Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repairing a valve of a patient, the valve including an annulus and at least first and second leaflets. The apparatus includes at least a first discrete segment and a second discrete segment of an annuloplasty structure, each segment being shaped to provide a respective lateral wall, each lateral wall being shaped to define at least one lumen of the respective segment. The apparatus further includes at least a first and a second control wire, each control wire configured for sliding advancement through both the first and second segments. The first control wire is configured to control a relative disposition of a first end of the first segment and a first end of the second segment. The second control wire is configured to control a relative disposition of a second end of the first segment and a second end of the second segment. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an implant structure (22, 122, 1122), a rotatable structure (2900) coupled to the implant structure (22, 122, 1122) in a vicinity of a first portion thereof, and a flexible member (30). At least a first portion of the 5 flexible member (30) is disposed in contact with the rotatable structure (2900), and at least one end portion of the flexible member (30) is not disposed in contact with the rotatable structure (30). In response to rotation of the rotatable structure (2900) in a first direction thereof, successive portions of the flexible member (30) contact the rotatable structure (2900) to pull the at least one end portion of the flexible member 0 (30) toward the first portion of the implant structure (22, 122, 1122), and responsively to draw the first and second portions of the implant structure (22, 122, 1122) toward each other. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An implantable structure includes a flexible sleeve, having first and second sleeve ends, and a contracting assembly, which is configured to longitudinally contract the sleeve, and includes a contracting mechanism, which is disposed longitudinally at a first site of the sleeve, and a longitudinal contracting member, having (a) a first member end, (b) a second member end, which is coupled to the sleeve longitudinally at a second site longitudinally between the first site and the second sleeve end, exclusive, and (c) a first member end portion, which is coupled to the contracting mechanism. The sleeve is arranged in a closed loop, such that first and second portions of the sleeve together define a longitudinally overlapping portion of the sleeve. The implantable structure is configured such that the contracting assembly longitudinally applies a longitudinal contracting force only between the first and the second sites, and not along the overlapping portion.

Abstract: A breast prosthesis for wearing against a chest of a user includes a bag, a first silicone rubber and a silicone agglomerate putty. The bag includes at least three films that are sealed together around a periphery so as to define at least a front chamber and a back chamber. The first silicone rubber is disposed in the front chamber and is cured in an outer shape of a breast. The silicone agglomerate putty is disposed in the back chamber and is configured as a shear thinning fluid that conforms in shape to surface features of the chest of the user when placed against the chest of the user.

Abstract: A composite bone graft which comprises an allograft bone component; a synthetic bone substitute, wherein the synthetic bone substitute is in contact with the allograft bone component. The composite is arranged in a core/outer layer structure.

Abstract: Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an allograft intervertebral implant sized and configured for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies in a spinal fusion surgery. The implant is preferably manufactured from two or more pieces of allograft bone joined together by a joint, more preferably a dovetail joint. The dovetail joint being sized and configured to substantially follow the exterior shape or surface of the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a body defining a proximal surface, a pair of side surfaces, and a pair of angled surfaces extending distally and inwardly from opposite ends of the proximal surface. The proximal surface includes at least one proximal opening. Each angled surface includes at least one screw opening in communication with the proximal opening to define a passage extending through the body. The body is configured for positioning partially within an intervertebral space such that the angled surfaces are disposed in abutting relation with at least a portion of opposed surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae and such that the proximal surface is disposed exteriorly of the intervertebral space to permit insertion of a screw through the screw opening and into one of the opposed surfaces of the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An interbody spinal fusion implant made of a material other than bone adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has a leading end that is curved to form a portion of a circle from side to side, sides that are at least in part straight, and a trailing end with a bone screw receiving hole for receiving at least one bone screw to engage the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Abstract: A multi-component joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between a first bone and opposing second bone. A first component is anchored into a reconditioned end surface of the first bone and exhibits a first exposed support surface. A second component is anchored into a reconditioned end surface of at least one of radius and ulna bones and exhibits a second exposed support surface. An intermediate component is supported in articulating fashion between the first and second anchored components. A plurality of micro debris entrapment chamber subassemblies are incorporated into the components and communicate with at least one of the articulating surfaces for isolating and capturing debris resulting from joint wear.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.

Abstract: A femoral implant (10) comprises a distal end and a proximal end. A stem (12) is provided at the distal end of the implant (10) and comprises a rounded tip (16) for insertion into a femur, in use, and a body (18) of generally tapering form extending in a distal direction from a base to the tip (16). A femoral head (14) is provided at the proximal end of the implant (10) and extends from the base (20) of the stem (12). The body (18) of the stem (12) includes a plurality of discrete steps (22, 24, 26, 28, 30), located between the tip (16) and the base (20), and the steps (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are concentrated more towards the base (20) of the stem (12) than towards the tip (16).

Abstract: An implant assembly comprises a stem and an augment. The augment includes a porous outer region which is integrally formed onto a solid inner region. The augment further includes, solid posts integrally formed on the solid inner region and extend through the porous outer region to the outer surface of the augment. The posts are integrally formed with and surrounded by the porous region and are designed to allow assembly of the augment to the stem without damaging the structure of the porous region. A method of attaching the augment is described, wherein a tool is designed to grip to posts of the augment and apply loads through these posts during assembly.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant including a base portion and first and second transverse portions extending transversely from the base portion to thereby define an inner region of the implant sized for receipt of an end portion of a bone therein. The implant further includes at least one anchor structure projecting from the base portion and sized and configured for receipt within an opening formed in the end portion of the bone. The anchor structure extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end attached to the base portion and an opposite distal end, and further includes a tapered outer surface that inwardly tapers in a proximal-to-distal direction along the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the anchor structure also includes one or more grooves extending into the tapered outer surface, with a flowable material positioned about at least a portion of the tapered outer surface and positioned within the grooves, and with the flowable material configured to cure to a hardened state.

Abstract: Osteoconductive bone graft materials are provided. These compositions contain injectable cements and demineralized bone matrix fibers. The combination of these materials enables the filling of a bone void while balancing strength and resorption.

Abstract: Prosthetic joint and limb components utilize a single, curved dampening cylinder to reduce component count and wear. A prosthetic foot/ankle requires only three major components; namely, a housing adapted for coupling to a foot blade, an ankle component adapted for coupling to a pylon, and a piston that moves within a curved cylinder in the housing during ambulation. The ankle component is pivotally attached to the housing at the center of curvature of the cylinder. The piston defines front and rear, variable volume chambers in the cylinder. The chambers are in fluid communication with one another via a port, such that fluid is exchanged between the chambers through one-way check valves as the ankle pivots between plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Fluid flow is independently adjustable to establish and maintain desired levels of dampening during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, including different levels of dampening.

Abstract: A solvent spun bamboo fiber with a high wet modulus and a producing method thereof are disclosed. The producing method includes: activating by adding a bamboo pulp into de-ionized water, adjusting the pH value, adding cellulase and adjusting the pH value by adding alkali; squeezing by vacuum dehydration; pre-dissolving by adding an aqueous solution containing 50-88% by mass of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide; then dissolving by putting the above pre-dissolved mixture into a dissolver, heating, vacuumizing, dehydrating, dissolving, homogenizing and defoaming; spinning by spraying through a spinneret and forming a bamboo fiber by dry-wet spinning; water washing; bleaching; oiling; and drying. The present method is simple to operate, free of industrial pollution, low energy consuming, and highly safe. The bamboo fiber produced by the present method not only keeps the natural physical and chemical properties of bamboo fiber, but also has a high wet modulus without harmful chemical residues.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide which includes particles having a large major-axis length in a large proportion and comprises columnar particles having a satisfactory particle size distribution. A titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are heated/fired in the presence of titanium dioxide nucleus crystals having an aspect ratio of 2 or higher to grow the titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Subsequently, a titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are further added and heated/fired in the presence of the grown titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Thus, titanium dioxide is produced which comprises columnar particles having a weight-average major-axis length of 7.0-15.0 ?m and in which particles having a major-axis length of 10 ?m or longer account for 15 wt. % or more of all the particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a heat dissipating substrate, including: a heat dissipating circuit layer formed of an electrolytic invar layer including an invar layer and electrolytic copper plating layers formed on both sides of the invar layer; insulation layers formed on both sides of the heat dissipating circuit layer such that the heat dissipating circuit layer is interposed between the insulation layers; first and second circuit layers formed on the insulation layers; and a first bump connecting the heat dissipating circuit layer with the first circuit layer and a second bump connecting the heat dissipating circuit layer with the second circuit layer. The heat dissipating substrate exhibits excellent heat dissipation efficiency and can be made thin.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated so that a separator exists between the respective positive and negative electrodes, the manufacturing method includes the steps of: arranging a plurality of guide members in zigzag form in a perpendicular direction; inserting a continuous member of the separator between one and another one rows of the guide members; folding, into zigzag form, the continuous member by intersecting the rows of the guide members in a horizontal direction; inserting alternately the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes in respective valley grooves of the zigzag-folded continuous member; withdrawing the guide members from the respective valley grooves of the continuous member; and pressing, thereafter, the continuous member in the zigzag direction so as to make flat the continuous member.

Abstract: In a fuel composition containing a static dissipator additive, a Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel component is blended for the purpose of increasing the electrical conductivity of the composition and/or for reducing the concentration of the static dissipator additive in the composition. The fuel composition is preferably an automotive diesel fuel composition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a synthetic fuel are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: thermally reforming methane and carbon dioxide to generate a syngas including a first quantity of carbon monoxide and a first quantity of hydrogen; oxidizing the quantity of first carbon monoxide with a metal to produce metal oxide and carbon thereby separating oxygen from the carbon monoxide; gasifying the carbon using steam to produce a second quantity of carbon monoxide and a second quantity of hydrogen; reacting the metal oxide with methane to produce metal oxide, carbon dioxide, and a third quantity of hydrogen; and synthesizing the first quantity of carbon monoxide, the first quantity of hydrogen, the second quantity of hydrogen, and the third quantity of hydrogen to form the synthetic fuel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to an ethanol composition comprising at least 92 wt. % ethanol and from 20 wppm to 94 wppm isopropanol. The composition may be free of methanol and acetaldehyde.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator including a reactor chamber having a feedstock inlet and an inlet seal positioned at the feedstock inlet. At least one pair of feed rollers is positioned to draw a feedstock through the inlet seal and into the reactor chamber. At least one pair of distressing rollers is positioned in line with the feed rollers to produce stress in the feedstock. Steam is provided to the reactor chamber through a steam inlet and hydrogen is collected from a hydrogen outlet.

Abstract: The mass flow rate of a first reactant stream supplied to a fuel processor is controlled based on a combined feed-forward and feedback control regime. The method is particularly applicable for actively controlling the fuel supply to a fuel processor in a system comprising a combustion engine, in which the fuel processor is fluidly connected to receive at least a portion of an engine exhaust stream from the engine. In embodiments of the system and method, the supply of fuel is controlled based on three mass flow factors.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and process for the reformation of hydrogen containing fluids to hydrogen and other constituents, more particularly, the reformation of hydrocarbons or mixtures of hydrocarbons in a cyclic flow inert porous media reactor for the production of hydrogen and other constituents. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus and process can be used for the reformation of hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen and sulfur. The cyclic flow reactor comprises a reaction chamber filled with a porous media matrix containing an unconstrained reaction zone located in any portion of the reactor chamber. This reactor system employs valves to canalize the reactant mixture and product mixture during flow cycling channeling the reactant mixture through the porous media matrix, and reacting the reactant mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer coating system deposited on at least a portion of a solid body surface and containing in the multilayer architecture Al—Cr—B—N individual layers deposited by means of a physical vapor deposition method characterized in that in at least a portion of the overall thickness of the multilayer coating system the Al—Cr—B—N individual layers are combined with Ti—Al—N individual layers, wherein the Al—Cr—B—N and Ti—Al—N individual layers are deposited alternately one on each other, and wherein the thickness of the Al—Cr—B—N individual layers is thicker than the thickness of the Ti—Al—N individual layers, and thereby the residual stress of the multilayer coating system is considerably lower in comparison to the residual stress of the corresponding analogical Al—Cr—B—N monolayer coating.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus having a dust removing unit. The dust collecting apparatus includes a first cyclone unit which rotates air introduced from outside to separate dust from the air; a second cyclone unit including a second centrifugal separation chamber into which dust discharged from the first cyclone unit is introduced, and second cyclone discharge pipe for passage of air discharged from the second centrifugal separation chamber; a filter assembly including a filter member arranged in the upper portion of the second cyclone unit to separate fine dust from air discharged from the second cyclone unit; and a dust removing unit which separates dust from the filter member, wherein the dust separated from the filter member passes through the second cyclone discharge pipe and is collected in the second centrifugal separation chamber.

Abstract: A filter device comprises a filter element in a filter housing, wherein the filter housing is to be closed by a cover element. A friction section of the cover element, in an intermediate position between closed and open positions, is in friction contact with a friction member while in the closed position of the cover element the friction section is without friction contact with the friction member.

Abstract: A V-shaped filter includes a V-shaped carrier frame, first and second cartridge frames movably mounted to the carrier frame, and first and second filter element cartridges removably and replaceably mounted to the first and second cartridge frames, respectively. The first and second cartridge frames are movable to an inserted position in the V-shaped carrier frame providing an installed condition with the first and second cartridge frames forming a V-shape, and are movable to an extended position extending beyond the V-shaped carrier frame and providing a replacement-service condition.

Abstract: A exhaust gas purification device is structured such that it is possible to improve an assembling work ability or a maintenance work ability of gas purifying bodies or exhaust gas purifying cases. In an exhaust gas purification device provided with gas purifying bodies which purify an exhaust gas discharged by an engine, and a gas purifying housing which is provided with the gas purifying bodies therein, the exhaust gas purification device is structured such that a support bracket which supports the gas purifying housing is provided, a bolt hole is formed in the support bracket, an insertion guide is formed in the support bracket, and an attaching bolt is engaged with and disengaged from the bolt hole via the insertion guide.

Abstract: Methods for condensing metal vapors comprising directing a mixture of metal vapor and carrier gas into at least one inlet conduit are provided. Some methods comprise directing the mixture of metal vapor and carrier gas into a holding tank for liquid metal and subsequently into at least one outlet conduit operatively connected to the tank; cooling the at least one outlet conduit to cause some of the metal vapor inside the conduit to condense to solid metal; subsequent to condensing solid metal, stopping the cooling of at least one of the outlet conduits and commencing heating of the same outlet conduits to cause the solid metal to melt to form liquid metal; collecting the liquid metal in the tank; and preventing the remaining metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the same outlet conduits during at least a portion of the heating of the same outlet conduits.

Abstract: A process for producing hot metal includes partially reducing granular raw materials containing iron oxide with a carbonaceous reducing agent in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of at least 850° C. so as to obtain a reduced mixture. The reduced mixture is cooled to between 600° C. and 800° C. in a heat exchanger apparatus using a preheated process gas as a cooling medium that is preheated to between 300° C. and 500° C. before being introduced into the heat exchanger apparatus. The reduced mixture is then supplied to a smelting reduction unit via a discharge system.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a reducing gas for direct reduction iron-making includes an internal-heating type reformer for reforming a natural gas by adding steam and oxygen to the natural gas and by partially burning the natural gas to generate reducing gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a remover for removing carbon dioxide from exhaust gas generated in the direct reduction iron-making; and a line for recycling as the reducing gas the exhaust gas from which the carbon dioxide is removed by the remover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering gold by solvent extraction from an acidic chloride-containing aqueous solution or from slurry containing gold-bearing solids using a diester-based reagent that is poorly soluble in water as organic extraction solution. In accordance with the method, gold is extracted extremely effectively, but other precious metals and many other metals quite sparingly. Gold is stripped from the extraction phase with pure water, from which the gold can be reduced either chemically or electrochemically.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a flow of steam in a steam generator having a heater for heating fluid in a vessel is disclosed. The method includes: delivering the steam from the steam generator to a first side of a filtering membrane; receiving purified steam from a second side of the filtering membrane, the purified steam having a steam flow rate; determining at least one coefficient of a substantially linear mathematical relationship between the steam flow rate of the purified steam and duty cycle; and configuring the steam generator to control: the duty cycle of the heater based on the determined at least one coefficient and a target steam flow rate; and/or the target steam flow rate based on the at least one coefficient and a target duty cycle of the heater.

Abstract: The present invention provides gels, solutions, films, membranes, compositions, and other materials containing polymerized and/or non-polymerized room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). These materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation and as antistatic agents. The RTILs are preferably imidazolium-based RTILs which are optionally substituted, such as with one or more hydroxyl groups. Optionally, the materials of the present invention are composite materials comprising both polymerized and non-polymerized RTILs. The RTIL polymer is formed from polymerized RTIL cations typically synthesized as monomers and polymerized in the presence of the non-polymerized RTIL cations to provide a solid composite material. The non-polymerized RTIL cations are not covalently bound to the cationic polymer but remain as free cations within the composite material able to associate with charged subunits of the polymer. These composite materials are useful in catalysis, gas separation, and antistatic applications.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymeric material includes: providing a polymeric matrix having at least one polymer and at least one porogen; and degrading the at least one porogen at a temperature T?1.1 Tg, where Tg is a glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix. The degrading step includes exposing the polymeric matrix to thermal degradation, chemical degradation, electrical degradation and/or radiation degradation, wherein the polymeric material has a permeability at least 1.2 times a permeability of the polymeric matrix for a gas, and a selectivity of the polymeric material is at least 0.35 times a selectivity of the polymeric matrix for a gas pair. The method preferably provides gas separation membranes that exceed Robeson's upper bound relationship for at least one gas separation pair. Novel polymeric materials, gas separation membranes and fluid component separation methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an induced-draft injection system comprising an injection line in fluid communication with a duct under negative pressure, a particulate storage containing particulate, and a feeder receiving the particulate from the particulate storage and feeding the particulate to the injection line. The negative pressure in the duct supports the transportation of at least a portion of the particulate through the injection line and into the duct. Inside the duct, a binding portion of the particulate is bound to a portion of mercury in a flue gas passing through the duct, thus enabling a portion of the mercury to be filtered out of the flue gas.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from multi-component gas streams containing CO2 utilizing zeolite SSZ-45 as an adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reducible porous crystalline solids, constituted of a metal-organic framework (MOF), for the separation of mixtures of molecules having different unsaturation degrees and/or a different number of unsaturations with a selectivity that can be adjusted by controlling the reduction of the MOF. The MOF solids of the present invention, after reduction, have a strong affinity for molecules containing at least one unsaturation. They can be used in various separation processes, especially those relating to hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying natural gas, comprising removing mercaptans from a natural gas stream by a combination of an amine-based separation unit and a selective oxidation unit to obtain a purified natural gas stream, wherein at least part of the mercaptans are converted into at least elemental sulphur in the selective oxidation unit by selective catalytic oxidation.

Abstract: A disk brake pad (11) comprising a supporting base (13) with which a layer (15) of friction material is associated, characterized in that a wall (19) of said supporting base having associated therewith the layer of friction material is passed through by at least one channel (21, 23, 41) communicating with a chamber (17a, b), defined in correspondence of the supporting base, for collecting the powders produced due to the wear of the friction material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable odor scrubber system that is inserted into a sewer manhole or lift station where vaporous odors are prone to escape into the external environment. The invention controls such odors which may be caused by hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptan and other vapors which smell bad and can pose a severe health hazard. The invention has an automatic gas sensor trigger mechanism to control a fan to pull the noxious fumes through a series of scrubbers and to discharge treated air into the environment. Scrubber units may be easily replaced as well as designated to treat different environmental conditions. The invention can also store and transmit gas data information to an offsite location to monitor conditions where the portable odor scrubber system is located.

Abstract: To provide a pigment dispersion excellent in dispersibility and spectral characteristics. The pigment dispersion at least includes: a dispersion medium; a compound represented by a general formula (1), the compound being dispersed in the dispersion medium; and a pigment having a quinacridone skeleton, the pigment being dispersed in the dispersion medium: in the general formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing cold bituminous mixes, comprising the following successive steps: a. in a mixer, coating, at ambient temperature, all of the solid mineral fractions with all of the binder in emulsion, and optionally a portion of fluxing agent, over a time interval T sufficient to observe a coating of the mix; then b. at the end of the time interval T, adding the remaining amount of fluxing agent, over a time interval t, such that the T/t ratio is greater than 2, the other mixing conditions of steps a) and b) being otherwise substantially identical. The present invention also relates to cold bituminous mixes, capable of being obtained by the process according to the invention and the use thereof for the production of wearing courses, the production of emulsion-stabilized gravels or the production of storage-grade mixes.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a process for preparing an asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition that meets the specification set forth in ASTM D80-02 or deviations thereof which may be established by the specifying agency from time to time. The process generally comprises obtaining asphalt of different penetration grades, combining the asphalt of each grade with preselected chemicals to form separate premixed components, blending the premixed components together under predetermined conditions to form, upon curing, an asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition that meets certain physical requirements for asphalt-rubber binder (ARB), such as those set forth in ASTM D8-02. Advantageously, the resulting asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition not only meets the physical requirements of ARB used in road paving but also has improved dispersion of the rubber, such as dispersion of the rubber in an oil-in-water emulsion of an asphalt.

Abstract: The metal pigment of the present invention has a structure in which an organic carboxylic acid metal salt is adhered onto metal particles, and may also have a structure in which a first compound is adhered onto the metal particles, and the organic carboxylic acid metal salt is adhered onto the first compound.

Abstract: Processes for treating a wide variety of substrates with transparent, storage-stable and water-compatible inorganic/organic sols suitable for the surface functionalization comprising said transparent and storage-stable coating agent containing a water-compatible sol and water in a weight ratio of 100:1 to 1:500; said water-compatible sol obtained by mixing the following components: (A) from 0.