Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWNR) includes a core having a containment shield surrounding a reactor vessel having fuel assemblies that contain fuel rods filled with fuel pellets, and control rods, and a steam generator thermally coupled to the reactor vessel. A flow loop includes the steam generator, a turbine, and a condenser, and a pump for circulating a water-based heat transfer fluid in the loop. The heat transfer fluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles having at least one carbon allotrope or related carbon material dispersed therein, such as diamond nanoparticles.

Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWNR) includes a core having a containment shield surrounding a reactor vessel having fuel assemblies that contain fuel rods filled with fuel pellets, and control rods, and a steam generator thermally coupled to the reactor vessel. A flow loop includes the steam generator, a turbine, and a condenser, and a pump for circulating a water-based heat transfer fluid in the loop. The heat transfer fluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles having at least one carbon allotrope or related carbon material dispersed therein, such as diamond nanoparticles.

Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWNR) includes a core having a containment shield surrounding a reactor vessel having fuel assemblies that contain fuel rods filled with fuel pellets, and control rods, and a steam generator thermally coupled to the reactor vessel. A flow loop includes the steam generator, a turbine, and a condenser, and a pump for circulating a water-based heat transfer fluid in the loop. The heat transfer fluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles having at least one carbon allotrope or related carbon material dispersed therein, such as diamond nanoparticles.

Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWNR) 100 includes a core having a containment shield 105 surrounding a reactor vessel 110 having fuel assemblies that contain fuel rods filled with fuel pellets 115, and control rods 118, and a steam generator 120 thermally coupled to the reactor vessel 110. A flow loop includes the steam generator 120, a turbine 130, and a condenser 135, and a pump 140 for circulating a water-based heat transfer fluid 145 in the loop. The heat transfer fluid 145 includes a plurality of nanoparticles having at least one carbon allotrope or related carbon material dispersed therein, such as diamond nanoparticles.

Abstract: An article has a surface topography for resisting bioadhesion of organisms and includes a base article having a surface. A composition of the surface includes a polymer. The surface has a topography comprising a pattern defined by a plurality of spaced apart features attached to or projected into the base article. The plurality of features each have at least one microscale dimension and at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry. An average feature spacing between adjacent ones of the features is between 10 ?m and 100 ?m in at least a portion of the surface. The surface topography can be numerically represented using at least one sinusoidal function. In one embodiment, the surface can comprise a coating layer disposed on the base article.

Abstract: A method of destroying target microorganisms comprises the step of contacting at least one target microorganism with at least one low molecular weight silanol end group containing molecule. The silanol containing molecule is selected from silanols (R1R2R3SiOH), siloxanediols HO(R1R2SiO)nH or siloxanols HO(R1R2SiO)nSiR1R2R3, where R1, R2 and R3 are selected from 1 to 4 carbon alkyl or fluoroalkyl moieties, or vinyl, or aryl groups and n is <6 . The silanol end group containing molecule can be triethylsilanol, diphenylmethylsilanol, t-butyldimethylsilanol, n-butyldimethylsilanol, n-propyldimethylsilanol, ethyldimethylsilanol, vinylphenylmethylsilanol, phenyldimethylsilanol, 3,3,3 trifluoro propyldimethylsilanol, benzyldimethylsilanol and phenethyldimethylsilanol, or mixtures thereof. A composition of matter includes a silanol end group containing molecule according to the invention blended with a polymer or dissolved in aqueous solution along with an ether-based cosolvent.

Abstract: A coated surface for resisting or enhancing bioadhesion includes at least one patterned polymer including coating layer having a plurality of features attached to or projected into a base surface. The features each have at least one microscale (<1 mm) dimension and have at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry. The patterned coating layer preferably provides an average roughness factor (R) of from 4 to 50. The coating layer resists or enhances bioadhesion as compared to the base surface.

Abstract: A dynamic coating includes at least one polymeric layer for attachment to a surface. The polymeric layer includes at least one electrically conducting polymer including layer, wherein under influence of a dynamic signal applied to the polymeric layer, a contact angle of the polymeric layer dynamically and substantially increases or decreases upon oxidation or reduction of the polymer. The polymeric layer can also expand or contract upon oxidation or reduction. The coating can be used for a variety of applications including a non-toxic biofouling preventative system and for forming low voltage electrowetting pumps.

Abstract: A silica coating is formed on an electronic substrate by applying a silazane polymer on the substrate and converting it to silica by heating in an oxidizing environment. The resultant thick planarizing coatings are useful as protective coatings and dielectric inner layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low temperature method of converting coatings of hydrogen silsesquioxane resin or hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed R.sub.X Si(OR).sub.4-X to ceramic silica coatings. The method comprises applying a silica precursor coating to a substrate, exposing the coating to an environment comprising an amine and subjecting the coating to a temperature sufficient to yield the ceramic coating. The methods of the invention are particularly applicable to applying coatings on electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to soluble perhydrosiloxane copolymers of the formula [H.sub.2 SiO].sub.x [HSiO.sub.3/2 ].sub.y wherein the mole fractions x and y total 1. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of these novel copolymers as coating materials, especially for use on electronic devices.

Abstract: The silacyclobutane functional polydiorganosiloxane copolymers of the invention have the following structure: ##STR1## wherein M is selected from ##STR2## wherein R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, R.sup.e, and R.sup.f are independently monovalent radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbon, or substituted hydrocarbon; m and x are integers of from 0 or more; n is equal to 1; and p is an integer greater than 0; with the proviso that there is at least one silacyclobutane group in the copolymer. The copolymer can be made by reacting a hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane with either a difunctional chain extending silacyclobutane or with a monofunctional chain stopper, or a mixture of chain extender and chain stopper. The copolymer can be made into curable compositions by use of suitable catalyst.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparation of superconductive substances, and in particular, those comprising a rar earth element, barium (Ba), copper (Cu) and oxygen, having a composition represented by the general formula: LnBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta. in which Ln represents a rare earth element and .delta. has a value of about 0 to 0.5. The method includes forming a solution containing an organic compound of a rear earth element, an organic barium compound and an organic copper compound in an organic solvent, homogenizing the resulting solution, stripping the organic solvent from the homogenized solution by evaporation to give a precipitate and pyrolyzing the precipitate to obtain the superconductive substance. The precipitate may also be formed as fibers or films prior to pyrolysis.

Abstract: The specification discloses forming ceramic films, and especially high temperature superconductor films, by dissolving ceramic precursor metal iodides in organic solvents, applying them to a substrate, evaporating the solvent and pyrolyzing and annealing the resulting ceramic precursor metal iodide films.

Abstract: Novel silacyclobutanes useful as silylating agents and a process for their preparation are provided. The process comprises reacting a halogen substituted silacyclobutane with a silylating reagent to exchange the halogen substituents with groups on the silylating reagent.

Abstract: Novel silacyclobutanes useful as silylating agents and a process for their preparation are provided. The process comprises reacting a halogen substituted silacyclobutane with a silylating reagent to exchange the halogen substituents with groups on the silylating reagent.

Abstract: A method of forming at low temperatures silicon- and nitrogen-containing ceramic or ceramic-like coatings for the protection of electronic devices. The coatings are produced by the ceramification at temperatures of, or below, 400 degrees Centigrade of preceramic silicon nitrogen-containing polymer coatings deposited from a solvent solution. The coatings are useful for planarizing the surfaces of electronic devices and for passivation.

Abstract: A method of preparing ceramic materials with increased levels of crystalline SiC and/or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 is described. The method consists of firing a mixture of a R.sub.3 SiNH-containing silazane polymer and an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of iron compounds, cobalt compounds, nickel compounds, and copper compounds to an elevated temperature of at least 750.degree. C. under an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum until a ceramic material with increased levels of crystalline SiC and/or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 is obtained.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the preparation of ceramic materials with reduced oxygen levels from polycarbosilanes by the pyrolysis of a mixture of a polycarbosilane, a hydrosilylation catalyst, and an unsaturated compound selected from the group consisting of reactive diolefins, reactive alkynes, polyolefins, vinylsilanes, and unaturated siloxanes where the mixture is rendered infusible prior to pyrolysis by heating to relatively low temperatures in an inert atmosphere. This invention is especially well suited for the production of ceramic fibers from polycarbosilanes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the ceramic yield of a ceramic material obtained by firing a R.sub.3 SiNH-containing silazane polymer to an elevated temperature in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum. The method involves adding certain metallic compounds to the R.sub.3 SiNH-containing silazane polymer prior to firing. Metallic compounds which increase the ceramic yield include ruthenium compounds, palladium compounds, silver compounds, indium compounds, iridium compounds, and platinum compounds.