An improved process for preparing liquid-crystal containing pitches comprises extracting carbonaceous isotropic pitches with an organic solvent system to provide a solvent insoluble fraction which when heated for 10 minutes or less and to temperatures in the range of about 230.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. will upon polarized light microscopy examination of cooled samples display greater than 75% of an optically anisotropic phase.

A solar engine having a plurality of elements which convert solar energy to usable mechanical motion, such as a piston and a thermally expandable fluid in a cylinder. The sun's rays are focused on a movable mirror which is provided to selectively direct the thermal energy to each of the piston and cylinder thermal energy converting elements. The thermal energy causes expansion of the fluid in the selected cylinder, thus moving the piston to provide mechanical motion. The thermodynamic cycle empl...

An optically pumped laser system having a configuration capable of efficiently coupling pumping radiation with a gain medium to provide an outlet beam having a wavelength in the ultraviolet and visible spectrum is disclosed. A gain medium including halide, rare and noble gas elements is contained within a cell at total pressures from four to thirty atmospheres. The gain medium is ionized by a spark source within the cell and interacted with optical pumping radiation to provide a diffuse electric...

Apparatus for optically scanning a surface, the radiation path between the light source and light detector including a wedge for correcting undesired intensity variations which occur when a homogeneous non-textured surface is scanned.

Membrane switch assembly comprises a transparent laminate comprised of three sheets of cellulose acetate material. The intermediate sheet has an opening therein which defines a switch site. Hairline conductors on the internal surfaces of the outer sheets cross each other at the switch site so that the switch is closed when one of the outer sheets is pressed at the switch site. The conductors are produced on the surfaces of the outer sheets by a process including electroless deposition of blanket...

Asymmetric synthesis of optically active 3,7,11-trimethyl-dodecan-1-ol, an intermediate for producing optically active vitamin E, from isovaleraldehyde or prenal including intermediates in this synthesis.

Optically active sulfonates of allethrolone of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and phenyl optionally substituted in the para position with a member selected from the group consisting of methyl, fluorine, chlorine and bromine with an (R) or (S) configuration which are useful for obtaining optically active allethrolone of antipodal configuration and process for their preparation.

A process for fermentatively hydrogenating and reducing ketoisophorone to produce optically active [4R,6R]-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexanone useful as an intermediate in the production of optically active carotenoids and intermediates in the production of these carotenoids.

A device for optically measuring bores in components, preferably injection bores in fuel injection valves, having a light source and an optical measuring instrument for optically detecting the geometry of the bore. The light source illuminates an opal solid body, which rests on the component on the end of the bore opposite the optical measuring instrument.

Optically controlled micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a MEMS device may include a rotatable mirror having an optical sensor that is in electrical communication with the rotatable mirror via an associated electrode. Electrical potential may be supplied to an appropriately configured optical sensor so that a variable range of voltages may be supplied to the rotatable mirror. In operation, an optical control beam may be directed onto the optical sensor where i...