Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of making carbon fiber, the method comprising pyrolyzing poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) fiber at a temperature sufficient to convert PPP fiber substantially to carbon fiber. The disclosure also relates to pre-PPP polymer, methods for making PPP fiber from pre-PPP polymer and, in turn, making carbon fiber from PPP fiber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of making carbon fiber, the method comprising pyrolyzing poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) fiber at a temperature sufficient to convert PPP fiber substantially to carbon fiber. The disclosure also relates to pre-PPP polymer, methods for making PPP fiber from pre-PPP polymer and, in turn, making carbon fiber from PPP fiber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions and methods of forming nanoemulsions, e.g., containing an active component, in combination with lipophilic components such as oils, hydrophilic components such as water, and one or more surfactants capable of causing a temperature-dependent phase inversion, such as a nonionic polyethoxylated surfactant. Nanoemulsions containing the active component can be produced having average oil droplet sizes of less than 100 nm, 50 nm, or 25 nm without the need for high energy emulsion forming methods (such as microfluidization) by combining the surfactant and the oil in specified weight ratios (e.g., at least 3:1) prior to forming the nanoemulsion.

Abstract: A method of producing unsaponifiable rich refined vegetable oils by refining crude vegetable oils with a weak acid salt, e.g., a carbonate salt, to produce a refined vegetable oil and a soapstock is described. The refined oil can be further refined with a strong base to produce unsaponifiable rich concentrates.

Abstract: New on-axis, optically addressable spatial light modulators (SLMs) and methods of use are described. The new SLMs include a film of a photochromic material and a non-polarizing beam splitter arranged such that read and write beams counterpropagate with one another, and the read beam is separated from the path of the write beam after being transmitted through the photochromic material film without losing any polarization information encoded on the read beam. The new SLMs are advantageously implemented in incoherent-to-coherent optical converters and all-optical joint transform correlators.

Abstract: A buckstay arrangement for a furnace of a steam generator wherein the furnace tube walls (12) are supported by a plurality of independent buckstays (10). Each buckstay (10) comprises an elongated beam (40,70) disposed horizontally adjacent to the tube wall and interconnected therewith and having a cross-section defining therein a box-like section (30,30') whereby the polar moment of inertia of the buckstay (10) is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is mounted in the upper portion of a fluidized combusting bed for the control of the temperature of the bed. A support, made up of tubes, is extended from the perforated plate of the fluidized bed up to the heat exchanger. The tubular support framework for the heat exchanger has liquid circulated therethrough to prevent deterioration of the support.