Abstract: Water-dispersible nanoparticles are prepared by applying a coating of a multiply amphipathic dispersant to the surface of a hydrophobic nanoparticle comprised of a semiconductive or metallic material. The multiply amphipathic dispersant has two or more hydrophobic regions and two or more hydrophilic regions, and is typically polymeric. Preferred polymeric dispersants are comprised of (1) a hydrophobic backbone with hydrophilic branches, (2) a hydrophilic backbone with hydrophobic branches, or (3) a backbone that may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and substituted with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic branches. Monodisperse populations of water-dispersible nanoparticles are also provided, as are conjugates of the water-dispersible nanoparticles with affinity molecules such as peptides, oligonucleotides, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a functionalized layer and an aluminum hydroxide layer on an aluminum substrate, the aluminum hydroxide layer located between the substrate and the functionalized layer. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an aluminum substrate to a hydrothermal treatment in an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 2 to 14 to form a layer of aluminum hydroxide on said substrate and thereafter treating said aluminum substrate with a phosphorus-containing acid selected from phosphinic and phosphonic acid to form a functionalized layer on said aluminum hydroxide layer, the functionalized layer comprised of the reaction product of said acid and the layer of aluminum hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermal spray material in any one of the forms of a particle mixture material, a granule material, and an electric fused material of 2CaO.SiO.sub.2 and CaO.ZrO.sub.2. As 2CaO.SiO.sub.2, .gamma.-2CaO.SiO.sub.2 is used. The ratio of .gamma.-2CaO.SiO.sub.2 to CaO.ZrO.sub.2 is specified by weight %. This invention relates also to a thermal sprayed member formed by thermal spraying this thermal spray material on a thermal resistant substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite of a thermoplastic resin (other than a polyolefin) and a polyolefin adhered together by a tie-layer system comprised of at least two co-reactive, functionalized polymers either in laminate contact or as a blend.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin continuous organic coating on metals, particularly on continuous metal bodies, so that the product obtained is weldable and resistant to corrosion as well as to the effect of strongly acid and strongly alkaline baths, while being punchable and paintable. The coating according to the invention comprises epoxy resins characterized by ultimate elongation higher than 10%, electrical insulation resistance less than 2000 Ohm/cm.sup.2, able to produce a continuous coating on the metal substrate with micro-roughnesses (Ra) of about 3 .mu.m--Ra being average roughness--and capable of withstanding for thirty minutes liquids with pH between 2 and 12.5.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film containing 0.01 to 4 wt %, based on the polyester film, of inorganic particles, the volumetric shape parameter being 0.02 to 0.2, the weight-average particle size being 0.05 to 3 .mu.m, and the ratio (Dw/Dn) of the weight-average particle size (Dw) and the number-average particle size (Dn) being not more than 1.1 is disclosed. The film of the present invention has a uniform surface and shows excellent running property and wear resistance so that it is useful as a base film for a magnetic tape, for example. Thus, the film of the present invention has a high industrial value.