Abstract: The temperature of the end cells in a fuel cell stack is controlled by means of auxiliary coolant plates. Outwardly of the end cells in the fuel cell stack there are disposed thermal and electrical insulating plates, and outwardly of the insulating plates there are disposed metal pressure plates. The temperature of the end cells of the stack is controlled by means of auxiliary coolant plates which are connected to the main coolant circulation lines and which are sandwiched between the insulating plates and the pressure plates at each end of the stack. In this way, the outer surface of the insulating plates is kept at substantially the same temperature as the inner surface thereof thus minimizing heat loss across the insulating plates from the end cells in the stack.

Abstract: A glow discharge unit suitable for making surfaces such as carbon-coated electron microscopy grids and glass cover slips hydrophilic. The use of a vacuum leak detector (Tesla coil) in place of a conventional high voltage power supply and a small plastic desiccator for the vacuum chamber make the unit very inexpensive. Due to the small volume of the chamber and the simplicity of the unit, the whole glow discharge process can be carried out in only 2 to 3 min., a time considerably shorter than that required for conventional vacuum evaporators. The hydrophilic surfaces thus obtained improve adsorption of particles by several orders of magnitude in preparation for negative staining, freeze-drying and other procedures.

Abstract: Infrared laser-induced production of nitrated products is achieved by irradiating compounds selected from propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, and cyclopropane in the gas phase while in a stainless steel cell 5.times.5.times.10 cm equipped with zinc selenide windows to admit the infrared laser radiation in the range of 10.4 or 9.4 micrometers provided by a continuous wave CO.sub.2 laser. KC1 windows on the short path are to monitor infrared spectra of reactants and products. Nitrogen dioxide or nitric acid is present as the second reactant and the nitrating agent. The infrared laser-induced method far exceeds the yield of nitrated products found in the argon-ion laser-induced nitration of isobutane reported in the literature. Applicants' method at least equals the yield from thermally activated systems with a minimum formation of undesirable side products. A representative sample, 220 torr of gaseous butane, and 20 torr NO.sub.2 is irradiated in one experiment for 30 seconds with 75 W/cm.sup.

Abstract: An ozone generator cell of a novel design includes a thin ceramic sheet sandwiched between a perforated metallic sheet serving as discharge electrode and a water-cooled aluminum base. Dry air or oxygen is passed over the electrode surface and a high-voltage, high-frequency electric field is applied between the electrode and the base for a corona discharge.

Abstract: To perform a corona discharge treatment, a high voltage needs to be impressed between a base electrode and a discharge electrode. One of the electrodes is linked to a high frequency and high voltage source, and the other electrode is grounded. When the electrode linked to the source is moved to be accommodated to a surface to be treated of an object, accidents of an electric shock or a short-circuit often result from an unexpected contact of the electrode on an operator or installation, or a troubles often result from spark or coming-part of contacts. In this invention, one of the electrodes is linked to the source and immovably arranged, while the other is grounded and is allowed to make the movement for accommodating the surface to be treated of the object and the discharge electrode to each other. According to the corona discharge treatment apparatus of this invention, such accidents as an electric shock or a short-circuit, etc., are foreclosed, and troubles are reduced.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing impurities from the gaseous product of an alkyl nitrite production zone by contacting a portion of it with lower alcohol and oxygen to convert substantially all of the nitric oxide in that portion of the gaseous product stream to alkyl nitrite, the oxygen being present in an amount such that the mole ratio of nitric oxide to oxygen is in the range of about 4:1 to about 2:1 and the lower alcohol being present in the reaction zone such that the mole ratio of nitric oxide to lower alcohol is about 1:1 or less. A recovery stream, comprising alkyl nitrite substantially free of nitric oxide, is withdrawn from the reaction zone and at least a portion of the alkyl produced in the reaction zone is removed. A least a portion of the balance of the recovery stream from which the alkyl nitrite has been removed is purged, thereby removing impurities from the process.

Abstract: Pharmacuetical compositions for topical application to the skin are disclosed comprising the hydrated crystalline calcium salt of mupirocin and a corticosteriod intimately mixed therewith. The compositions are useful for the treatment of skin disorders in humans and domestic animals.

Abstract: The fixation of nitrogen by electric arc process is made more efficient by this system which combines a low frequency electric discharge and a catalyst in such a way that an electric arc is formed entirely within a catalyst bed when the reactant gases to be reacted by the arc are admitted to the interior of the catalyst bed and form a cavity there as they expand outward, the bubble-like cavity formed within the mass of catalytic particles thereby providing a type of arc chamber from which plasma state gas particles immediately contact the catalyst particles as the plasma state, gas particles are thrust outwards from the arc zone. After the reactant gases react on catalyst particles, the outward pressure moves the product gases farther through the catalyst bed where the products are then shielded from destructive ultraviolet light from the arc.

Abstract: Ozone is added to captured water by a method and apparatus which involves corona discharge into an oxygen-containing gas in regions in a generator which alternate with regions where the newly formed ozone is cooled. The alternating corona and cooling regions permit the ozone to form without being thermally decomposed as soon as it is formed. Also disclosed is an overall system and method of controlling the level of dissolved ozone in a body of captured water which modulates the output of an ozone generator in accordance with readings of oxidation-reduction potential in the water.

Abstract: Mixtures of reactant gases containing nitrogen ar reacted by being raised to very high temperatures at the focal plane of a solar concentrator when radiant energy is absorbed by a metal screen or other porous material in contact with the reactants at the focal plane of a solar concentrator and the resulting products of combined nitrogen are rapidly cooled in a unique heat transfer unit which rapidly transfers the heat of the product gases to the reactant gases and the rapid cooling of the product fixes the high temperature equilibrium proportions to achieve larger proportions of product than would be possible by gradual cooling.

Abstract: An ozone generator of the type having a high tension electrode and a grounded electrode mounted in a spaced relation, one of the electrodes having a dielectric member applied to or mounted on one of the surfaces of the electrode, the dielectric member including a layer of resilient dielectric material having a coating of particles of an inorganic material either sprinkled on or embedded in the surface of said dielectric material facing the other electrode and a timing circuit connected to said electrodes to provide a constant voltage pulse at intermittent time intervals, the voltage pulses being controlled by a silicon controlled rectifier and the frequency of said rectifier being controlled by a bilateral mosfet.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an instrument for using that instrument to obtain at least one light-related signal from particles under analysis comprises directing an incident beam of light at calibration particles having one or more known characteristics related to the particles expected to be analyzed. Both a light signal and a noise signal from the calibration particles are detected. A measurement is made of the ratio of the detected light signal to the detected noise signal, and that measurement is reported. The measured ratio is then compared to a predetermined ratio which represents a threshold for minimum instrument performance. This method further includes adjusting, if the predetermined ratio has not been attained, the operation of the instrument, while the calibration particles are within the incident beam of light, until the measured ratio reaches the predetermined ratio whereby the instrument is calibrated for subsequently obtaining the light signal from particles to be analyzed.

Abstract: Substituted fluorobenzenes which are produced in aprotic, polar solvents or in mixtures which contain such solvents can be obtained by extracting the substituted fluorobenzenes from the solvents or solvent mixtures with aliphatic extracting agents and then seaprating the extracting agents from the substituted fluorobenzenes.

Abstract: Apparatus for the generation of ozone by electrostatic discharge. An array of glass tubes are provided each containing a conductive rod therein serving as a core. Adjacent tubes are parallel to each other and the conductive rod of each tube is connected to the secondary terminal of a high voltage transformer. The tubes containing the conductive rods serve as an electrode when the voltage transformer is activated thereby creating an electrostatic field. Oxygen molecules in the electrostatic field are transformed to form ozone molecules. The apparatus can be applied to deodorizing an enclosed space with the addition of a fan to feed oxygen past the tube array and distribute the ozone that is generated. The apparatus also has an odor emitting chamber to prevent excess ozone build up after operation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nitroolefins which comprises heating a solution of a nitroalcohol of the formula: ##STR1## to at least 125.degree. C. to give a corresponding nitroolefin which is contacted in situ with nucleophilic addition reagent.

Abstract: The compound 1,3,5-trinitro-2,4,6-tripicrylbenzene useful as an explosive.

Abstract: A compact load lock and processing chamber is disclosed in which a moveable member forms a closure for both a load lock volume and an article processing volume. The moveable member is connected to fixed members by a flexible diaphragm which provides a non-sliding seal.

Abstract: An electronic type ozone generating device utilizing an elongated tube or cylinder having a negative electrode in the form of a fine wire, and a conductive coating on an inner surface of the tube connected to a source of positive potential, whereby air to be ionized forms a dilectric. In contrast to prior art devices in which the air to be treated flows in substantially continuous fashion, means is provided for injecting fixed quantities of air to be treated in pulsed fashion to provide for greater effectiveness. In a second embodiment, means is provided for moving a plurality of fine wire electrodes in an orbital path within the tube relative to the principal axis thereof to provide greater ionization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in processes of preparing dinitrated .[.aromatic compounds, particularly dinitrated aniline and dinitrated substituted aniline compounds, employing relatively dilute and then more concentrated nitric acid as the nitrating agent.]. .Iadd.aniline and substituted phenol compounds in a two-step process, employing, in the first or mononitration step the spent nitric acid from the second of dinitration step. .Iaddend.

Abstract: Overcharge protection is provided for a rechargeable lithium-organic eleclyte battery by including lithium bromide in the electrolyte.