Abstract: The invention involves a radio frequency (RF) antenna, having both reduced size and optimized impedance matching to free space over a range of wavelengths. The invention also involves methods for hiding an antenna by reducing its size and concealing it behind or within an object that is transparent to electromagnetic waves over a range of wavelengths being transmitted or received by the antenna.

Abstract: In GPS based and other types of asset tracking system, event masking rules may be applied at asset tracking units and/or at a central station to determine whether to report events detected by the asset tracking units. The events may pertain to transportation vehicles such as truck trailers or cargo containers to which the asset tracking units are attached. The event masking rules may be defined at the central station and downloaded by satellite communication to the asset tracking units and/or the rules may be defined locally, at the asset tracking units.

Abstract: A method is provided for remediation of contaminated solutions using a tiered metal wall or column. The tiered metal wall or column has at least three zones with graduated sizes of reducing metal particles. Contaminated solutions pass through the tiered wall or column to dehalogenate contaminant halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Improved yields of aromatic organic carbonates made by the palladium catalyzed direct carbonylation of aromatic organic hydroxy compounds can be achieved if the total gas pressure and partial pressure of carbon monoxide and oxygen are substantially maintained during the reaction.

Abstract: A process for significantly improving the rate of dehalogenation of aqueous compositions contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbon compounds is disclosed. The process involves admixing the contaminated aqueous composition with metallic iron in the presence of citric acid both in-situ and ex-situ. The use of citric acid as an additive in the reaction substantially increases the rate of iron-induced dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as trichloroethylene.

Abstract: A method for preparing high molecular weight polyethermide polymers in a dual solvent system is disclosed. The inventive method provides for polymerizing a diamine monomer and a dianhydride monomer in a solvent system comprised of at least two solvents, a first solvent is selected for its solubility characteristics such that the polyethermide polymer is highly soluble therein and a second solvent is selected for its relatively high boiling point characteristics such that when the second solvent and first solvent are mixed together, the boiling point of the dual solvent system is at least as high as the temperature at which polymerization of said monomers occurs. In one embodiment, a diamine monomer of 4,4'-sulfonyl dianiline (SDAN) is reacted with a dianhydride monomer of bisphenol A dianhydride (BPADA) in the presence of a catalyst and a chain stopper in a dual solvent system comprised of chloroform and ortho-dichlorobenzene. The resulting polyethermide has an intrinsic viscosity exceeding 0.

Abstract: Contaminating basic gases, i.e., ammonia, and acid gases, e.g., carbon dioxide, are removed from process waters or waste waters in a combined extraction and stripping process. Ammonia in the form of ammonium ion is extracted by an immiscible organic phase comprising a liquid cation exchange component, especially an organic phosphoric acid derivative, and preferably di-2-ethyl hexyl phosphoric acid, dissolved in an alkyl hydrocarbon, aryl hydrocarbon, higher alcohol, oxygenated hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, and mixtures thereof. Concurrently, the acidic gaseous contaminants are stripped from the process or waste waters by stripping with steam, air, nitrogen, or the like. The liquid cation exchange component has the ammonia stripped therefrom by heating, and the component may be recycled to extract additional amounts of ammonia.