Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aromatic bromoalkyl-substituted hydrocarbon compound, in which an alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon compound is reacted with a brominating agent in the presence of water.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficiency of a solid-liquid separation process by exposure to an electrostatic-field generator utilizes a vitrified ceramic tube of unibody construction having a single open end adapted to receive a high-voltage power cable through an insulated cap. The interior surface of the ceramic tube is lined with a layer of conductive material electrically connected to the power cable, thereby providing a relatively-large conductive surface in intimate contact with the dielectric surface of the ceramic tube. The device is used in connection with conventional chemical additives for separating suspended solids from water to reduce chemical consumption and improve operating efficiency. The device is immersed in the water carrying suspended particles upstream of the treatment with chemical agents and is energized with a high DC voltage, thereby creating an electrostatic field across the dielectric of the tube's ceramic and across the body of water.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module is formed with a solder joint, the solder containing about 50 to 99 weight percent bismuth and about 50 to 1 weight percent antimony, between the thermoelectric elements and the connecting conductors. Also provided is a thermoelectric module having bismuth telluride elements coated with a conductive material that does not require a nickel or other diffusion barrier. Further provided are modules having conductors with a phosphorus-nickel surface. Methods of manufacturing and using such thermoelectric modules are further provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing corrosion of metal components in a water-cooled nuclear reactor. A compound containing a platinum group metal, e.g. palladium, is injected alone in small amounts into the high temperature water of the reactor in the form of a solution or suspension. This compound decomposes under reactor thermal conditions to release atoms of the metal in an amount sufficient when present on the metal components to reduce the electrochemical corrosion potential of the metal components to a level below the critical potential to protect against intergranular stress corrosion cracking.

Abstract: A process to decrease the strength of an electric field produced by a high voltage conductive path on a printed circuit board and printed circuit assembly using same includes the steps of coating the upper side (5) of the conductive path or track (1) with a thick layer of electrically conductive coating material (4); and reflowing so that the upper edges (8, 9) of the track (1) are also covered with a relatively thick layer of coating material. The track (1) is thus embedded in a mass of coating material having more or less a rounded-shaped cross-section and the sharp upper edges (8, 9) of this track, where a strong electrical field is generally produced, are smoothed. As a result, the strength of the electrical field around the track (1) is reduced. In a preferred embodiment, a second track (13) similar to the first track (1) is created symmetrically thereto on the opposite surface (14) of the printed circuit board (3).

Abstract: The subject invention disclosed herein is a new gene probe biosensor and methods thereof based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) label detection. The SER gene probe biosensor comprises a support means, a SER gene probe having at least one oligonucleotide strand labeled with at least one SERS label, and a SERS active substrate disposed on the support means and having at least one of the SER gene probes adsorbed thereon. Biotargets such as bacterial and viral DNA, RNA and PNA are detected using a SER gene probe via hybridization to oligonucleotide strands complementary to the SER gene probe. The support means supporting the SERS active substrate includes a fiberoptic probe, an array of fiberoptic probes for performance of multiple assays and a waveguide microsensor array with charge-coupled devices or photodiode arrays.

Abstract: Continuous electrolytic tin plating is accomplished in a bath containing 90-160 g/L sulfuric acid, 40-70 g/L tin ion and a grain refiner, at a speed of 900-1600 feet per minute and a current density as much as 1500 amperes per square foot or more.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 carboxylic acid and/or an anhydride thereof having halide impurities, which process comprises the steps of (a) exposing the impure acid and/or anhydride to electromagnetic radiation under conditions of intensity, wavelength and temperature, and for a time, sufficient to convert at least a portion of the halide impurities to lower--and/or higher-boiling halide components and (b) separating the lower--and/or higher-boiling halide components formed in step (a) from the C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 carboxylic acid and/or anhydride. Also, a process for the purification of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.

Abstract: A process for plating aluminum alloy substrates such as aluminum pistons with an iron-cobalt alloy comprising the steps of (a) plating on the aluminum alloy substrate a thin layer of nickel from an electroless nickel bath; and (b) plating on the nickel layer a layer of iron-cobalt alloy from an iron-cobalt electroplating bath. The iron-cobalt layer is not subject to the corrosion problems inherent in a substantially pure iron-plated coating nor the excessive hardness, costliness, and environmental concerns related to the use of nickel as the primary plated layer. The iron-cobalt electroplating bath is cost-effective and can be utilized in a totally closed loop plating system. The resulting iron-cobalt plated, aluminum alloy parts evidence good adhesion, wear, thermal conductivity, and corrosion-resistant properties.

Abstract: A method of photoelectro-synthesizing probe arrays including the steps of providing a photoconductive layer of material having a layer of electrically conductive material on a first surface thereof and a solution of a plurality of a first oligonucleotide modified monomer positioned in electrical contact with an opposing second surface thereof such that a potential is connected therebetween. A beam of light is directed through a portion of the photoconductive layer of material to complete an electrical circuit between the layer of electrically conductive material and the solution through the portion of the photoconductive layer, whereby the monomers in the solution are electropolymerized on a surface area which is coupled into the electrical circuit by the beam of light.

Abstract: Electro-osmotic (or electrokinetic) transport is used to efficiently force a solution (or water) through the interior of the fibers or yarns of textile materials for wet processing of textiles. The textile material is passed between electrodes that apply an electric field across the fabric. Used alone or in parallel with conventional hydraulic washing (forced convection), electro-osmotic transport greatly reduces the amount of water used in wet processing. The amount of water required to achieve a fixed level of rinsing of tint can be reduced, for example, to 1-5 lbs water per pound of fabric from an industry benchmark of 20 lbs water/lb fabric.

Abstract: A hard facing alloy is applied to a surface of a substrate by making a mixture of at least two constituents whose net composition is the desired hard facing alloy composition. The constituents have different solidus temperatures, at least one of which is above a processing temperature of the substrate and another of which is below the processing temperature of the substrate. In one preferred approach, the mixture is prepared by pressing and lightly sintering the constituents in the form of powders, so that the mixture retains its shape and can be attached to the substrate surface. Then the substrate is heated to the processing temperature and maintained for a time sufficient to permit interdiffusion of the several different phases toward a homogeneous hard facing alloy composition uniformly through a major portion of the volume.

Abstract: A method for continuously plating and finishing a part wherein a surface of the part is plated by a process that raises its temperature above atmospheric temperature and the part is then immediately force cooled to a temperature at which the plated surface may be properly machined. The part may be a cylinder block having at least one cylinder bore which is plated by flowing plating liquid across the surface of the cylinder bore and applying an electrical potential to cause plating material to be deposited. The cylinder block may be cooled by forced air cooling or liquid cooling to atmospheric temperature and then the plated cylinder bore may be immediately finish honed.

Abstract: A method for the electrophoretic dip coating of small parts and bulk goods aving an electrically conducting surface wherein the items to be coated are placed in a single layer onto a support which may be electrically conducting or nonconducting. During immersion, the surface contact locations are changed between the items to be coated themselves and the surface contact locations between the items and the support.

Abstract: A method of reducing metallic impurities in an ozone gas piping means, which entails producing ozone gas in an ozone-generating means and piping the produced ozone gas to stainless steel piping means, wherein the ozone gas is produced from a raw material oxygen gas containing at least one additional gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone; the additional gas being used in an amount of 0.025% by volume or more in total, with the proviso that nitrogen is not used as or in said additional gas in an amount of more than 1.0% by volume.

Abstract: A method of producing neodymium in an electrolytic cell without formation of perfluorinated carbon gases (PFCs), the method comprising the steps of providing an electrolyte in the electrolytic cell and providing an anode in an anode region of the electrolyte and providing a cathode in a cathode region of the electrolytic cell. Dissolving an oxygen-containing neodymium compound in the electrolyte in the anode region and maintaining a more intense electrolyte circulation in the anode region than in the cathode region. Passing an electrolytic current between said anode and said cathode and depositing neodymium metal at the cathode, preventing the formation of perfluorinated carbon gases by limiting anode over voltage.

Abstract: A method for producing a zinc-electroplated steel sheet comprising the steps of: pickling a steel sheet with a pickling solution so as to deposit a tin of an amount of 0.5 mg/m.sup.2 to less than 10 mg/m.sup.2 on the steel sheet; and zinc-electroplating the pickled steel sheet.

Abstract: A thermocouple formed of a length of a single composition having first solid phase section adjoining a second solid phase section, and a transition therebetween. One method of making such thermocouples is to raise the temperature of the first solid phase section above its transformation temperature while maintaining the temperature of a second adjoining solid phase section of the length of material below its transformation temperature. A second method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by contacting it with a moving substrate formed of adjoining regions of differing thermal conductivity. A third method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by alternatingly contacting it with a cooling fluid and air. A fourth method includes transforming a section of a length of material in a first solid to a second solid phase by mechanical means.

Abstract: A method of separating an electroformed metal substrate from a mandrel includes establishing a parting gap between the electroformed metal substrate and the mandrel, attaching the electroformed metal substrate at a parabolic end of the mandrel to a parting fixture, and introducing a fluid through the parting fixture into an opening of the mandrel to effect separation of the electroformed metal substrate from the mandrel. The parting fixture includes a parabolically shaped outer cup with a fluid inlet tube extending through the bottom thereof. The parting fixture also preferably includes an inner cup for containing the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet tube and a vacuum device to effect attachment of the electroformed metal substrate to the parting fixture.

Abstract: In a gaseous pollutant destruction apparatus employing a corona discharge reactor for reducing nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x), a fuel injection system provides a precisely controlled small quantity of hydrocarbon fuel to the corona discharge reactor to facilitate the destruction of NO.sub.x.