Abstract: A motor vehicle body, particularly for a convertible, is configured as a self-supporting unit, which is provided with a bottom having integrated longitudinal and transverse beams. The bottom of the body has at least one stiffening segment extending substantially parallel to the bottom from its mid-section to the front and/or rear area of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A powder of an alloy of Ni and Mg, La, Be or Li, consisting of crystallites having a grain size lower than 100 nm and a crystalline structure allowing hydrogen absorption. This powder which is preferably obtained by mechanical grinding, may consist of cristallites of Mg.sub.2 Ni, LaNi.sub.5 or of Ni-based alloys of Be or Li having a grain size lower than 100 nm. The powder may also consist of cristallites of formula Mg.sub.2-x Ni.sub.1+x, x ranging from -0.3 to +0.3, which have a grain size lower than 100 nm, and preferably lower than 30 nm. This crystalline powder is particularly useful for storing and transporting hydrogen. Indeed, it has been discovered that such Ni-based nanocrystalline powder requires no or only one single activation treatment at low temperature to absorb hydrogen. It has also been discovered that the kinetic of absorption and diffusion of hydrogen within the powder is much faster. This can be explained by the presence of a large number of grain boundaries.

Abstract: An alloy of formula:Ti.sub.30+x Ru.sub.15+y Fe.sub.25+z O.sub.30+t M.sub.uwherein M represent at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, manganese, vanadium, tungsten, antimony, platinum and lead; x is an integer ranging between -30 and +50; y is an integer ranging between -10 and +35; z is an integer ranging between -25 and +70; t is an integer ranging between -28 and +10; and u is an integer ranging between 0 and +50; x, y, z, t and u being selected so that: x+y+z+t+u=0. This alloy, especially when it has a nanocrystalline structure, is useful for the manufacture cathodes for the electro-chemical synthesis of sodium chlorate. These cathodes have an over-potential of hydrogen lower than the one of the soft-steel cathodes presently in use.

Abstract: A visible and/or MRI visualizable permanent image is formed in a gel in a container which maintains the gel a dimensionally stable shape, which gel contains uniformly dispersed therein in storage stable form at least one radiant energy, e.g., ionizing radiation, or mechanical, e.g., ultrasonic or sonic shock wave, polymerizable monomer in a concentration effective to form a polymer in the gel which alters the NMR relaxation time of the solvent in any area thereof in which the polymer is formed, e.g.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydroxylammonium salts by catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide using hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, comprises(a) in a first step, filtering the reaction mixture obtained after the reaction, giving a solution of essentially hydroxylammonium salt and a filter residue essentially comprising a mixture of hydrogenation catalyst and a solution of essentially hydroxylammonium salt, and(b) in a second step, subjecting the filter residue to a further separation process in order to concentrate the hydrogenation catalyst, giving a mixture having a higher concentration of hydrogenation catalyst than the filter residue and a mixture having a lower concentration of hydrogenation catalyst than the filter residue.

Abstract: There are described powders comprising agglomerated nanocrystals of an electroactive alloy and oxygen. The main component of the alloy can be of nickel, cobalt, iron or mixtures thereof while the alloying element is one or more transition metals such as Mo, W, V, the alloy also including oxygen. Preferably the nanocrystals will be made of an alloy of nickel, molybdenum and oxygen. An electrode which is used by compacting the powders is also disclosed. Also disclosed, is a process for producing the powders by providing particles of nickel, cobalt and iron or oxides thereof with particles of at least one transition metal, (Mo, W, V) or oxides thereof and subjecting the particles to high energy mechanical alloying such as ball milling under conditions which include oxygen and for a sufficient period of time to produce a nanocrystalline alloy.

Abstract: A visible and/or MRI visualizable permanent image is formed in a gel in a container which maintains the gel a dimensionally stable shape, which gel contains uniformly dispersed therein in storage stable form at last one radiant energy, e.g., ionizing radiation, polymerizable monomer in a concentration effective to form an insoluble polymer in the gel which alters the relaxation time of the solvent in any area thereof in which the polymer is formed, e.g.

Abstract: There are described metallic powders comprising agglomerated nanocrystals of an electroactive alloy. The main component of the alloy can be of nickel, cobalt, iron or mixtures thereof while the alloying element is one or more transition metals such as Mo, W, V. Preferably the nanocrystals will be made of an alloy of nickel and molybdenum. An electrode which is used by compacting the powders is also disclosed. Also disclosed, is a process for producing the metallic powders by providing particles of nickel, cobalt and iron with particles of at least one transition metal, (Mo, W, V) and subjecting the particles to high energy mechanical alloying such as ball milling under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce a nanocrystalline alloy. Electrodes produced from these powders have an electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution which is comparable or higher than the electrodes which are presently used in the electrochemical industry.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic cell utilizing an electrolyte circulation system designed to prevent buildup of sludge within the cell compartments and to insure a greater current efficiency by reason of the even distribution of electrolyte solution flow within the cell. This electrolytic cell is particularly suited for organic electrochemical production.