Abstract: A method for forming carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles comprises subjecting a mixture comprising boehmite and carboxylic acid to mechanical shear. The method can be carried out at a temperature above ambient and preferably a temperature greater than 80° C., and can be carried out in the absence of a liquid phase.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for controlling the pore size, pore size distribution and porosity of aluminum-oxide based ceramics through the choice of substituents on carboxylate-alumoxanes and aluminum-oxide nanoparticles. The method allows for the formation of intra-granular pores in the nanometer range to be created in alumina and aluminum oxide ceramic bodies. The control over pore size and pore size distribution is accomplished through the use of different chemical substituents on the carboxylate-alumoxanes and aluminum-oxide nanoparticles. The size and distribution of pores within the alumina-oxide ceramic are dependent on the identity of the carboxylate substituents. In particular the formation of intra-versus inter-granular porosity is dependent on the identity of the carboxylate substituents. The invention also provides methods for the manufacture of ceramic coatings on ceramic and carbon fibers for composite applications and ceramic membranes with nanometer sized pores.

Abstract: In a Bayes mixture probability density calculator for calculating Bayes mixture probability density which reduces a logarithmic loss A modified Bayes mixture probability density is calculated by mixing traditional Bayes mixture probability density calculated on given model S with a small part of Bayes mixture probability density for exponential fiber bundle on the S. Likewise, a prediction probability density calculator is configured by including the Bayes mixture probability density calculator, and by using Jeffreys prior distribution in traditional Bayes procedure on the S.

Abstract: A method for making hollow spheres of alumina or aluminate comprises: coating polymeric beads with an aqueous solution of an alumoxane, drying the beads so as to form an alumoxane coating on the beads; heating the beads to a first temperature that is sufficient to convert the alumoxane coating to an amorphous alumina or aluminate coating and is not sufficient to decompose the polymeric beads; dissolving the polymeric bead in a solvent; removing the dissolved polymer from the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating; and heating the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating to a second temperature that is sufficient to form a hollow ceramic sphere of desired porosity and strength. The hollow spheres can be used as proppants or can be incorporated in porous membranes.

Abstract: In a Bayes mixture probability density calculator for calculating Bayes mixture probability density which reduces a logarithmic loss A modified Bayes mixture probability density is calculated by mixing traditional Bayes mixture probability density calculated on given model S with a small part of Bayes mixture probability density for exponential fiber bundle on the S. Likewise, a prediction probability density calculator is configured by including the Bayes mixture probability density calculator, and by using Jeffreys prior distribution in traditional Bayes procedure on the S.

Abstract: A method for forming carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles comprises subjecting a mixture comprising boehmite and carboxylic acid to mechanical shear. The method can be carried out at a temperature above ambient and preferably a temperature greater than 80° C., and can be carried out in the absence of a liquid phase.

Abstract: In a Bayes mixture probability density calculator for calculating Bayes mixture probability density which reduces a logarithmic loss A modified Bayes mixture probability density is calculated by mixing traditional Bayes mixture probability density calculated on given model S with a small part of Bayes mixture probability density for exponential fiber bundle on the S. Likewise, a prediction probability density calculator is configured by including the Bayes mixture probability density calculator, and by using Jeffreys prior distribution in traditional Bayes procedure on the S.

Abstract: In a Bayes mixture probability density calculator for calculating Bayes mixture probability density which reduces a logarithmic loss A modified Bayes mixture probability density is calculated by mixing raditional Bayes mixture probability density calculated on given model S with a small pary of Bayes mixture probability density for exponential fiber bundle on the S. Likewise, a prediction probability calculator is configured by including the Bayes mixture probability density calculator, and by using Jeffredys prior distribution in traditional Bayes procedure on the S.

Abstract: In a Bayes mixture probability density calculator for calculating Bayes mixture probability density which reduces a logarithmic loss A modified Bayes mixture probability density is calculated by mixing traditional Bayes mixture probability density calculated on given model S with a small part of Bayes mixture probability density for exponential fiber bundle on the S. Likewise, a prediction probability density calculator is configured by including the Bayes mixture probability density calculator, and by using Jeffreys prior distribution in traditional Bayes procedure on the S.

Abstract: A method has been developed for the solution-based metal exchange of carboxylato-alumoxanes [Al(O)x(OH)y(O2CR)z]n with a wide range of metal cations. Metal-exchanged carboxylato-alumoxanes are new, particularly those in which about 10% to about 50% or more of the Al ions are exchanged for other metal ions. Additionally, the carboxylic acid ligands can be stripped from the boehmite core of metal-exchanged carboxylato-alumoxanes at low temperature leading to the formation of metal-exchanged boebmite particles. These new material phases can be used as intermediates for preparation of mixed metal aluminum oxide materials. Thermolysis of the metal-exchanged carboxylato-alumoxanes or metal-exchanged boehmite particles results in doped aluminas (M/Al2O3), binary (MAlOx), ternary (MM′AlOx) and even more complex metal aluminum oxide compounds, where M and M′ are metal ions other than those of aluminum and are preferably those of Lanthanide metals or transition metals.

Abstract: A minority carrier device includes at least one junction of at least two dissimilar materials, at least one of which is a semiconductor, and a passivating layer on at least one surface of the device. The passivating layer includes a Group 13 element and a chalcogenide component. Embodiments of the minority carrier device include, for example, laser diodes, light emitting diodes, heterojunction bipolar transistors, and solar cells.

Abstract: A majority carrier device includes a bulk active region and a thin-film passivating layer on the bulk active region. The thin-film passivating layer includes a Group 13 element and a chalcogenide component. In one embodiment, the majority carrier device is a metal, passivating layer, semiconductor, field-effect transistor. The transistor includes an active layer and thin-film passivating layer on the active layer. The thin-film passivating layer includes a Group 13 element and a chalcogenide component. Source and drain contacts are disposed on the active layer or the passivating layer. A gate contact is disposed on the passivating layer between the source contact and the drain contact.

Abstract: A chemical composition consists essentially ((t-amyl)GaS).sub.4. The chemical composition can be employed as a liquid precursor for metal organic chemical vapor deposition to thereby form a cubic-phase passivating/buffer film, such as gallium sulphide.

Abstract: Polymer compositions which comprise (a) a major amount of a polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one olefin and (b) a minor amount of a pseudoboehmite are stabilised against degradation in melt processing. The polymer is suitably a polyketone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a passivating/buffer film on a substrate. The method includes heating the substrate to a temperature which is sufficient to cause a volatilized organometallic precursor to pyrolyze and thereby form a passivating/buffer film on a substrate. The organometallic precursor is volatilized at a precursor source. A carrier gas is directed from a carrier gas source across the precursor source to conduct the volatilized precursor from the precursor source to the substrate. The volatilized precursor pyrolyzes and is deposited onto the substrate, thereby forming the passivating/buffer film on the substrate. The passivating/buffer film can be a cubic-phase passivating/buffer film. An oxide layer can also be formed on the passivating/buffer film to thereby form a composite of the substrate, the passivating/buffer film and the oxide layer. Cubic-phase passivating/buffer films formed by the method of the invention can be lattice-matched with the substrate.

Abstract: A method for rapidly providing an impervious carbon substrate such as carbon fibers with a carbide coating, in atmospheric pressure, so as to provide a carbide layer bound to the carbon substrate. A carbide layer on the impervious carbon substrate is provided by coating the substrate with a concentrated solution of a carbide forming element in compound dissolved in a suitable solvent. The carbon substrate is heated to a temperature at which the carbide forming element in compound decomposes and chemically reacts with the carbon substrate to form the desired carbide layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capping a burning or blown out oil or gas well are disclosed. A pipe is placed over a flange and casing on a wellhead and welded thereto using thermite welding. The thermite reaction occurs in one or more crucibles mounted to the pipe. Graphite feeders direct the molten metal produced by the reaction into apertures near the bottom of the central pipe. The feeders join the pipe at an angle such that the molten metal flows into the annular space between the interior of the pipe and the wellhead structure in a generally circular flow pattern. A malleable clamp to conform to the configuration of the pipe and flange is provided to hold the pipe in place over the flange and act as a mold for the molten metal during the welding process. After the weld has formed, a valve in the pipe is closed, which simultaneously shuts off the flow of oil and extinguishes the fire by depriving it of oil, its fuel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the volatilization and transport of an alkaline earth metal precursor. The presence of an amine or ammonia significantly increases transport of the voltalized alkaline earth metal precursor as compared to transport under the same conditions but without the amine or ammonia.