Abstract: A method for reducing titanium and other metal oxides to metal is disclosed. The method comprises providing a titanium or other metal oxide exposing the metal oxide to a non-thermal plasma, and reducing at least a portion of the titanium oxide to provide titanium metal. The non-thermal plasma may be formed using a first inert gas species, and a second reactive gas species.

Abstract: A process for improving the mechanical properties, particularly the flexural rigidity, of aramid fibers by directly depositing a diamond-like-carbon coating onto the surface of the fibers is disclosed. Diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coated aramid fibers having increased flexural rigidity are also disclosed. DLC coated aramid fibers show an increase in flexural rigidity and suppression of low yielding behavior when compared to uncoated aramid fibers.

Abstract: Plasma treatment for producing carbonaceous field emission electron emitters is disclosed. A plasma of ions is generated in a closed chamber and used to surround the exposed surface of a carbonaceous material. A voltage is applied to an electrode that is in contact with the carbonaceous material. This voltage has a negative potential relative to a second electrode in the chamber and serves to accelerate the ions toward the carbonaceous material and provide an ion energy sufficient to etch the exposed surface of the carbonaceous material but not sufficient to result in the implantation of the ions within the carbonaceous material. Preferably, the ions used are those of an inert gas or an inert gas with a small amount of added nitrogen.

Abstract: A process of coating a non-conductive fiber with diamond-like carbon, including passing a non-conductive fiber between a pair of parallel metal grids within a reaction chamber, introducing a hydrocarbon gas into the reaction chamber, forming a plasma within the reaction chamber for a sufficient period of time whereby diamond-like carbon is formed upon the non-conductive fiber, is provided together with a reactor chamber for deposition of diamond-like carbon upon a non-conductive fiber, including a vacuum chamber, a cathode assembly including a pair of electrically isolated opposingly parallel metal grids spaced apart at a distance of less than about 1 centimeter, an anode, a means of introducing a hydrocarbon gas into said vacuum chamber, and a means of generating a plasma within said vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for continuously generating a homogeneous mixture of a polymer and a less viscous fluid is provided. The mixer includes means for continuously injecting a viscous polymer into a pressure vessel; means for continuously injecting a lower viscosity fluid into the pressure vessel; means for continuously injecting a plasticizing agent into the viscous polymer entering the pressure vessel; high shear centrifugal mixing means within the pressure vessel for mixing the polymer and the less viscous fluid; drive means for rotating the rotational mixing means; heating means for maintaining the temperature of the substances being mixed in the pressure vessel at a desired mixing temperature; and means for continuously discharging a homogeneous mixture of the polymer, the plasticizing agent, and the less viscous fluid from the mixer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coating composition which when applied on a fibrous nonwoven sheet of polyolefin and dried provides a sheet having antistatic properties, high water barrier and antislip properties. The composition consists essentially of (a) an effective amount of a water-insoluble wax which is dispersible in water at a concentration of 10% by weight based on the total amount of wax and water, the wax requiring for dispersion in water only a nonionic surfactant or a mixture of two or more nonionic surfactants in an amount of at least 15% and not more than 100% by weight based on the amount of wax, the nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of from about 6-10; (b) an effective amount of an antistat having the formula M.sub.n R.sub.3-n PO.sub.