Abstract: An animal litter treatment composition comprising: at least one sulfo-oxo compound defined by formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, amino, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino, halide, a substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl, hydroxy, a substituted or unsubstituted hydroxyalkyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyalkyl, optionally, R1 and R2 together with the carbon the are attached form a ring of 3-7 atoms, and R3 is hydrogen, (un)substituted alkyl, (un)substituted alkenyl, (un)substituted aryl, (un)substituted sulfonyl radical resulting in a (un)substituted sulfonic anhydride or (un)substituted carbonyl radical resulting in a symmetrical or asymmetrical sulfonic-carboxylic anhydride, optionally, R2 and R3 together with sulfur, the carbon and the oxygen they are attached, form a ring of 5-7 atoms, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Also disclosed is a method for manufacture of the block copolymer.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic hybrid is derived from combining at least one inorganic alkoxide and a hydrogenated sulfonated block copolymer containing a controlled distribution copolymer block of a conjugated diene and a mono alkenyl arene, where the controlled distribution copolymer block has terminal regions that are rich in conjugated diene units and a center region that is rich in mono alkenyl arene units. The inorganic alkoxide may be an alkoxysilane compound or composition.

Abstract: A unitary humidity exchange cell (HUX) is dislosed that includes at least one composite membrane, disposed between at least one first chamber for flow of the first fluid therethrough and at least one second chamber for flow of the second fluid therethrough. The composite membrane include an at least partially sulfonated humidity-conducting polymer comprising residues derived from at least one arylvinyl monomer; and a reinforcing substrate bonded thereto. The product finds utility in a variety of physical and chemical processes and products whereby moisture or other highly polar liquid or gas transfer, exchange removal or delivery is important. A notable application is the Membrane Energy Recovery Ventilator (MERV) in which both heat, ions and moisture is transferred between two air streams, one intake and one exhaust, from an air-conditioned building.

Abstract: A unitary humidity exchange cell (HUX) is disclosed that includes at least one composite membrane, disposed between at least one first chamber for flow of the first fluid therethrough and at least one second chamber for flow of the second fluid therethrough. The composite membrane include an at least partially sulfonated humidity-conducting polymer comprising residues derived from at least one arylvinyl monomer; and a reinforcing substrate bonded thereto. The product finds utility in a variety of physical and chemical processes and products whereby moisture or other highly polar liquid or gas transfer, exchange removal or delivery is important. A notable application is the Membrane Energy Recovery Ventilator (MERV) in which both heat, ions and moisture is transferred between two air streams, one intake and one exhaust, from an air-conditioned building.

Abstract: A unitary humidity exchange cell (HUX) is disclosed that includes at least one composite membrane, disposed between at least one first chamber for flow of the first fluid therethrough and at least one second chamber for flow of the second fluid therethrough. The composite membrane include an at least partially sulfonated humidity-conducting polymer comprising residues derived from at least one arylvinyl monomer; and a reinforcing substrate bonded thereto. The product finds utility in a variety of physical and chemical processes and products whereby moisture or other highly polar liquid or gas transfer, exchange removal or delivery is important. A notable application is the Membrane Energy Recovery Ventilator (MERV) in which both heat and moisture is transferred between two air streams, one intake and one exhaust, from an air-conditioned building.

Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for an electrochemical cell and a fuel cell employing the electrode are disclosed. The electrode includes a porous body in contact with a catalyst layer comprising (i) a catalyst dispersed on the surface of a carbon support; (ii) a water-insoluble sulfonated polystyrene, poly(.alpha.-methylstyrene) or SEBS block copolymer; and (iii) a nonionic fluorocarbon polymer. The fuel cell includes two of the foregoing electrodes and a membrane of a proton-conducting polymer between the electrodes. It also includes an inlet for a gaseous fuel, an inlet for an oxygen-containing gas, and an outlet for reaction products.