Abstract: A method of making a microporous carbon material which includes providing a precursor selected from the group consisting of crystalline salts of aromatic sulfonates and nonporous polymeric salts. Prior to carbonization, the precursor is treated by ion exchange or other conventional processes to introduce a metal such as iron, nickel and cobalt into the precursor. Heat treatment of such composite precursors in the temperature range of 350.degree. to 850.degree. C. in an inert oxygen free atmosphere for a sufficient time promotes thermally induced hydrogen abstraction and rearrangement of BSUs which result in the formation of a composite, carbonaceous microporous material which contains a metal component, and has a pore size distribution in the range of about 4-15 .ANG. A. The structural and storage characteristics of the microporous carbon materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a microporous carbon material which includes providing a precursor selected from the group consisting of crystalline salts of aromatic sulfonates and nonporous polymeric salts. Heat treatment of such precursors in the temperature range of 350.degree. to 850.degree. C. in an inert oxygen free atmosphere for a sufficient time promotes thermally induced hydrogen abstraction and rearrangement of BSUs which result in the formation of a carbonaceous microporous material having a pore size distribution in the range of about 4-15 .ANG.. The structural and storage characteristics of the microporous carbon materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method for distinguishing between unflawed and flawed parts comprises the steps of detecting at least two prominent resonant response frequencies, measuring the frequency difference between the two frequencies, determining the ratio of the frequency difference to one of said frequencies, and comparing the ratio to a predetermined part criterion. Resonant response frequencies dependant upon physical characteristics such as dimensions and weight are compared to other resonances which are at frequencies dependant upon stiffness of the part.

Abstract: A highly microporous adsorbent material is formed as a composite of a natural or synthetic clay or clay-like mineral matrix intercalated with an active carbon. The mineral is prepared and selected to have a selected interlayer spacing between microcrystalline sheets. An organic polymeric precursor is contacted therewith to fill the matrix interstices. Then the precursor is polymerized and carbonized to yield the adsorbent material in which the carbon is intercalated into the mineral matrix. The mineral can be naturally occurring smectite or synthetic hydrotalcite.

Abstract: Oxide supported metal catalysts have an additional metal present in intimate association with the metal catalyst to enhance catalytic activity. In a preferred mode, iridium or another Group VIII metal catalyst is supported on a titania, alumina, tungsten oxide, silica, or composite oxide support. Aluminum ions are readsorbed onto the support and catalyst, and reduced during calcination. The aluminum can be added as aluminum nitrate to the iridium impregnate solution, e.g. chloroiridic acid.

Abstract: Increasing the surface acidity of active carbons can lead to an increase in capacity for hydrogen adsorption. Increasing the surface basicity can facilitate methane adsorption. The treatment of carbons is most effective when the carbon source material is selected to have a low ash content i.e., below about 3%, and where the ash consists predominantly of alkali metals alkali earth, with only minimal amounts of transition metals and silicon. The carbon is washed in water or acid and then oxidized, e.g. in a stream of oxygen and an inert gas at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An extremely long-life, highly reproducible cathode is produced by preparing a porous sintered metal matrix, impregnating the matrix with a reagent containing a transition metal to modify the surface structure of the matrix, and then impregnating the surface-modified metal matrix with a barium-containing reagent to produce a cathode structure in which barium atoms are held in a metal-metal interaction with the transition metals and the surface of the matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the transition metal oxide is TiO.sub.2. This produces a barium/transition metal oxide surface structure which permits cathode operating temperatures on the order of 650 degrees C. The barium is stable and is retained on the surface of the metal matrix, so further dispensing is not required.

Abstract: Ceramic materials in the form of powdered .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 are surface modified by addition of the salts or oxides of nickel or tungsten prior to contact of the ceramic with polymer binder suspensions. The sintering and densification of said ceramic materials produces ceramic bodies substantially free from carbonaceous residues.

Abstract: The reliability and life cycle of a thin-film conductor is predicted accurately and directly by measuring changes in its resistivity during an interval in which its temperature is dynamically increased. A semiconductor wafer containing a number of integrated circuits, each of which contains the thin-film conductor, is placed on a test platform of a semiconductor test station, where probes are positioned to supply a constant current stress to the conductor and to measure the voltage across it. A ramp current is supplied to a resistive heating element on the test platform to effect a linear rise in temperature over a span of time to the thin-film conductor. Changes in the conductor resistivity with respect to temperature provide kinetic data related to electromigration damage in the conductor, and hence to reliability over time.

Abstract: Hydrogen is stored at cold temperatures (room temperature to liquid nitrogen temperature) by sorption in a high unit surface area activated carbon storage medium. A minor amount of a transition metal is dispersed in the carbon, and this significantly increases the hydrogen occupancy of the available storage sites on the carbon. In a favorable embodiment, the storage medium is activated so as to maintain a quantity of water, which acts as a co-catalyst to further enhance the quantity of hydrogen that can be stored.

Abstract: A thin film stripe that includes a conductive metal alloyed with at least one other element capable of chemically bonding with hydrogen and a compound formed by hydrogen chemically bonded with at least one other element in sufficient amounts to increase the stripe's resistance to electromigration failure at normal operating temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A thin film conductive stripe having increased resistance to electromigration wherein a conductive element is alloyed with at least one other hydrogen storage element capable of accepting and holding hydrogen internally within the thin film stripe and the stripe is annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere to react hydrogen with the storage material to charge the stripe with hydrogen.

Abstract: A wheel cover and retaining clip system for a vehicle wheel having a molded plastic cover with circumferentially spaced retaining clip bosses. Each boss includes a retaining clip recess and a buttress. The buttress contacts the wheel flange and a J-shaped spring clip disposed in the recess engages the tire rim safety hump. The buttress prevents loosening of the retaining clip due to distortion of the wheel cover.

Abstract: A method for controlling the adsorption of materials from an aqueous solution onto a support. Ingredients selected from three identified classes are added in controlled amounts to the solution to generate a desired concentration profile.

Abstract: A technique is described that permits direct and accurate evaluation of a thin film conductor's reliability which requires only a few hours to carry out. The technique involves a temperature ramp procedure which dynamically exposes a conductor operating under constant current stress to a linear (in time) rise in temperature. Changes in resistivity of the conductor provides kinetic data that is directly related to both the electromigration process and the reliability of the device.

Abstract: A double retention clip for securing wheel covers, wheel trim rings, or the like to automotive wheel rims. A J-shaped spring steel clip is provided having barbed tabs on an inner arm portion. The inner arm portion is inserted in a recessed boss of the wheel cover and secured by the barbs. An outer arm includes a cam portion and an inbent portion having barbs at the outer end thereof. When a wheel cover is installed with the clips, the barbed inbent portion engages the inner axial flange portion of the wheel rim and the cam portion engages the inner surface of the annular axial safety hump of the wheel rim. Both the cam portion and the inbent portion are then under high outward radial tension.

Abstract: A technique is described that permits direct and accurate evaluation of a thin film conductor's reliability which requires only a few hours to carry out. The technique involves a temperature ramp procedure which dynamically exposes a conductor operating under constant current stress to a linear (in time) rise in temperature. Changes in resistivity of the conductor provides kinetic data that is directly related to both the electromigration process and the reliability of the device.