Abstract: A method of producing a rheologically stable concentrated aqueous suspension of a particulate alkaline earth metal carbonate which method comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a dilute aqueous suspension of the carbonate having a solids content of not more than 40% by weight; (b) dewatering the dilute aqueous suspension to form a carbonate suspension having a solids content in the range of from 45% to 65% by weight; (c) optionally mixing with the dewatered suspension formed in step (b) a dispersing agent for the carbonate to form a fluid suspension; (d) further dewatering the fluid suspension formed in step (b) by thermal evaporation under reduced pressure to raise the solids content of the suspension by a further differential amount of at least 5% by weight; and (e) after at least some of the dewatering in step (c) treating the suspension by a mechanical working process in which at least 1 kW.hr per tonne of carbonate on a dry weight basis is dissipated to refluidise the suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy-to-handle biopolymer composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity, and method for manufacturing this ion-exchanger with ease and good reproducibility, and relates to a cesium separation/recovery agent comprising a composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity by employing a calcium alginate gel as a matrix and loading this matrix with an inorganic ion-exchanger; and to a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: A long term stabilized magnesium hydroxide suspension which can be used for covering pellets of several materials in order to avoid the agglomeration of a plurality of pellets when stored or subjected to a heat treatment and which can be stored for at least three months without substantial agitation and without experiencing substantial settlement and solid hard substrate formation, comprising a solid content of about 51% to 61%; a water content of about 39% to 49%; a viscosity of about 500 to 1,500 cp.; an average particle size of about 1 to 2.5 microns; a Mg(OH)2 content of about 50% to 60%; an equivalent magnesium oxide content of 34% to 42%; including an adherent compound at a concentration of at least 30% in an amount of 0.

Abstract: The disclosure encompasses composition, method and apparatus that provide improved and convenient removal of biofilm from surfaces. Surfaces cleaned according to the invention comprise the inner wall of conduits such as those employed in dental clinics, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell including a first substrate having on its surface a first electrode layer having on its surface a semiconductor film on which a photosensitizer is adsorbed, and a second substrate having on its surface a second electrode layer. The first and second substrates are arranged so that the first electrode layer overlaid with the semiconductor film and the second layer are opposite each other with an electrolyte layer disposed therebetween. The electrolyte layer includes an electrolyte and a liquid crystal and at least one of the electrode-layer-having substrates is transparent.

Abstract: A micelle dispersion comprises hydrophobic particles, conductive particles and a surfactant of a ferrocene derivative dispersed in an aqueous medium, wherein the surfactant of a ferrocene derivative in an equilibrium concentration comprises an oxidized compound in a concentration of 40 &mgr;g/ml or less and a reduced compound in a concentration of 50 to 300 &mgr;g/ml. A process for producing a micelle dispersion comprises dispersing hydrophobic particles, conductive particles and a surfactant of a ferrocene derivative in an aqueous medium, wherein an oxidized compound in the surfactant of a ferrocene derivative is removed with at least one of an ion exchange resin and a reducing agent.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing solid superconducting mixed-metal oxides whereby the superconductor can be formed into any predetermined shape by way of viscous sol precursors. The superconductors are also formed by this process into homogeneous phases.

Abstract: A micelle dispersion containing hydrophobic particles, conductive particles and a surfactant of a ferrocene derivative dispersed in an aqueous medium. The surfactant of a ferrocene derivative in an equilibrium concentration contains an oxidized compound in a concentration of 40 &mgr;g/ml or less and a reduced compound in a concentration of 50 to 300 &mgr;g/ml. A process for producing a micelle dispersion including dispersing hydrophobic particles, conductive particles and a surfactant of a ferrocene derivative in an aqueous medium, where an oxidized compound in the surfactant of a ferrocene derivative is removed with at least one of an ion exchange resin and a reducing agent. A color filter can be produced in excellent yield without color overlapping by using the micelle dispersion and the process provides the micelle dispersion.

Abstract: A magnesium ammonium phosphate slurry and method of producing magnesium ammonium phosphate slurries. The method provides for obtaining a magnesium hydroxide supply having a small particle size of about 2 microns. Aqua ammonia and phosphoric acid are sequentially added while maintaining the temperature at below 110° F. The magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate slurry formed has a small particle size of about 2 to 7 microns. The hexahydrate slurry may be converted to a monohydrate slurry having a particle size of less than about 8 microns by heating to the boiling point in the presence of excess water or heating to the boiling point while maintaining a very moderate hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A magnesium ammonium phosphate slurry and method of producing magnesium ammonium phosphate slurries. The method provides for obtaining a magnesium hydroxide supply having a small particle size of about 1 to 2 microns. Aqua ammonia and phosphoric acid are sequentially added while maintaining the temperature at below 110° F. The magnesium ammonium phosphate slurry formed has a small particle size of about 2 to 5 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed are horticultural substrates coated with a particulate membrane and a method for controlling pests and providing enhanced horticultural effect by applying a particulate membrane to the surface of the horticultural substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel modified stannic oxide—zirconium oxide complex sol and a preparation method thereof, particularly a stable sol which contains 2-50% by weight of total metal oxides comprising modified colloidal particles of a stannic oxide—zirconium oxide complex having a particle diameter having 4.5-60 nm, wherein the particles are formed by coating complex colloidal particles of a stannic oxide—zirconium oxide having a bonded structure of stannic oxide colloidal particles and zirconium oxide colloidal particles at a ZrO2/SnO2 ratio of 0.02-1.0 based on weights of these oxides and having a particle diameter of 4-50 nm as nuclei, with colloidal particles of a tungsten oxide—stannic oxide—silicon dioxide complex having such a constitution that a WO3/SnO2 weight ratio is 0.1-100, that a SiO2/SnO2 weight ratio is 0.1-100 and having a particle diameter of 2-7 nm, and preparation method thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing titanium oxide (TiO2)-tin oxide (SnO2) composite sol, a titanium oxide (TiO2)-zirconium oxide (ZrO2)-tin oxide (SnO2) composite sol, and a titanium oxide (TiO2)-cerium oxide (CeO2)-tin oxide (SnO2) composite sol. Further, the present invention relates to a coating composition containing any of the above-mentioned composite sols for forming coating films that are excellent in marring resistance, surface hardness, wearing resistance, transparency, heat resistance, light-resistant, weatherability, or water resistance on optical elements such as lenses for glasses and cameras, automotive windowpane, or optical filters attached to liquid-crystal displays, plasma displays, etc. and to optical elements having a cured film of the coating composition on the surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous dispersion of pigment(s) and/or filler(s) containing, as an additive, a saccharide composition containing at least 30% of hydrogentated monosaccharide(s) and/or disaccharide(s). The saccharide composition contains at least 75% of such saccharides, in particular sorbitol, mannitol and/or maltitol. The optimum introduction rate is somewhere between 1 and 3%, in dry weight in relation to the dry weight of pigment(s) and filler(s) of the dispersion. The dispersion according to the invention presents a Brookfield viscosity (20° C., 20 rpm) of between 100 and 4000 mPa.s and a viscosity instability index lower than 35%. The dispersion according to the invention can present a very high level of solid matter, for example from 72 to 80% and be used advantageously in numerous industries such as those connected with paper, paint and varnishes, inks, adhesives, detergents, textile materials and leathers, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a transparent conductive thin film of In2O3—SnO2 on a surface of a plastics substrate of less heat resistance other than that of glass, ceramics, etc. When an In2O3—SnO2 precursor sol is produced by hydrolyzing and polymerizing a solution containing indium alkoxide and tin alkoxide, either tri-s-butoxyindium or tri-t-butoxyindium is used as the indium alkoxide. Water is added to the solution containing indium alkoxide and tin alkoxide at a temperature of not higher than −20° C.

Abstract: A stabilized lime slurry for treatment of biological solids in sewage. The composition preferably includes 30-36% calcium hydroxide, 10-16% potassium hydroxide, 2-4% potassium chloride, 2-4% magnesium hydroxide, all on a dry basis, and the balance in water. This composition raises the pH rapidly for destroying pathogens, is sufficiently concentrated for economically feasible transportation, and reduces the cost, difficulties and dangers of treating sewage with a lime based composition while providing a resulting product from the sewage treatment process which can be spread upon agricultural soil in a manner which improves soil fertility without introducing undesirable or contaminating materials into the soil.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to metal oxide sols comprising a liquid and a polycondensation product of about 2 to about 5,000 monomers of a partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for making a metal oxide sol comprising contacting a metal oxide precursor with a multifunctional compound in a liquid to provide a chelated metal oxide precursor; contacting the chelated metal oxide precursor with a hydrolyzing agent to provide partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor monomers; and permitting the partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor monomers to polycondense thereby forming a metal oxide sol.

Abstract: Disclosed are horticultural substrates coated with a particulate membrane and a method for controlling pests and providing enhanced horticultural effect by applying a particulate membrane to the surface of the horticultural substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing a concentrated aqueous suspension of a finely ground particular material, which process comprises (a) preparing an aqueous suspension comprising at least 20% by weight of the particulate material comprising calcium carbonate in coarse particular form; (b) grinding the suspension formed in step (a) in the presence of a polycarboxylate dispersing agent for the particular material in a grinding process where the pH is not less than 10 to produce an aqueous suspension wherein at least 90% by weight of the particles or the particulate material have an e.s.d. less than 2 .mu.m and 60% by weight have an e.s.d. less than 1 .mu.m; (c) adding an additive comprising an anionic polycarboxylate dispersing agent to the suspension of ground material formed in step (b). The process is characterized in that the aqueous suspension formed in step (c) has a pH which lies within the inclusive range 8.5 to 9.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous dispersion slurry of inorganic particles which is so stable as not to increase in viscosity, gel or sediment even if stored for a long time and therefore can be used as raw materials for, for example, cosmetics, paint, coating materials and lapping slurry for semiconductor wafers, and production method of such aqueous dispersion slurry. The aqueous dispersion slurry according to the present invention has the number of particles whose a particle diameter of 1.3 .mu.m or more is 180,000 or less per mL in terms of 30 wt % in concentration, and the average particle diameter thereof is in a range of 0.05-0.9 .mu.m. The number of particles having aparticle diameter of 1.3 .mu.m or more is counted by using Particle Sensor KS-60, which is a light extinction type sensor for detecting particles, and Particle Counter KL-11, which is a particle counter, both of which made by the same manufacturer, Rion Electro Corp.

Abstract: A stabilized lime slurry for treatment of biological solids in sewage. The composition preferably includes 30-36% calcium hydroxide, 10-16% potassium hydroxide, 2-4% potassium chloride, 2-4% magnesium hydroxide, all on a dry basis, and the balance in water. This composition raises the pH rapidly for destroying pathogens, is sufficiently concentrated for economically feasible transportation, and reduces the cost, difficulties and dangers of treating sewage with a lime based composition while providing a resulting product from the sewage treatment process which can be spread upon agricultural soil in a manner which improves soil fertility without introducing undesirable or contaminating materials into the soil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for protecting surfaces from arthropod infestation which involves treating the surface with an effective amount of finely divided calcined kaolins, hydrophobic calcined kaolins, hydrous kaolins, hydrophobic hydrous kaolins, hydrophobic calcium carbonates, calcium carbonates or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A sol having dispersed in a liquid medium particles of a hydrated zinc stannate having a primary particle diameter of from 2 to 200 nm and represented by the formula xZnO.ySnO.sub.2.zH.sub.2 O wherein the molar ratio of x:y:z is 1:0.83 to 1.43:1.00 to 5.00.

Abstract: A silver sol comprises silver particles having a particle size ranging from 1 to 100 nm and a silver solid content ranging from 1 to 80% by weight. The silver sol can be prepared by a method comprising the steps of reacting a solution of a silver compound with a reducing agent at a temperature ranging from 5 to 50.degree. C. and a stirring speed falling within the range of from 1,000 to 10,000 rpm to form silver fine particles; recovering the resulting silver fine particles using a centrifugal separator; and then dispersing the silver fine particles in a medium to give a silver sol having a silver solid content ranging from 1 to 80% by weight. The silver sol or a coating material obtained by diluting the sol to a desired silver solid content and, if desired, adding a binder permits the formation of a transparent conductive film on, for instance, a cathode-ray tube while reducing the production cost.