Abstract:
A method for treating a fabric comprising fibres of keratin to impart shrink-resistance to the fabric by passing the fabric continuously through a chamber containing an atmosphere of 10% or less fluorine gas by volume at a rate such that the residence time of the fabric within the chamber is 60 seconds or less.
Abstract:
Polymeric polyols are prepared by reacting a polyhydroxy initiator compound with an epoxide in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide catalyst used in an amount of at least 10% by mole based on the molar amount of polyhydroxy initiator compounds. The polyols so obtained may be chain extended by reaction with further epoxide in the presence of at least 10% by mole of an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst based on the molar amount of the polymeric polyol.
Abstract:
This invention provides apparatus for the growth of biomass from a supply of suitable nutrient wherein the volume of biomass and the size and shape of the units in which it is present within a vessel (10) in which the reaction takes place can be accurately controlled. Control is achieved by providing a support structure (14) for the biomass comprising one or more movable bodies each of which has an internal reticular structure defining a substantial voidage therein and which essentially fills with the biomass but which does not overfill since excess growth is restricted. Restriction can be achieved by removal of excess biomass or by removal of the bodies at the time that they become filled. The techniques are capable of numerous industrial applications including various biological fermentation processes as well as the purification of sewage and industrial effluents, for example.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is presented for analyzing directly obtained electrochemical noise measurements at cellular surfaces to assess cellular behavior and metabolic activity. The apparatus comprises a container (1) into which culture medium containing the cells to be assessed (2) has been introduced. Located within the container and partially submerged by the culture medium is a main electrode (3) which is a chemically inert electrically conductive surface such as gold film. This electrically conductive surface supports the adherent, viable cells to be assessed, and which may have been previously grown on the electrode to near confluence. The container is closed by a lid (4) which is penetrated by a tube (5) filled with an electrochemically conducting medium that is in electrochemical contact with a reference electrode. The end of the tube (5) is immersed in the culture medium. A further tube is provided through which test factors such as stimulants or suppressants can be injected into the container as indicated by the arrow. The directly measured electrochemical noise reflects metabolic activity of the cell at the cell surface. Fluctuations in the electrochemical noise are analyzed in the conventional manner and correlated with cellular activity.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the manufacture of false twist textured yarn characterised by adjusting non-isothermally in a closed loop the heat flux taken up by the yarn in tension to a specific yarn dyeability. Adjustment can be achieved by feeding back the output of a direct-acting yarn texture sensor to control at least one of yarn heater heat supply, yarn twist speed and yarn feed speed. The sensor is arranged to sense at least one of textured yarn speed, yarn temperature, yarn bulk and yarn tension. A very compact texturing line is possible when the control method is applied.
Abstract:
Magnesium is produced by the metallothermic reduction of MgO in a molten slag bath comprised of MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CaO together with oxide formed from the reducing metal. The composition of the slag is controlled during at least a first stage of the reduction so that it is wholly within the periclased region of its phase diagram and at least in the surface region, has a substantially constant liquidus temperature. The surface region of the slag is maintained by direct heating (e.g. by a plasma) at or close to the liquidus temperature.
Abstract:
In the friction spinning of yarns, staple fibres are supplied to a yarn formation zone in which the yarns end is rotated by frictional contact with at least one twisting element. In the yarn form zone, a jet of air is applied to the yarn or forming yarn by nozzle to increase the frictional forces between the yarn or forming yarn and the twisting elements. The formed yarn is continuously removed from the yarn formation zone.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a functionally terminated polymer comprising polymerizing a terpene or an oxygen derivative thereof having a double bond or conjugated double bond available for polymerization with an initiator having a grouping which provides, or is a precursor of, the functional termination for the polymer.
Abstract:
Recombinant DNA molecules comprising a regulatory element that activates gene expression in response to DNA damage operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes a light emitting reporter protein, recombinant vectors containing such DNA molecules and cells containing the DNA molecules or recombinant vectors. A method of detecting for the presence of an agent that causes or potentiates DNA damage is also disclosed which involves subjecting the above-described cells to a putative DNA damaging agent and monitoring the expression of the light emitting reporter protein from the cell.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method for thermally processing a textile structure in which the structure is run through a treatment zone in which the structure temperature is changed by heat exchange by contact with a flowing liquid.