Abstract: Digitized audio information is compressed by retrieving a first audio sample from a digitized audio signal and storing it in its entire, uncompressed, form. The next audio sample is then retrieved and a signed difference between the first audio sample value and the next audio sample value is computed. If this difference value can be represented in fewer data segments than would be required to represent the next audio sample, the difference value is stored, rather than the value of the next sample, otherwise the next sample is stored. The invention proceeds in this fashion until the entire PCM audio signal is compressed and stored. The compressed data stream is decompressed to generate an output data stream by retrieving a stored sample and examining it to ascertain whether it is a difference value or a flag which indicates that the following data represents a coded amplitude value.

Abstract: A cavity is charged with particulate material by positioning a predetermined quantity of the material in a box (140). The box has substantially the same horizontal cross-sectional shape as the cavity and is closed at the bottom by at least one door (78) on which the material rests. In order to level the material, the box (140) is moved to and fro horizontally a plurality of times with the energy imparted to the material being progressively reduced during the movements. The door (78) is then opened sufficiently rapidly that the particulate material falls out of the box (140) into the cavity substantially as a unit.

Abstract: Second-order nonlinear optical polymeric films, including alternating monlecular layers of two head-to-head, mainchain, amphophilic, chromophoric polymers, one polymer having the electron donating end of the chromophore attached to hydrophilic groups, and the other polymer having the electron donating end of the chromophore attached to hydrophobic groups, and methods of fabricating the films for use in optonics.

Abstract: Electrochromic systems providing enhanced cycle lifetime. The increase in cycle lifetime is a product of one or more of the following: novel or known asymmetric viologen compounds, mixed electrolyte systems, and mixed solvent systems.

Abstract: Coumarin dyes such as alkylaminocoumarincarboxamides which have functional hydroxyl groups or which are chemically attached to vinyl monomers such as methacrylic acid. The dyes which are chemically attached to vinyl monomers can be copolymerized, e.g. with acrylic monomers to produce a coumarin dye-containing polymer. The dyes which have functional hydroxyl groups can be reacted with an existing polymer or copolymer, e.g. a copolymer of styrene and acrylic acid to esterify the acid groups of the polymer to form a coumarin dye-containing polymer. Such coumarin dye-containing polymers are formed into films and fibers which when poled in an electric field yield a film or fiber with nonlinear optical properties.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new polymers which can assume an accordion-like conformation of the backbone. These polymers are prepared by the copolymerization of two difuntional, chemically precoupled precursors to chromophoric units. The resulting polymers have a head-to-head, tail-to-tail topology (a syndioregic arrangement of rigid units along the polymer backbone), and the molecular units are designed to fold into an "accordion" conformation. This useful microstructure (a three-dimensional conformation) forms spontaneously (self-assembles); or, it can be brought about by field-assisted processing. Films and fibers of these polymers have useful second-order nonlinear optical properties, and may be used for the modulation and switching of optical communications signals.

Abstract: Processible chromophoric polymers having nonlinear optical properties and wherein the chromophore is present in and is a part of the polymer backbone, including substantially all of the monomer or repeat units, with the dipole moments pointing in the same direction (head-to-tail) along the polymer backbone. Such polymers include phenylene, phenylene vinylene, stilbenylene, phenyl piperdine, and coumarin polymers.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions comprised of a high nitrogen content solid and an nergetic polymer, which release high levels of nitrogen and minimum levels of toxic and flammable gases.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent mixtures utilize mono and di-alkyl substituted 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene derivatives to provide higher chemiluminescence efficiencies. The preferred fluorescers are 2-ethyl-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene and 1,4-dimethyl-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of vanadium trineodecanoate to used as one component of a promoter used in conjunction with a catalyst to cure a polyester resin. Vanadium pentoxide is reacted or reduced in an acidic solution. The resultant mixture is heated and thereupon neodecanoic acid triethyl phosphate, paraformaldehyde and xylene are added. This solution is azeotropically distilled. Vanadium trineodecanoate is recovered in a xylene phase.

Abstract: A new azido compound 1,9-diazido-2,4,6,8-tetranitro-2,4,6,8-tetrazanonane is disclosed, and a method of preparation is disclosed wherein 1,9-dichloro-2,4,6,8-tetranitro-2,4,6,8-tetrazanonane or 1,9-dinitroxy-2,4,6,8-tetranitro-2,4,6,8-tetrazanonane is reacted with sodium azide and dimethylformamide. This new azido compound is useful as an explosive, propellant, or component thereof to modify properties.

Abstract: A gas generant propellant composition having low flame temperatures comprng (a) an elastomeric binder consisting of a mixture of polyethylene capped polypropylene glycol and a dihydroxy tetrazole selected from the group having the formulas: ##STR1## (b) a curative agent such as the biuret trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate; (c) a plasticizer agent such as 1-methyl-5 (methoxyethyl) tetrazole; (d) a coolant agent such as oxamide; and (e) a deflagrating agent selected from the group consisting of: dihydrazinium 3,6-bis(5-tetrazolyl)-1,2-dihydrotetrazine, dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, the reaction product of glyoxal and hydrazine and the ammonium salt of 5-nitramino tetrazole.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of NH and O, R is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and phenyl, R' is selected from the group consisting of OCH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.3 and H and R" is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3 and CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5. The compounds are stable, efficient laser dyes.

Abstract: Polymeric binders for plastic bonded explosives. The binders are prepared om polyfunctional ortho-nitrophenols and polyisocyanates. The binders will reversibly dissociate when subjected to temperatures the range of from 100.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Compounds having the structures: ##STR1## wherein R is CH.sub.3 or CF.sub.3 and wherein R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3. compounds are prepared by a four step method involving (1) the formation of a benzylaminophenol or benzylaminohydroxypyridine, (2) the formation of a coumarin or azacoumarin, (3) sulfonation of the coumarin or azacoumarin and (4) neutralization of the sulfonate with sodium bicarbonate. The compounds are useful as water-soluble lasing dyes.

Abstract: A dye laser comprising a laser dye solution of a compound having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the 5, 6 and 8 ring positions is occupied by a nitrogen atom in lieu of the corresponding CR group and X is OH, alkoxy, or amino including amino substituted by at least one of the following: alkyl, aryl, acyl, aracyl, a group which taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amino group forms a heterocyclic ring, or part of one or two 5 or 6 membered aliphatic heterocyclic rings attached to ring A at positions 6 or 8 or both depending on where the N in ring A is located. R.sub.1, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.8 are hydrogen or other groups as defined below. The compounds lase in the blue to near ultraviolet region.

Abstract: A dye laser comprising a laser dye solution of a compound having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the 5, 6 and 8 ring positions is occupied by a nitrogen atom in lieu of the corresponding CR group and X is OH, alkoxy, or amino including amino substituted by at least one of the following: alkyl, aryl, acyl, aracyl, a group which taken together with the nitrogen atom of the amino group forms a heterocyclic ring, or part of one or two 5 or 6 membered aliphatic heterocyclic rings attached to ring A at positions 6 or 8 or both depending on where the N in ring A is located. R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.8 are hydrogen or other groups as defined below. The compounds lase in the blue-green to near ultraviolet region.

Abstract: Oxazole dyes and certain quaternary salts of these compounds having a formula as follows: ##STR1## are useful as visible-wavelength lasing dyes. These dyes are useful in solution with non-interferring polar solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols, H.sub.2 O and mixtures thereof, to form lasing media useful in dye lasers.

Abstract: The quaternary salts of rigidized 1,3-oxazole compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R is either H or CH.sub.3 O. The compounds are produced in a modif Robinson-Gabriel synthesis of oxazoles. These dyes are used in solution with non-interfering polar solvents, such as ethanol and H.sub.2 O, to form lasing media useful in dye lasers.