Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous dispersion of a polymer in an aqueous medium having a viscosity below 10 Pa.s, in which the polymer is dispersed in an aqueous medium in an extruder at a temperature above 100° C., the pressure inside the extruder being maintained above atmospheric pressure so that the aqueous medium does not boil inside the extruder.

Abstract: Optical devices fabricated from solvent processible polymers suffer from susceptibility to solvents and morphological changes. A semiconductive polymer capable of luminescence in an optical device is provided. The polymer comprises a luminescent film-forming solvent processible polymer which contains cross-linking so as to increase its molar mass and to resist solvent dissolution, the cross-linking being such that the polymer retains semiconductive and luminescent properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for estimating stiffness or elasticity profiles across timber. This involves measuring a velocity of a plane compression wave propagating in the timber, determining density information relating to the timber and estimating an initial elasticity profile. A reiterative process is then conducted whereby a revised elasticity profile is determined using the density information and initial elasticity profile. The revised elasticity profile is then used to determine how the timber is utilised.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of obtaining positional information about one or more objects in a detection field are disclosed. An array including a transmitting element and a plurality of receiving elements is provided. In one aspect a truncated cross-correlation function is applied to determine the interval between signals received by a plurality of the receiving elements, thereby to determine an angular position of an object. In another aspect a warning zone is defined and it is determined whether an object is within the warning zone. Also disclosed are techniques for stretching received signals, and techniques for obtaining positional information relating to an object using non-Doppler radar. Various implementations, modifications and applications of the techniques described are disclosed. Typical applications of the techniques described are with vehicles.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a field emission device cathode using electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes in which a separate step of depositing a binder material onto a substrate, is performed prior to carbon nanotube particle deposition. First, a binder layer is deposited on a substrate from a solution containing a binder material. The substrate having the binder material deposited thereon is then transferred into a carbon nanotube suspension bath allowing for coating of the carbon nanotube particles onto the substrate. Thermal processing of the coating transforms the binder layer properties which provides for the adhesion of the carbon nanotube particles to the binder material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon to form at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. In one embodiment, the catalyst includes a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate of the formula MXCYOZ having a disordered and/or defect structure, wherein M is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm; X=2; Z=3+AY; A is less than about 1.8, and Y is the number of carbon atoms in the oxycarbonate. When used for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon at a pressure above about 100 psig, the catalyst has a selectivity of at least about 40% to at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. Methods for preparing catalysts taught by the invention and processes for using the catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of lower hydrocarbons are also provided.

Abstract: Optical devices fabricated from solvent processible polymers suffer from susceptibility to solvents and morphological changes. A semiconductive polymer capable of luminescence in an optical device is provided. The polymer comprises a luminescent film-forming solvent processible polymer which contains cross-linking so as to increase its molar mass and to resist solvent dissolution, the cross-linking being such that the polymer retains semiconductive and luminescent properties.

Abstract: A vacuum microelectronic device (10) is formed by applying a conditioning voltage or field between the anode (17) and the electron emitters (13). The conditioning field has a value sufficient to move some of the electron emitters (13) in a direction toward the conditioning field. Some of the electron emitters (13) remain in that position after removing the conditioning field.

Abstract: A field emission source comprising a first conductive region, a layer of nanotubes deposited on the first conductive region, and a second conductive region placed over and spaced from the nanotube coated first conductive region. After the device structure is fabricated, a laser beam is used to dislodge one end of the nanotube from the first conductive surface and an electric field is simultaneously applied to point the freed end of the nanotube at the second conductive region.

Abstract: A field emission device and method of forming a field emission device are provided in accordance with the present invention. The field emission device is comprised of a substrate (12) having a deformation temperature that is less than about six hundred and fifty degrees Celsius and a nano-supported catalyst (22) formed on the substrate (12) that has active catalytic particles that are less than about five hundred nanometers. The field emission device is also comprised of a nanotube (24) that is catalytically formed in situ on the nano-supported catalyst (22), which has a diameter that is less than about twenty nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing olefins such as ethylene and propylene from lower alkanes, that is, methane, ethane and/or propane, by oxidative dehydrogenation at elevated pressure. The olefins are selectively recovered from unconverted lower alkane feed and reaction byproducts by using a complexation separation, such as an absorption separation that uses aqueous silver nitrate as the complexation agent. Catalysts are used that give high selectivity for oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkanes to olefins at elevated pressure, such as a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate catalyst.

Abstract: Optical devices fabricated from solvent processible polymers suffer from susceptibility to solvents and morphological changes. A semiconductive polymer capable of luminescence in an optical device is provided. The polymer comprises a luminescent film-forming solvent processible polymer which contains cross-linking so as to increase its molar mass and to resist solvent dissolution, the cross-linking being such that the polymer retains semiconductive and luminescent properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon to form at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. In one embodiment, the catalyst includes a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate of the formula MXCYOZ having a disordered and/or defect structure, wherein M is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm; X=2; Z=3+AY; A is less than about 1.8, and Y is the number of carbon atoms in the oxycarbonate. When used for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon at a pressure above about 100 psig, the catalyst has a selectivity of at least about 40% to at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. Methods for preparing catalysts taught by the invention and processes for using the catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of lower hydrocarbons are also provided.

Abstract: Use is provided for a 7&agr;-hydroxy or 7-oxo substituted 3&bgr;-hydroxy-steroid possessing the carbon skeleton of cholesterol, androsterone, pregnenolone or estradiol, or an analogue thereof substituted independently at one or both of the 7- and 3-positions with an ester or ether group, in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the therapy of neuropsychiatric, immune and/or endocrine disorders or for inducing cognitive enhancement. Uses for Cyp7b enzymes in producing such steroids is also provided together with various novel steroids and test kits and methods for diagnosing the disorders.

Abstract: A vehicle (160) such as a motor road vehicle is fitted with an electromagnetic sensor system comprising transmitting means (e.g. 4, 1) for transmitting a radio frequency signal, receiving means (e.g. 2, 6) for receiving reflections of said signal from remote objects, sampling means (20, 28) operable to sample the received reflected signal (or a signal derived therefrom), and processing means (e.g. 36) for processing the sampled signal, and operable to detect said reflections in the sampled signal, and to determine information on the presence, position and/or range of said object. The system includes filter means (e.g. 34) for preventing radio signals transmitted by other sources or noise spikes from causing interference which results in spurious detections or indications of range by the processing means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon to form at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. In one embodiment, the catalyst includes a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate of the formula MXCYOZ having a disordered and/or defect structure, wherein M is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm; X=2; Z=3+AY; A is less than about 1.8, and Y is the number of carbon atoms in the oxycarbonate. When used for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon at a pressure above about 100 psig, the catalyst has a selectivity of at least about 40% to at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. Methods for preparing catalysts taught by the invention and processes for using the catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of lower hydrocarbons are also provided.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation media is formed from a non-woven mat of thermoplastic fibers having a mean diameter of less than about 15 microns. Preferably, when used as an acoustical insulation, the media is formed of fibers having a mean diameter of less than about 13 microns; the media has a density of less than about 60 Kg/m3; and the media has a Fraiser air permeability of less than 75 cubic feet per minute per square foot of surface area. The media has first and second major surfaces and a fibrous core with at least one of the major surfaces having an integral skin thereon. The skin is formed by melting fibers at and immediately adjacent the major surface of the mat formed into the media to form a thermoplastic melt layer which is subsequently solidified into a skin on the major surface of the mat. The thermoplastic fibers of the mat are point bonded together at spaced apart locations to increase the integrity of the mat.

Abstract: Method for the removable sealing of a component housing, and apparatus to practice the method using an elastic or conformable sealing band. The present invention teaches a sealing band, preferably elastic, to apply a horizontal seal to the horizontal seam defined by vertically assembled component case elements. The seal is maintained in position over the seam by an alignment element disposed on at least one of the seal and the case. The sealing band is rendered electrically conductive by admixing therewith a conductive material, or by plating thereon a conductive coating. A retaining element may be further added to at least one of the sealing band and the case to minimize tampering with the sealing band once installed.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation media is formed from a non-woven mat of thermoplastic fibers having a mean diameter of less than about 15 microns. Preferably, when used as an acoustical insulation, the media is formed of fibers having a mean diameter of less than about 13 microns; the media has a density of less than about 60 Kg/m3; and the media has a Fraiser air permeability of less than 75 cubic feet per minute per square foot of surface area. The media has first and second major surfaces and a fibrous core with at least one of the major surfaces having an integral skin thereon. The skin is formed by melting fibers at and immediately adjacent the major surface of the mat formed into the media to form a thermoplastic melt layer which is subsequently solidified into a skin on the major surface of the mat. The thermoplastic fibers of the mat are point bonded together at spaced apart locations to increase the integrity of the mat.