Abstract: A real-time wireless system for recording natural tongue movements in the 3D oral space. By attaching a small magnetic tracer to the tongue, either temporarily or semi-permanently, and placing an array of magnetic sensors around the mouth, the tracer can be localized with sub-millimeter precision. The system can also combine the tracer localization with acoustic, video, and flow data via additional sensors to form a comprehensive audiovisual biofeedback mechanism for diagnosing speech impairments and improving speech therapy. Additionally, the system can record tongue trajectories and create an indexed library of such traces. The indexed library can be used as a tongue tracking silent speech interface. The library can synthesize words, phrases, or execute commands tied to the individual patterns of magnetic field variations or tongue trajectories.

Abstract: A real-time wireless system for recording natural tongue movements in the 3D oral space. By attaching a small magnetic tracer to the tongue, either temporarily or semi-permanently, and placing an array of magnetic sensors around the mouth, the tracer can be localized with sub-millimeter precision. The system can also combine the tracer localization with acoustic, video, and flow data via additional sensors to form a comprehensive audiovisual biofeedback mechanism for diagnosing speech impairments and improving speech therapy. Additionally, the system can record tongue trajectories and create an indexed library of such traces. The indexed library can be used as a tongue tracking silent speech interface. The library can synthesize words, phrases, or execute commands tied to the individual patterns of magnetic field variations or tongue trajectories.

Abstract: An electrode composition for use as an electrode in a non-aqueous battery system. The electrode composition contains an electrically active powder in a solid polymer and, as a dispersant, a C.sub.8 -C.sub.15 alkyl capped oligomer of a hexanoic acid that is electrochemically inert at 2.5-4.5 volts.

Abstract: A composition for transforming a chrysotile asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises water, at least about 30% by weight of a hexafluorosilicate salt, and free of or having only small amounts of an inorganic acid, an inorganic acid salt or a mixture thereof. A method of transforming the asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material using the present composition also is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for transforming a chrysotile asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises water, at least about 30% by weight of an inorganic acid, and from about 0.1 to about 4% by weight of a tetrafluoroborate of ammonia, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. A method of transforming the asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material using the present composition also is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for transforming a chrysotile asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises water, at least about 30% by weight of an inorganic acid, and from about 0.1 to about 4% by weight of a hexafluorosilicate of ammonia, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. A method of transforming the asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material using the present composition also is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for transforming a chrysotile asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises water, at least about 30% by weight of phosphoric acid, and from about 0.1 to about 4% by weight of a source of fluoride ions. A method of transforming the asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material using the present composition also is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for transforming a chrysotile asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises water, at least about 30% by weight of a boron tetrafluoride salt, free of or having only small amounts of an inorganic acid, an inorganic acid salt or a mixture thereof. A method of transforming the asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material using the present composition also is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for transforming a chrysotile asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises water, at least about 30% by weight of an acid component, at least about 0.1% by weight of a source of fluoride ions, and a stable foam forming amount of a foaming agent system having both cationic and non-ionic functionality. A method of transforming the asbestos-containing material into a non-asbestos material using the present composition in the form of a foam also disclosed.

Abstract: Flexible metal foil catalyst members suitable for use in catalytic devices for combustion engine emission control are prepared by electrophoretic deposition using an aqueous slurry of catalyst support particles. The deposited support layer is of uniform thickness and stable surface area. The catalyst support may then be impregnated with catalytic species and assembled into a catalytic device. The catalyst members from the invention are especially suitable for use in automotive applications, and more especially in electrically heated catalytic devices.

Abstract: Flexible metal foil catalyst members suitable for use in catalytic devices for combustion engine emission control are prepared by electrophoretic deposition using an aqueous slurry of catalyst support particles. The deposited support layer is of uniform thickness and stable surface area. The catalyst support may then be impregnated with catalytic species and assembled into a catalytic device. The catalyst members from the invention are especially suitable for use in automotive applications, and more especially in electrically heated catalytic devices.

Abstract: Thermoplastic rubber is used as part of a thermally conductive electrically insulating filled elastomer composition. The filler may be any conventional filler such as hexagonal boron nitride or alumina. The thermoplastic rubber may be crosslinked. The filled elastomer can be molded or pressed into desired shapes.

Abstract: Low sodium hollow glass microspheres containing less than about 3 wt. % Na.sub.2 O are produced from aqueous precursors. The method comprisesa) forming an aqueous glass precursor solution or slurry by combining sources of cations contained in the glass, the solution or slurry comprising all of the glass cations in proportions substantially identical to those in the glass,b) forming the solution or slurry into droplets, andc) heating the droplets to form the microspheres.The precursor may also contain surfactants, blowing agents or other known expedients. Nonionic fluorocarbon surfactants are preferred.The droplets may be formed by spraying or any other known technique. The droplets may be spray dried prior to heating step c).

Abstract: Alpha alumina platelets are used as thermally conductive, electrically insulating filler in thermally conductive, electrically insulating elastomers. The platelets provide improved thermal conductivity in comparison to conventional alumina fillers. The platelets preferably average less than one micron thickness with an average aspect ratio of at least about 5:1.

Abstract: Small hollow glass spheres are prepared by adding a surfactant to a liquid glass precursor mixture. The surfactant-containing solution or dispersion can be formed into droplets which are directed into a heated zone and the product collected in a cooler zone. Alternately, the solution or dispersion may be spray-dried, and the spray-dried product is fed into the heated zone and collected in the cooler zone. Nonionic fluorocarbon surfactants are the preferred surfactants.

Abstract: Improved process for making Tl-Ca-Ba-CuO superconductors. A solution of the monocarboxylates (e.g., acetates) of Ca, Ba, and Cu is dried, calcined, mixed with Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the mixture is heated to make a superconductor. The method minimizes introduction of contaminants. Novel compositions result.

Abstract: A process for preparing microporous inorganic membranes comprising mixing a sol comprised of inorganic colloidal particles dispersed in a liquid medium with an organic polymeric film forming material dissolved in a suitable solvent. The liquid medium of the sol, the organic polymeric film forming material, and the solvent being selected such that:(1) the liquid medium of the sol and the solvent are miscible,(2) the organic polymeric film forming material is soluble in the solvent and(3) the organic polymeric film forming material is insoluble in the liquid medium of the sol.The mixture is applied to a porous support and the organic film forming material is allowed to separate from the solvent/sol to form a phase-separated coating. The phase-separated film coated support is dried to remove the solvent, and heated at a temperature sufficient to burn off the organic polymeric film forming material but below the sintering temperature, thereby leaving a microporous inorganic membrane.

Abstract: An extruded and sintered Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 body having high flexural strength is produced by extruding and sintering and extrusion mixture of alpha-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder, an organic dispersing agent, an optional deaeration agent, and a zirconia sol. The zirconia sol is present in a small amount such that upon firing the final ZrO.sub.2 content of the final body is less than 1 weight percent. The sintered alumina body has a uniform distribution of ZrO.sub.2 particles in the size range of 0.1-1.0 microns.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of the monocarboxylates of Y, Ba, and Cu is spray dried, providing a contaminant-free non-hygroscopic product which is homogeneous at the atomic level. In a preferred embodiment Y, Ba, and Cu acetates are used in a molecular ratio of 1:2:3, giving a product which can be calcined to give a superconducting mixed oxide, YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x, where x is 6.8-7.0.

Abstract: Superior homogeneity in ceramic materials is achieved by forming an aqueous solution of trichloroacetates of certain metals, heating the solution to decompose the trichloroacetates to form carbonate precipitates, and recovering the carbonate precipitates. The latter can be calcined to form superconductors. For example, oxides, or carbonates of Y, Ba, and Cu are dissolved in aqueous trichloroacetic acid and the solution is heated to decompose trichloroacetate ions and to form mixed carbonates, which precipitate. The precipitate is recovered and calcined to form a superconducting material.