Abstract: Thermal barrier mixtures and method of making the thermal barrier mixtures are described herein. The thermal barrier mixtures may be used to make thermal barrier coatings. Thermal barrier mixture may include halloysite and one or more silicon compounds.

Abstract: A coating composition for metal or refractories includes a polysilazane resin; and one or more additives that alter the thermal conductivity and/or the abrasion resistance of the cured polysilazane resin. The coating composition may be applied to a metal or refractory material substrate and heated to form a ceramic layer on the substrate. The ceramic layer exhibits lower thermal conductivity and increased abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Thermal barrier mixtures and method of making the thermal barrier mixtures are described herein. The thermal barrier mixtures may be used to make thermal barrier coatings. Thermal barrier mixture may include halloysite and one or more silicon compounds.

Abstract: A fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to atmospheric moisture. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a moisture indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: A coating composition for metal or refractories includes a polysilazane resin; and one or more additives that alter the thermal conductivity and/or the abrasion resistance of the cured polysilazane resin. The coating composition may be applied to a metal or refractory material substrate and heated to form a ceramic layer on the substrate. The ceramic layer exhibits lower thermal conductivity and increased abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: A fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to atmospheric moisture. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a moisture indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.

Abstract: A fastener suitable for use in airplane manufacture or repair that is coated with a pre-mixed moisture cure sealant. The sealant layer is coated with a frangible moisture barrier that will break apart when the fastener is installed, thus exposing the sealant to atmospheric moisture. Once exposed to moisture, the sealant will begin to cure. Preferred embodiments also provide a moisture indicator that provides a visual indication that the outer moisture resistant layer has been damaged.

Abstract: Nanocomposites may be produced by mixing dispersions of polymers and dispersions of clay minerals. After mixing, the dispersions may be destabilized with the addition of appropriate compounds. The flocculated solid material exhibits characteristics of a nanocomposite, such as exfoliation of the clay mineral platelets as indicated by x-ray diffraction analysis.

Abstract: Organoclays based on specific types of ester quats are found to be remarkably effective for use in preparing nanocomposites. These organoclays comprise the reaction product of a smectite clay and a quaternary ammonium compound (or “quat”) which comprises two esterified radicals hereinafter called a “diester quat”). The diester quat may be present in admixture with further quaternary ammonium compounds having esterified radicals, especially compounds having three esterified radicals (hereinafter “triester quats”); or compounds having a single esterified radical (hereinafter “monoester quats”). Where such a mixture of quats is used, the reaction is between the smectite clay and the quat mixture.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: Nanocomposites may be produced by mixing dispersions of polymers and dispersions of clay minerals. After mixing, the dispersions may be destabilized with the addition of appropriate compounds. The flocculated solid material exhibits characteristics of a nanocomposite, such as exfoliation of the clay mineral platelets as indicated by x-ray diffraction analysis.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a chain transfer agent which is a thiol, .alpha.-methylketone, .alpha.-methylalcohol or a halogen compound are useful agents for use in the processes for the preparation of thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound having one or two alkoxylated chains containing 0-10 moles ethylene oxide and 3-15 moles of propylene or butylene oxide residues are useful thixotropic materials, especially for the preparation of aqueous systems.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound having one or two alkoxylated chains containing 0-10 moles ethylene oxide and 3-15 moles of propylene or butylene oxide residues are useful thixotropic materials, especially for the preparation of aqueous systems.