Abstract: Method for producing foamed microporous polymer molded bodies by melting a thermoplastic polymer in a first zone of an extrusion device, mixing in a highly volatile blowing agent, conveying the polymer melt containing the blowing agent into a second zone in which dissolution of the blowing agent occurs to saturation of the polymer melt at the foaming temperature, and molding and foaming of the loaded polymer melt to a foamed structure, whereby, in the second zone, a pressure above 90 bar, a blowing agent concentration above the critical minimum concentration for complete foaming, and the foaming temperature, lying above the solidification temperature of the polymer melt saturated with blowing agent, are set such that the polymer molded body obtained has a porosity in the range between 40 and 90 vol. % and an open-cell pore structure with uniform cross-sectional distribution.

Abstract: Method for producing foamed microporous polymer molded bodies by melting a thermoplastic polymer in a first zone of an extrusion device, mixing in a highly volatile blowing agent, conveying the polymer melt containing the blowing agent into a second zone in which dissolution of the blowing agent occurs to saturation of the polymer melt at the foaming temperature, and molding and foaming of the loaded polymer melt to a foamed structure, whereby, in the second zone, a pressure above 90 bar, a blowing agent concentration above the critical minimum concentration for complete foaming, and the foaming temperature, lying above the solidification temperature of the polymer melt saturated with blowing agent, are set such that the polymer molded body obtained has a porosity in the range between 40 and 90 vol. % and an open-cell pore structure with uniform cross-sectional distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier in the form of particles, which can be loaded with aqueous media. Said particles are formed from a porous hydrophobic polymer substrate, have an average particle size ranging between 50 ?m and 5000 ?m, and are provided with an at least partly open-pore structure having an average pore diameter ranging between 1 ?m and 200 ?m. The inventive carrier can be loaded with 10 to 95 percent by weight of water relative to the total weight of the loaded carrier, said loadability being determined by contacting the carrier with water. Also disclosed is a storage device which is based on said carrier and is loaded with an aqueous medium. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a carrier in the form of particles that are based on a hydrophobic polymer, said carrier being loadable with 10 to 95 percent by weight of water.

Abstract: Method for producing foamed microporous polymer molded bodies by melting a thermoplastic polymer in a first zone of an extrusion device, mixing in a highly volatile blowing agent, conveying the polymer melt containing the blowing agent into a second zone in which dissolution of the blowing agent occurs to saturation of the polymer melt at the foaming temperature, and molding and foaming of the loaded polymer melt to a foamed structure, whereby, in the second zone, a pressure above 90 bar, a blowing agent concentration above the critical minimum concentration for complete foaming, and the foaming temperature, lying above the solidification temperature of the polymer melt saturated with blowing agent, are set such that the polymer molded body obtained has a porosity in the range between 40 and 90 vol. % and an open-cell pore structure with uniform cross-sectional distribution.