Abstract: Planetary connectors for coupling signals and power between stationary and moving structures. The planetary connector comprises a pressure plate that abuts a conformal pad that in turn contacts a first printed wiring board having a plurality of concentric conductive rings that face the interior of the connector. A second printed wiring board, which may be backed by a second pressure plate, is disposed at an end of the connector distal from the first printed wiring board that has a plurality of concentric conductive rings 18a that face the interior of the connector. A ball bearing retainer that retains a plurality of metal ball bearings is disposed between the flexible printed wiring boards, such that the ball bearings make electrical contact with the conductive rings of the rigid printed wiring boards. A shaft extends through all components.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for use in thermoelectrochemical systems. The electrode assembly includes a radiation grafted cation exchange membrane which is plasma etched to provide an etched anode surface and etched cathode surface. A catalytic cathode layer is thermally bonded to the etched cathode surface and a catalytic anode layer is thermally bonded to the etched anode membrane surface. The resulting membrane-electrode assembly is resistant to delamination and provides electrochemical performance which is equal to or better than that obtained with more expensive conventional electrodialysis membranes.

Abstract: A solar cell having an active surface protected by a free-standing film, said film having the recurring repeating unit: ##STR1## where R is: ##STR2## said film having a molecular weight of at least about 25,000.

Abstract: A solvent polycondensation process of preparing polyimides of high molecular weight from dianhydrides and relatively unreactive diamines, where the reaction is carried out in a cresol as a solvent.

Abstract: A copolymer formed from an isoimide oligomer and another compound, such as an aryl sulfone, each of which has reactive functional terminal groups, such as ethylenic or acetylenic groups. The isoimide oligomer is soluble in the other compound, unreactive with the compound below a certain temperature and forms a liquid blend therewith. Upon heating the liquid blend above that certain temperature, the terminal groups on the isoimide oligomer and the other compound react with each other to form a copolymer. The liquid blends may be used to form encapsulants, coatings, films, and resin matrices for composites to provide resins with excellent high temperature properties.