Abstract: A method, process and apparatus for generating a stable, force-resisting positive or negative representation of a shape. A state-changeable mixture includes uniform, generally ordered, closely-spaced solid bodies and a liquid carrier medium of relatively similar density, with the liquid medium filling any voids or interstices between the bodies and excluding air or gas bubbles from the mixture. Within the mixture, the solid bodies can be caused to transition from a near-liquid or fluent condition of mobility to a stable, force-resisting condition through introduction and then extraction of a slight excess quantity of the carrier medium. To create mobility, this excess quantity or transition liquid is introduced to create a fluent condition by providing a slight clearance between the bodies which permits the gently-forced introduction of at least two simultaneous slip planes between ordered bulk masses of the bodies at any point in the mixture.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that the wood of certain trees having genetically modified lignins has plastic properties far greater than that of trees of the general population of the same species. In particular, trees have been found to have significantly increased plasticity in which the lignin is of a less crosslinked or more linear type, of lower molecular weight, of a relatively higher content of lignin precursor monomers or oligomers, or is more readily extractable by the usual methods. Wood from these trees can be readily molded by pressure and heat into two or three dimensional articles. The ability to be molded can be significantly enhanced by the addition of plasticizers.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composites and methods for their manufacture are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic composite incorporates a matrix of recycled thermoplastic and a plurality of high modulus fibers, with the recycled thermoplastic including polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, PET and styrene-butadiene rubber, and the high modulus fibers including glass fibers, natural fibers, carbon fibers, and aramid fibers. Preferably, each of the high modulus fibers have a minimum length of approximately ½ of an inch and a modulus of approximately one million psi.

Abstract: A process for producing Mn—Zn ferrite is disclosed, which enables regeneration and reuse of scraps of a sintered product. The process comprises reusing a powder obtained by milling the sintered product of Mn—Zn ferrite, subjecting the powder to a component adjustment so as to have a composition of 44.0 to 50.0 mol % of Fe2O3, 4.0 to 26.5 mol % of ZnO, 0.1 to 8.0 mol % of at least one member selected from the group consisting of TiO2 and SnO2, and the remainder being MnO, and optionally 0.1 to 16.0 mol % of CuO, pressing the resulting mixed powder after the component adjustment, and then sintered a green compact.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composites and methods for their manufacture are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic composite incorporates a matrix of recycled thermoplastic and a plurality of high modulus fibers, with the recycled thermoplastic including polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, PET and styrene-butadiene rubber, and the high modulus fibers including glass fibers, natural fibers, carbon fibers, and aramid fibers. Preferably, each of the high modulus fibers have a minimum length of approximately ½ of an inch and a modulus of approximately one million psi.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing new UO2-based fuel pellets by recycling irradiated UO2-based fuel pellets. Irradiated UO2-based fuel pellets are oxidized so as to make U3O8-based powder, and then the U3O8 -based powder is mixed with an additive which contains at least one oxide of an element selected from the group consisting of niobium, titanium, vanadium, aluminum, magnesium, chromium, silicon and lithium. Green pellets are formed from the mixed powder, and then sintered, preferably at 1500° C. or higher, in a reducing gas atmosphere to produce UO2-based fuel pellets with high densities.

Abstract: Prophylactic devices are made in an inert atmosphere by cooling mandrels on which the devices are to be deposited, dipping the mandrels into a polymeric material in a solvent/carrier and a mold release agent, rotating the mandrels during and after the dipping, and evaporating the solvent after dipping. The apparatus includes an air lock between a section in which these functions are performed and a section located in an air atmosphere for removing the devices from the mandrels, followed by cleaning the mandrels for use in a subsequent production run for making devices.