Abstract: A nonlinear optical composition and a method of forming the nonlinear optical composition are disclosed. The nonlinear optical composition includes a silicon-containing component and a nonlinear optical component which causes the nonlinear optical composition to exhibit second order nonlinear optical polarization of electromagnetic radiation, such as light. The method includes forming a sol of the silicon-containing component and the nonlinear optical component of the composition. A gel is formed from the sol. The nonlinear optical component is then poled while the gel is exposed to conditions sufficient to cause formation of a nonlinear optical composition which exhibits second order nonlinear optical polarization of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for significantly diminishing the rate of degradation of naturally-produced .gamma.-PGA in a .gamma.-PGA-producing cell culture. Also, a method is disclosed for significantly decreasing the water solubility coefficient of naturally-produced .gamma.-PGA by forming derivatives of .gamma.-PGA. In addition, a polymer solution is disclosed which includes a polysaccharide component and a .gamma.-PGA component.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed which includes a polyamideimide polymer and a liquid crystalline polymer, wherein the amount of the liquid crystalline polymer is in an amount which significantly decreases the melt viscosity of the polyamideimide polymer while not significantly decreasing the mechanical properties of the polyamideimide polymer.

Abstract: A silicone based wedged surface radar absorbing structure operating at terahertz frequencies. The radar absorbing structure includes a silicone based elastomer loaded with iron oxide and formed with a wedged type surface geometry consisting of a plurality of grooves having small groove angles in the range of about 22.5.degree..

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having photo-electronic properties and methods of making the same. The instant films may be made, for example, by spreading a mixture of one or more types of biotinylated lipids and one or more types of electrically-conductive lipids over a water-miscible liquid subphase. Conjugated molecules comprising a biotin-binding component made up of an avidin or streptavidin molecule or a fragment or derivative thereof having biotin-binding activity and a photodynamic proteinaceous component are then injected into the subphase. Because of the affinity between biotin and the biotin-binding component, the conjugated molecules bind to the biotinylated lipids. The air-subphase interface is then compressed, causing the biotinylated lipids and electrically-conductive lipids to form a monolayer thereat.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing enzyme-catalyzed polymers using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In one embodiment, the process comprises spreading one or more enzyme-polymerizable monomers on a water-miscible solvent. The monomers are sufficiently surface active that they align themselves on the air-solvent interface. Next, pressure is applied to the interface to form a monolayer made up of the monomers. An enzyme is then introduced into the solvent, causing polymerization of the monomers in the monolayer. The polymeric monolayers produced by the present method are easier to process and have reduced cross-linking and branching as compared to similar polymers produced in bulk by enzyme-catalyzed reactions.