Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fixed abrasive articles comprising: abrasive particles; a binder composition; and an abrasive performance enhancing composition, wherein the abrasive particles are disposed on or in the binder composition, and wherein the abrasive performance enhancing composition is disposed overlying the abrasive particles or binder composition or both. The abrasive performance enhancing composition comprises a mixture comprising a lubricant and an anti-wear agent. In particular embodiments the abrasive performance enhancing composition further comprises a fixative material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fixed abrasive articles comprising: abrasive particles; a binder composition; and an abrasive performance enhancing composition, wherein the abrasive particles are disposed on or in the binder composition, and wherein the abrasive performance enhancing composition is disposed overlying the abrasive particles or binder composition or both. The abrasive performance enhancing composition comprises a mixture comprising a lubricant and an anti-wear agent. In particular embodiments the abrasive performance enhancing composition further comprises a fixative material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing resistance of monocot plants against abiotic stress which comprises a step of transforming monocot plants with a recombinant plasmid containing a fused gene (TPSP) of trehalose-6-phosphate synthetase (TPS) gene and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) gene to express the TPSP gene while maintaining normal growth and development characteristics. The present invention can increase the resistance of monocot plants against various stresses so that it can greatly contribute to the improvement of production and quality of valuable agricultural crops. The present invention also relates to a transgenic monocot plant, plant cell, or protoplast transformed with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme for trehalose biosynthesis, under control of an inducible promoter, that increases tolerance to low temperature, salt, and water stress.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid construct including a nucleic acid molecule encoding a light-labile, phytochrome A, a light-inducible promoter which is 5? to the nucleic acid molecule encoding a light-labile, phytochrome A, and a terminator region which is 3? to the nucleic acid molecule encoding a light-labile, phytochrome A is disclosed. Methods for regulating a plant's canopy architecture and regulating a plant's seed yield, which involve transgenic plants or transgenic plant seeds including an isolated nucleic acid construct according to the present invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porous ceramic particles can be fragmented by generating a gas inside the pores at a sufficient pressure to cause the particles to be fragmented. The preferred way of generating the pressure is by immersing the particles in a liquid that at ambient temperatures and pressures is a gas until the liquid is absorbed into the pores and thereafter rapidly changing the conditions such that the liquid becomes a gas resulting in explosive fragmentation of the ceramic particles.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid construct including a nucleic acid molecule encoding a light-labile, phytochrome A, a light-inducible promoter which is 5′ to the nucleic acid molecule encoding a light-labile, phytochrome A, and a terminator region which is 3′ to the nucleic acid molecule encoding a light-labile, phytochrome A is disclosed. Methods for regulating a plant's canopy architecture and regulating a plant's seed yield, which involve transgenic plants or transgenic plant seeds including an isolated nucleic acid construct according to the present invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic monocot plant, plant cell, or protoplast transformed with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme for trehalose biosynthesis, under control of an inducible promoter, that increases tolerance to low temperature, salt, and water stress.

Abstract: Powders of particles comprising a ceramic core and a coating of ceria deposited thereon provide an economical and effective abrasive for glass polishing formulations.

Abstract: Alpha alumina abrasive grits which are particularly well-suited to medium to low pressure grinding applications wherein the grits comprise uniformly dispersed microvoids.

Abstract: CMP formulations comprising alumina particles and an iodate oxidizer can be stabilized against pH drift during use by acidification using an organic acid. Formulation pH stability can be further enhanced by treating the formulation at an elevated temperature before it is used.

Abstract: CMP processes and products employ aluminas comprising alpha alumina particles having a particle width of less than 50 nanometers and a surface area of at least 50 m2/gm.

Abstract: A polishing slurry, useful in optical or CMP applications, comprises a ceria with a BET surface area of at least 10 m2/gm. The slurry may be made by subjecting a commercial ceria slurry comprising agglomerates to a mechano-chemical treatment at a pH of from 9 to 11 using media that are low purity alpha alumina or zirconia. Preferred slurries maintain a positive surface charge at all pH values. CMP slurries preferably comprise in addition an anionic surfactant to aid in removal of surface residues.

Abstract: Sol-gel alumina that is dried but unfired can be explosively comminuted by feeding the dried gel into a furnace held at temperatures above those at which vaporizable materials are eliminated from the particles of gel. At suitably elevated temperatures the firing is sufficient to form fully densified alpha alumina particles of a size suitable for direct use as abrasive grits.

Abstract: Nano-sized powders of alpha alumina can be obtained from a boehmite gel doped with a barrier-forming material such as silica that is then dried, fired and comminuted to powder form.

Abstract: Sol-gel alumina that is dried but unfired can be explosively comminuted by feeding the dried gel into a furnace held at temperatures above those at which vaporizable materials are eliminated from the particles of gel. At suitably elevated temperatures the firing is sufficient to form fully densified alpha alumina particles of a size suitable for direct use as abrasive grits.

Abstract: Sol-gel alumina that is dried but unfired can be explosively comminuted by feeding the dried gel into a furnace held at temperatures above those at which vaporizable materials are eliminated from the particles of gel. At suitably elevated temperatures the firing is sufficient to form fully densified alpha alumina particles of a size suitable for direct use as abrasive grits.

Abstract: Dry milling an alpha alumina precursor produces direct conversion to alpha alumina at room temperature.

Abstract: The use of purified process materials in the production of a seeded sol-gel alumina abrasive results in an abrasive of superior properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for recovering abrasive grains from vitreous bonded materials by boiling the material in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal base.

Abstract: Alpha alumina abrasive grits with grain boundaries modified with at least one of yttria and a rare earth metal oxide, and one or more oxides selected from the oxides of magnesium and/or transition elements, perform at enhanced levels if at least the yttria and/or rare earth metal oxide modifiers are present within the body of the grit in concentrations at least as high as their concentrations at the surface of the grit.