Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating syneresis in an aqueous latex composition caused by the flocculation of the latex particles as a result of interaction with hydrophobically modified ethylene oxide based urethane rheology modifiers. The method of the invention involves adding to the aqueous latex composition a molecule containing a single hydrophobic moiety which has a poly-ethylene oxide backbone chain-length of greater than about 5000 Mn. The method of the present invention also increases the viscosity efficiency of the aqueous latex composition by combining a multiphobe with a monophobe.

Abstract: A process is provided for conducting or catalyzing a chemical reaction on a surface by depositing on the surface an adherent monolayer of positively charged polymer particles containing an active agent distributed throughout the polymer and contacting the deposited adherent monolayer with a suitable reactant. The positively charged polymer particles have diameters of less than about 3 micrometers and preferably less than 1 micrometer. The polymer particles are suspended in water to form an aqueous colloidal dispersion. The dispersion is useful as a stable catalyst system and particularly useful for complete electroless deposition of a conductive metal on printed circuit board surfaces and the walls of throughholes formed therein.

Abstract: The trust exerted on a drill bit is sensed and employed to determine the speed at which the bit is driven. A controller for the drill compares the thrust to a predetermined threshold value and in response to the comparison emits a control signal which shifts a transmission in the drill into high or low speed. After each shift, a number of thrust samples are taken in order to compute an average thrust for different strata of the material being drilled. At the completion of drilling each hole, the average thrusts for the hole are used to recalibrate the shift threshold value. In this manner, the shift threshold is adjusted to compensate for drill bit wear. The sensed thrust is also compared to a bit reject threshold value to determine when the bit is too dull for proper drilling.

Abstract: A process is provided for conducting or catalyzing a chemical reaction on a surface by depositing on the surface an adherent monolayer of positively charged polymer particles containing an active agent distributed throughout the polymer and contacting the deposited adherent monolayer with a suitable reactant. The positively charged polymer particles have diameters of less than about 3 micrometers and preferably less than 1 micrometer. The polymer particles are suspended in water to form an aqueous colloidal dispersion. The dispersion is useful as a stable catalyst system and particularly useful for complete electroless deposition of a conductive metal on printed circuit board surfaces and the walls of through-holes formed therein.

Abstract: To avoid formation of toxic trihalomethanes in drinking waters disinfected with halogens, these waters are treated with fine-particle-size ion exchange resin particles, optionally in the presence of a metal salt coagulant, to remove the trihalomethane precursors prior to halogenation.

Abstract: Flocs prepared by mixing cationic and anionic emulsion ion exchange resins are useful as a filtration and deionization medium. Flocs prepared from weakly acidic and weakly basic emulsion ion exchange resins may be regenerated thermally.

Abstract: Planar organic molecules, such as divinylbenzene or para-dioxin molecules, are adsorbed from mixtures of planar and non-planar molecules, such as commercial divinylbenzenes containing non-planar ethylvinylbenzene, or commercial 2,4,5-T herbicide containing non-planar 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, by partially pyrolyzed, macroporous, resinous polymer particles.

Abstract: Macroporous styrene polymer particles which have been partially pyrolyzed at temperatures between 300.degree. and 800.degree. C. to form non-functionalized, carbonaceous adsorbents, are functionalized according to this invention to produce weak base, strong base, weak acid or strong acid, dense ion exchange particles, or precursors thereof, using such reactions as halogenation, sulfonation, chloromethylation, chlorosulfonation and oxidation, alone or followed by aminolysis or other conventional functionalization reactions.

Abstract: Flocs prepared by mixing cationic and anionic emulsion ion exchange resins are useful as a filtration and deionization medium. Flocs prepared from weakly acidic and weakly basic emulsion ion exchange resins may be regenerated thermally.

Abstract: Partially pyrolyzed particles of macroporous resinous polymer have improved structural stability and utility. Pyrolyzed preformed beads are useful as adsorbents in both gaseous and liquid media to remove impurities such as vinylchloride monomer from gases, aromatic compounds such as barbituates from blood, and phenolics from industrial waste streams. Pyrolyzed materials are also useful as catalysts in industrial and laboratory applications due to the controllable surface area and due to a variety of metals, among other things, that may be incorporated into the particles prior to pyrolysis. Preferred adsorbents are prepared from pyrolyzed beads of macro-reticular ion exchange resins.

Abstract: Partially pyrolyzed particles of macroporous resinous polymer have improved structural stability and utility. Pyrolyzed preformed beads are useful as adsorbents in both gaseous and liquid media to remove impurities such as vinylchloride monomer from gases, aromatic compounds such as barbituates from blood, and phenolics from industrial waste streams. Pyrolyzed materials are also useful as catalysts in industrial and laboratory applications due to the controllable surface area and due to a variety of metals, among other things, that may be incorporated into the particles prior to pyrolysis. Preferred adsorbents are prepared from pyrolyzed beads of macroreticular ion exchange resins.