Abstract: A trilayer shutdown battery separator is provided having two microporous strength layer membranes sandwiching one microporous shutdown layer membrane. The strength layers are made by a stretch method. The shutdown layer is made by a phase inversion method. The preferred method of making such a trilayer separator comprises: making microporous strength layers by a stretch method; forming a microporous shutdown layer by phase inversion process; and bonding two microporous strength layers and one microporous shutdown layer into the trilayer battery separator.

Abstract: A shell-less fluid contactor and a process for transferring a fluid component between a shell-side fluid and a lumen-side fluid. The shell-side fluid is introduced through a fluid distribution tube and discharged from the tube into contact with a surrounding bundle of microporous hollow fiber membranes. A fluid component is transferred by diffusion, through the walls of the hollow fiber membranes, from the shell-side fluid to the lumen-side fluid. Multiple contactors can be combined into an assembly for multi-stage processing of fluids.

Abstract: A battery separator is made from a microporous polyolefin membrane having a thickness of less than or equal to 0.5 mil. The separator is made by extruding a parison, collapsing the parison to form a flat sheet comprising two plies, annealing the sheet, stretching the sheet, and winding the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable power tool comprising an electric power tool, a low weighted battery pack and a cable interconnecting the pack to the tool. The pack is remote from the tool, and is attached to an article of clothing.

Abstract: A trilayer shutdown battery separator is provided having two strength layers sandwiching a shutdown layer that is made by a particle stretch method. The preferred method of making such a trilayer separator comprises: making microporous strength layers; forming a microporous shutdown layer by a particle stretch method; and bonding two microporous strength layers and one microporous shutdown layer into the trilayer battery separator wherein the first and third layers are strength layers, and the second membrane is a microporous shutdown layer made by a particle stretch method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contactor having a microporous membrane and a shell surrounding the membrane. A shell has a fluoropolymer inner surface and a composite structural body. The fluoropolymer inner surface is integrated into the composite structural body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator being an oriented microporous film containing ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer with a filler, and a battery containing that separator.

Abstract: A battery separator is made from a microporous polyolefin membrane having a thickness of about 0.33 mills to about 0.5 mils.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified polyalkylene, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, polymer product is described. The process involves treating the polymer in an impregnation step with UV radiation in the presence of a carbonyl bearing photoinitiator species and a crosslinking species. The radiation may take place in a gaseous or liquid environment which is substantially free of oxygen gas but which comprises at least one of the species.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable power tool having an electric power tool, a low rate battery pack and a cable interconnecting the pack to the tool. The pack is remote from the tool.

Abstract: A method of making a trilayer, shutdown battery separator has the following steps: extruding a polyethylene precursor; extruding a polypropylene precursor; forming a trilayer precursor, the trilayer precursor having the polyethylene precursor sandwiched between two polypropylene precursors; bonding the trilayer precursor; annealing the trilayer precursor; stretching the trilayer precursor; and forming thereby the battery separator.

Abstract: A contactor for degassing liquids includes a perforated core, a plurality of microporous hollow fibers, and a shell. The fibers surround the core and have two ends. A tube sheet affixes the ends of the fibers. A baffle is located between the tube sheets. The hollow fibers are closed at the baffle. The shell encloses the fibers, tube sheets, and the baffle. The system for degassing liquids includes a source of liquid containing a gas, a source of vacuum, and the contactor.

Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a polyolefin extruded tube, a polyolefin flange overmolded onto the tube, and a cap engaged to the flange. In the overmolding process, a polyolefin material is overmolded unto a polyolefin substrate.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method of solvent extraction. The steps of the method include: providing a dual-skinned asymmetric membrane; providing a feed containing a solute; and providing a solvent. The feed and the solvent are contacted across the membrane. The solute of the feed is extracted, and forming thereby a raffinate and an extract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shutdown, trilayer battery separator. The separator has a first and a third microporous membranes sandwiching a second microporous membrane. The first and the third membranes have a greater puncture strength than the second membrane. The second membrane has a lower melting temperature than either the first or the third membranes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the carbonylation of an arylene to an arylaldehyde (e.g., toluene to tolualdehyde) in the presence of a solid acid catalyst. The process for making tolualdehyde comprises carbonylating toluene in the presence of either carbon monoxide or a source of carbon monoxide and in contact with a solid acid catalyst. The reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from -40.degree. to 200.degree. C., and at a pressure ranging from 20-4000 psig.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the recovery of an organic acid. The organic acid is generated from the manufacture of a cellulose ester. The first step of the process is to remove the organic acid from the manufacture of cellulose ester. The acid is in the form of a weak acid stream comprising of the organic acid and water. The weak acid stream is resolved, via a solvent extraction, to form an extractor overhead stream and raffinate stream. The raffinate stream comprises solvent, water, and alcohol. The alcohol is produced in the recovery process by hydrolysis of the solvent after the solvent extraction. The raffinate stream is resolved into a overhead stream and a bottom stream. The overhead stream comprises water, alcohol, and solvent. Excess organic acid is added to the overhead stream to form a feed stream. The feed stream is catalyzed, via ion exchange resins, whereby a portion of the alcohol is esterified to the solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a man-made fiber comprising a cellulose ester and 0.05 to 5.0% by weight of a titanium dioxide having an average particle size of less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A container or conduit for compressed gas and/or cryogenic gas is constructed with a gas impermeable synthetic polymer forming a gas barrier and a structural component that provides structural integrity to the container or conduit. The structural component is associated with the barrier. The gas impermeable synthetic polymer is preferably a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: Molded article having improved thermal resistance and strength formed from a homogeneous mixture comprising from about 5 to 75 percent by weight polybenzimidazole and from about 95 to 25 percent by weight of a polyaryleneketone. These articles are obtained by injection molding techniques.