Abstract: Disclosed herein is a an internal surface generator (300) comprising an inlet sub-element (302) comprising a plurality of inlet ports (302A-302D); an outlet sub-element (306) comprising outlet ports (306A-306D) that are equal in number to the inlet ports; and an intermediate sub-element (304) comprising non-linear passages (304A-304D) that are equal in number to the inlet ports or the outlet ports; where the intermediate sub-element contacts the inlet sub-element and the outlet sub-element and is operative to transport a fluid from the inlet ports to the outlet ports.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coextruded multi layer film. The coextruded multilayer film includes a core component having from 15 to 1000 alternating layers of layer A and layer B. Layer A has a thickness from 30 nm to 1000 nm and includes a propylene-based polymer having a crystallization temperature (T1c). Layer B includes a second polymer having a glass transition temperature (T2g), wherein l\ c<T2g. Layer A has an effective moisture permeability less than 0.40 g-mil/100 in2/day.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a coextruded multilayer film. The coextruded multilayer film includes a core component having from 15 to 1000 alternating layers of layer A and layer B. Layer A has a thickness from 100 nm to 500 nm and includes an ethylene-based polymer. Layer B has a thickness from 100 nm to 500 nm and includes a cyclic olefin polymer (“COP”). Layer A has an effective moisture permeability less than 0.20 g-mil/100 in2/day and an effective oxygen permeability less than 150 cc-mil/100 in2/day/atm. In an embodiment, the multilayer film includes skin layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coextruded multilayer films. In one embodiment, the coextruded multilayer film includes a core component having from 15 to 1000 alternating layers of layer A and layer B. Layer A has a thickness from 30 nm to 1000 nni and layer A includes a propylene-based polymer having a crystallization temperature (TPc). Layer B includes an ethylene-based polymer having a crystallization temperature (TEc), wherein TPc<TEc. Layer A has an effective moisture permeability less than 0.40 g-mil/100 in2/day.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layer, microcapillary film is provided. The method involves passing a thermoplastic material into an extruder and through a die assembly operatively connectable to an outlet of the extruder. The die assembly includes a pair of die plates, a manifold positionable between the pair of die plates and defining a plurality of film channels therebetween, and a plurality of nozzles positionable between the plurality of film channels. The film channels converge into an elongate outlet. The nozzles operatively connectable to a source of channel fluid. The method further involves forming the film by extruding the thermoplastic material through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet, and forming microcapillaries by emitting the channel fluid into the thermoplastic materials exiting the die. The film may have different layers of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a die assembly for producing microcapillary film. The die assembly is operatively connectable to an extruder having a thermoplastic material passing therethrough. The die assembly includes a pair of die plates, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is positionable between the pair of die plates and defining a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet. The thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a multi-layer film. The plurality of nozzles are positionable between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connectable to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid into the thermoplastic materials exiting the die whereby microcapillaries are formed.

Abstract: A microlayer component having improved oxygen and water vapor barrier properties (i.e., decreased permeabilities) comprises a barrier microlayer of a semi-crystalline barrier polymer in direct contact with a confining microlayer to promote in-plane crystalline lamellae formation. A microlayer component having a significant amount of in-plane crystalline lamellae may be characterized by at least 1.5× oxygen permeability improvement and at least 1.5× water vapor permeability improvement. A microlayer component having at least 1.5× improvement in oxygen and water vapor permeability may be coextruded and subjected to post extrusion stretching or heat treating.

Abstract: Disclosed are coextruded multilayer film or sheet comprising at least four alternating layers of layer materials A and B, the layers having an average layer thickness of from 1 to 3000 nm, wherein layer material A comprises a cyclic olefin polymer, layer material B comprises an ethylene polymer and, based on layer materials A and B, one layer material is from 5 to 95 volume percent of the film or sheet and the other makes up the balance. In some of the embodiments the layers of A and B have a total thickness of at least 40 nm and the disclosed film or sheet can also comprise outer skin layers C and optional inner layers D which comprise from 5 to 95 volume percent of the film or sheet.

Abstract: A method for assembling an electrodeionization device comprising providing in a sequential arrangement: an anode, membrane cell assembly, cathode; wherein the membrane cell assembly comprises at least one sequential arrangement of: a cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber, anion exchange membrane, diluting chamber, cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber and anion exchange membrane. The method includes locating an ion exchange spacer in at least one chamber of the membrane cell assembly wherein an ion exchange spacer comprises an ion exchange resin and a dissolvable binder.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyolefin copolymer films comprising alkoxysilane groups and a catalyst for cross-linking the alkoxysilane groups; wherein the cross-linking catalyst is a Lewis or Bronsted acid or base compound that has a relatively high melting point and therefore initiates the cross-linking essentially only at the lamination temperature, preferably at or above at least 50° C. Also disclosed are films wherein (i) the layer or layers comprising the alkoxysilane groups, including surface layer(s), comprise the cross-linking catalyst; or (ii) layer or layers comprising alkoxysilane groups do not contain cross-linking catalyst and have a facial surface in adhering contact with a layer of a thermoplastic polyolefin copolymer comprising the cross-linking catalyst; or (iii) there is a combination of layers (i) and (ii). Also disclosed are laminated glass structures and processes for their preparation that employ such films. The disclosed laminate structures include safety glass and photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A method for assembling an electrodeionization device comprising providing in a sequential arrangement: an anode, membrane cell assembly, cathode; wherein the membrane cell assembly comprises at least one sequential arrangement of: a cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber, anion exchange membrane, diluting chamber, cation exchange membrane, concentrating chamber and anion exchange membrane. The method includes locating an ion exchange spacer in at least one chamber of the membrane cell assembly wherein an ion exchange spacer comprises an ion exchange resin and a dissolvable binder.

Abstract: Disclosed are multilayer film structures having annular profiles, and methods and apparatus of making the structures disclosed. The annular multilayer articles have a uniform thickness, at least four layers and comprise overlapped and non-overlapped circumferential areas; wherein the layer structure of the non-overlapped area is doubled in the overlapped layer. A method of making the structure includes providing a multilayer flow stream with at least four layers of thermoplastic resinous materials; feeding the multilayer flow stream to a distribution manifold of an annular die to form an annular multilayer flow stream; and removing the annular multilayer flow stream from the annular die to form the annular multilayer structure.

Abstract: A method for determining carbon emissions from a steam generation system is disclosed. It includes measuring a first energy of feedwater entering into a steam generation system and measuring a second energy of steam exiting the steam generation system. The first energy is subtracted from the second energy to determine a total energy absorbed by the steam generation system. The total energy absorbed by the steam generation system is divided by the total energy to determine a heat input to the steam generation system. The heat input is used to determine the carbon emissions from the steam generation system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a nano-layered light guide plate comprising, forming by a coextrusion method a multi-layered molten sheet comprising a plurality of two or more different alternating material layers and casting the coextruded sheet into a nip between a pressure roller and a pattern roller to form a nano-layered sheet having a discrete micro-pattern on at least one principal surface thereof. In addition, the invention further provides cutting and finishing the extruded micro-patterned sheet to form the nano-layered light guide plate, comprising a plurality of two or more different alternating material layers, with each layer having a thickness of less than a quarter wavelength of visible light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nano-layered light guide plate comprising a light input surface for receiving light from at least one light source, a bottom surface comprising a plurality of discrete surface features for extracting the received light and a light output surface for emitting the extracted light, the light guide plate further comprising a plurality of two or more different alternating layers wherein the layers have a thickness less than a quarter wavelength of visible light.

Abstract: Disclosed are multilayer film structures having annular profiles, and methods and apparatus of making the structures disclosed. The annular multilayer articles have a uniform thickness, at least four layers and comprise overlapped and non-overlapped circumferential areas; wherein the layer structure of the non-overlapped area is doubled in the overlapped layer. A method of making the structure includes providing a multilayer flow stream with at least four layers of thermoplastic resinous materials; feeding the multilayer flow stream to a distribution manifold of an annular die to form an annular multilayer flow stream; and removing the annular multilayer flow stream from the annular die to form the annular multilayer structure.

Abstract: The invention is a device for processing materials comprising a mixing chamber having a valve for removal of the material from the mixing chamber and a piston which fits within the mixing chamber in a manner such that the piston can be moved to remove substantially all material from the mixing chamber via the valve; at least one, preferably at least two, retractable mixing element(s) wherein each of such elements is movable in and out of the mixing chamber through a port wherein the element and port are configured such that during mixing and when the element is withdrawn from the mixing chamber substantially no material is removed from the mixing chamber via the port. The invention is also a method of using such a device and a system comprising use of such devices in an automated or partially automated array.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a diffusely reflecting polarizer, comprising the steps of: coextruding first and second polymers through a chaotic mixer and a sheeting die to produce a cast sheet with a desired blend morphology and stretching said cast sheet to produce a composite film containing a first polymer having a birefringence of less than 0.02, with said first polymer being an amorphous material and a continuous phase, and a second polymer which forms a dispersed phase, and having an index of refraction that differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a diffusely reflecting polarizer, comprising the steps of: coextruding first and second polymers through a chaotic mixer and a sheeting die to produce a cast sheet with a desired blend morphology and stretching said cast sheet to produce a composite film containing a first polymer having a birefringence of less than 0.

Abstract: Multilayer foam-film composite structures in which the cells of at least one foam layer have an anisotropic orientation exhibit at least one enhanced property of toughness, tear resistance and puncture resistance in comparison with a foam-film composite structure alike in all aspects except for the anisotropic orientation of the cells of at least one foam layer.