Abstract: Disclosed are novel crystals of hydroxyindium phthalocyanine, having distinct diffraction peaks at the particular angles of the Bragg angle (2.theta..+-.0.2) in the X-ray diffraction pattern. An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive support having thereon a light-sensitive layer containing at least one of an amorphous hydroxyindium phthalocyanine and the above hydroxyindium phthalocyanine crystals. The electrophotographic photoreceptor has excellent sensitivity and durability.

Abstract: An anisotropic conductive material includes micro-capsules dispersed in a bonding resin. The micro-capsules contains, as a filler material, a conductor and a polymerization initiator, a curing agent or a curing promotor. A wall member encapsulating the filler material is formed of a thermoplastic or thermosetting insulative resin. Therefore, if the micro-capsules in the anisotropic conductive material are broken or destroyed by pressure or both of pressure and heat, electrical connection can be established between electrode pads and electrode terminals of a wiring substrate through the conductors contained in the micro-capsules. Simultaneously, the polymerization initiator, the curing agent or the curing promotor flows out, so that the insulative bonding resin is solidified. Thus, the anisotropic conductive material has a high connection reliability, a good reproducibility, an excellent packaging workability, and excellent shelf stability.

Abstract: Crystals of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, a method of preparing the crystals, a photoconductive material containing the crystals, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor having the material. The photoreceptor has excellent electrophotographic characteristics. The crystals of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine have distinct diffraction peaks at (i) 7.5.degree., 9.9.degree., 12.5.degree., 16.3.degree., 18.6.degree., 25.1.degree. and 28.3.degree., or (ii) 7.7.degree., 16.5.degree., 25.1.degree. and 26.6.degree., or (iii) 7.9.degree., 16.5.degree., 24.4.degree. and 27.6.degree., or (iv) 7.0.degree., 7.5.degree., 10.5.degree., 11.7.degree., 12.7.degree., 17.3.degree., 8.1.degree., 24.5.degree., 26.2.degree. and 27.1.degree., or (v) 6.8.degree., 12.8.degree., 15.8.degree. and 26.0.degree. or (vi) 7.4.degree., 9.9.degree., 25.0.degree., 26.0.degree., and 28.2.degree. of the Bragg angle (2.theta..+-.0.2) in the X-ray diffraction spectrum.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer having excellent elasticity even with a small rubber content and being excellent in strength, coatability and thermal adhesion to different materials such as various resins, metals or the like, which comprises melting and kneading a material mixture containing (A) particles of a polymer composed of a crystalline olefin polymer portion and a noncrystalline olefin polymer portion, (B) a graft-modifier and (C) a radical initiator to form a graft-modified and crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer having a cyclohexane-insoluble content of at least 40% by weight; and a thermoplastic elastomer obtained by the above method.

Abstract: A thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester is produced by carrying out polycondensation of ester monomer [I-2], an aromatic dicarboxylic acid [II] and an aromatic carboxylic acid [III-2]. The amounts of the compounds [I-2] and [II] are substantially equivalent and the amount of the compound [III-2] is not more than 20 times that of [I-2] by mole. A thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester having good heat resistance, fluidity and uniformity can be produced.

Abstract: Aromatic polyesters containing monomer units derived from terephthalic acid, one or more aromatic diols, such as bisphenol A, and one or more aromatic hydroxyacids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid or 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, are described. The aromatic hydroxyacid is incorporated in a quantity sufficient to yield a polymer which is non-crystalline and which has a low enough softening temperature that it can be readily synthesized in the melt with a useful molecular weight without the need for subsequent solid state polymerization. These aromatic polyesters are useful for making transparent articles with high temperature properties.

Abstract: This invention pertains to novel copolyesters consisting essentially of units (I), (II), (III), and (IV). ##STR1## and blends of these polymers and articles made from both. Units (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are present in specified proportions as defined in the "Description of the Invention."The instant copolyesters display orientation in the molten state, good fiber ratings and high strength; they have melting points in the range of from about 340.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and are melt-processible. Advantageously, these compositions filled with about 30 weight percent of glass fibers display heat distortion temperatures of over 240.degree. C. up to about 280.degree. C. and higher, when measured under a load of 264 psi. When blended, certain properties are improved, particularly they are easier to melt fabricate, have a decreased tendency to blister and increased strength.

Abstract: This invention relates to latent thiol mercaptan chain transfer agents and their use in the synthesis of polymers. In addition, this invention relates to novel polymers and block copolymers formed using these latent thiol mercaptan chain transfer agents.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine crystal of mixed pigments of oxytitanium phthalocyanine and a halogenated gallium phthalocyanine or a halogenated indium phthalocyanine is disclosed. The phthalocyanine crystal of mixed pigments is used as a charge generating material which provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor excellent in sensitivity, stability on repeated use, and environmental stability.

Abstract: A process for producing a biodegradable polymer, which comprises subjecting a cyclic compound of the following formula (1) or (2) to ring opening polymerization: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group, and R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group.

Abstract: A gas separating asymmetric membrane such as a gas separating asymmetric hollow fiber comprises an aromatic polyimide comprising recurring units of the formulae (I) and (II): ##STR1## wherein A.sup.1 is a tetravalent unit having a diphenylhexafluoropropane structure, A.sup.2 is a tetravalent unit having a benzene structure, and A.sup.3 is a divalent aromatic unit which is a unit derived from a sulfur atom-containing diamine such as diaminodibenzothiophene, diaminodiphenylenesulfone, diaminothioxanthene-5,5-dioxide or diaminothioxanthone-5,5-dioxide. The aromatic polyimide contains the recurring unit of the formula (I) in an amount of 40 to 90 molar % and the recurring unit of the formula (II) in an amount of 10 to 40 molar %. Further, a process for the preparation of the gas separating asymmetric hollow fiber membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method called the rinse test for determining where silver is being lost and the variability of this loss in a photographic emulsion manufacturing process. Results from this method can be used to determine what parts of the emulsion manufacturing process should be improved to increase silver yield thereby reducing manufacturing costs and what parts of the emulsion manufacturing process should be improved to reduce silver loss variability thereby improving an emulsion's sensitometric response. The photographic emulsion manufacturing process includes at least one kettle and a plurality of processing equipment which may include sections of pipe, permeators, mixers and pumps. The silver loss is determined by adding water to a kettle after the product has been removed from but prior to cleaning of this kettle. The concentration of silver in this rinse water is measured and the amount of silver is determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring electrostatically charged thermoplastic toner particles having a particle size less than about 8 micrometers from an element to a receiver within a transfer zone. The receiver is heated and contacted with the electrostatically charged toner particles on the element at a temperature sufficient to adhere the particles to one another at their points of contact, but insufficient to cause the toner particles to flow into a single mass. An electric field tending to force the charged toner particles toward the receiver is simultaneously applied to the transfer zone. The receiver is subsequently separated from the element.

Abstract: An antistatic resin composition comprised of (A) a radiation-curable acrylic, methacrylic or epoxy compound having an --(OR)m-- chain and (B) a minor amount of a quaternary ammonium salt of the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R and R.sub.4 are an alkylene group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent an alkyl or alkenyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms, or an acryloyl or methacryloyl group, n is an integer of at least 4, and A.sup.- is a counter ion. The antistatic resin-forming composition is useful, for example, for a protective layer of an optical recording medium, which is formed on the light incident side of a substrate of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A resin paste for tight sealing, comprising(A) at least one filler selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Cu, diamond, high-temperature sintered graphite and beryllia,(B) at least one metal filler selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe and Mg,(C) a polyimide resin having an imidization degree of 80% or more, obtained by reacting 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride or 3,3',4,4'-oxydiphthalic acid dianhydride with a diamine, and(D) an organic solvent, wherein the weight proportions of (A), (B) and (C) are(A)/[(B)+(C)]=10/90 to 90/10(B)/[(A)+(C)]=5/95 to 90/10and the weight proportion of (D) is(D)/[(A)+(B)+(C)]=0.01/100 to 50/100.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for processing semiconductor wafers which include observing optical characteristics of exposed undeveloped photoresist, without removing the wafers from the stepper is disclosed. The present invention includes the steps of loading a wafer having a layer of photoresist into a photolithography system, exposing the photoresist in accordance with an initial set of control parameters including exposure time, position of the wafer within the photolithography system, and/or focus change. Prior to developing the photoresist, optical characteristics of the exposed photoresist are observed using a phase contrast microscope which detects latent images. Then, according to the observations of the latent image, the initial set of control parameters are adjusted to generate a second set of control parameters.

Abstract: Dichlorotin phthalocyanine crystals having distinct diffraction peaks at (i) 8.7.degree., 9.9.degree., 10.9.degree., 13.1.degree., 15.2.degree., 16.3.degree., 17.4.degree., 21.9.degree. and 25.5.degree., or (ii) 9.2.degree., 12.2.degree., 13.4.degree., 14.6.degree., 17.0.degree. and 25.3.degree. of the Bragg angle (2.theta..+-.0.2) to a CuK.alpha. characteristic X-ray; a method of preparing dichlorotin phthalocyanine crystals having the strongest diffraction peak at 28.2.degree. in the range of from 25.degree. to 30.degree. of the Bragg angle (2.theta..+-.0.2) in an X-ray diffraction spectrum; and an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive support having thereon a light-sensitive layer containing the dichlorotin phthalocyanine crystals having distinct diffraction peaks at the particular angles or the dichlorotin phthalocyanine crystals prepared by the method.

Abstract: A photoconductive phthalocyanine composition is disclosed, comprising (A) a photoconductive phthalocyanine composition comprising 100 parts by weight of an unsubstituted phthalocyanine derivative and from 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of a nitro- or halogen-substituted phthalocyanine derivative and (B) from 0.01 to 10 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the photoconductive phthalocyanine composition (A), of a phthalocyanine derivative having at least 4 electron attracting groups. A photosensitive layer formed of the photoconductive phthalocyanine composition produces digital signals whether input light is digital or not. It is useful as not only a photoreceptor for digital recording system of electrophotography but a photoreceptor for analogue light input in conventional PPC to provide a high quality image with sharp edges.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a method for transferring images from an image-bearing surface, to a moving web or sheet. The image-bearing surface is advanced in a predetermined direction, and the receptor area of the image-bearing surface is exposed to successive images. The successive images are developed using a liquid toner comprising charged pigmented particles, in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. A porous web is transported in synchronism with movement of said image-bearing surface into position for transfer of said developed images on said receptor area successively onto said web. In one embodiment, the web is an uncoated, non-conductive porous material. The web is treated with a fluorinated or partially fluorinated hydrocarbon surfactant hold-out material in an amount effective to reduce the penetration rate of the toner carrier into the web so as to ensure that sufficient carrier is available for complete and void-free transfer.

Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.