Abstract: Free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (p.c.m.) is disclosed. The silica particles have a critical size of about 7.times.10.sup.-3 to about 7.times.10.sup.-2 microns and the pcm must be added to the silica in an amount of 80 wt. % or less pcm per combined weight of silica and pcm. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garmets, quilts and blankets, and in cementitious compositions of the type in which it is beneficial to use a pcm material. The silica-pcm mix can also be admixed with soil to provide a soil warming effect and placed about a tree, flower, or shrub.

Abstract: Free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (p.c.m.) is disclosed. The silica particles have a critical size of about 7.times.10.sup.-3 to about 7.times.10.sup.-2 microns and the pcm must be added to the silica in an amount of 80 wt. % or less pcm per combined weight of silica and pcm. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garments, quilts and blankets, and in cementitious compositions of the type in which it is beneficial to use a pcm material. The silica-pcm mix can also be admixed with soil to provide a soil warming effect and placed about a tree, flower, or shrub.

Abstract: Free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (p.c.m.) is disclosed. The silica particles have a critical size of about 7.times.10.sup.-3 to about 7.times.10.sup.-2 microns and the pcm must be added to the silica in an amount of 80 wt. % or less pcm per combined weight of silica and pcm. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garments, quilts and blankets, and in cementitious compositions of the type in which it is beneficial to use a pcm material. The silica-pcm mix can also be admixed with soil to provide a soil warming effect and placed about a tree, flower, or shrub.

Abstract: A composite useful in thermal energy storage, said composite being formed of a polyolefin matrix having a phase change material such as a crystalline alkyl hydrocarbon incorporated therein, said polyolefin being thermally form stable; the composite is useful in forming pellets, sheets or fibers having thermal energy storage characteristics; methods for forming the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid propellant test strands are inhibited, i.e., prevented from burning in an uncontrolled fashion, by coating the strands with a liquid composition containing a partially cured phenolformaldehyde in a volatile solvent, then volatizing the solvent.

Abstract: A composite useful in thermal energy storage, said composite being formed of a polyolefin matrix having a phase change material such as a crystalline alkyl hydrocarbon incorporated therein. The composite is useful in forming pellets, sheets or fibers having thermal energy storage characteristics; methods for forming the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprising a polymeric material and polyethylene glycol or end-capped polyethylene glycol as a phase change material, said polyethylene glycol and said end-capped polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight greater than about 400 and a heat of fusion greater than about 30 cal/g; the composition is useful in making molded and/or coated materials such as flooring, tiles, wall panels and the like; paints containing polyethylene glycols or end-capped polyethylene glycols are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions containing crystalline, straight chain, alkyl hydrocarbons as phase change materials including cementitious compositions containing the alkyl hydrocarbons neat or in pellets or granules formed by incorporating the alkyl hydrocarbons in polymers or rubbers; and polymeric or elastomeric compositions containing alkyl hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A composite useful in thermal energy storage, said composite being formed of a polyethylene matrix having a straight chain alkyl hydrocarbon incorporated therein, said polyethylene being crosslinked to such a degree that said polyethylene matrix is form stable and said polyethylene matrix is capable of absorbing at least 10% by weight of said straight chain alkyl hydrocarbon; the composite is useful in forming pellets or sheets having thermal energy storage characteristics.

Abstract: Compositions containing crystalline, long chain, alkyl hydrocarbons as phase change materials including cementitious compositions containing the alkyl hydrocarbons neat or in pellets or granules formed by incorporating the alkyl hydrocarbons in polymers or rubbers; and polymeric or elastomeric compositions containing alkyl hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Intumescent coatings which form a thick, uniform, fine celled, low density foam upon exposure to a high intensity heat flux or flame are disclosed, the invention coatings comprise phenolic resin prepolymer containing a blowing agent and a nucleating agent; in the preferred embodiments the coatings also contains a silicone surfactant, the coatings are useful in thermal and fire protection systems.

Abstract: An aqueous solution useful in extinguishing fires is disclosed comprising diammonium phosphate, a water soluble polyol, a water soluble gas-generating agent, a non-combustible viscosity builder and water; when sprayed upon burning surfaces, the solution intumesces and generates a flame-resistant polymeric foam having a high char value; the foam shuts off the air supply to the burning surface and thereby quickly and effectively extinguishes the fire.

Abstract: A cementitious composition comprising a cementitious material and polyethylene glycol or end-capped polyethylene glycol as a phase change material, said polyethylene glycol and said end-capped polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight greater than about 400 and a heat of fusion greater than about 30 cal/g; the compositions are useful in making pre-formed building materials such as concrete blocks, brick, dry wall and the like or in making poured structures such as walls or floor pads; the glycols can be encapsulated to reduce their tendency to retard set.

Abstract: Energy is extracted from a high-temperature high-pressure working fluid by augmenting flow of the working fluid with a flow of gas having a molecular weight less than the fluid, utilizing some of the energy from the working fluid to induce addition and mixture of the gas in an ejector creating a flow of the mixed fluids having a greater mass and lower temperature than the initial flow of working fluid and supplying the mixed fluids to a turbine which converts the energy in the mixed fluids into mechanical energy. The exhausted fluids are separated and at least the augmenting gas is recycled to the ejector. The gas is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, air, water vapor, or an organic compound having a molecular weight less than the working fluid, and the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of an inorganic element, an inorganic compound, or a fluorocarbon.

Abstract: Inclusion of a stabilizer selected from phenyl and naphthyl esters of benzene and naphthalene carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof in an article, e.g. a photographic element, comprising an organic dye or precursor thereof increases stability of the dye against ultraviolet radiation. Particularly good results are achieved when the stabilizer is dispersed in a polymer of relatively high solubility parameter and low crystallinity.

Abstract: The invention is a process for making porous amine/aldehyde structures or powders comprising solid approximately-spherical cross-linked particles of less than 10 microns, said process comprising electrolyzing aqueous solutions of urea-formaldehyde prepolymer, melamine-formaldehyde prepolymer or mixtures thereof under electrolysis conditions sufficient to initiate condensation polymerization and formation of said structures or powders. The structures are all broadly designated as open pore urea-formaldehyde structures (OPUF) even though, of course, the ones made from melamine and formaldehyde without urea will have no urea in them. If the reactor is stirred during polymerization powders consisting of primary spherical particles and small porous agglomerates, are formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to crystalline polyethylene pieces having optimum crosslinking for use in storage and recovery of heat, and it further relates to methods for storage and recovery of heat using crystalline polymer pieces having optimum crosslinking for these uses. Crystalline polymer pieces are described which retain at least 70% of the heat of fusion of the uncrosslinked crystalline polymer and yet are sufficiently crosslinked for the pieces not to stick together upon being cycled above and below the melting point of said polymer, preferably at least 80% of the heat of fusion with no substantial sticking together.

Abstract: A solar collector is constructed of a photoelectric cell mounted within a collector of the total internal reflectance type. The photoelectric cell has the form of a rod of a monocrystalline element or compound with a generally cylindrical junction spaced at a distance radially inwardly from the outer surface of the rod. The photoelectric cell is mounted within a trough shaped collector which is at least partially filled with a transparent solid wherein total internal reflectance of incident radiation increases the effectiveness of the collector.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent or optically clear laminates and adhesive films used to make these laminates having a temperature utility range far greater than those previously developed and which are especially useful for windshields of high speed aircraft which need such a broad temperature range. These transparent adhesive films have a temperature utility in the range of -65.degree. F to at least 350.degree. F in laminates and comprise an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content in the range of 40% to 60%, the copolymer being partially hydrolyzed to form a terpolymer having a hydroxyl content in the range of 1% to 6%, the terpolymer in film form and/or laminate being heat treated and cross-linked to give the adhesive film. The laminates are made from transparent layers of glass and/or plastic bound together with the transparent adhesive film.

Abstract: Large void-free castings of polyethylene can be made by blending high density polyethylene pellets with low density polyethylene powder, followed by heating to above the melting point of the low density polyethylene and below, or only slightly above, the melting point of the high density polyethylene. Flame proofing additives, crosslinking agents and other materials can be readily incorporated into the blend before fusing. The mixture of high density and low density polyethylene significantly reduces the amount of shrinkage which takes place during the cooling from the melting temperature to ambient temperature. The low density polyethylene should have a sufficiently low melt viscosity so that it will flow under small pressures above the melting temperature.