Abstract: A method for producing planar surfaces having very fine peaks in the micron range or smaller, e.g. planar field emission cathodes, of conductive or semiconductive material, by filling cavities in a matrix. A sheet of the planar dielectric material is irradiated with high energy ions, e.g. from a heavy ion accelerator to form nuclear traces therein, and is subsequently subjected to an etching process to expose the nuclear traces. Thereafter, the hole-like nuclear traces or cavities are filled with conductive or semiconductive material and one surface of the sheet of planar material is covered, at the open ends of the nuclear traces or cavities, with a coating of likewise conductive or semiconductive material. If desired the matrix of planar material may subsequently be removed.

Abstract: Aluminum is electrolytically grained in an aqueous solution of nitric and/or hydrochloric acids plus hydrogen peroxide to provide a surface structure suitable for use as part of a lithographic printing plate. The electrolyte may also optionally contain aluminum nitrate and/or aluminum chloride.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing moulds for disc-shaped record carriers, and moulds manufactured by means of such a method.A method of manufacturing moulds for disc-shaped record carriers where a glass plate which contains information and which comprises a central hole and is covered with a vapor-deposited silver layer is suspended in an electroforming bath by means of a suspension pin which contacts the edge of the central hole. The mould is electroformed by application of current via the suspension pin and a metallic strip arranged around the outer circumference. After this treatment, the plate is removed from the electroplating bath and the electroformed mould is removed from the plate.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing on a gravure roll a layer of copper especially adapted to receive electronic engraving comprising the steps of placing a gravure roll in an electroplating bath comprising from about 150 to about 225 grams/liter of copper sulfate from about 35 to about 90 grams/liter of sulfuric acid, from about 1 to about 15 grams/liter of a polyether having a molecular weight from about 4,000 to about 10,000, from about 0.3 to about 3.0 milligrams/liter of 1-lower alkyl-2-mercapto imidazole, and from about 1 to about 100 milligrams/liter of a sulfonated, sulfurized benzene compound; and passing electrical current through the bath to deposit copper on said roll.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for retorting oil shale in a staged turbulent bed retort wherein the raw shale feed particles are classified and deaerated into first and second fractions, said first fraction containing substantially only shale particles above about 25 mesh. The first fraction is then preheated with hot shale fines in a dilute phase lift pipe prior to retorting.

Abstract: Aluminum electrolytic capacitor foil is etched in a bath containing 0.5 to 1.8 M hydrochloric acid, 0.2 to 0.5 M aluminum chloride, 0.03 to 0.3 M phosphoric acid, and 0.05 to 0.3 M nitric acid, the molar ratio of said nitric acid to said phosphoric acid being 0.3-5, while subjected to the action of alternating current at 28.degree. to 45.degree. C.

Abstract: Aluminum capacitor foil is etched in a bath at 30.degree. to 45.degree. C. containing 0.5 to 1.8 M hydrochloric acid, 0.05 to 0.3 M phosphoric acid, 0.2 to 0.5 aluminum chloride and 0.09 to 1.0 M alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride while being subjected to alternating current at 15 to 36 Hz frequency.

Abstract: A method of nitriding by high temperature electrolysis in which the works to be nitrided are dipped into a molten cyanide bath which contains low grade oxides of titanium and/or zirconium in a hot dispersed form as catalyst and maintained at a temperature range of 760.degree.-850.degree. C., and a direct current of 10-100 A/dm.sup.2 density is conducted through said cyanide bath, using said works as anodes. Thus a nitrided case of exceedingly deep and high hardness is obtained onto the work surfaces within a very short operating time, due to the rapid nitriding reaction at such high treating temperature. The deformation of the nitrided work is very small despite such a high treating temperature. Further, the method is applicable to those materials like titanium, high alloy steels, cast irons, etc., which have been considered difficult to be nitrided by the conventional method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resharpening cutting tools having an edge of complex curve by electropolishing process, wherein after a protective film is formed on the non-polished surface of the edge of a cutting tool, the edge is immersed in an electrolytic solution and DC voltage is applied between the tool, which serves as an anode, and a cathode plate immersed in the solution to thereby polish the edge by dissolving.

Abstract: Polypropylene plastic baskets for phosphor copper anode nuggets are suspended, one on each side of a cylinder to be plated, in a bath of plating electrolyte. The tops of the baskets are disposed beneath the surface of the plating solution, the upper portion of the cylinder is above the surface of the electrolyte, and lead anode conductor strips extend downwardly along the insides of the rear walls of the baskets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electro-polishing surfaces of metal objects, which is immersionless and containerless, includes a simplified frame, a cathode mounted on the frame and adapted to be positioned a predetermined distance from the surface to be polished, and a sheet of liquid-retaining material positioned between the cathode and the surface to be polished. When the cathode is negatively charged, the anode is positively charged, and electrolytic bath is introduced to the liquid-retaining material, a circuit is completed between the cathode and anode and an electro-polishing action takes place on the anode. This material retains the electrolyte and allows the gases generated to escape. Various portable adaptations of the invention enhance its use for specific polishing operations.

Abstract: The tar vapors from carbonizing coal, preferably in a fluidized bed, are treated by quenching with a hydrogen-donor solvent. Tar molecules prone to polymerization upon condensation and upon distillation are partially hydrogenated; the resulting tar solution is of lower viscosity and less likely to coke or form pitch.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed on selective vaporization for decarbonizing and demetallizing heavy petroleum stocks by short time riser contact with hot inert solid contact material. Flexibility is imparted to that process by suspending the contact material in steam or other carrier gas and adding the heavy petroleum stock at variable levels in the riser.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing an electro-galvanized steel strip, which comprises: moving a steel strip in an acidic electro-galvanizing bath containing cobalt and chrominum in parallel with the plane of at least one anode plate to subject said steel strip to an electro-galvanizing treatment, thereby forming, on at least one surface of said steel strip, an electro-galvanized layer excellent in bare corrosion resistance and corrosion resistance after chromating; the improvement characterized by: keeping the cobalt content in said electro-galvanizing bath within the range of from 8 to 30 g/l, as converted into metallic cobalt, the chromium content in said electro-galvanizing bath within the range of from 0.1 to 1.5 g/l, as converted into metallic chromium, and the temperature of said electro-galvanizing bath within the range of from 35.degree. to 60.degree. C.; and, flowing said electro-galvanizing bath between said steel strip and said anode plate at a flow velocity of at least 0.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively polymerizing isobutene in an olefinic C.sub.4 cut comprising isobutene and normal butenes by contacting the cut with a catalyst consisting essentially of silica-alumina; whereby at least 90% of the isobutene and less than 10% of the normal butenes in the cut are converted.

Abstract: Nickel-based braze alloys can be removed from nickel-based metals without damaging the nickel-based metal by a process comprising immersing the nickel-based braze alloy/nickel-based metal composite into an electrolyte solution which will not attack the nickel-based metal at a specified voltage condition. This voltage condition is imposed across the composite and potentiostatically controlled to produce a nickel braze alloy/nickel-based metal current density ratio in the composite which results in etching of the nickel-based braze alloy with no damage to the nickel-based metal. The process has particular utility for removing nickel-based alloy brazed vanes from nickel-based metal shrouds in gas turbine engine stators.

Abstract: An anodizing process having a suspended cathode having a casing of non-electrically conductive material to shield the upper portion of the cathode from effective anodizing communication with the electrolytic bath. The shield can be positioned selectively relative to the length of the cathode whereby the effective area of electrolytic communication can be controlled.

Abstract: A process for mechanochemically activating treatment of crude oil from petroleum and of hydrocarbon mixtures like crude oil but of different, e.g. synthetic origins, is characterized in that the crude oil or similar, if need be after separation of the usual additional water, salts, insoluble impurities, washable acids or compounds with acid reactions, and expulsion of dissolved gaseous components, is treated in a pinned-disk or cage mill known as a "disintegrator" such that every single droplet of oil is exposed on a statistical average to 3 to 12 beats during a period of 0.001 to 0.01 seconds. Improved properties are thus imparted to the products, affecting both processing and the use of the processed products.

Abstract: Aluminum electrolytic capacitor foil is etched in a bath containing 0.75 to 1.8 M hydrochloric acid, 0.2 to 0.5 M aluminum chloride, and 0.05 to 0.4 M oxalic acid, while subjected to the action of alternating current of 16 to 36 Hz at 30 to 45.degree. C. in a single stage process.

Abstract: The thickness, uniformity, and surface smoothness requirements for surface coatings of glass microspheres for use as targets for laser fusion research are critical. Because of their minute size, the microspheres are difficult to manipulate and control in electroplating systems. The electroplating apparatus (10) of the present invention addresses these problems by providing a cathode cell (20) having a cell chamber (22), a cathode (23) and an anode (26) electrically isolated from each other and connected to an electrical power source (24). During the plating process, the cathode (23) is controllably vibrated along with solution pulse to maintain the particles in random free motion so as to attain the desired properties.