Abstract: A procedure and device for enabling an accurate impression of a tooth by forcing the gingival sulcus tissue to predominantly compress rather than retract by utilizing a relatively hard shell in conjunction with an absorbent liner and imbibing/mixing the liner material with an astringent for hemostasis, an anesthetic to decrease patient discomfort and an antibiotic to minimize infection, and facilitate gingival healing. A procedure that will decrease postoperative discomfort and maximize periodontal health.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising at least first and second polymers and optionally a third polymer wherein acid subunits, basic subunits and elastomeric subunits are contained in the polymers. In one aspect, the composition comprises a ternary polymer blend comprising an acidic polymer comprising acidic subunits, a basic polymer comprising basic subunits and an elastomeric polymer comprising elastomeric subunits. In an alternate aspect, the composition comprises a binary polymer blend which comprises acidic or basic subunits in one polymer and a copolymer comprising the other of the acidic or basic subunit and an elastomeric subunit. Such polymer compositions may be formed into a membrane having electrochemical properties which permit the use of such a membrane in an electrochemical device.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode comprising a metal, a cathode comprising an active oxygen species, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein oxidation of the metal and reduction of the active oxygen species provides the current of the battery.

Abstract: A membrane purification system and method are described in which a first membrane, an osmotically active agent, and a second membrane are utilized to separate fluid components. In general, fluid is moved through the first membrane into an osmosis compartment containing the osmotically active agent by the osmotic force of an osmotically active agent disposed between the first membrane and the second membrane. The fluid is forced from the osmotically active agent and through the second membrane while the second membrane retains the osmotically active agent in the osmosis compartment. The osmotically active agent may include a polymer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for printing (2-7) multilayer electronic components, and circuits on a surface (2), where at least one of the layers is formed by a redox reaction (6) occurring in a deposited solution (4, 5). Electronic components may comprise semiconductors such as in transistors or diode, or metal oxide or electrolyte such as in batteries or fuel cells, or are capacitors, inductors, and resistors. Preferably, the oxidizer of the redox reaction is a strong oxidizer, and the reducer is a strong reducer (3). Reactions are preferably sufficiently exothermic that they can be initiated (6), rather than driven to completion, by microwave or other suitable energy sources, and may yield substantially pure metal or metal oxide layers. The solution being deposited (5) may have either high concentrations of particulates, such as 60-80 wt. % of dry weight, or low concentrations of particulates, such as ?5 wt. % or ?2 wt. %.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode comprising a metal, a cathode comprising an active oxygen species, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein oxidation of the metal and reduction of the active oxygen species provides the current of the battery.

Abstract: Electrodes for secondary (rechargeable) batteries are fabricated using active material particles such as flakes, fingers, projections, needles, threads, fibers, pods, hairs, ribbons and the like, which have an aspect ratio of at least 1:3:1. The high aspect ratio, in combination with relatively shallow discharge cycles, provides high power of at least 800 W/kg sustainable over at least ten seconds, high energy of at least 7 W-hr/kg, and a high cycle life of at least 250 cycles. Selection of parameters also provides power to energy ratios for high power, high energy batteries of at least 10. Preferred chemistries for the novel batteries include lithium ion, and preferred active materials include carbon, metal oxides and metal. Batteries including the novel technology can advantageously be used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, electrical appliances, and industrial applications such as battery backup systems and switches.

Abstract: Methods and devices for creating three-dimensional objects using selective deposition, wherein deposition is accomplished by moving one or more deposition nozzles in X and Z axes, but not in a Y axis. Three dimensionality is accomplished by moving the work surface in the Y axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a metal precursor is formed in a process that includes the following steps: depositing a metal precursor on a substrate; adding an energy to reduce the metal precursor and to precipitate metal on the substrate as a continuous metal layer; and selecting the metal precursor and the energy such that the purity of the continuous metal layer is greater than 85%, and/or the deposited layer has an electrical conductivity substantially that of a pure metal. Methods and apparatus are also provided in which a metal is deposited onto a substrate by a process which includes the following steps: depositing the metal precursor onto the substrate in a desired pattern; and applying sufficient energy to decompose the precursor to precipitate metal in a continuous metal layer in the desired pattern.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising at least first and second polymers and optionally a third polymer wherein acid subunits, basic subunits and elastomeric subunits are contained in the polymers. In one aspect, the composition comprises a ternary polymer blend comprising an acidic polymer comprising acidic subunits, a basic polymer comprising basic subunits and an elastomeric polymer comprising elastomeric subunits. In an alternate aspect, the composition comprises a binary polymer blend which comprises acidic or basic subunits in one polymer and a copolymer comprising the other of the acidic or basic subunit and an elastomeric subunit. Such polymer compositions may be formed into a membrane having electrochemical properties which permit the use of such a membrane in an electrochemical device.

Abstract: Electrodes for secondary (rechargeable) batteries are fabricated using active material particles such as flakes, fingers, projections, needles, threads, fibers, pods, hairs, ribbons and the like, which have an aspect ratio of at least 1:3:1. The high aspect ratio, in combination with relatively shallow discharge cycles, provides high power of at least 800 W/kg sustainable over at least ten seconds, high energy of at least 7 W-hr/kg, and a high cycle life of at least 250 cycles. Selection of parameters also provides power to energy ratios for high power, high energy batteries of at least 10. Preferred chemistries for the novel batteries include lithium ion, and preferred active materials include carbon, metal oxides and metal. Batteries including the novel technology can advantageously be used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, electrical appliances, and industrial applications such as battery backup systems and switches.

Abstract: An electrolyte is provided having a backbone that includes a plurality of aromatic constituents coupled together by at least one atom having a &pgr;-cloud, and in which a halogen atom and an ion exchange group are covalently bound directly to the backbone. Furthermore, the electrolyte is high temperature resistant and may comprise perhalogenated polymers, including perhalogenated polyphenylenes, perhalogenated polyamides, perhalogenated aromatic polyesters, perhalogenated polyimide, etc. Still further, the electrolyte may have acidic groups as ion exchange groups, including sulfonic acid groups, or phosphoric acid groups.

Abstract: High temperature polybenzazole and polyether polymer electrolytes are provided. High temperature polybenzazole polymer electrolytes may comprise a benzobisoxazole, a benzobisthiazole, a benzobisimidazole, a difluorodisulfonated phenyl ring or a sulfonated bisphenylether. High temperature polyether polymers comprise a persulfonated phenyl ring, and a substituted phenyl ring or a substituted bisphenylsulfonyl ring system.

Abstract: Display elements of computer screens and other information displays are printed using conservative printing techniques. Contemplated electronic components that can be conservatively printed at the display element level include switches, transistors, capacitors, memory elements, and actuators. Contemplated light path components that can be conservatively printed at the display element level include light pipes or other optical wave guides, mirrors, light emitting diodes, liquid crystals, and actuators. The conservatively printed components may advantageously be produced by a process that includes depositing a precursor onto the substrate in a desired pattern, depositing an appropriate ligand onto the substrate, and applying sufficient energy to transfer electrons from the ligand to the precursor, thereby decomposing the precursor to form a precipitate. In an especially preferred class of embodiments, light emission at individual display elements is controlled by a conservatively printed moving actuator.

Abstract: Water-based, water-fast ink compositions are provided. The compositions contain an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colorant, e.g., a pigment, dye or stain, and a binder material capable of ionically or physically entrapping the selected colorant. The binder material contains two ionically associated components which form a matrix, and comprises either a combination of a monomeric polyacid and a monomeric polybase, or a combination of a basic polymer and an organic acid.

Abstract: Secondary metal ion batteries are fabricated using a working electrolyte that is substantially incompatible with the anode material. This is accomplished by forming an SEI on the anode material at least in part using a compatible (i.e., SEI developing) electrolyte, and including a substantially incompatible (non-SEI forming) composition as the working electrolyte.

Abstract: Water-based, water-fast ink compositions are provided. The compositions contain an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colorant, e.g., a pigment, dye or stain, and a binder material capable of ionically or physically entrapping the selected colorant. Certain novel polymers are provided as well.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a coating is deposited onto a substrate by a process which includes the following steps: depositing a precursor onto the substrate in a desired pattern; depositing an appropriate ligand onto the substrate; and applying sufficient energy to transfer electrons from the ligand to the precursor, thereby decomposing the precursor to form a precipitate. In one aspect of preferred embodiments, the precursor comprises a metallic salt, and the precipitate comprises a metal. Especially preferred salts are carboxylates, halides, nitrates, and pseudo halides. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the ligand comprises an amine, an amide, a phosphine, a sulfide, or any other ligand containing nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur or other donor atoms. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the energy is supplied at least partially as radiant heat.

Abstract: Water-based, water-fast ink compositions are provided. The compositions contain an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colorant, e.g., a pigment, dye or stain, and a binder material capable of ionically or physically entrapping the selected colorant. Certain novel polymers are provided as well.

Abstract: Novel polymers for rendering a nonconductive material conductive are disclosed. The polymers may be block copolymers comprised of a first block of polyoxazine or polyoxazoline and a second block comprising a thioether linkage-containing polyalkylene glycol or ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, X and P are as defined herein or an oxazoline polymer with pendant chains consisting of polyethylene oxide and polythioether. Composites of a nonconductive materials and the novel antielectrostatic polymers, uses of these composite materials, as well as methods for rendering nonconductive materials conductive by incorporating therein an antielectrostatic polymer are also disclosed.