Abstract: A method of reinforcing a polymeric material with carbon nanofibers is provided in which carbon nanofibers are combined with a polymer and a solvent for the polymer to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation or coagulation. The resulting conductive polymeric nanocomposite material exhibits high electrical and thermal conductivity, enhanced mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric nanocomposite material. The method includes combining nanosize materials, such as layered silicates, or nanosize sphered silica, with a polymer and a solvent to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, followed by removal of the solvent. The method forms a layered-silicate nanocomposite with an intercalated nanostructure with very large interplanar spacing or a combination of intercalated and exfoliated nanostructure.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a polymeric material with nanosize materials is provided in which materials such as vapor grown carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, layered silicates, nanosize sphered silica, or graphite nanoparticles are combined with a polymer and a solvent to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation or coagulation. Depending on the nanosize materials used, the resulting polymeric nanocomposite material exhibits high electrical and thermal conductivity, enhanced mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, reduced gas permeation, and/or dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a polymeric material with carbon nanofibers is provided in which carbon nanofibers are combined with a polymer and a solvent for the polymer to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation or coagulation. The resulting conductive polymeric nanocomposite material exhibits high electrical and thermal conductivity, enhanced mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a polymeric material with carbon nanofibers is provided in which carbon nanofibers are combined with a polymer and a solvent for the polymer to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation or coagulation. The resulting conductive polymeric nanocomposite material exhibits high electrical and thermal conductivity, enhanced mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a polymeric material with carbon nanofibers is provided in which carbon nanofibers are combined with a polymer and a solvent for the polymer to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, followed by removal of the solvent by evaporation or coagulation. The resulting conductive polymeric nanocomposite material exhibits high electrical and thermal conductivity, enhanced mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a highly conductive metal-containing polymer fiber or sheet in which a polymer is immersed in a solution containing a metal precursor selected from organic or inorganic salts of copper, silver, aluminum, gold, iron and nickel. The metal precursor is then reduced by chemical, electrochemical, or thermal means such that conductive metal is incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A method for processing thermally intractable rigid-chain polymers into shaped structural articles is provided. The method includes dissolving a rigid-chain polymer in sulfuric acid at a concentration and temperature sufficient to form a nematic liquid crystalline solution which is then formed into a shaped article and cooled to a solid. The solution undergoes a phase transformation upon cooling from a liquid crystalline phase to a solid phase containing crystal solvates. The method allows rigid-chain polymers to be formed into fibers, bulk structural components, fiber reinforced composites and other structural materials without undergoing significant shrinkage or deformation.

Abstract: A method for preparing optical quality, thin films of polymers and co-polymers, as well as blends of such polymers or co-polymers with flexible polymers and co-polymers which comprises(a) preparing a solution of the polymer or co-polymer or blend in a suitable solvent;(b) forming a film from the solution;(c) cooling the thus-formed film to a temperature below the freezing point of the solvent; and(d) dissolving the solvent out of said film at a temperature below the melting point of the solvent.This method can be employed to prepare films of high optical clarity for electro-optical device applications. Because of their thermal stability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, films prepared according to this method can also be used as filters and separation membranes.

Abstract: A method for preparing optical quality, thin films of rigid-rod polymers and co-polymers, as well as blends of such polymers or co-polymers with flexible coil-like aromatic heterocyclic polymers and co-polymers which comprises(a) preparing a solution of the rigid-rod polymer or co-polymer or blend in a suitable solvent;(b) forming a film from the solution;(c) exposing the film to a non-solvent vapor for about 1 to 5 minutes per micron thickness in the finished film; and(d) coagulating the film in a non-solvent.This method can be employed to prepare films of high nonlinear optical susceptibility for electro-optical device applications. Because of their thermal stability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, films prepared according to this method can also be used as filters and separation membranes.

Abstract: A process for fabricating rod-like aromatic heterocyclic polymer-reinforced composite materials into shaped articles which comprises the steps of:(a) dissolving a rigid-rod aromatic heterocyclic polymer and a flexible, coil-like thermoplastic polymer in a common solvent at a concentration less than the critical concentration point of the solution;(b) extruding the solution resulting from step (a) into a liquid bath for removing the solvent;(c) placing the extrudate from step (b), in the liquid-wet state, into a mold, and consolidating the extrudate in the mold to provide a molded article;(d) drying the molded article resulting from step (c); and(e) compression molding the article to provide a fully consolidated, solid article.