Abstract: Oxygen carrier compounds are impregnated into carrier materials that have free volume, empty or void space or high porosity using sub or supercritical fluid assisted processing. Compositions and methods for the treatment of wounds and burns are provided comprising peroxide compounds or perfluorinated compounds impregnated into carrier materials applied directly to the wound or burn.

Abstract: Food grade aerogels are used for the impregnation of flavor with the help of supercritical carbon dioxide technology. One or more food grade materials are used for the formation of a food grade aerogel. Supercritical carbon dioxide technology is used both for formation of the aerogel and for impregnating of the formed aerogel with a flavor. Resulting food grade aerogels possess a high flavor loading capacity of up to about 70%, which is well above the average loading capacity of the most common flavor encapsulation technology via spray drying (which are about 20% capacity loading), while maintain the integrity of flavors, particularly top notes.

Abstract: Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.

Abstract: A process of making fibers by electrostatic spinning includes the use of a mixing vessel (10), a piston (15) for pressurizing the polymer, carbon dioxide sources (20) for lowering the viscosity of the polymer or pressurizing the collection vessel (35), a pressure generator (25), view ports (30), a target (36), a spinning needle (40), a camera/TV recorder (45) and a voltage source (50).

Abstract: Light scattering processes are employed to measure molecular weight and related characteristics of polymeric materials, including without limitation refractory fluoropolymers. The processes utilize a pressurized cell and a fluid under pressure to solubilize the polymeric materials and to enable light scattering measurements to be performed.

Abstract: Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.

Abstract: A process of making fibers by electrostatic spinning includes the use of a mixing vessel (10), a piston (15) for pressurizing the polymer, carbon dioxide sources (20) for lowering the viscosity of the polymer or pressurizing the collection vessel (35), a pressure generator (25), view ports (30), a target (36), a spinning needle (40), a camera/TV recorder (45) and a voltage source (50).

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical fluids such as supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the polymer with the supercritical fluid, and impregnating the swollen polymer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the polymer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the polymer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the polymer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in the supercritical fluid. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.

Abstract: Fluoroelastomers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the fluoroelastomer with the carbon dioxide, and impregnating the swollen fluorelastomer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the fluoroelastomer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the fluoroelastomer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the fluoroelastomer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.

Abstract: Fluoroelastomers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the fluoroelastomer with the carbon dioxide, and impregnating the swollen fluorelastomer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the fluoroelastomer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the fluoroelastomer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the fluoroelastomer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical fluids such as supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the polymer with the supercritical fluid, and impregnating the swollen polymer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the polymer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the polymer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the polymer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in the supercritical fluid. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers containing a specified ratio of hydrogen to fluorine atoms attached to polymer backbone atoms dissolve in carbon dioxide under relatively mild conditions of temperature and pressure. The resulting solutions may be used for coatings or encapsulation.

Abstract: Perfluorinated polymers are dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide and/or sulfur hexafluoride at elevated temperatures and pressures. The solutions are useful for making foams, spun-bonded or paper-like webs, or for purification of polymers.

Abstract: A separation process has been found in which a polymer-solvent solution separates into phases of highly different composition which are in equilibrium over a broad temperature range. Upon addition of the phase separating agent, which is near or above its supercritical conditions, rapid disengagement into two phases occurs. The relative volume of solvent rich phase is substantially larger than the polymer rich phase. The process can be practiced at relatively low temperatures such as those employed in polymerization or post-polymerization processes. The separation is accomplished by adding or elevating the concentration of a phase separation agent to or above a minimum effective concentration, which causes the UCST and LCST lines to merge. Suitable phase separating agents are organic and inorganic compounds that are gases at 1 atm pressure and 25.degree. C. Due to the gaseous nature of the phase separating agent, it is easily removed from the solvent phase for reuse in the process.