Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a catalytic gasification of coal. Catalytic gasification of a Wyodak low-sulfur sub-bituminous coal from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming was investigated using an inexpensive sodium carbonate catalyst applied via incipient wetness impregnation. Experiments in an atmospheric pressure fixed-bed laboratory gasifier were performed to evaluate the effects of reaction temperature, feed gas steam content, and Na2CO3 loading on the catalytic gasification of the Wyodak coal. The temperature range investigated (700-900° C.) was selected with consideration of the Na2CO3 melting point (850° C.) to reduce the loss by volatilization of sodium. Sodium was found to be active during both pyrolysis and gasification steps. The catalyst was most cost-effective at addition levels of approximately 3 wt %. The random pore model provided a good fit to the conversion versus time data collected under both the catalytic and the uncatalytic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photoreactive reagent that binds specifically to Ca2+-binding proteins, links to them covalently after photo-activation, and labels them. The novel reagent enables the characterization, purification, inhibition and screening of Ca2+-binding proteins, as well as the preparation of a new affinity chromatography matrix and a new protein biosensor. The invention also relates to the use of the reagent in inhibiting apoptosis and necrosis and in diagnosing a disorder associated with a defect in the function of a Ca2+-binding protein, and in the preparation of a medicament for treating such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a reagent and an apparatus for determining a substrate concentration based on an amount of hydrogen peroxide generated from a substrate. In the present invention, a suppressing agent for suppressing a reaction between the hydrogen peroxide and an inhibitor is added. As the suppressing agent, an azide compound such as sodium azide or a nitrite compound such as sodium nitrite is used. In the invention, a supporting electrolyte, such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride may be further added.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the on-demand production of small quantities of lead azide. First, a metered quantity of sodium azide solution and a metered quantity of a solution of a lead salt sufficient to react with the sodium azide are introduced into a T-mixer or Y-mixer. Then, the sodium azide and lead salt solutions are conveyed into a static mixer and the azide and lead compounds are permitted to react together, forming insoluble crystals of lead azide as a slurry in an aqueous medium. The lead azide crystals are then separated from the aqueous medium. The process is carried out within an explosion-proof chamber.

Abstract: The invention comprises particle forming methods, laser pyrolysis particle forming methods, chemical mechanical polishing slurries, and chemical mechanical polishing processes. In but one preferred implementation, a particle forming method includes feeding a first set of precursors to a first energy application zone. Energy is applied to the first set of precursors in the first energy application zone effective to react and form solid particles from the first set of precursors. Application of any effective energy to the solid particles is ceased and the solid particles and a second set of precursors are fed to a second energy application zone. Energy is applied to the second set of precursors in the second energy application zone effective to react and form solid material about the solid particles from the second set of precursors. Preferably, at least one of the first and second applied energies comprises laser energy.

Abstract: There are disclosed bisamido azides of gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), or Indium (In) which when pyrolized in accordance with the invention, produce metal nitride films on a substrate. A representative example of a bisamido azide is bisdimethylamidogallium azide, (CH.sub.3)N).sub.2 GaN.sub.3.

Abstract: Alkali metal azide particles most of which have a nearly spherical shape and take a spongy structure and whose volume average particle size ratio in the ultrasonic dispersion treatment is desirously 0.4 or less. Since self-decomposition characteristics of the alkali metal azide particles according to this invention are quite mild, they can be simply handled in large amounts and are quite useful as a gas generating agent for an automobile air bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low viscosity curable resin composition and coating composition containing the same which has a decreased solvent content. The coating composition provides a cured film having not only excellent acid resistance but also good weather resistance and mar resistance without an adverse effect to the environment. The curable resin composition comprises (a) a hydroxyl and carboxyl group containing silicone polymer, (b) a carboxyl and carboxylate group containing polymer, and (c) a hydroxyl and epoxy group containing polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and means for the oxidative destruction of azides. The process is characterized in that the azide-containing solutions to be disposed of are treated with an iodine solution in the presence of an iodide and a thiosulfate. The means are preferably employed in the form of tablets.

Abstract: In a process for recovering an alkali metal azide from a waste gas generating material containing the alkali metal azide and a metal oxide reactable with the azide, the gas generating material is mixed with a solvent for the alkali metal azide. This produces a slurry comprising (i) a solution comprising the solvent and the alkali metal azide, and (ii) the metal oxide. The slurry is separated into a liquid stream comprising primarily the solution and a sludge stream comprising primarily the metal oxide. The liquid stream is filtered in a filter to produce a filtrate which is substantially free of metal oxide and is then concentrated by evaporation of the solvent to produce crystals of the alkali metal azide. The separation may be carried out by a filter or centrifuge to produce a filter or centrifuge cake. The sludge obtained from the slurry is reslurried to recover additional azide, and the resulting slurry is again separated into a sludge and a liquid stream by a filter or centrifuge.

Abstract: The method of producing an alkali metal azide involves reaction of hydrazine with an alkyl nitrite in a solvent in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide. As the solvent is used as aqueous solvent and the reaction ratio of hydrazine is controlled within the range between 50% and 90%. The method can produce with high purities and in high yields alkali metal azides useful as a raw material for the preparation of tetrazoles which can be used as an intermediate material for medicines, as a raw material for the preparation of organic azides useful for light sensitive materials for photo masks employed in the field of electronics industries, or as a major raw material for inflaters used in air bags for cars.

Abstract: The present invention deals with the continuous production of sodium azide from sodium amide and nitrous oxide. This reaction takes place on a support material for sodium amide consisting of a mixture of sodium azide and sodium hydroxide. This mixture is passed through a reactor maintained at temperatures of between 200.degree. and 270.degree. C.; a portion of the reaction product and the support material are transferred out of the system at an end of the reactor, and a primary quantity of the reaction product and support material are returned to the reactor inlet where the material is combined with fresh, heated sodium amide in an amount corresponding to the quantity of sodium azide transferred-out with the reaction product and support material. With the aid of this continuous process, higher space-time yields of sodium azide can be obtained than in case of the conventional methods without increasing the danger of no longer controllable explosions.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of metals, metal carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides, sulfides and phosphides by low temperature pyrolysis of a selected organometallic precursor. The precursor, in addition to containing organic ligands, contains the metal M, which is a transition metal or tin, and the element X (C, N, B, Si, S, or P), which may be bound directly to M, contained within the ligands, or both. The process enables one to provide surface coatings or shaped articles of metals, metal carbides, nitrides, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for making an alkali metal azide or an alkaline earth metal azide which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a first reaction mixture comprising an alkali metal nitrite or alkaline earth metal nitrite, a C1--C3 alkanol, and a high boiling acid in a first reactor to form a gaseous C1-C3 alkyl nitrite, (b) controllably feeding said gaseous C1-C3 alkyl nitrite into a second reactor and reacting in a controlled manner a second reaction mixture comprising said gaseous C1-C3 alkyl nitrite, hydrazine, and an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, in the presence of an organic solvent, thereby producing an alkali metal azide or alkaline earth metal azide, and (c) removing said alkali metal azide or alkaline earth metal azide from said second reactor and replenishing said reaction mixture in said second reactor to provide a continuous, controlled process for producing said alkali metal azide or alkaline earth metal azide.

Abstract: A thin film formation method includes the steps of holding a substrate in a reduced-pressure vapor phase reaction chamber having means for irradiating light in visible and ultraviolet ranges, supplying an organo-titanium compound containing a tri-azo group, and vapor-depositing a titanium nitride film on a surface of the substrate by an excitation reaction caused by light.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of finely grained lead azide, in which aqueous solutions of lead nitrate and sodium azide are stirred in a vessel at constant temperature, characterized in that in a first process step the aqueous solution of lead nitrate and a small amount of an aqueous solution of sodium citrate are poured into the vessel, in a second process step, the aqueous solution of sodium azide is dosed into the vessel over a period of time of 30 to 40 minutes, the aqueous solutions poured into the vessel are agitated at a peripheral stirring speed of between 0.2 m/sec and 1.0 m/sec., and the constant temperature is set to a value of 50.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: Nitride powders of high surface area, uniform small particle size and high purity are prepared by forming in an aqueous medium a homogeneous combination of a soluble or colloidally dispersible compound of a multivalent metal with a water soluble oxygen oxygenated carbonaceous polymer, e.g., by mixing an aluminum or other metal salt with polyacrylic acid or mixing colloidal hydrated alumina, or other such metal oxide, with a water soluble oxygenated carbonaceous polymer such as sucrose or methyl cellulose. The resulting precipitate or gel is dried and calcined in a nitriding atmosphere, forming a nitride powder which is highly suitable for fabrication of ceramic bodies by sintering at lower than conventional temperatures.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator for producing greater than 50-weight percent pure nitrogen gas comprising a stoichiometric blend of sodium azide, NaN.sub.3, and sodium sulfate, Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4, and ballistic modifiers.

Abstract: Alkali-metal azide is prepared and purified from a slurry of alkali-metal azide/alkali metal hydroxide double salt in liquid ammonia by settling a layer of double salt from the slurry, separating the balance of the slurry from the double salt layer, then dissolving the layer in water and recovering purified alkali-metal azide from the water solution by crystallization.

Abstract: A process is provided for the continuous separation of suspended basic alkali metal azide particles from a liquid reaction medium by bringing the liquid reaction medium into contact with a non-reactive mineral oil whereby the suspended metal azide particles migrate into the mineral oil phase and are thereafter separated therefrom.

Abstract: Silver azide crystals of relatively high bulk density and possessing good flowing and initiating properties are obtained by crystallization from aqueous ammonia solution obtainable by double decomposition of silver nitrate and sodium azide in aqueous ammonia solution. The crystallization is accomplished by distilling the ammonia from the solution until the silver azide begins to crystallize, then adding a small amount of acetic acid to induce formation of crystalline nuclei of silver azide, and continuing the distillation of the ammonia until the silver azide is completely precipitated. The silver azide precipitate thus obtained, when isolated, washed and dried, yields a free-flowing granular product of relatively high bulk density and consisting predominantly of cubical crystals.