Abstract: The present invention is directed to a separator for an electrochemical cell comprising a web, the web comprising fibers of a polyimide and a protective region wherein the protective region impedes electrochemical reduction of the polyimide inside the electrochemical cell. The present invention is further directed to a multi-layer article and electrochemical cell containing the separator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a separator for an electrochemical cell comprising a web, the web comprising fibers of a polyimide and a protective region wherein the protective region impedes electrochemical reduction of the polyimide inside the electrochemical cell. The present invention is further directed to a multi-layer article and electrochemical cell containing the separator.

Abstract: This invention provides a membrane-mediated electropolishing apparatus for polishing and/or planarizing metal work-pieces. The work-piece is wetted with a low-conductivity fluid. The wetted work-piece is contacted with a first side of a charge-selective ion-conducting membrane, wherein the second side contacts a conductive electrolyte solution in electrical contact with a electrode. Current flow between the electrode and the work-piece electropolishes metal from the work-piece.

Abstract: This invention provides a membrane-mediated electropolishing process for polishing and/or planarizing metal work pieces. The work piece is wetted with a low-conductivity fluid. The wetted work piece is contacted with a first side of a charge-selective ion-conducting membrane, wherein the second side contacts a conductive electrolyte solution in electrical contact with a cathode. Current flow between the cathode and the work piece electropolishes metal from the work piece. This process can be used for both pure metals and alloys, and provides several significant advantages over conventional electropolishing processes. This invention also provides an apparatus useful in the membrane-mediated electropolishing process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for reducing the flammability of aramids by contacting a solvent swollen or never dried aramid with an aqueous solution of a tungsten compound, removing the solvent from, and then drying the aramid. The resulting aramids have superior Limiting Oxygen Indices, making them particularly useful where lower flammability is desired, as in firefighters' overcoats.

Abstract: In a textile warping system having one or more driven yarn engaging or yarn winding rolls, e.g. a driven warp beam, braking of each driven component is controlled by an individual pneumatic brake operated by a central programmable logic control system to brake the driven component according to a predetermined relationship of decreasing speed to elapsed braking time.