises from about 30 to 60% by weight poly(ethylene oxide), from about 10 to 20% by weight lithium tetrafluoroborate, and from about 25 to 60% by weight lithium nitride. The film is preferably produced by mixing and grinding the components, then placing the ground mixture in a die and compacting the mixture to form a disc which is then flattened. The resulting film is annealed to ensure high conductivity at room temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for photothermal detoxification of toxic organic compounds are provided. The apparatus comprises a means for maintaining the gas stream from the targeted source at a temperature of greater than 200.degree. C., an optional air pollution control device, a radiation source which emits radiation at a wavelength of less than 320 nm and an outlet for releasing the nontoxic reaction products to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A synthesis process for polysilsesquioxanes which produces a high yield, tractable copolymer of perfectly alternating silsesquioxane and bridging group segments is provided. A difunctional silsesquioxane monomer of the formula Si.sub.8 R.sub.8 O.sub.11 (OA).sub.2 or Si.sub.7 R.sub.7 O.sub.9 (OSiR.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6) (OA).sub.2 is reacted with a difunctional compound of the formula X-M-X which forms a bridging group for a time sufficient to condense the difunctional silsesquioxane monomers and bridging groups into a linear polymer containing alternating silsesquioxane and bridging group segments. The resulting linear copolymer is essentially free of impurities and has controllable properties through the proper selection of the monomeric starting materials.