Abstract: Processes for utilizing various emulsion polymerization procedures for preparing aqueous nanocomposite dispersions are disclosed. The disclosed processes include both in-situ polymerizations in the presence of at least partially exfoliated unmodified clays as well as admixtures of polymer dispersions with at least partially exfoliated unmodified clay dispersions. The disclosed nanocomposite dispersions are useful for preparing a variety of materials, such as coatings, adhesives, caulks, sealants, plastics additives, and thermoplastic resins. Processes for preparing polymer clay nanocomposite powders and use of these powders as plastic resin and plastics additives are also disclosed.

Abstract: Formulations or compositions which are especially suitable to be contained in a water soluble or water dispersible bag containing a water dispersible organic gel. This gel is a continuous system comprised of effective amounts of hazardous product, a water soluble or water dispersible surfactant which contains a non ionic surfactant and optionally an anionic or amphoteric surfactant. This gel further consists of a gelling agent having, when it is solid, a particle size less than 100 microns.

Abstract: O/W emulsions, in particular O/W microemulsions, or O/W/O emulsions or O/W/O′ emulsions comprising at least one emulsifier (emulsifier A) chosen from the group of emulsifiers having the following properties

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more dissimilar fluids such a gas and a liquid is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing one fluid into the other to form a mixture, inducing cavitation in the mixture to reduce at least one of the fluids to a large number of relatively small units, and distributing the small units uniformly throughout the mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the step of inducing cavitation comprises introducing the mixture into a chamber having a rotating disk formed with a plurality of irregularities such as bores. The irregularities on the rotating disk induce cavitation in the mixture. The cavitation also breaks down van der Waals attractions within the mixture to enhance mixing.

Abstract: A hydrogel formed by adding an anion having a molecular weight of 90 or more to an aqueous dispersion of a cationic amphiphile comprising a linear or branched alkyl group having 10 or less carbon atoms in a hydrophobic moiety. The hydrogel has a network having a bilayer-membrane, nano-fiber structure and undergoes a reversible gel-sol transformation.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: 4:21 PM 3/6/02 A gel-form air freshener composition containing: (a) a linear alcohol alkoxylate in an amount of not more than about 7% by weight; (b) an amine oxide in an amount of not more than about 10% by weight; (c) a fragrance component in an amount of not more than about 10% by weight; and (d) an aqueous gel base in an amount of not more than about 96% by weight, all weights being based on the total weight of the gel-form air freshener composition.

Abstract: A porous paste, especially a plaster paste or slurry for producing sandwich-type plasterboard, is made in a disk-shaped mixer having a rotor rotatable in a mixing chamber by introducing compressed air or other pressurizable gas through a wall or bottom segment directly into the chamber so that the incoming pressurized gas meets the mixture with a shearing action along the wall or bottom.

Abstract: A novel emulsion comprising a material which is stabilized by a polymer resin precursor having interface active molecules incorporated therein by reaction from poorly or non-surface active materials is disclosed. The process for producing such emulsions is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: Process for preparation of hydrophilic or partially hydrophilic inorganic aerogels. The invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydrophilic or partially hydrophilic inorganic aerogels, which comprises pyrolyzing a hydrophobic inorganic aerogel in the presence of oxygen at temperatures in the range from 100 to 1000° C.

Abstract: A method of enhancing oxidation of air contaminants on an ultra-low density, UV light accessible aerogel photocatalyst is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a photocatalytic reactor system broadly comprising a photocatalytic reactor cell, a UV light source, and a pump to force the contaminated air stream through the photocatalytic reactor cell. The photocatalytic reactor cell includes glass cell. A catalyst bed formed of a titanium dioxide aerogel is provided in the glass cell whereby a high fraction of the titanium dioxide aerogel is accessible to UV light and gas. The catalyst bed is exposed to UV light from the UV light source and a contaminated air stream is introduced into the photocatalytic reactor cell such that the air stream passes through the catalyst bed causing oxidation of the contaminants of the air stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out polyaddition reactions in mini-emulsions.

Abstract: Composition comprising an oil phase, an aqueous phase, at least one emulsifying agent of water-in-oil (W/O) type and at least one emulsifying agent of oil-in-water (O/W) type in the form of a self-invertible inverse latex comprising from 20% to 70% by weight and preferably from 25% to 50% by weight of a branched or crosslinked polyelectrolyte, characterized in that the said polyelectrolyte is either a homopolymer based on a monomer having either a partially or completely salified strong acid functional group or a partially or completely salified weak acid functional group, or a copolymer based on at least one monomer having a strong acid functional group copolymerized either with at least one monomer having a weak acid functional group or with at least one neutral monomer, or a copolymer based on at least one monomer having a weak acid functional group copolymerized with at least one neutral monomer, and characterized in that the constituent solvent of the oil phase is chosen from fatty acid esters.

Abstract: A water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion comprises a continuous aqueous phase having dispersed therein oil phase droplets wherein each oil phase droplet contains an inner dispersion of aqueous phase droplets, a water-soluble or water-dispersible active material being dissolved or dispersed in the inner dispersion of aqueous phase droplets and at least one of (a) the inner dispersion of aqueous phase droplets and (b) the oil phase droplets being encapsulated within a polymer wall material.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid for forming soap bubbles of the present invention, contains, as an emulsifier, an ester of a fatty acid having 8 to 14 carbon atoms with a polyhydric alcohol having not less than four hydroxyl groups, the percentage of esterified hydroxyl groups of said polyhydric alcohol being to 25 % based on total hydroxyl groups of the polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: A procedure for making well dispersed suspensions containing mixtures of powders displaying a low viscosity which remain stable over an extended period of time includes suspensions prepared in aqueous and/or ethanolic media using a cationic polyelectrolyte at the inherent pH of the mixture. The method is particularly useful for making robust slurries for subsequent spray drying of free flowing granules to be used in the fabrication of cemented carbide or cermet bodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to skin moisturizing compositions comprising a liquid crystal/gel network (LCGN) emulsion system comprising water, cationic emulsifiers, low HLB emulsifiers and emollients. In one aspect, the compositions comprise an emollient component as an occlusive agent, such as a petroleum-derived or a non-petroleum-derived occlusive agent, in the LCGN emulsion system. Additives such as adjuvants, active agents, or excipients may also be included in the compositions of the invention. The compositions of the present invention provide excellent moisturization and improved aesthetics (faster absorbency with more pleasant afterfeel properties) compared with traditionally available moisturizing products having different compositions and components and containing petroleum and/or mineral oil, to which are attributed greasiness and other unpleasant, user-perceived attributes.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: Organically modified aerogels, processes for their preparation by surface modification of the aqueous gel, without prior solvent exchange, and subsequent drying, and their use

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for generating an inorganic polymer electret in a colloidal state, the inorganic electret in a colloidal state itself, and applications for the inorganic electret in a colloidal state. The invention includes a method for generation of a colloidal silica particle which is dipolar in that it is positively charged in the nucleus and negatively charged on the outer surface leaving a net negative charge to the particle. The apparatus includes the ability to control particle size, uniformity, consistency, hydration, and three dimensional structure which is desirable for various applications.

Abstract: A sol-gel precursor mixture for forming a perovskite ferroelectric material and a method for forming a ferroelectric material are provided. The precursor solution comprises a sol-gel formulation of a mixture of an inorganic salt of at least one metal, and metal-organic compounds of other constituent metals in a suitable pH controlled aqueous solvent mixture to form a stable, clear sol-gel mixture. The precursor solution and method provides for formation of thin layers of other ferroelectric dielectrics and piezoelectric materials, particularly lead containing materials, for application including non-volatile DRAMs, optoelectronic devices relying on non-linear optical properties, and piezoelectric devices, and is compatible with processing for submicron device structures for bipolar, CMOS or bipolar CMOS circuits.

Abstract: A method is provided for molecularly imprinting the surface of a sol-gel material, by forming a solution comprised of a sol-gel material, a solvent, an imprinting molecule, and a functionalizing siloxane monomer of the form Si(OR).sub.3-n X.sub.n, wherein n is an integer between zero and three and X is a functional group capable of reacting with the imprinting molecule, evaporating the solvent, and removing the imprinting molecule to form the molecularly imprinted metal oxide sol-gel material. The use of metal oxide sol-gels allows the material porosity, pore size, density, surface area, hardness, electrostatic charge, polarity, optical density, and surface hydrophobicity to be tailored and be employed as sensors and in catalytic and separations operations.

Abstract: Method and composition for gel formation in hydrocarbon recovery, in which an organic phosphate ester is gelled by a novel activator composition comprising iron sulfate, dibutylaminoethanol, and a phosphate surfactant.

Abstract: A method of making a solid filter material which filters a predetermined wavelength band from a broader spectrum of radiation is provided. The method includes creating a colloidal structure composed of particles dispersed within a medium, and introducing a solvent thereto. Thereafter, the solvent is evaporated and the remaining structure solidifies into a solid crystalline array. The particles can also be fused together by polymerization using one of several methods which are provided. In another embodiment, methods of filtering submicron particles have been developed which consists of establishing a gel membrane from a crystalline colloidal array with an interstice size less than or equal to the particles to be filtered are disclosed. The gel membrane may employ anisotropic interstices of submicron size and is stretchable or compressible mechanically.

Abstract: A process for preparing a LiCoO.sub.2 or LiNiO.sub.2 powder comprising the steps of dissolving lithium nitrate, lithium acetate or lithium hydroxide and cobalt nitrate, cobalt acetate, cobalt oxide or cobalt hydroxide; or dissolving lithium nitrate, lithium acetate or lithium hydroxide, and nickel nitrate, nickel acetate, nickel oxide or nickel hydroxide to produce a mixed solution, sufficiently mixing the mixed solution with a chelating agent, polyacrylic acid, malic acid or polyvinyl butyral, slowly heating the above to produce a sol, continuously and slowly heating the sol to produce a gel precursor, heating the gel precursor to produce a precursor powder, and calcining the precursor powder to produce a LiCoO.sub.2 or LiNiO.sub.2 powder is simple and economic. The particles of the powder produced by the process are so microscopic and have a high specific surface area that cathode material of a lithium based secondary cell using the powder shows preferable properties.