Abstract: A device and a method for fusing biological cells. The device is formed by a chamber having a tube for containing a cell suspension and a cover for sealing the tube. The chamber is provided with a lower electrode having a smooth and flat surface for contacting the cells precipitating in the cell suspension, and an upper electrode opposite to the lower electrode. The lower electrode forms the inner bottom surface of the tube. The upper electrode is inserted in the cover to enter the tube. The chamber is centrifuged to form the layers of cells on the lower electrode at the bottom of the tube. Then, a predetermined ac voltage is applied across the upper and lower electrodes to fuse the cells efficiently. Such a device and method are useful for the production of monoclonal antibodies or giant cells.

Abstract: The alkali metal perchlorates, e.g., sodium perchlorate or hydrate thereof, are continuously produced by continuously electrolyzing an aqueous solution electrolyte of a corresponding alkali metal chlorate in a single stage, while maintaining such electrolyte homogeneous and compositionally uniform over time by the continuous and simultaneous introduction of alkali metal chlorate and water thereto, and continuously directly separating desired alkali metal perchlorate from such solution of electrolysis.

Abstract: Described is a method of separating and recovering metal values from a waste stream containing metal hydroxides comprising the steps of providing an aqueous waste stream containing metal values including chromium; subjecting the waste stream to an oxidation process to convert the chromium to chromium (VI); precipitating the other metal values in the aqueous stream by adjusting the pH of the stream to cause the precipitations; and separately recovering the chromium (VI) from the remaining metal values. The process described pertains to separating and recovering metal values such as those from an electroplating process or an electroless process wherein the metals may be iron, cobalt, zinc, cadmium, nickel, copper, silver, aluminum and chromium. The chromium recovery step is performed by oxidizing chromium (III) to chromium (VI) preferably in the presence of a manganese catalyst and preferably utilizing ultrasound waves. The remaining metal values are separated by the use of a chelating ion exchange resin.

Abstract: In the process for preparing thick films comprising dispersing powder of a starting material for thick films in a solvent system, applying direct electric potential between the electrodes provided in the solvent system and thus electrodepositing the powder material on a substrate connected to the cathode, an improvement wherein a mixed solvent comprising an alcohol or alcohols, a methyl-group-containing ketone or ketones and nitorcellulose is disclosed. By this process thick films of solid electrolytes can be economically formed.

Abstract: Aluminum-coated ammonium perchlorate is prepared in an apparatus consisting f a four-opening reaction flask (which serves as a vacuum chamber). The reaction flask is fitted with an electrically-heated tungsten helix coil (for vaporizing the aluminum), a mercury diffusion pump, a mechanical vacuum pump, a dry ice-acetone-cooled trap, and a McLeod pressure-measurement gage. The heater electrodes are submitted through two of the openings; reduced pressure operation is maintained through the third opening, and the aluminum is fed through the fourth opening. The reaction flask is operated at approximately 10 Torr. A magnetic stirrer permits the ammonium perchlorate to be vaporized onto the surface of the ammonium perchlorate after the melted aluminum on the tungsten helix coil is subsequently vaporized from the tungsten helix coil.

Abstract: A method of electrowinning a metal in which electrolysis and servicing and treatments of the electrodes are carried out using an electrode unit. A plurality of anode plates and cathode plates are allunately and insulatedly assembled and regularly spaced and secured. By use of such electrode units, the anode plates and the cathode plates can be arranged closely-spaced, and thus the efficiency of electrolysis is enhanced, the electrolytic cell can be made compact, and the operation space can be reduced. Also, this method is suitable for automation of an electrowinning operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of metal ions and other contaminates from a contaminated liquid comprises introducing the contaminated liquid into a vessel having an inlet section, an electrode section having a plurality of anodes and cathodes and an outlet section. Agitation is provided in the inlet section and the outlet section and the contaminated liquid is continuously recirculated from the outlet section to the inlet section. The combination of high electrode surface area, vigorous air agitation and recirculation allows for the economical reduction of the contaminate level and the waste solution to extremely low levels in the minimum amount of time.

Abstract: Solid phases such as capillary tubes or solid supports used in chromatography, and in particular electrophoresis, are treated with oxidizing or reducing agents as needed to maintain or restore surface electrical charges or the lack thereof, which become modified during electrophoresis as a result of action by system components in the separation medium or the solutes themselves. The treatment is used as a means of achieving reproducible electroosmotic bulk flow when desired or suppressing unwanted electroosmotic flow arising due to the accumulation of charges on the surface. The result is improved reproducibility of retention times and component separation.

Abstract: Oxa-organic sulfur compounds, methods of preparing such compounds and methods of using the compounds as polymer chain length terminating agents are provided. The compounds are prepared by reacting allyl alcohol in the presence of a basic catalyst with a compound having the formula ##STR1## to form an intermediate.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrometallurgical process for extracting noble metals from raw materials containing the same, comprising(a) leaching the raw materials with a mineral acid to leave a residue containing the noble metals,(b) treating said residue with a substantially non-aqueous liquid comprising bromine and an apolar organic solvent in which bromine dissolves, to form a complex of the formulaR[MeBr.sub.x ]whereinx=4-6Me=Au, Ag, Pt, PdOs, Ru, Rh, Irand R is an organic moiety of the solvent, and(c) subjecting the complex-containing substantially non-aqueous liquid to electrolysis whereby noble metal is deposited on the cathode and removable therefrom and bromine liquid is formed at the anode and immediately dissolves in the organic solvent.

Abstract: A process for producing electrolytic manganese dioxide comprising the step of suspending carbon fibers in a bath for producing manganese dioxide and electrolyizing said bath to produce electrolytic manganese dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for the removal of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur from a gas mixture containing those species by exposure of the gas mixture to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength below 200 nanometers in absence of ammonia.

Abstract: Conditions have been found which make possible the continuous electrolysis of water using hydrogen sulfide. Contrary to the previous claims, it is not necessary to add a solvent for sulfur extraction. The invention avoids the difficulty of the passivation of the anode and the interruption of the current flow.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of alkali metal sulphide, in which an electrolysis cell is used in which a membrane which is selectively permeable to cations separates an anode chamber containing an anode from a cathode chamber containing a cathode, an electrolyte containing alkali metal is electrolyzed in the anode chamber and an aqueous solution of alkali metal polysulphide is electrolyzed simultaneously in the cathode chamber.

Abstract: A method or process for treating materials for making materials electrically conductive that are not naturally electrically conductive or for increasing and enhancing the electrical conductivity of materials that are naturally electrically conductive. The invention is carried out in processing apparatus or equipment. The apparatus includes a vessel containing a solution that is electrically conductive. The solution or bath contains salts including acid surfactant, acid and silver nitrate crystals. The apparatus includes electrical equipment which includes electrodes exposed to the solution in the vessel so that an alternating electrical current is caused to traverse the solution and the material being processed. Additionally, the apparatus includes an array of ultrasonic generators provided to cause ultrasonic sound vibrations to traverse through the solution and the material being processed simultaneously with the flow of current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cathodically depositable aqueous electropaints which contain cationic amine-modified epoxy resins and are pigmented, with electroconductive carbon black and which, on deposition and crosslinking, provide electrophoroetically overcoatable coatings and contain as electroconductive carbon black a carbon black having an iodine absorption of 870-930 mg/g, a specific surface area (BET/N.sub.2) of 850-1,000 m.sup.2 /g, a pore volume (DBP) of 330-390 ml/100 g and an average particle size of 25-35 nm in an amount of 1.5 to 5.1% by weight--based on total solids.

Abstract: Purified agarose suitable for rapid electrophoresis, characterized by a sulfate content of less than 0.2 wt % but greater than zero, a pyruvate content of 0-0.1 wt %, and a nitrogen content of 0-0.02 wt %. Gels prepared from the agarose exhibit a gel strength at 1.0 wt % concentration of at least 1200 g/cm.sup.2, substantial absence of DNA binding in 0.07 M or less tris acetate buffer, and an electroendosmosis (EEO) at 1.0 wt % concentration of 0.05 or less. Agaroses are purified to provide the low EEO material by dissolving agarose or alkali-modified agar in an aqueous medium buffered at a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and containing no more than 2.0 nM salt as chloride, and precipitating the agarose by contact with a lower alkanol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of electrolytically extracting liquid mercury from HgO or Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. Additionally there are disclosed two related techniques associated with the present invention, namely (1) a technique for selectively removing product from different regions of a long photochemical reactor (photoreactor) and (2) a method of accurately measuring the total quantity of mercury formed as either HgO or Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2.

Abstract: Polyolefin coatings and films having release characteristics, also known as release sheets, are disclosed. The release sheets are formed by treating a sheet formed from polyolefin and dimethyl polysiloxane having functional end groups with a corona discharge. In a preferred embodiment, the release sheet is formed from polyolefin, the dimethyl polysiloxane, vinyl silane, an agent to graft the vinyl silane onto the polyolefin and a moisture curing agent by extrusion in the form of sheet, treating the sheet with a corona discharge and then subjecting the sheet to moisture. The release sheets may be used, for instance, as the backing sheet for labels.

Abstract: The instant invention provides in one aspect porous frit electrodes having improved efficiencies. In another aspect the invention provides inert metal reference and/or counter electrodes a method of reducing diffusion effects on a metal terminal counter or reference electrode and the electrodes so produced.