Abstract: An integrated sensor includes a magnetoresistance element electrically coupled to a device disposed on or integrated in a silicon substrate. A conductor is provided proximate to the magnetoresistance element. The integrated sensor can be used to provide various devices, such as a current sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or an isolator. Further, the integrated sensor can be used in an open loop configuration or in a closed loop configuration in which an additional conductor is provided. The magntoresistance element may be formed over the silicon substrate or on a separate, non-silicon substrate. Also described is an integrated sensor comprising a substrate, a magnetic field transducer disposed over a surface of the substrate, and a conductor disposed over the surface of the substrate proximate to the magnetic field transducer. The magnetic field transducer can be a Hall effect transducer or a magnetoresistance element.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of carrying out a chemical reaction between at least two fluids, the method comprising providing respective flow paths for the at least two fluids, said flow paths communicating with each other in a region in which the at least two fluids may contact each other, and flowing the at least two fluids along said flow paths such that in said region the at least two fluids contact each other and a chemical reaction occurs between them, said region having a width perpendicular to the direction of flow in the range 10-10,000 micrometers. It has been found that using a so-called “microreactor”, that is a reactor having dimensions perpendicular to the flow direction of less than 10,000 micrometers, according to the present method, improved control over a fluid chemical reaction can be achieved, which can result in significant improvements in reaction product yield and/or purity, as well as other benefits.

Abstract: An integrated current sensor includes a magnetic field transducer such as a Hall effect sensor, a magnetic core, and an electrical conductor. The conductor includes features for receiving portions of the Hall effect sensor and the core and the elements are dimensioned such that little or no relative movement among the elements is possible.

Abstract: There is provided a method of selectively replacing a carbon-hydrogen bond at an unactivated saturated sp3 hybridised carbon atom in an organic compound by a carbon-nitrogen bond, the method comprising reacting the compound with a fluorinating agent in a solvent reaction medium comprising a nitrile compound and providing a Lewis acid whereby the carbon-hydrogen bond is replaced by a carbon-nitrogen bond. Advantageously, the reaction may be performed in one stage and/or in one vessel. Advantageously, the method may be carried out at or just below ambient or room temperature.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an N,N-disubstituted-2-fluoro-1,3-ketoamide having the formula RCO.CFR′CONR2″ comprises treating an N,N-disubstituted-1,3-ketoamide having the formula RCO.CHR′CONR2″ with elemental fluorine. The groups R, R′ and R″ are independently selected from alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl. The group R′ may also be nitro or chlorine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of substituting a carbonyl compound with fluorine at the &agr;-position, comprising reaching the carbonyl compound with a fluorinating present of a metal-containing catalyst. The reaction results in replacement of a hydrogen atom by fluorine. The catalyst, which is used in a catalytically effective amount, is preferably a transition metal. In one class of methods the catalyst is a transition metal compound. In another class of methods, the catalyst is an elemental metal, in which case the carbonyl compound has an activating group attached to the carbon atom which is substituted by fluorine.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a fluorinated Phosphonate having the formula (RO)2PO CFR′R″ comprises treating a phosphonate of the formula (RO)2PO CHR′R″, or a metal salt thereof, with fluorine. R is an alkyl group R′ is hydrogen or alkyl and R″ is hydrogen, alkyl or another group.

Abstract: The use of polar organic solvent as the solvent in the direct fluorination, to make an .alpha.-fluoroketone, of an enol ester or enol trialkylsilyl ether of a compound containing a tautomerisable ketone group, the solvent being relatively inert to fluorine and one in which the enol ester or enol trialkylsilyl ether is relatively stable to hydrolysis. Preferably the solvent is anhydrous, e.g. anhydrous acetonitrile. Alternatively commercial formic acid containing 3% water may be used with a said enol ester.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a process for the selective introduction of one or more fluorine atoms into a disubstituted aromatic compound in an acid medium with fluorine gas characterized in that the acid medium has a dielectric constant of at least 20 and a pH of less than 3. The present process provides a cost effective means of selectively introducing one or more fluorine atoms into an aromatic compound in good overall yield.

Abstract: A method of fluorinating a heterocyclic organic compound comprises the step of reacting a heterocyclic compound with elemental fluorine in the presence of another halogen. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a base.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an ester, especially fluorinated esters R.sub.1 O.OC--CHR.sub.2 --CO.OR.sub.3, R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl. R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl. The method includes the steps of covering a corresponding compound of formula 2: R.sub.1 O.OC--CHR.sub.2 --CO.OR.sub.3 in the presence of a base, of salt of a compound of formula 2, into corresponding compound of formula 1 by the reaction of elemental fluorine.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a selectively fluorinated organic compound, which process includes reaction of a precursor of said organic compound, the precursor containing at least one Group VI element selected from sulfur, selenium and tellurium, with a fluorinating agent and another halogenating agent and characterized in that the fluorinating agent is elemental fluorine.

Abstract: Yeast is transformed so that it is capable of expressing the enzymes phosphogluconate dehydratase and 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate 6-phosphate aldolase; whereby, in fermention, a sugar can be converted to pyruvate via the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Recombinant DNA encodes the enzymes defined above, and includes one or more sequences which promote transcription and translation of the enzymes in yeast.

Abstract: A method of halogenating an aromatic compound which comprises the steps of reacting an halogenating agent with the aromatic compound in the presence of fluorine and an acid, wherein the halogenating agent is at least one of an iodinating agent, a brominating agent and an chlorinating agent.

Abstract: New phosphazene derivatives, fully substituted by aromatic groups and perfluoropolyethereal chains, are utilized as stabilizers for oils and greases based on perfluoropolyethers. Such derivatives inhibit the degradation process affecting the perfluoropolyethereal chains when these are subjected to high temperatures in an oxidizing atmosphere and in the presence of metals, such as for example aluminium, titanium, vanadium and their alloys, or steels.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a perfluoropolyether having a general formula: ##STR1## as defined hereinbefore, which process includes the direct fluorination with elemental fluorine of a polyether having a general formula: ##STR2## as defined hereinbefore, wherein the fluorination is carried out in the presence of a solvent which is an ether having at least one substituent R.sub.F, wherein R.sub.F is a fluorinated hydrocarbon group. The said solvent ether is preferably a fluorinated volatile ether. The said solvent ether preferably has at least two groups R.sub.F which may be the same or different groups. Each group R.sub.F preferably has from two to four carbon atoms and at least two fluorine atoms. The said solvent ether may be an alicyclic ether having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms in its alicyclic ring.