Abstract: In one aspect, microporous membranes are described herein demonstrating composite architectures and properties suitable for electronic and/or optical applications. In some embodiments, a composite membrane described herein includes a microporous polymeric matrix or substrate having an interconnected pore structure and an index of refraction and an electrically conductive coating deposited over one or more surfaces of the microporous polymeric matrix. In other embodiments, the pores are filled and the membranes are substantially transparent.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.

Abstract: Provided herein are seam tapes and related methods. The seam tapes can be compatible with polyolefin-based waterproof/breathable (w/b) membranes, including polypropylene (PP) w/b membranes and/or polyethylene (PE) w/b membranes. Also provided are seams sealed by means of these seam tapes, as well as materials, fabrics, and garments including one or more of these sealed seams.

Abstract: This application is directed to new and/or improved MD and/or TD stretched and optionally calendered membranes, separators, base films, microporous membranes, battery separators including said separator, base film or membrane, batteries including said separator, and/or methods for making and/or using such membranes, separators, base films, microporous membranes, battery separators and/or batteries. For example, new and/or improved methods for making microporous membranes, and battery separators including the same, that have a better balance of desirable properties than prior microporous membranes and battery separators. The methods disclosed herein comprise the following steps: 1.) obtaining a non-porous membrane precursor; 2.) forming a porous biaxially-stretched membrane precursor from the non-porous membrane precursor; 3.

Abstract: An embossed porous membrane wipe and/or a method of making and/or using such embossed microporous membrane wipe. The preferred embossed microporous membrane wipe includes a microporous membrane embossed alone or with a polypropylene nonwoven. The nonwoven may be a spunbond, meltblown, and/or electrospun nonwoven. The microporous membrane may include a biaxially oriented microporous membrane. The biaxially oriented microporous membrane may be made from one or more block copolymers of polyethylene and/or polypropylene. A method of using such an embossed microporous membrane, composite or laminate wipe for skin oil blotting is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, microporous membranes are described herein demonstrating composite architectures and properties suitable for electronic and/or optical applications. In some embodiments, a composite membrane described herein includes a microporous polymeric matrix or substrate having an interconnected pore structure and an index of refraction and an electrically conductive coating deposited over one or more surfaces of the microporous polymeric matrix. In other embodiments, the pores are filled and the membranes are substantially transparent.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: Provided herein are seam tapes and related methods. The seam tapes can be compatible with polyolefin-based waterproof/breathable (w/b) membranes, including polypropylene (PP) w/b membranes and/or polyethylene (PE) w/b membranes. Also provided are seams sealed by means of these seam tapes, as well as materials, fabrics, and garments including one or more of these sealed seams.

Abstract: Disclosed are embossed microporous membranes, as well as articles (e.g., battery separators, materials, textiles, composites, and laminates) comprising the embossed microporous membranes. Also provided are methods of making and/or using embossed microporous membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are embossed microporous membranes, as well as articles (e.g., battery separators, materials, textiles, composites, and laminates) comprising the embossed microporous membranes. Also provided are methods of making and/or using embossed microporous membranes.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new, improved or modified polymer materials, membranes, substrates, and the like and to new, improved or modified methods for permanently modifying the physical and/or chemical nature of surfaces of the polymer substrate for a variety of end uses or applications. For example, one improved method uses a carbene and/or nitrene modifier to chemically modify a functionalized polymer to form a chemical species which can chemically react with the surface of a polymer substrate and alter its chemical reactivity. Such method may involve an insertion mechanism to modify the polymer substrate to increase or decrease its surface energy, polarity, hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, oleophilicity or oleophobicity, and/or the like in order to improve the compatibility of the polymer substrate with, for example, coatings, materials, adjoining layers, and/or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified porous membranes, fibers, porous fibers, products made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and/or related methods of production, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified microporous membranes or films, fibers, microporous fibers, materials or layers made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and the like for use in textile materials, garments, products, and/or textile related applications. Microporous membranes, fibers, and/or microporous fibers are made of one or more copolymers, such as block or impact copolymers, or of at least one polyolefin combined with at least one copolymer as a means of improving the hand, drape, and/or surface coefficient of friction performance properties for use in textile garments, textile materials or textile related applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified porous membranes, fibers, porous fibers, products made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and/or related methods of production, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified microporous membranes or films, fibers, microporous fibers, materials or layers made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and the like for use in textile materials, garments, products, and/or textile related applications. Microporous membranes, fibers, and/or microporous fibers are made of one or more copolymers, such as block or impact copolymers, or of at least one polyolefin combined with at least one copolymer as a means of improving the hand, drape, and/or surface coefficient of friction performance properties for use in textile garments, textile materials or textile related applications.

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modifying agents for polymeric and/or textile materials, methods of making and/or using a surface modifying agent to modify and functionalize polymeric and/or textile materials, and/or methods of using surface modified or functionalized polymeric and textile materials, and/or products using or incorporating surface modified or functionalized polymeric and textile materials. For example, the surface modifying agent in precursor form can be styrene sulfonyl azide monomer, polymer or copolymer capable of undergoing a chemical reaction in the presence of heat or light to form one or more styrene sulfonated nitrene monomers, polymers or copolymers, which are capable of chemically reacting with the surface of a polymeric or textile material to endow a specific or desired chemical surface functionality to the surface of a polymeric or textile material.

Abstract: A functionalized microporous, mesoporous, or nanoporous membrane, material, textile, composite, laminate, or the like, and/or a method of making or using such functionalized membranes. The functionalized porous membrane may be a functionalized microporous, mesoporous, or nanoporous membrane that has a functional molecule attached, such as a functional polymer, to the surface and/or internal fibrillar structure of the membrane.