Abstract: An electrical capacitor includes an organic electrolyte to provide high power, high energy density, and broad operating temperature range. The capacitor includes electrodes and an electrolyte system comprising a salt combined with a solvent containing a nitrile. The electrolyte system is selected to be relatively nonreactive and difficult to oxidize or reduce so as to produce a high electric potential range. As examples, the electrolyte may include a solvent selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, succinonitrile, glutaronitrile, propylene carbonate, and ethylene carbonate; a salt cation selected from the group consisting of tetraalkylamonium (R.sub.4 N.sup.+) and alkali metals; and an anion selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3.sup.-), bistrifluoromethylsulfurylimide (N(CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.2.sup.-), tristrifluoromethylsulfurylcarbanion (C(CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.3.sup.-), tetrafluoroborate (BF.sub.4.sup.-), hexafluorophosphate (PF.sub.6.sup.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent dye penetrant composition is provided for detecting cracks and other defects in the surface of an object, which comprises a carrier, preferably in the form of a nonionic surfactant, a small amount of a fluorescent dye soluble in the surfactant and a minor amount of hydrogen peroxide. The dye penetrant is applied to the surface of the object and excess dye penetrant is removed therefrom. An oxalate ester or oxalate amide is then applied to the treated surface and reacts with the dye penetrant in the cracks and defects to luminesce, and produces self illuminated penetrant indications at the location of the cracks and defects. Oxalate esters such as bis(2,4,6 trichlorophenyl) oxalate are preferred. The oxalate ester or oxalate amide can be mixed with inert conventional developer materials such as talc or fumed silica.

Abstract: A system is provided for regenerating reducing agents used in ancillary chemical or electrochemical processes such as restoring solderability of electronic components. The system includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte system that is separated by a semipermeable ionic barrier into a catholyte and an anolyte. The catholyte includes the reduced member of a redox couple, which can be regenerated electrochemically. The redox couple of the electrolyte system is charged like a battery and discharged during the ancillary process. Regeneration of the reduced member of the redox couple is accomplished at the cathode. The cathode comprises an electrode having a high hydrogen overvoltage so that sufficiently negative potentials can be attained while minimizing hydrogen evolution. Chemical balance is maintained by the semipermeable ionic barrier, which permits proton migration from the anolyte to the catholyte but acts as a barrier against diffusion and migration of cations from the catholyte to the anolyte.

Abstract: An electrically conductive article comprising a dielectric substrate, such as a fabric, e.g., fiberglass fabric, and an electrically conductive inorganic nickel sulfide layer which is adherent to the substrate and has good electrical conductivity and stable electrical characteristics at high temperature. Such article is produced by contacting a porous dielectric substrate, such as fiberglass fabric, with an aqueous solution containing a soluble nickel salt, such as nickel sulfate, and a sulfur donor, such as sodium thiosulfate, drying the resulting wet substrate at ambient temperature, and heating the resulting substrate at elevated temperature of about 100.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. to form an electrically conductive layer of nickel sulfide on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrically conductive article comprising a dielectric substrate, such as a fabric, e.g., fiberglass fabric, and an electrically conductive inorganic nickel sulfide layer which is adherent to the substrate and has good electrical conductivity and stable electrical characteristics at high temperature. Such article is produced by contacting a porous dielectric substrate, such as fiberglass fiber, with an aqueous solution containing a soluble nickel salt, such as nickel sulfate, and a sulfur donor, such as sodium thiosulfate, drying the resulting wet substrate at ambient temperature, and heating the resulting substrate at elevated temperature of about 100.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. to form an electrically conductive layer of nickel sulfide on the substrate.

Abstract: A gold(III) acetate is formed by dissolving gold(III) hydroxide in glacial acetic acid. This solution containing gold(III) acetate can be used to form a gold-containing film by heating it above about 60.degree. C. and then casting it to form a film. Gold can be deposited from the film by heating it to about 175.degree. C. to decompose the film. In this manner, a line or pattern of conductive gold can be formed by heating selected portions of the film with a laser.

Abstract: A method for producing oxidant/dopant reagent solutions which comprises reacting a basic ferric carboxylate, preferably basic ferric acetate, with an alkyl or aryl sulfonic acid, e.g., benzenesulfonic acid, to produce the corresponding ferric sulfonate in solution. Oxidant/dopant solutions can also be prepared containing cupric or ceric sulfonates. The oxidant/dopant solution is employed in situ for reaction with a pyrrole to produce electrically conductive polypyrrole. A porous substrate, such as fiberglass cloth, can be dipped in the oxidant/dopant solution, dried and then treated with a pyrrole to produce an electrically conductive polypyrrole deposit in the interstices of the substrate.

Abstract: A conductive or semiconductive pattern of a metal sulfide or selenide such as copper, cadmium, cobalt or nickel sulfide, is provided on a substrate. The pattern may have a resistivity in the range of 1 to 10.sup.6 ohms per square. It is formed by coating the surface with a solution containing a salt of one of the metals which is capable of being converted to a divalent metal compound, a sulfur group donor such as thiourea, and a solvent such as methanol or water. The solution is dried, and then selected portions of the coated surface are irradiated with a laser beam. This thermally converts the irradiated metal salt into a metal sulfide. The unreacted solution is then washed from the substrate to leave a conductive pattern. The desired conductivity of the pattern can be obtained by selecting the proper metal salt, concentration of salt in the solution, and the energy of the radiation.

Abstract: A process for generating electrically conductive patterns on a dielectric substrate, such as an insulating sheet, which comprises applying to preselected areas of the substrate a preselected concentration of an ink in the form of an oxidizing agent, such as a solution of a ferric salt, e.g., ferric chloride or ferric ethylbenzenesulfonate, and which can also contain a suitable binder or thickening agent, to form printed images on the substrate surface. The resulting printed surface of the substrate is then exposed to an excess of reactant, e.g., pyrrole monomer in vapor phase, which reacts with the oxidizing agent to develop conductive images, as by forming polypyrrole, in those printed areas of the substrate containing the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive polypyrrole powder, by treating a liquid pyrrole with a solution of a strong oxidant, capable of oxidizing pyrrole to a pyrrole polymer, and oxidizing the pyrrole by such strong oxidant in the presence of a substantially non-nucleophilic anion and precipitating a conductive polypyrrole powder. The strong oxidant, e.g., Fe.sup.3+ ion, and non-nucleophilic anion, e.g., sulfate or chloride ion, can be derived from a single compound, e.g., FeCl.sub.3 or Fe.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3. The anion serves as dopant for the polypyrrole. The reaction can be carried out in aqueous solution or in an organic solvent medium, such as acetonitrile.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive polypyrrole of enhanced stability by treating a liquid pyrrole with a solution of a strong oxidant, capable of oxidizing pyrrole to a pyrrole polymer, and oxidizing the pyrrole by such strong oxidant in the presence of a relatively large organic dopant anion, and precipitating a conductive polypyrrole. The strong oxidant, e.g., Fe.sup.3+ ion, and dopant anion, which can be an alkyl or aryl sulfonate, e.g., methylbenzenesulfonate, or a perfluorinated carboxylate, e.g., trifluoroacetate, anion, can be derived from a single compound, e.g., ##STR1## the anion serving as dopant for the polypyrrole.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive composite or structural materials comprising a dielectric substrate, e.g. fiberglass fabric, and a layer of a pyrrole polymer on the substrate, by treating the substrate with a solution of a strong oxidant containing a substantially non-nucleophilic anion, e.g. ferric chloride, drying the substrate and exposing the so treated substrate with the vapors of a pyrrole and oxidizing the pyrrole by the strong oxidant and depositing a polypyrrole layer or film on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing electrically conductive polymers to hostile environments is disclosed. The method comprises encapsulating the conductive polymer, e.g., polypyrrole or polyaniline, as a powder, a free-standing film or preferably in the form of a composite of a substrate, such as fiberglass fabric, impregnated with the conductive polymer, with a suitable resin, preferably an epoxy resin, as an encapsulating agent. The preferred method involves pre-pregging the fabric of the conductive composite with an epoxy resin and curing the resulting system.

Abstract: A conducting polymer is produced using cathodic deposition in an electrolyte. The etectrolyte comprises a solvent such as acetonitrile, carbon disulfide, a supporting electrolyte cation, and a transition metal ion. At a voltage of about -0.70 or higher, the carbon disulfide is reduced in the presence of the transition metal ion and a conducting polymer is deposited on the cathode.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive composites comprising a dielectric porous substance, e.g., fiberglass fabric, and a pyrrole polymer in the pores of such substance, by treating the porous substance with a liquid pyrrole, and then treating the resulting porous substance with a solution of a strong oxidant in the presence of a non-nucleophilic anion, such as ferric chloride. The pyrrole monomer is oxidized to a pyrrole polymer, which precipitates in the interstices of the porous material. Alternatively, the dielectric porous material can first be treated with a solution of strong oxidant and non-nucleophilic anion followed by treatment with liquid pyrrole, to precipitate an electrically conductive polypyrrole in the pores of the material. The resulting composite of porous material, e.g., fiberglass fabric, containing polypyrrole is electrically conductive while the other properties of such impregnated conductive porous material are substantially unaffected.

Abstract: Electrically conductive composites comprising a dielectric porous substance, e.g. fiberglass fabric, and a pyrrole polymer deposited in the pores of such substance. The composites are produced by contacting the porous substance with an anode in an electrolytic cell containing an electrolyte comprising a pyrrole monomer and a substantially non-nucleophilic anion such as bisulfate, and passing an electric current through the cell, thus electrochemically precipitating a conductive pyrrole polymer in the pores of such substance.

Abstract: A conducting organic polymer is disclosed consisting of a polypyrrole or an N-substituted analog of pyrrole and a non-nucleophilic polymeric anion. The polymer is formed by electropolymerizing pyrrole from an electrolyte containing a non-nucleophilic polymeric anion and pyrrole.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive composites comprising a dielectric porous substance, e.g., fiberglass fabric, and a pyrrole polymer in the pores of such substance, by treating the porous substance with a liquid pyrrole, and then treating the resulting porous substance with a solution of a strong oxidant in the presence of a non-nucleophilic anion, such as ferric chloride. The pyrrole monomer is oxidized to a pyrrole polymer, which precipitates in the interstices of the porous material. Alternatively, the dielectric porous material can first be treated with a solution of strong oxidant and non-nucleophilic anion followed by treatment with liquid pyrrole, to precipitate an electrically conductive polypyrrole in the pores of the material. The resulting composite of porous material, e.g., fiberglass fabric, containing polypyrrole is electrically conductive while the other properties of such impregnated conductive porous material are substantially unaffected.