Abstract: High magnetic permeability composites are obtained by incorporating ferrite fibers in the composites. The ferrite fibers consist of a polymer and particulate ferrite fill at a concentration above the percolation threshold for the ferrite fill in the polymer (typically greater than 30 volume percent). The aspect ratio and ferrite concentration of the fibers are selected to minimize demagnetization fields in the fibers. The fibers can be dispersed in low concentration in an unoriented fashion in the composites to impart high magnetic permeability to the composite. In other embodiments, the fibers are oriented in the composites to impart high magnetic permeability to the composite for incident radiation of a particular linear polarization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rechargeable electric storage battery comprising an electrolyte containing charge-transporting positive ions and negative ions capable of intercalating into graphitic carbon, and oppositely charged graphitic carbon electrodes which are simultaneously intercalated by the positive ions and negative ions present in such electrolyte. The graphitic carbon electrodes may be provided in a variety of physical configurations. Such battery is believed to provide reasonably high power density and energy density characteristics, fabrication simplicity, a relatively long lifetime, and potential economic advantages.

Abstract: An electrical device is made by partially pyrolyzing polymer material by heating the material to between 500.degree. C. and 800.degree. C. Electrodes are applied to the material at two different locations to define an electrically active element therebetween. Devices made according to the teachings of the disclosure exhibit negative resistance in a portion of their voltage current domain and function as bi-directional electrical switches.

Abstract: An improved procedure is provided for increasing the electrical conductivity of graphite via intercalation. It has been found that fully halogenated hydrocarbons (as described) have the ability to substantially aid the intercalation of graphite by previously known intercalant mixtures of (a) fluorosulfonic acid, chlorosulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, and (b) a boron trihalide, a tetrahalide of a Group IV element, a pentahalide of a Group V element, or mixtures thereof. The presence of a fully halogenated hydrocarbon, such as carbon tetrachloride, during the graphite intercalation reaction has been found to expedite the rate at which intercalation takes place and possibly enables the achievement of a greater electrical conductivity than would have otherwise been obtained. In a preferred embodiment the graphite carbon is present within a carbonaceous fibrous material at the time of its intercalation and the resulting product is substantially electrically oriented along the axis of the fiber.

Abstract: An improved procedure is provided for increasing the electrical conductivity of graphite via intercalation. It has been found that sulfur trioxide has the ability to substantially aid the intercalation of graphite by previously known intercalants such as (a) fluorosulfonic acid, chlorosulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, (b) a boron trihalide, a tetrahalide of a Group IV element, a pentahalide of a Group V element, or mixtures thereof, and (c) mixtures of (a) and (b). Such presence of sulfur trioxide during the graphite intercalation reaction has been found to expedite the rate at which intercalation takes place and possibly enables the achievement of a greater electrical conductivity than would have otherwise been obtained. In a preferred embodiment the graphitic carbon is present within a carbonaceous fibrous material at the time of its intercalation and the resulting product is substantially electrically oriented along the axis of the fiber.

Abstract: Temperature detectors are disclosed which employ, as their active elements, pieces of partially pyrolyzed polymer material which switch to a more highly conductive state under appropriate imposed electrical bias conditions when the ambient temperature increases above the switching temperature of the detector.