Abstract: The present invention is directed to oil compositions having a high concentration of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the oils of the present invention have advantageous stability characteristics and minimal trans-fatty acids.

Abstract: An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes are penetrated in a light-transmissive pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

Abstract: A ferrule connector assembly including a housing having a base member and a nose member is disclosed. The base member includes a bore having a first diameter portion that receives the nose member and a second diameter portion. A split sleeve cooperates with the base member and has first and second ends. The split sleeve has an outer diameter that varies based upon forces applied thereto. A fiber stop is disposed within the split sleeve and includes an optical path for light propagating through the assembly. A member mounts within the second diameter portion of the bore and is fixed within the second diameter portion by the nose member. The member mounts to the first end of the split sleeve and fixes the outer diameter of the split sleeve at the first end and allows the outer diameter of the second end to vary based upon forces applied thereto.

Abstract: Improved alcohol reforming processes and reformed alcohol power systems utilizing those processes are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the alcohol reforming processes utilize a thermally conductive reforming catalyst that allows efficient, low-temperature reforming of an alcohol fuel to produce a reformate gas mixture comprising hydrogen. The present invention makes possible the efficient utilization of alcohol fuels in an internal combustion engine to generate electrical or mechanical power such as in vehicular applications.

Abstract: Improved alcohol reforming processes and reformed alcohol power systems utilizing those processes are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the alcohol reforming processes utilize a thermally conductive reforming catalyst that allows efficient, low-temperature reforming of an alcohol fuel to produce a reformate gas mixture comprising hydrogen. The present invention makes possible the efficient utilization of alcohol fuels in an internal combustion engine to generate electrical or mechanical power such as in vehicular applications.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for reforming an alcohol. The process comprises contacting an alcohol with a reforming catalyst comprising copper at the surface of a metal supporting structure, preferably a metal sponge supporting structure comprising nickel. In a certain preferred embodiment, hydrogen produced by the reforming process is used as a fuel source for a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electric power, particularly for driving a vehicle.

Abstract: Oil compositions having a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids are described for use in various applications including use as drying oils, in ink compositions and coating compositions. Oil compositions wherein the double bonds of the fatty acids are substantially epoxidized are described and used as plasticizers and thermal stabilizers for various halogenated polymer compositions.

Abstract: A lens mount assembly for securing a lens in a predetermined position within an optical device is disclosed. The lens mount assembly is configured so as to retain the lens in a press fit arrangement, thereby eliminating the need for adhesives or other mechanical means in order to secure the lens. In one embodiment the lens mount assembly includes a glass lens having an outer surface with a predetermined amount of surface roughness. A retention tube defines a cylindrical volume and is composed of a compliant material that resiliently deforms when the lens is pressed into the cylindrical volume. The compliant material recompresses a small amount around the lens to secure it within the retention tube. A base is attached to or integrally formed with the retention tube and includes a corrugated surface for securing the lens mount assembly within the optical device.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof. The support is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal sponge having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and a supporting structure containing at least 10% non-copper metal. This invention is also directed to copper-containing catalysts which may, for example, be used in the above process. This invention is further directed to processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes are penetrated in a light-transmissive pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

Abstract: Improved alcohol reforming processes and reformed alcohol power systems utilizing those processes are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the alcohol reforming processes utilize a thermally conductive reforming catalyst that allows efficient, low-temperature reforming of an alcohol fuel to produce a reformate gas mixture comprising hydrogen. The present invention makes possible the efficient utilization of alcohol fuels in an internal combustion engine to generate electrical or mechanical power such as in vehicular applications.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”), a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. The process comprises combining an N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine reactant with oxygen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst. The N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine reactant has formula (V): wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, —PO3R12R13, —SO3R14, —NO2, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl other than —CO2R15; and R7, R8, R9, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, and an agronomically acceptable cation.

Abstract: A ferrule connector assembly including a housing having a base member and a nose member is disclosed. The base member includes a bore having a first diameter portion that receives the nose member and a second diameter portion. A split sleeve cooperates with the base member and has first and second ends. The split sleeve has an outer diameter that varies based upon forces applied thereto. A fiber stop is disposed within the split sleeve and includes an optical path for light propagating through the assembly. A member mounts within the second diameter portion of the bore and is fixed within the second diameter portion by the nose member. The member mounts to the first end of the split sleeve and fixes the outer diameter of the split sleeve at the first end and allows the outer diameter of the second end to vary based upon forces applied thereto.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal supporting structure (preferably a metal sponge supporting structure comprising at least about 10% by weight nickel) having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and iron as a catalyst modifier. The supporting structure is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. This invention is also directed to novel nickel-containing catalysts having a copper-containing active phase and iron as a catalyst modifier which may, for example, be used in the above process. This invention is further directed to processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly that receives an optical connector. The receptacle assembly includes a first piece having a central bore with a stepped diameter. The receptacle assembly also includes an annular second piece designed to receive the optical connector and that has an outside surface designed to establish an interference fit with the inside surface of the first piece central bore. Further, the assembly includes an annular third piece that has a constant inner diameter and a stepped outer diameter. The outside surface of the third piece is designed to establish an interference fit with the inside surface of the annular second piece.

Abstract: A lens mount assembly for securing a lens in a predetermined position within an optical device is disclosed. The lens mount assembly is configured so as to retain the lens in a press fit arrangement, thereby eliminating the need for adhesives or other mechanical means in order to secure the lens. In one embodiment the lens mount assembly includes a glass lens having an outer surface with a predetermined amount of surface roughness. A retention tube defines a cylindrical volume and is composed of a compliant material that resiliently deforms when the lens is pressed into the cylindrical volume. The compliant material recompresses a small amount around the lens to secure it within the retention tube. A base is attached to or integrally formed with the retention tube and includes a corrugated surface for securing the lens mount assembly within the optical device.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oil compositions having a high concentration of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the oils of the present invention have advantageous stability characteristics and minimal trans-fatty acids.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof. The support is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal sponge having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and a supporting structure containing at least 10% non-copper metal. This invention is also directed to copper-containing catalysts which may, for example, be used in the above process. This invention is further directed to processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal supporting structure (preferably a metal sponge supporting structure comprising at least about 10% by weight nickel) having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and iron as a catalyst modifier. The supporting structure is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. This invention is also directed to novel nickel-containing catalysts having a copper-containing active phase and iron as a catalyst modifier which may, for example, be used in the above process. This invention is further directed to processes for making such catalysts.