Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane which includes an ion-conductive polymer gel contained and supported by a matrix material formed of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. The porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane has an internal structure which defines a three-dimensional network of interconnected passages and pathways throughout the membrane. The composite polymer electrolyte membrane has a tensile break strength of at least 10 MPa in at least two orthogonal planar directions, ion conductivity of at least 1 mS/cm, and is useful as a separator between electrodes of a lithium secondary cell.

Abstract: The present invention presents a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of a multiphase polymer matrix and an electrolyte solution. The polymer matrix consists of a highly polar polymeric (HPP) phase impregnated with the electrolyte solution to form ion conducting channels, and a less polar polymeric (LPP) phase, constituting the support structure. Further, the invented solid polymer electrolyte may also include a second ion conducting channels, forming a multiphase microstructure in which the electrolyte solution is present around the LPP particles as a fine mesh-like network. The invention also presents two kinds of method for making such a solid polymer electrolyte. The first includes the steps of: making a multiphase polymer matrix; and impregnating the polymer matrix with an electrolyte solution.

Abstract: The present invention presents a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of a multiphase polymer matrix and an electrolyte solution. The polymer matrix consists of a highly polar polymeric (HPP) phase impregnated with the electrolyte solution to form ion conducting channels, and a less polar polymeric (LPP) phase, constituting the support structure. Further, the invented solid polymer electrolyte may also include a second ion conducting channels, forming a multiphase microstructure in which the electrolyte solution is present around the LPP particles as a fine mesh-like network. The invention also presents two kinds of method for making such a solid polymer electrolyte. The first includes the steps of: making a multiphase polymer matrix; and impregnating the polymer matrix with an electrolyte solution.

Abstract: An optical waveguide which has properties including low optical losses, facile fabrication, controllable core-cladding refractive index ratio, and a high heat resistance is provided. The optical waveguide for light transmission therethrough has a core made of a polyimide obtained from at least one tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and at least one diamine. The polyimide is (a) a polyimide homopolymer derived from a diamine represented by formula [I] as follows: ##STR1## (b) a polyimide copolymer derived from at least one diamine including the diamine represented by the formula [I]; or (c) a mixture of the polyimide homopolymers.

Abstract: A flexible optical solar reflector (FOSR) which may be also used as an outermost layer of a multilayer thermal insulator comprising:a heat radiation layer of a resin selected from the group consisting of poly[(4'-phenoxy-4-carbonyl)diphenyl ether] represented by the following general formula of: ##STR1## and poly (ether imide) represented by the following general formula of: ##STR2## wherein R is a meta-substituted phenyl group, a para-substituted phenyl group or a 4,4'-substituted phenyl ether group; anda solar light reflecting layer disposed on said heat radiation layer and made of a thin coating of a metal selected from the group consisting of silver and aluminium, A CeO.sub.2 covering layer may be disposed over the heat radiation layer. The FOSR is excellent in resistance to ultraviolet rays, particularly in resistance to electron beam, and superior in optical and mechanical properties.