Abstract: A nano-cellular polymer foam is disclosed, which has an average pore size from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and a foam density that is from about 1 percent to about 50 percent of the bulk density of the material of the nano-cellular foam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an integral security element, and a method of making the article. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: Hydrophilic porous substrates, methods of making hydrophilic porous substrates from hydrophobic polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: An article for tooling composite materials, including a carbon foam, a sealant attached to the carbon foam so as to form a monolithic fine-grain graphite-like surface; and a skin of facesheet materials. The facesheet materials include: a spray-deposited coating of metal; more preferably, a thermal or plasma spray-deposited metal; and most preferably, a plasma sprayed Invar metal. The facesheet materials may optionally include a flash coating. The facesheet materials alternately include plastics, resinous materials and carbon-carbon composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for modifying at least one property of a porous membrane. The method comprises the steps of providing a porous membrane. The method also includes exposing the membrane to a fluid at supercritical conditions. At least one property of the membrane is modified while the membrane is exposed to the fluid at supercritical conditions. The condition of the fluid is changed in such a manner that the porous membrane retains the modified property. The present invention is also sheet material that is water-resistant, moisture vapor transmissive and air permeable. The sheet material comprises a membrane having an open pore structure including surfaces defining a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane and between major sides of said membrane in which the pores have an average pore size. The membrane is made from a material tending to absorb oils and contaminating agents.

Abstract: A wall and/or ceiling polymer-based composite structural sheathing board has a polymer material or predominantly polymer material core layer with a density between 1.6 lbs/ft3 and 25 lbs/ft3. A facer overlays at least one of the major surfaces of the core layer. The facer is generally coextensive with and bonded to the overlaid major surface of the core layer and enhances the integrity and fastener pull through strength of the polymer-based composite structural sheathing board as well as other desired physical and performance characteristics of the polymer based composite structural sheathing board. A wall and/or ceiling system of a building structure includes a plurality of the polymer-based composite structural sheathing boards overlaying and secured to a structural wall and/or ceiling frame and forming a wall and/or ceiling sheathing layer over the structural frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulosic particle body comprising interconnected cellulosic small particles with small interparticle spaces and to a method of producing said cellulosic particle body which comprises dispersing cellulosic small particles in an alkaline medium and contacting the resulting suspension with a coagulating solution. In this specification, the above technology will be referred to as the first invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet roll of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane in which during production a winding-up operation is easy and a cutting operation also is easy, as well as a tape roll of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane that is difficult to lose its shape. The present invention provides a sheet roll comprising a laminate of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and a support, wherein the laminate is wound up, as well as a tape roll comprising a laminate of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and a support, wherein the laminate is wound up. The latter tape roll can be obtained by cutting the former sheet roll.

Abstract: An antireflection film comprises: at least one layer containing fine pores; and an antistatic layer, wherein the antistatic layer and one of said at least one layer containing fine pores are the same or different; and wherein, when a surface of the antireflection film is brought into contact with water for 15 minutes, a wiped portion of the surface shows a chromaticity change, ?E, of 0.45 or less in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space measured under a standard illuminant D65.

Abstract: An adsorptive body is provided which is high in water permeation and gas permeation and can adsorb, concentrate, separate and remove components present in extremely small amounts in a liquid or gas without causing the dissolution of impurities. The present invention relates to a sintered body comprising a mixture of: thermoplastic resin particles having no functional groups with adsorbability; and resin particles having functional groups with adsorbability bonded through graft polymer chains at the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cushioning material for a polishing pad, which hardly suffers swelling deformation caused by water because it is extremely low in water-absorbing characteristics and water-swelling characteristics. The cushioning material for a polishing pad includes a polyurethane foam capable of polishing even a semiconductor wafer having an undulated surface or a wafer having a local step that is formed during circuit forming process so that the undulation or step becomes smaller by uniformly polishing an entire surface of the wafer along the undulation or step. The cushioning material for a polishing pad is characterized by including a polyurethane foam obtained by reacting polyol and polyisocyanate with each other, the polyurethane foam having a contact angle with water of 90° or more. The polyurethane foam is preferably made by using hydrophobic polyol, and preferably has a self-skin layer formed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane wherein said membrane comprises a continuous non-porous layer comprising a polymerized composition that comprised prior to polymerization at least one type of compound having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and comprising at least 75 weight % of oxyethylene groups and at least two polymerizable groups each comprising a non-substituted vinyl group. The invention further relates to the use of this membrane for separating polar gases and vapors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polymer composite foam with a treated filler and methods for making the same. The polymer composite foam includes a polymer capable of being formed into a polymeric foam and a treated filler, wherein the polymer defines a plurality of cells dispersed therethrough and the treated filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The filler is treated by techniques which exfoliate, delaminate or intercalate the filler particles into individual micro and/or nano size particulates and platelets. Ideally, the treated filler has a median particle size ranging from about 0.1 nm-10 ?m. The treated filler enhances the rigidity, barrier properties, heat deflection temperature, nucleation characteristics, fire retardant characteristics and impact properties of the foam. The products fabricated from the polymer composite foam include containers, cups, sleeves, bags, plates, bowls, protective packaging, boards, sheets, void fillers, storageware, dinnerware and cookware.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a foam thermal interface material comprising a foamed film, the film comprising a blend of polymeric hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive having a number average molecular weight of greater than 25,000 and at least 25 percent by weight of thermally conductive filler, said film having a void volume of at least 5 percent of the volume of said foamed film.

Abstract: A building flooring system includes a plurality of polymer-based composite structural underlayment boards overlaying and secured to a building subfloor to form an underlayment layer over the building subfloor and a nonstructural finish-flooring layer overlaying and bonded to the underlayment layer. The polymer-based composite structural underlayment boards each have a polymer material core layer or a predominantly polymer material core layer that typically contains from 1% to 40% by weight filler(s) and a density between 1.6 lbs/ft3 and 25 lbs/ft3. At least the top or bottom major surface of each of the polymer-based composite structural underlayment boards is overlaid by a facer that reinforces and strengthens the polymer-based composite structural underlayment board and that is generally coextensive with and bonded to the overlaid major surface of the polymer-based composite structural underlayment board.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide: a white polyester film excellent in whiteness, reflecting properties, lightweight properties, and dimensional stability to heat; and a surface light source employing the film and having excellent luminance characteristics. [Means for Solving Problems] The white polyester film comprises a white polyester layer (layer W) which comprises a polyester resin ingredient (A) and an ingredient (B) incompatible with the resin ingredient (A) and has bubbles therein. The incompatible ingredient (B) is a cycloolefin resin (b) having a glass transition temperature of 110° C. or higher, and the content (Z) of the cycloolefin resin (b) in the white polyester layer (layer W) is 5-50 wt. % based on the white polyester layer (layer W).

Abstract: A drying mat is described. The drying mat includes layers of a microfiber material and a foam layer. The drying mat may be used as dish mat to absorb water from dishes. The dying mat may be used as a shower or bath mat to absorb water from a bather standing upon the drying mat. In one embodiment, the drying mat includes a first microfiber layer, a second microfiber layer, a foam layer, an adhesive to join the first microfiber layer and the second microfiber layer to the foam layer; and a binding material around a perimeter of the drying mat. Other embodiments include an absorbent or protective mat, which includes at least one layer of a microfiber material, at least one layer of a foam material, and adhesive to join the layers.

Abstract: A construction member includes a composite material offering strength and functionality. Embodiments of the present invention include a thermoplastic composite for use in applications such as decking, exterior siding, seating and furniture. In one embodiment, a structural member includes a glass-reinforced PVC core surrounded by a thermoplastic layer that further includes a thermoplastic with elastomer thermofoamed layer as a exterior layer. All three components can be extruded and bond together to form a composite material that offers appropriate structural strength with resistance to heating from sunlight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of pseudobioaffinity adsorbent and process for purification of immunoglobulin G from immunoglobulin containing solutions such as but not limited to plasma, serum, cell culture supernatant, ascites fluids. The adsorbent consists of a solid support and ligand. The ligand may be attached to the matrix or be part of matrix. The ligand is selected from a group of hydrophobic amino acids such as alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine and the support material being preferably a synthetic hydrophilic polymer of methacrylate or acrylate species, or any of its derivatives. The adsorbent is cheap and stable to harsh conditions such as 1.0 M NaOH used during regeneration of adsorbents. Moreover there is no problem of toxic leachables typically associated with biological ligands. The nature of the adsorbent also allows high flow rate operations at relatively low pressures.

Abstract: A resin composition that is storable at ambient temperatures. The resin composition forms a cured resin when exposed to a curing agent and heated to a curing temperature that is relatively close to ambient temperature. The resin composition includes a resin component that is composed of a liquid part that is made up of one or more liquid thermosetting resins and a solid part that includes particles of one or more solid thermosetting resins. The liquid part further includes a gelation agent that is present in a sufficient amount to maintain the particles in suspension within the liquid part at ambient temperatures. The viscosity of the resin component changes from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state when the temperature is increased from ambient temperature to the curing temperature. The high viscosity state is substantially more viscous than the low viscosity state.

Abstract: A sliding member has a porous sintered base and a resin composition. The porous sintered base is constructed of a porous sintered compact. The resin composition is coated onto the surface of the porous sintered base. The resin composition has a maximum resin layer thickness equal to a pore depth plus at least 10 ?m or more to the pore depth t2. The pore depth is a maximum depth of the pores exposed on the surface of the porous sintered base before the resin composition is coated onto the surface of the porous sintered base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface decoration kit comprising a covering for a surface to be painted, wherein said covering is PVC-based and coated with a UV-crosslinkable polyurethane polymer-based protective varnish, and a container containing a urethane-acrylic-based paint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer structure comprising a layer of humidity-dependent composition having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10 and a layer of crystallizable polymer sufficiently permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, exhibiting an increase in permeability to at least one of oxygen and carbon dioxide by a factor of at least 2.5 over a temperature range of 10° C. between 0° C. and 40° C. Also disclosed are packaging materials comprising the multilayer structure and methods for storing respiring materials using the packaging materials.

Abstract: A cellular confinement system is formed from an ultrasonic welding method which requires no external pressure during the welding step. A plurality of multi-layer strips can be welded such that the weld area is not thinner than the rest of the strip and has good UV protection. The method comprises: stacking a plurality of strips; providing external pressure; removing the external pressure, positioning the ultrasonic welding apparatus so that it places no external pressure on the stack; welding at least two strips; and removing the welding apparatus.

Abstract: A composite material comprised of polymeric beads and adhesive, primarily intended for use in constructing buildings, athletic fields, waste pond covers, packaging, contact sports gear and medial equipment, is comprised of a plurality of electrical excitation zone-treated beads having average diameters between about 1 mm and about 10 mm that are substantially coated with the adhesive material and used in quantities such that void spaces constitute at least about 10 percent by volume of the total volume of the composite material. Upon curing, said adhesive preferably has hardness levels ranging from about Shore A 20 to about Shore A 95.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite element composed of rigid polyurethane foam and of two outer layers, wherein at least one outer layer is a molding modified with microcapsules, and the microcapsules comprise a polymer as capsule wall and a capsule core composed mainly of latent-heat-accumulator material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed body of a crystalline polylactic acid resin which has good appearance and excellent mechanical strength such as bending strength and compressive strength and which is capable of being imparted with excellent heat resistance, and to provide a multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed molded article having excellent appearance, heat resistance and mechanical strength. The multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed body of the present invention is a laminate having a polylactic acid resin foamed layer and a thermoplastic resin layer provided at least one side of the foamed layer, wherein the foamed layer has a cell shape satisfying specific conditions, wherein the difference (?Hendo:2° C./min??Hexo:2° C./min) between an endothermic calorific value (?Hendo:2° C./min) and an exothermic calorific value (?Hexo:2° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous media or membranes having a surface coating that includes a cross-linked terpolymer which has a superior combination of properties, including heat stable biomolecule resistant adsorptive properties, resistance to strong alkaline solutions, and low levels of extractable matter. In some preferred embodiments, the porous media is a porous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inorganic monolithic mouldings whose surface is coated with physi- or chemisorbed organic polymers, and to processes for the production of materials of this type. The materials according to the invention are highly suitable as sorbents for chromatography, in particular for high pressure liquid chromatography of biological materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly IR (infrared ray)-reflective polyvinyl chloride-based artificial leather, and particularly to a highly IR (infrared ray)-reflective polyvinyl chloride-based artificial leather comprising: (a) a surface layer comprising a black pigment mixture of a perylene black pigment and a carbon black pigment; (b) a foamed layer comprising a white titanium dioxide pigment and polyvinyl chloride resin; and (c) a substrate layer comprising a polyester fiber comprising a white titanium dioxide pigment. The surface layer of artificial leather herein transmits infrared ray while the foamed layer and the substrate layer reflected infrared ray, thereby lowering the temperature increase of the artificial leather of the present invention, and artificial leather herein is pleasant to the touch.

Abstract: Paper for card, characterized in that it has a laminate structure of a porous white film (A) symmetrically put on both faces of a masking layer (B) and the surface and the back thereof have a pencil hardness of from 4H to 9H. The card paper has good flexibility and stability, curls little and has good scratch resistance, maskability and printability.

Abstract: Metal foams are impregnated with resins. The metal foam/polymer composite formed upon curing has excellent acoustic dampening and structural properties. Foams of various metals, such as aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, iron, zinc, lead, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum, and alloys based on these metals, may be used. The polymer component may be any polymeric resin, for example, epoxy, natural rubber, acrylic, or phenolic.

Abstract: Porous ceramic part comprising a porous ceramic foam having a total porosity of between 50 and 92% and an intergranular porosity of at least 5%, walls of at least some of the cells of the ceramic foam being at least partly covered with an impregnation material. The invention relates in particular to a recrystallized silicon carbide foam impregnated with silicon.

Abstract: Multilayer microporous films comprise first and second microporous film layers. The first film layer has a first maximum pore size and the second film layer has a second maximum pore size different from the first maximum pore size. In a more specific embodiment, the multilayer microporous films comprise coextruded first, second and third microporous film layers. One of the first, second and third film layers has a maximum pore size smaller than the respective maximum pore sizes of the remaining layers of the multilayer film or larger than the respective maximum pore sizes of the remaining layers of the multilayer film, and the one layer does not have an unconstrained surface in the multilayer film. Methods for producing multilayer microporous films provide a first film layer having a maximum pore size upon stretching which is different from that of a second film layer upon stretching.

Abstract: The invention provides composite porous membranes comprising a porous hydrophobic substrate coated with difunctional surface-modifying molecules. The difunctional surface-modifying molecules provide a hydrophilic surface without forming branches of interconnected polymer molecules in the pores. The invention also provides a method for making composite porous membranes, such as a composite hydrophilic membrane with reduced concentration of surface modifying molecules required to coat a hydrophobic substrate.

Abstract: An art surface and a method for preparing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coating is disposed on a thermoplastic compatible surface of a substrate. The coating includes a reaction product of a thermoplastic, aluminum oxide, and acetone. Further, the coating is able to accept one or more artistic media such as acrylic, chalk, charcoal, colored pencil, conte, dyes, egg tempera, oil, pastel, or water color, for example.

Abstract: A lightweight, reinforced composite structural element is disclosed, which includes a hollow housing, interior reinforcement, a filling of polyurethane foam, and a substantially uniform outer coating of a high-solid protective coating. The reinforced composite structural element can be used as a railroad tie and for other construction uses. The structural element is formed with a housing having end caps or ends sealed by flaps that are connected with and bendable from the housing material to create a sealed container with openings for injection of the foam into cavities of the housing formed by the interior reinforcement.

Abstract: A container, comprises a first layer of plastic and a second layer of plastic contacting said first layer, the second layer of plastic being formed as a foam wherein the foam cells contain carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The foamed laminate based on olefin according to the present invention is composed of a substrate layer of a foamed body made of either an ethylenic thermoplastic elastomer comprising a polyethylene resin and an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer having a Mooney viscosity ML1+4 (100° C.) of 90-250 and an ethylene content of 70-95 mole % or an ethylenic thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising 100 parts by weight of an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer and 1-20 parts by weight of an olefinic thermoplastic resin and, under lamination thereon, a skin layer made of either an ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin resin having an intrinsic viscosity of 3.5-8.3 dl/g or made of an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer and a lubricant.

Abstract: Methods to improve adhesion of a first material to a second material and electronics devices fabricated using such methods are described. A porous polymer layer is formed on a conductive layer. Forming the porous polymer layer leaves portions of the conductive layer exposed. A porous conductive layer is formed over the porous polymer layer and the exposed portions of the conductive layer. A continuous polymer layer is formed over the porous conductive layer. In one embodiment, the polymer layer includes a ferroelectric polymer, and the conductive layer includes a noble metal, e.g., gold.

Abstract: A polishing pad is provided. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer composed of a polymeric matrix and liquid microelements embedded in the polymeric matrix. Open pores defined by the embedded liquid microelements are distributed across a surface of the polishing layer. Due to the microstructural open pores uniformly distributed across a surface of the polishing pad, a polishing operation can be performed at high precision. The polishing pad shows constant polishing performance during the polishing operation, can be stably used, and does not cause a wafer to be scratched. In addition, a method of manufacturing the polishing pad is provided. Since all components used to manufacture the polishing pad are in a liquid phase, manufacturing can be easily performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane useful for water purification comprising a porous base membrane and a hydrophilic coating disposed on the porous base membrane. The hydrophilic coating comprises structural units derived from a hydrophilic polymer and structural units derived from a first electron beam reactive group, and structural units derived from a second electron beam reactive group. The hydrophilic polymer has a number average molecular weight of greater than 2500 Daltons and comprises at least two electron beam reactive groups having different structures. The hydrophilic coating is covalently bound to the porous base membrane through structural units derived from the electron beam reactive groups. Also disclosed are processes for forming and employing the membrane.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions are disclosed that can be processed into capstocks having a reduced gloss appearance, high impact strength and superior weatherability. The capstocks described herein are especially useful for extrusion into articles. They are also useful for application to various poor weathering structural plastic articles for preparing multi-layered composites having improved weatherability. Methods for manufacturing structural plastic capstocks and composites and articles produced therefrom having reduced gloss appearance are also described.

Abstract: A foamed stone article has a lower artificial stone layer and an upper foam layer that are a single body. A composition for the foamed stone article includes about 100 parts by weight of acrylic resin, about 10 to about 80 parts by weight of solid particles and about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of an initiator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-time stable, hydrophobic or oleophobic surface and to the use thereof.

Abstract: An insulation package comprising a layer of material having a cellular structure disposed between a first layer of high-strength polymeric fabric and a second layer of high-strength polymeric fabric. The insulation provides protection for critical fluid systems, such as fuel, hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, thermal, and mechanical systems from high-energy projectiles such as fragments from the disintegration of high-speed turbines and engines.

Abstract: Functionalized substrates, methods of making functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic resin foamed article, wherein the foamed article has two opposite surfaces, wherein the foamed article has at least a skin layer which defines one of the opposite surfaces and has a porosity of 0% or more but less than 1%, a lower-expansion layer which has a porosity of not less than 1% but less than 40% and is arranged so as to be adjacent to the skin layer, and a higher-expansion layer which has a porosity of not less than 40% but less than 100% and is arranged so as to be adjacent to the lower-expansion layer, wherein the skin layer, the lower-expansion layer and the higher-expansion layer are made of the same thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A breathable, elastic, film laminate including layers of an inherently breathable, elastic polymer film alternately stacked with layers of a filled plastic polymer. The laminate may be made by grafting a thermoplastic polymer to an elastomer to form an inherently breathable elastic polymer, extruding, the elastic polymer through a die, extruding the filled plastic polymer through a die, stacking the extruded elastic polymer with the extruded plastic polymer while the polymers are in a melt-extrudable state to create a multilayer film laminate, and stretching the laminate.