Abstract: Fe-based alloy powder suitable for manufacturing sintered products with excellent corrosion resistance for example, which comprises by weight percentage of not more than 0.03% of C; not more than 2% of Si; not more than 0.5% of Mn; from 8 to 28% of Ni; from 15 to 25% of Cr; from 3 to 8% of Mo; optionally at least one of not more than 5% of Cu; not more than 3 % of Sn; not more than 2% of Nb and not more than 2% of Ti; and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The Fe-based alloy powder is sintered in an inert gas such as Ar or H.sub.2, or in an atmosphere of N.sub.2 with pressure of 1 to 10 torr after being compacted. A sintered compact sintered in an atmosphere of N.sub.2 with pressure of higher than 10 torr and not higher than 200 torr is cooled at cooling rate of higher than 50.degree. C./min.

Abstract: A method for mitigating crack growth on the surface of stainless steel or other alloy components in a water-cooled nuclear reactor wherein a solution or suspension of a compound containing a noble metal is injected into the coolant water while the reactor is not generating nuclear heat, e.g., during shutdown or recirculation pump heatup. During shutdown, the reactor coolant water reaches temperatures as low as 120.degree. F., in contrast to the water temperature of 550.degree. F. during normal operation. During pump heatup, the water temperature reaches 400.degree.-450.degree. F. At these reduced temperatures, the rate of thermal decomposition of the injected noble metal compound is reduced. However, radiation-induced decomposition also occurs inside the reactor. In particular, the noble metal compound can be decomposed by the gamma radiation emanating from the nuclear fuel core of the reactor.

Abstract: A method for mitigating crack growth on the surface of stainless steel or other alloy components in a water-cooled nuclear reactor wherein a solution or suspension of a compound containing a noble metal is injected into the coolant water along with a reducing agent. The presence of the reducing agent will assist in better deposition of the noble metal, for example, palladium, on metal surfaces, thereby increasing the noble metal loading and also improving the tenacity with which the noble metal is bound onto the metal. The extent of noble metal doping is important in providing a better (lower) ECP response of the metal in the presence of a stoichiometric ratio of H.sub.2 to O.sub.2, which reduces the hydrogen demand considerably. The more tenacious the noble metal is bound to the metal surface, the longer its expected life will be, particularly under in-reactor Situations where the metal surfaces are subjected to a variety of hydrodynamic conditions.

Abstract: A method for mitigating crack growth on the surface of stainless steel or other metal components in a water-cooled nuclear reactor. A compound containing a noble metal, e.g., palladium, is injected into the water of the reactor in the form of a solution or suspension. This compound has the property that it decomposes under reactor thermal conditions to release ions/atoms of the noble metal which incorporate in or deposit on the interior surfaces of the crack. The compound may be organic, organometallic (e.g., palladium acetylacetonate) or inorganic in nature. The palladium deposited inside a crack should exhibit catalytic behavior even if the bulk surface palladium is depleted under high fluid flow conditions. As a result, the electrochemical potential inside the crack is decreased to a level below the critical potential to protect against intergranular stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a torus formed by heated and cooled junctions of dissimilar metals such as copper and nickel to generate a low voltage current and form an electrical path of greatly enhanced conductivity wherein a greater current flow may be induced to form a stronger magnetic field. Current at higher voltage may be incrementally removed by magnetic field arrangements to act as magnetic variable switches while at the same time the magnetic field is contained and current also flows through the torus.

Abstract: A porous membrane produced by preparing a slurry made from at least one micropyretic substance and at least one liquid carrier. The slurry is dried into a green form having a desired geometric configuration. Combustion of the green form produces the porous membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus, which reinforces a shroud that is contained within a reactor vessel, is operable for reinforcement of the shroud in the event of cracking in the shroud. The apparatus comprises a reactor wall positioned surrounding the shroud. A beam is attached to and extends generally axially on the shroud for absorbing the forces generated by the cracking in the shroud, and a radial support is positioned between the beam and the wall of the reactor vessel for transmitting any forces absorbed by the beam to the wall.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond has non-uniform impurity concentration along the direction of thickness. The diamond near the rake surface has a lower impurity concentration. The diamond near the fixation surface has a higher impurity concentration. The diamond with the higher impurity concentration near the fixation surface alleviates strong stress or absorbs external shock. Owing to the higher impurity concentration of diamond near the fixation surface, the diamond tool excels in chip resistance or toughness. The diamond with a lower impurity concentration near the rake surface heightens abrasion resistance, adhesion resistance and strength.

Abstract: A thermoelectric apparatus (10) is provided that is compatible with multiple power sources (12) each providing a different voltage. The present apparatus (10) includes a thermoelectric assembly (14) having a plurality of thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) and control circuitry (16) coupled between the thermoelectric assembly (14) and a power source (12). The control circuitry (16) can sense the voltage provided by the power source (12) and electrically configure the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) in the thermoelectric assembly (14) between parallel and serial electrical configuration in response to the sensed voltage. The control circuitry (16) also couples the thermoelectric devices (18 & 20) to the power source (12).

Abstract: Atomized steel powder having excellent machinability, containing about S 0.005 wt % to 0.3 wt %, Cr 0.03 wt % to 0.3 wt %, Mn 0.03 wt % to 0.5 wt %, O 0.30 wt % or less, and the balance Fe and incidental impurities, and sintered steel that can be manufactured therefrom. In particular, each of specific components is limited to a preferred range so that atomized steel powder exhibiting excellent machinability, dimensional accuracy and wear resistance and sintered steel that can be manufactured therefrom are provided.

Abstract: A high-pressure phase boron nitride sintered body for cutting tools consists of a high-pressure phase boron nitride and an intermetallic compound containing a titanium carbonitride Ti(C,N) and at least one metal of Al, W, Co and Zr, and is produced by mixing the above components, and then sintering at a temperature of not lower than 1000.degree. C. under a pressure of not less than 2.4 GPa but less than 4 GPa.

Abstract: A boiling water reactor control rod drive support system having radiation shields to protect persons working under the reactor vessel from radiation exposure and to limit the travel of a control rod in the event that a control rod housing is ruptured. The radiation shields include radiation shield rings for surrounding the control rod drive housing and radiation shield cups for surrounding the bottom portion of the control rod drive. The radiation shield rings can be used with support systems having radiation shield cups placed on rows of support bars or with existing support systems.

Abstract: A combined wafer support and thermocouple assembly comprising a wafer support basket having a plurality of wafer support fingers, one of which includes a low mass, low heat constant support for supporting a thermocouple against the backside of a wafer positioned on the basket.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion member formed by a thermoelectric conversion element has a split ring shaped transverse cross section. Electrodes are disposed on ring ends of the thermoelectric conversion member facing each other. A magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the transverse cross-sectional plane of the thermoelectric conversion member. A heating unit for heating one side of an annular wall of the thermoelectric conversion member and a cooling unit provided on the opposite side of the annular wall of the thermoelectric conversion member produces a temperature gradient in a direction radially of the thermoelectric conversion member. Electric field is induced in the direction perpendicular to both directions of the magnetic field and the temperature gradient, that is in the circumferential direction of the ring of the thermoelectric conversion member under the Nernst effect, enabling an electric voltage to be taken out at the electrodes.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator includes a plurality of thermoelectric junctions embedded in each of a pair of thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive layers, these layers being separated by a thermally and electrically non-conductive layer. The junctions are connected to form a thermopile. An absorbent layer is provided adjacent one of the thermally conductive layers. A liquid such as water is applied to the absorbent layer, so that evaporation of the liquid from the absorbent layer enhances the temperature differential between the two thermally conductive layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum nitride body having graded metallurgy and a method for making such a body. The aluminum nitride body has at least one via and includes a first layer in direct contact with the aluminum nitride body and a second layer in direct contact with, and that completely encapsulates, the first layer. The first layer includes 30 to 60 volume percent aluminum nitride and 40 to 70 volume percent tungsten and/or molybdenum while the second layer includes 90 to 100 volume percent of tungsten and/or molybdenum and 0 to 10 volume percent of aluminum nitride.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum nitride body having graded metallurgy and a method for making such a body. The aluminum nitride body has at least one via and includes a first layer in direct contact with the aluminum nitride body and a second layer in direct contact with, and that completely encapsulates, the first layer. The first layer includes 30 to 60 volume percent aluminum nitride and 40 to 70 volume percent tungsten and/or molybdenum while the second layer includes 90 to 100 volume percent of tungsten and/or molybdenum and 0 to 10 volume percent of aluminum nitride.

Abstract: The flavor of fried foods, such as potato chips, prepared in poly(dimethylsiloxane) fluid (silicone oil) is effectively enhanced when a flavor-enhancing component of animal or vegetable fats or oils is added to the silicone oil. Selected flavor-enhancing components include fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, and mono- and di-glycerides. The flavor-enhancing component will be soluble in the silicone oil, and preferably will function to enhance flavor and aroma, as well as to reduce undesired foaming which can be associated with frying foods in silicone fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to diketontrile derivatives which have been discovered useful against arthropods, plant nematodes, helminth protozoan pests or as intermediates for such useful compounds which have general formula: ##STR1##

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods of isolating, culturing and propagating epithelial matrix cells by removing/isolating the bulb region of a hair follicle directly above the dermal papilla, incubating the bulb in a pre-coated culture dish containing Chang medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, replacing the Chang medium with keratinocyte growth medium after 3-4 days, propagating the cells to the next passage after adding the keratinocyte growth medium and passing the pure epithelial matrix cells again to obtain a third passage of cells. The epithelial matrix cells may be passed for up to six passages, and are useful for screening potential hair growth actives.