Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for electromagnetically and thermally treating polymeric materials, including PAN and other carbon fiber precursors at large scale at atmospheric pressure, while measuring the temperature in the closed environment of the process chamber. The apparatus is designed for continuous processing, and to be compatible with other stages of existing carbon fiber production lines. It provides direct electromagnetic coupling to the fiber tow(s) in the near-field region of one or more microwave waveguide launchers and also provides direct radiative or IR heating from susceptor plates located on the opposite side of the tow from the waveguide opening for processing a band of multiple tows of fiber. It produces low-temperature-carbonized (LTC) fiber with shorter residence time and higher density compared to the conventional process. Its design is inherently scalable to larger production. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surfboard rack, for allowing a surfboard to be carried with a bicycle, having a pair of hooks for engaging the frame of the bicycle near the front and rear, and an adjustable bar extending between the hooks. A pair of cradle assemblies are attached to the adjustable bar near the hooks. A pair of braces extend downward from the cradle assemblies to provide support against the bicycle frame. The adjustable bar may be varied in length to alter the distance between the front and rear hooks. Matched holes extend through the adjustable bar, which allow the distance between the hooks to be fixed and the adjustable bar locked, so that the surfboard rack can also function as a bicycle anti-theft device.

Abstract: Pyrethroid acids are prepared by conducting a cycloaddition reaction of a conjugated diene and a dihaloketene to form a dihalo-vinylcyclobutanone product; reducing the dihalo-vinylcyclobutanone product to a monohalo-vinylcyclobutanone product and then conducting a ring contraction with a base to form the desired acid product.