Abstract: A process for preparing at least one alicyclic carboxylic acid compound by Grignard reaction, the process comprising: reacting magnesium and at least one alicyclic halide compound in at least one solvent to produce at least one alicyclic Grignard reagent; concurrently adding carbon dioxide to the magnesium, the alicyclic halide compound, the solvent, and the alicyclic Grignard reagent, while the alicyclic Grignard reagent is still being produced, to form at least one alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt; and hydrolyzing the alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt to form the alicyclic carboxylic acid compound; wherein the alicyclic Grignard reagent and the alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt are prepared in a one-pot synthesis.

Abstract: A process for preparing at least one alicyclic carboxylic acid compound by Grignard reaction, the process comprising: reacting magnesium and at least one alicyclic halide compound in at least one solvent to produce at least one alicyclic Grignard reagent; concurrently adding carbon dioxide to the magnesium, the alicyclic halide compound, the solvent, and the alicyclic Grignard reagent, while the alicyclic Grignard reagent is still being produced, to form at least one alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt; and hydrolyzing the alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt to form the alicyclic carboxylic acid compound; wherein the alicyclic Grignard reagent and the alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt are prepared in a one-pot synthesis.

Abstract: A process for making terpene esters is disclosed. Reaction of a terpene alcohol with acetic anhydride in the presence of a high-boiling amine provides a terpene ester. Acetic acid, which is distilled from the reaction mixture as it forms can be recovered. The terpene ester is distilled from the high-boiling amine to provide a product that is substantially free of nitrogen-containing impurities. The reaction mixture can be reused for subsequent acylations. The simple, economical process gives high-quality terpene esters while avoiding waste-disposal issues of other common acylation procedures.

Abstract: This apparatus and method to inspect objects uses a plurality of pairs of plane mirrors, a lens, a single image sensing means, and illuminating means. The pairs of plane mirrors are arranged in a radially symmetrical pattern about the optical axis of the lens. The object to be viewed (typically a cylindrical object) is placed with its axis coincident with the optical axis of the lens and illuminated by the illumination means. Light travels from the object to the first or outer plane reflective surface of each pair, then to the second or inner plane reflective surface of each pair, and then to the lens that forms an image on the image sensing means. By the symmetry of the arrangement, each pair of reflective surfaces provides a similar image of the object, only from a different direction. These images can provide a complete view around the circumference of the object with overlap between adjacent views.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing visualization of veins, arteries or other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures of the body and for facilitating intravenous insertion or extraction of fluids, medication or the like in the administration of medical treatment to human or animal subjects are described which comprise a light source (11) for illuminating or transilluminating the corresponding portion of the body with light of selected wavelengths and a low-level light detector (12) such as an image intensifier tube (including night vision goggles), a photomultiplier tube, photodiode or charge coupled device, for generating an image of the illuminated body portion, and optical filter(s) (17) of selected spectral transmittance which can be located at the light source(s) (11), detector (12), or both.

Abstract: A polarizing beamsplitter includes a gradient index film, such as a rugate filter, embedded in an optical medium. The rugate filter is comprises a thin film having a sinusoidal variation in refractive index through its thickness. The embedding medium may include a pair of prisms with the rugate filter between joining faces of the prisms. The rugate filter is embedded so that an incident beam in the embedding medium forms an angle with respect to a normal from the plane of the rugate filter. Embedded at a non-orthogonal angle, the rugate filter is highly transmissive for both the p- and s-polarized broadband components of the incident beam. The beamsplitter is highly reflective, however, at an s-polarization narrow wavelength reflection band determined by the refractive index variations of the rugate filter. Polarizing beamsplitters may be fabricated with multiple reflection bands, including reflection bands in spectral regions other than the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A high reflection optical filter is described which comprises a film of a dielectric, inorganic or organic or other suitable material deposited on a suitable optically transparent substrate, the film having between a surface thereof exposed to incident radiation and an interface with the substrate a sinusoidal refractive index profile with selected number of periods and selected phase at the exposed surface in single band configurations, and superimposed multiple sinusoidal refractive index profiles with selected phase alignment of the superimposed profiles at the exposed surface in multi-band configurations.

Abstract: The susceptibility of a material to heating by exposure to microwave energy which material has slight or no such susceptibility is improved by mixing it in granular form with a microave reactive agent also in granular form which is capable of substantially responding to microwave energy. An article made from this mixture can be directly heated with microwave energy.

Abstract: An improvement in the manufacture of metallic alloys, and particularly in that stage of production wherein the alloy is decarburized. By adding an oxide of an element of the alloy being produced to the melt-down charge or to the melt, along with a flux which lowers the melting point of the oxide; an improvement is provided in the decarburization of metallic alloys.

Abstract: An object responsive to microwave energy is enclosed in a thermally insulated enclosure which is substantially transparent to microwave energy and is heated by microwave energy passing through the enclosure. The apparatus includes a chamber which supports the magnetron radiators and has thermal insulated walls and an insulated base on which the object rests.

Abstract: A boat collapses to two planar thin layers of material which are preferably hinged across the middle to fold into a four-layer, conveniently transportable unit. The bottom layer has a fold at the prow but is otherwise unitary. The top layer consists of several pieces, namely, a major portion which extends from end to end and along the sides; four gunwale-forming panels hinged to the major portion longitudinally toward either end of the middle fold on either side; and two seat-forming panels hinged to the major portion transversely and each spaced toward either end. The prow of the top layer is formed with a fold similar to that in the bottom. When the boat is erected, the folds cause the prow to assume a conical shape. The gunwale-forming panels pivot downward and are latched causing the top major layer to be spaced above the bottom layer and causing the bottom to be convex.