Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Preferably, the inorganic oxide comprises an hydrated aluminum oxide of the formula Al2O3.xH2O, wherein x is less than 1.0, and wherein the hydrated aluminum oxide comprises organic substituents, preferably comprising a reaction product of a multifunctional monomer and/or organic carbonate with an aluminum oxide, such as pseudo-boehmite and an aluminum oxide. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a separator for an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of (a) coating onto a substrate a liquid mixture comprising an inorganic oxide, an organic polymer, a divinyl ether of an ethylene glycol, and/or an organic carbonate; (b) drying the coating; and (c) delaminating the coating from the substrate to form the separator comprising an inorganic oxide and the organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide of step (c) comprises a reaction product of the divinyl ether and/or the organic carbonate with the inorganic oxide of step (a). Preferably, the inorganic oxide of step (c) comprises a hydrated aluminum oxide of the formula Al2O3.H2O, wherein x is less than 1.0, and wherein the hydrated aluminum oxide comprises a reaction product of the divinyl ether and/or organic carbonate with the inorganic oxide of step (a), such as pseudo-boehmite.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal processes for increasing polyareneazole inherent viscosities.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing polyareneazole polymers including contacting a molar excess of a free base in water with a terephthalic acid salt to form an aqueous mixture, adjusting the pH to precipitate a monomer complex, contacting the monomer complex with metal powder, and polymerizing the monomer complex. Polyareneazoles, filaments and yarns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation alert system includes a first component securable to a child, an elderly or disabled person, or an animal. A second component is securable to a person having responsibility for the child, the elderly or disabled person, or the animal. The second component includes an alarm which is activated whenever the second component is separated from the first component by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing polyareneazole polymers that include contacting, in polyphosphoric acid, azole-forming monomers and metal powder, the metal powder added in an amount of from about 0.05 to about 0.9 weight percent, based on the total weight of the azole-forming monomers, and reacting the azole-forming monomers to form the polyareneazole polymers. Polyareneazoles, filaments and yarns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A distinctive method and apparatus (20) for accumulating different types of individual articles (28) can include a delivery device (132) which provides an initial-plurality (134) of an initial-type of individual articles. At least a first-accumulator mechanism (142) can be automated to provide a first-plurality (144) of a first-type of individual articles. The first-type of articles differ from the initial-type of articles, and at least a first-transport device (146) can move the first-plurality of articles to a first-packing location. Additionally, an automated assembly mechanism (136) can be configured to operatively combine the first-plurality (144) of articles with the initial-plurality (134) of articles.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for making a polyareneazole polymer comprising the steps of: a) contacting azole-forming monomers, metal powder, and optionally P2O5, in polyphosphoric acid to form a mixture; b) blending the mixture at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 110° C.; c) further blending the mixture at a temperature of up to about 145° C. to form a solution comprising an oligomer; d) optionally, degassing the solution; and e) reacting the oligomer solution at a temperature of about 160° C. to about 250° C. for a time sufficient to form a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to organic reflective layers comprising an organic radical cation compound, wherein the layer reflects in the infrared region. Preferably, the organic radical cation compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. Also provided are marking systems comprising such reflective layers and methods of marking an article utilizing such reflective layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for preparing polyareneazole polymers characterized as providing polymer solutions having an inherent viscosity of at least about 22 dl/g at 30° C. at a polymer concentration of 0.05 g/dl in methane sulfonic acid. Polyareneazoles, filaments and yarns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A one-piece unitary compression cap for securing a pipe or tube on a fitting. The cap includes at least one inward deformation that provides an interference fit between the cap and the pipe or tube. Consequently, the cap cannot fall off the pipe or tube before being permanently crimped.

Abstract: A process for the solid phase synthesis of a peptide having at least one thyptophan residue, wherein said method comprises temporarily protecting the indole ring of said tryptophan residue with a side chain protecting group which is labile to a base wherein said protecting group is removed during cleavage of said peptide from the solid support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a low-base number calcium sulfonate that is essentially chloride free. The process involves preparing a sulfonic acid solution by adding a solvent to a sulfonic acid, optionally removing dissolved or entrained SO2 or SO3, mixing the solution with a specific amount of water and calcium hydroxide, heating the mixture, separating out excess calcium hydroxide from the mixture, removing the solvent and recovering the calcium sulfonate product in oil.

Abstract: An electronic pool pump timer that controls the run time of the pump for a period of time each day depending on the date. In the preferred embodiment, the user enters the historical daily maximum and minimum pump run times for the specific pool and the system calculates the required time the pump will run on a given day. The customized run time is thus calculated as a function of the date and the minimum and maximum run times for a given pool. The system then self-adjusts the run time each day as necessary. The device comprises a data input means, a display, memory, and a controller. It may also include a manual override to allow the user to turn the pump on at any time. The device is connected to the pump motor. The device is connected to a power supply and may also include a battery back-up in the event of a power outage. To prevent the pool from freezing, the system may also include an air temperature sensor that triggers pump operation when the ambient air is below a given temperature.

Abstract: An algorithmic or cyclic data converter uses an RSD stage having a switched capacitor network for efficiently scaling at least one externally supplied reference voltage. A reference voltage is scaled by using capacitor ratios that also function to provide an output voltage used as a residue output of the RSD A/D converter. The residue is used to generate a bit value corresponding to the magnitude of the residue. Two RSD stages cycle back and forth generating a logic value each half clock cycle until the desired bit resolution is achieved. In one form, the RSD stage scales the externally supplied reference voltage only by factors of less than one. In another form, the RSD stage scales the reference voltage by any scaling factor. A reference voltage scaling circuit separate from the RSD stage is avoided.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-optic reflective modulator comprising a reflective active material, preferably comprising a reflective organic free radical compound, that reflects a wavelength in a highly reflective state and is reversibly switched to a transparent and low reflectivity state at the wavelength by the application of an electric current. Preferably, the electro-reflective optical modulator is solid state with no moving parts such that the active material does not move when reversibly switched between the high and low reflective states. Also provided are methods of modulating an optical signal utilizing such electro-optic reflective modulators.

Abstract: A separation alert system includes a first component securable to a child, an elderly or disabled person, or an animal. A second component is securable to a person having responsibility for the child, the elderly or disabled person, or the animal. The second component includes an alarm which is activated whenever the second component is separated from the first component by more than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an analog converter. The apparatus comprises a first redundant signed digit (RSD) stage and a configurable block. The configurable block converts to a sample/hold circuit to sample a single ended analog signal. The sampled signal is then scaled, converted to a differential signal and provided to the first RSD stage. The first RSD stage outputs a bit value corresponding to the magnitude of the digital signal. In a next half clock cycle the first RSD stage calculates a residue that is provided to the configurable block. The configurable block is converted to a second redundant signed digit stage and generates a bit value corresponding to the magnitude of the residue provided by the first RSD stage. The first and second RSD stages cycle back and forth generating logic value each half clock cycle until the desired bit resolution is achieved. The configurable block is then converted back to a sample/hold circuit to start another conversion process.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a first member having a slot formed therein, a pin laterally extending into the slot and having an abutment facing the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member, and a second member rigidly secured to the pin and movable relative to the first member along the slot. A plastic bushing encircles the pin and extends into the slot. The bushing has a flange engaging the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member. A plastic washer encircles the pin and is located between the first and second members. A spring washer such as a wave or Belleville washer is located between the abutment and the flange and resiliently biases the second member relative to the first member to resist relative lateral movement between the first and second members to reduce lash therebetween. The pin can be ether a guide pin or a drive pin of the control pedal.