Abstract: A method for coating a surface, including the steps: a) applying a first layer of a moisture-curable composition onto a surface, b) optionally letting the applied moisture-curable composition cure into a dried first layer, c) applying a second layer of the moisture-curable composition onto the optionally dried first layer, wherein the moisture-curable composition includes: between 20 and 50 wt.-%, preferably between 25 and 45 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one organic polymer which is liquid at room temperature and contains reactive silane groups, and between 10 and 30 wt.-%, preferably between 15 and 25 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one polyether PE having between 2 and 6 ether oxygen atoms and is free of hydroxyl groups; and at least one curing catalyst for reactive silane groups. The method yields a multilayer coating with high intercoat adhesion.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aldol ester of the formula (I), wherein at least one carboxylic anhydride of the formula (II) is reacted with at least one aldol of the formula (III) with heating in the presence of a basic catalyst with a pKa of the conjugate acid of at least 8, and the reaction product obtained from the process. The process provides a light-coloured and low-odour reaction product which has a high content of aldol ester content of the formula (I) and can be used, without elaborate purification steps, particularly without overhead distillation of the aldol ester, as a blocking agent for primary amines. The resultant blocked amines have a long storage life together with polymers containing isocyanate groups, and cure rapidly and reliably on contact with moisture to form mechanically high-grade and robust elastomers.

Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous polymer solution, including: (a) providing a hydrated polymer that has been prepared by aqueous solution polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which hydrated polymer contains at least 10% by weight active polymer; (b) cutting the hydrated polymer by subjecting the hydrated polymer to at least one cutting stage containing at least one stream of aqueous liquid at a pressure of at least 150 bar to reduce the size of the hydrated polymer; and (c) dissolving the hydrated polymer in an aqueous liquid so as to obtain an aqueous polymer solution. An apparatus for producing an aqueous polymer solution.

Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous polymer solution, including: (a) providing a hydrated polymer that has been prepared by aqueous solution polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which hydrated polymer contains at least 10% by weight active polymer; (b) cutting the hydrated polymer by subjecting the hydrated polymer to at least one cutting stage containing at least one stream of aqueous liquid at a pressure of at least 150 bar to reduce the size of the hydrated polymer; and (c) dissolving the hydrated polymer in an aqueous liquid so as to obtain an aqueous polymer solution. An apparatus for producing an aqueous polymer solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous polyacrylamide solution, where the method includes: hydrating acrylonitrile in water in presence of a biocatalyst capable of converting acrylonitrile to acrylamide so as to obtain an acrylamide solution; directly polymerizing the acrylamide solution so as to obtain a polyacrylamide gel; and directly dissolving the polyacrylamide gel by addition of water so as to obtain an aqueous polyacrylamide solution, wherein the polyacrylamide gel is dissolved by water jet cutting.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous polyacrylamide solution is disclosed. The method comprises:—hydrating acrylonitrile in water in presence of a biocatalyst capable of converting acrylonitrile to acrylamide so as to obtain an acrylamide solution,—directly polymerizing the acrylamide solution so as to obtain a polyacrylamide gel, and—directly dissolving the polyacrylamide gel by addition of water so as to obtain an aqueous polyacrylamide solution.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a controller, a plurality of sensor stations and a plurality of seismic sources. Each sensor station includes a sensor coupled to the earth for sensing seismic energy in the earth. The sensor provides a signal indicative of the sensed seismic energy and a recorder device co-located with the sensor unit that receives and stores the signals. A communication device is co-located with the sensor station and provides direct two-way wireless communication with the central controller. In one embodiment, in-field personnel determine elevation values, or Z values, for the sensor stations and seismic source by accessing a digital elevation model or a look-up table based on the digital elevation model. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Method for obtaining contextual information about an item based on information taken from or influenced by other items according to the relationships said item shares with other items, including the steps of (1) determining direct and indirect information of items, where the direct information includes generating a plurality of sets of structures, each structure relating to information about items and types of relationships between them, and each set consisting of common types of relationships between items, (2) determining direct and indirect relationships between items, where the direct relationship is selected from a set of potential relationships, (3) identifying classes or types of relationships that infer information about an item, (4) specifying correspondence between different types of relationships, and (5) combining the direct and indirect information of an item to establish its contextual information.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a controller, a plurality of sensor stations and a plurality of seismic sources. Each sensor station includes a sensor coupled to the earth for sensing seismic energy in the earth. The sensor provides a signal indicative of the sensed seismic energy and a recorder device co-located with the sensor unit that receives and stores the signals. A communication device is co-located with the sensor station and provides direct two-way wireless communication with the central controller. In one embodiment, in-field personnel determine elevation values, or Z values, for the sensor stations and seismic source by accessing a digital elevation model or a look-up table based on the digital elevation model. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A biological and chemical decontamination device that includes at least one planar x ray source, an irradiation chamber that receive the x rays, and at least one access port on the irradiation chamber through which port articles can enter the irradiation chamber is described. The planar x-ray source includes a planar field emission cathode having a plurality of nanotubes, an electron target for receiving electrons from the cathode, and an applied voltage that accelerates electrons from the cathode to the target. The cathode can be formed into a variety of shapes as needed for specific applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a gasoline composition which comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons of the gasoline boiling range containing an octane requirement reducing amount of an additive which comprises a furfuryl alcohol resin or derivative thereof and the use of the additive in a concentrate for a preparation of such gasoline composition and a method of operating a spark-ignition engine using such gasoline composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a gasoline composition which comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons of the gasoline boiling range containing an octane requirement reducing amount of an additive comprising a furan derivative containing a furyl group bearing one or more substituents comprising one or more heterocyclic and/or one or more aryl groups; a concentrate for the preparation of such gasoline composition and a method of operating a spark-ignition engine using such gasoline composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a gasoline composition which comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons of the gasoline boiling range containing an octane requirement reducing amount of an additive which comprises a furfuryl alcohol resin or derivative thereof and the use of the additive in a concentrate for a preparation of such gasoline composition and a method of operating a spark-ignition engine using such gasoline composition.