Abstract: The present invention provides a copolymer obtainable by condensation of i) 90 to 99.5 mol %, based on components i to ii, of succinic acid; ii) 0.5 to 10 mol %, based on components i to ii, of one or more C2-C8 dicarboxylic acids; iii) 100 mol %, based on components i to ii, of 1,3-propanediol or 1,4-butanediol, and having a DIN 53728 viscosity number in the range from 100 to 450 mL/g. The invention further provides a process for producing the copolymers, polymer blends comprising these copolymers and also for the use of these copolymers.

Abstract: A chiral inorganic mesoporous material characterized by having a chiral twisted structure and being mesoporous; a process for producing the material; and a method of using the material. The process for inorganic mesoporous material production is a method in which one or more polymerizable inorganic monomers selected from the group consisting of polymerizable inorganic monomers and polymerizable inorganic monomers having a functional group capable of having a charge are polymerized in the presence of a solvent using as a template a self-assembly of a chiral surfactant such as an N-(higher alkanoyl)amino acid salt. Examples of the use of the inorganic mesoporous material include the separation of racemates and reaction fields for asymmetric syntheses.

Abstract: Fibered particles combine microscale spheroid particles and nanoscale fibers in an integrated body. Fibered particles may be combined with a matrix precursor to form syntactic foams incorporating both particles and fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides several methods and materials for use in building construction that may require air and water barrier, and water vapor permeability along with thermal or acoustic insulation. Several embodiments provide materials for a variety of building construction needs that can help build next generation green buildings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel contact lens having improved wettability, and particularly to a hydrogel contact lens of a complex membrane having an IPN (interpenetrating polymer network) intra structure, which is prepared by crosslinking composition for a contact lens comprising, as a main ingredient, an acryl monomer and an oligosaccharide and optionally a silicone compound. Due to the presence of an oligosaccharide in a contact lens herein, tensile strength and wettability can be maximized to provide a superior wearing feeling and maintain wettability even after a long-term storage in a care solution such as a washing solution, a storage solution and a protein-removing solution.

Abstract: At least a selected microporous membrane is made by a dry-stretch process and has substantially round shaped pores and a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to transverse direction tensile strength in the range of 0.5 to 6.0. The method of making the foregoing microporous membrane may include the steps of: extruding a polymer into a nonporous precursor, and biaxially stretching the nonporous precursor, the biaxial stretching including a machine direction stretching and a transverse direction stretching, the transverse direction including a simultaneous controlled machine direction relax.

Abstract: Disclosed are creep resistant articles having a polyolefin in a continuous phase and fibrils or lamellae of polyester, polyamide, or mixtures thereof dispersed in the continuous phase.

Abstract: Provided herein are bimodal porous polymer microspheres comprising macropores and micropores. Also provided herein are methods and apparatus for fabrication such microspheres. Further provided herein are methods of using bimodal porous polymer microspheres.

Abstract: Closed cell polyamide foams are prepared by subjecting a polyamide resin to inert gases at an elevated pressure and at a temperature above the softening point of the resin and reducing the pressure while the temperature is maintained above the softening point of the resin, resulting in expansion of the resin.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel monodisperse, gel-type or macroporous picolylamine resins which are based on at least one monovinylaromatic compound and at least one polyvinylaromatic compound and/or a (meth)acrylic compound and contain tertiary nitrogen atoms in structures of the general formula (I) as functional group, where R1 is an optionally substituted radical from the group consisting of picolyl, methylquinoline and methylpiperidine, R2 is a radical —(CH2)q—COOR3, R3 is a radical from the group consisting of H, Na and K, m is an integer from 1 to 4, n and p are each, independently of one another, a number in the range from 0.1 to 1.9 and the sum of n and p is 2, q is an integer from 1 to 5 and M is the polymer matrix, a process for preparing them and their uses, in particular the use in hydrometallurgy and electroplating.

Abstract: An asymmetric hollow fiber gas separation membrane obtained by subjecting an asymmetric hollow fiber polyimide membrane to a heat treatment having a maximum temperature of from 350 to 450° C., wherein the asymmetric hollow fiber polyimide membrane is formed with a polyimide essentially having a repeating unit represented by a general formula (1); is excellent in a solvent resistance and a thermal stability, and as well has such a mechanical strength that a tensile elongation at break is not less than 10% as a hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous electrolyte solution absorber including an aqueous electrolyte solution absorbent polymer obtained by introducing a hydrophilic polar group to a water insoluble polymer and a material to be sucked. The aqueous electrolyte solution absorber is produced by filling a water permeable bag type member with the aqueous electrolyte solution absorbent polymer obtained by introducing the hydrophilic polar group to the water insoluble polymer and a material to be sucked. The aqueous electrolyte solution absorber is inexpensive and has a high safety, a broad applicable range and a good handling property upon transportation or storage. Thus, a large amount of aqueous electrolyte solution absorbers can be rapidly conveyed at one time even to a risky place where persons are endangered to convey the absorbers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making polyimide articles that are suitable for high temperature applications. The articles disclosed herein are rigid, oxidatively stable, wear-resistant, and permeable to heated moisture and gases, and comprise co-polymer based polyimide, and at least one additive or filler, and are made using 20,000 to 50,000 psi of compression pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making polyimide articles that are suitable for high temperature applications. The articles disclosed herein are rigid, oxidatively stable, wear-resistant, and permeable to heated moisture and gases, and comprise co-polymer based polyimide, and at least one additive or filler, and are made using 20,000 to 50,000 psi of compression pressure.

Abstract: The invention involves composite materials containing a polymer foam and an aerogel. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability, good acoustic insulation, and excellent physical mechanical properties. The composite materials can be used, for instance, for heat and acoustic insulation on aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime ships in place of currently used foam panels and other foam products. The materials of the invention can also be used in building construction with their combination of light weight, strength, elasticity, ability to be formed into desired shapes, and superior thermal and acoustic insulation power. The materials have also been found to have utility for storage of cryogens. A cryogenic liquid or gas, such as N2 or H2, adsorbs to the surfaces in aerogel particles. Thus, another embodiment of the invention provides a storage vessel for a cryogen.

Abstract: Porous spherical particles of polyamide 11 or polyamide 12 can be produced by an industrially advantageous process which comprises the steps of mixing a polyamide solution of polyamide 11 or polyamide 12 dissolved in a phenol compound and a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol which is a poor solvent for the polyamides but is well compatible with the phenol compound in the presence of a high molecular weight alkylene glycol to prepare a mixture solution having an initial viscosity of 10 mPa·s or more, and allowing the mixture solution to stand, to precipitate polyamide particles.

Abstract: Isocyanate-free foamable mixtures suitable for filling construction voids and for other uses, comprise isocyanate-free, alkoxysilane-terminated prepolymers (A) which have a silane end group of the formula [1], where X and Y are each an oxygen atom, an N—R3 group or a sulfur atom, R1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkyl radical having 1-2 carbon atoms or an ?-oxyalkylalkyl radical having a total of 2-10 carbon atoms, R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms or a —CH2—SiR1z(OR2)3-z group, and z is 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least one of the two groups X and Y is an NH function, and (B) blowing agents.

Abstract: A molecularly imprinted polymer and production process therefor and a process for selective treatment of poorly degradable and/or toxic compounds in liquids using the molecularly imprinted polymers. Such polymers and processes are required for selective removal and/or degradation of biological, poorly degradable pollutants or toxic compounds, for example from wastewaters. Consequently, a molecularly imprinted polymer suitable for the selective treatment of at least one poorly degradable and/or toxic compound is provided having a polymeric network which is made up of monomers and has cavities of predetermined size, wherein the cavities are arranged at predetermined spacings and have specific binding sites and/or patterns for the poorly degradable and/or toxic compounds.

Abstract: A porous polyimide membrane is provided. The volume of pores with a diameter of between about 50 and about 300 nm is more than about 40%, preferably more than 75% of the total pore volume in the membrane. A method for preparing a porous polyimide membrane comprises: preparing a porous polyamide acid membrane; stretching the porous polyamide acid membrane to form a stretched membrane; and imidizing the stretched membrane to form a porous polyimide membrane. The volume of the pores with a diameter of about 50-300 nm is more than about 40%, preferably more than 75% of the total pore volume in the porous polyimide membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer bead material that are characterised by having pore sizes that can be pre-determined and that can be obtained with a narrow distribution of such pore sizes created by use of sacrificial filler materials within the polymer material. The invention also discloses processes for production of the material as spherical or approximately spherical beads or resins with predefined sizes. Also, the invention relates to the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer materials that are created by the said method. Further the invention relates to the use of said polymer materials for separation, detection, catalysis or entrapment of chemicals, metal ions, inorganic compounds, drags, peptides, proteins, DNA, natural and artificial polymers, natural or artificial compounds, food or pharma products, viruses, bacteria, cells and other entities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method for making a polymer article comprises: orienting polymer chains in one direction more than any other direction to form an oriented article, contacting the oriented article with a foaming agent, and foaming the material to form the reflective polymer article comprising planar cell structures having a length “l” and a thickness “t”.

Abstract: In a preparation of random polyoxadiazole copolymer by reaction of a mixture of oleum, hydrazine sulfate, terephthalic acid, and isophthalic acid, the improvement requires the addition of oleum in more than one step.

Abstract: In a preparation of random polyoxadiazole copolymer by reaction of a mixture of oleum, hydrazine sulfate, terephthalic acid, and isophthalic acid, the improvement requires the addition of oleum in more than one step.

Abstract: A porous polyamide fine powder having been prepared by bringing a non-solvent B for the polyamide into contact with a polyamide solution in which a polyamide is dissolved in a solvent a and containing a remaining solvent A is treated with a poor solvent C which is compatible with the solvent A at least at a temperature of 40° C. or higher at a temperature of 40° C. or higher, whereby the solvent A is extracted out of the porous polyamide fine powder.

Abstract: A chiral inorganic mesoporous material characterized by having a chiral twisted structure and being mesoporous; a process for producing the material; and a method of using the material. The process for inorganic mesoporous material production is a method in which one or more polymerizable inorganic monomers selected from the group consisting of polymerizable inorganic monomers and polymerizable inorganic monomers having a functional group capable of having a charge are polymerized in the presence of a solvent using as a template a self-assembly of a chiral surfactant such as an N-(higher alkanoyl)amino acid salt. Examples of the use of the inorganic mesoporous material include the separation of racemates and reaction fields for asymmetric syntheses.

Abstract: The present invention concerns method of preparing shape memory materials starting from standard thermoplastic polymers. The present invention further is concerned with products obtained by the methods in accordance with the present invention and the use of these products over a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing foamed material, especially poly(meth)acrylimide foams, which are foamed from polymer plates produced according to the casting method. The two-step method consists of a pre-heating step and at least one foaming step. The product obtained has a significantly smaller compressive strain, measured according to DIN 53425(ASMD 621), than prior art products.

Abstract: A preparation process of polyimide aerogels that composed of aromatic dianhydrides and aromatic diamines or a combined aromatic and aliphatic diamines is described. Also descried is a process to produce carbon aerogels derived from polyimide aerogel composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride. Finally, the processes to produce carbon aerogels or xerogel-aerogel hybrid, both of which impregnated with highly dispersed transition metal clusters, and metal carbide aerogels, deriving from the polyimide aerogels composed of a rigid aromatic diamine and an aromatic dianhydride, are described. The polyimide aerogels and the polyimide aerogel derivatives consist of interconnecting mesopores with average pore size at 10 to 30 nm and a mono-dispersed pore size distribution. The gel density could be as low as 0.008 g/cc and accessible surface area as high as 1300 m2/g.

Abstract: Hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are obtained by subjecting a hydrogel formulation containing a strengthening agent to chemical or physical crosslinking conditions subsequent to initial gel formation. Superporous hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are similarly obtained whenever the hydrogel formulation is provided with a foaming agent. Interpenetrating networks of polymer chains comprised of primary polymer(s) and strengthening polymer(s) are thereby formed. The primary polymer affords capillary-based water sorption properties while the strengthening polymer imparts significantly enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity to the hydrogel or superporous hydrogel. Suitable strengthening agents can be natural or synthetic polymers, polyelectrolytes, or neutral, hydrophilic polymers.

Abstract: A flexible polyimide foam having an apparent density of 13.5 to 900 kg/m3 and a glass transition temperature of 300° C. or higher can be prepared by mixing an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid comprising 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride a portion of which is converted into its mono- or di-lower primary alcohol ester with an aromatic polyamine containing diaminodisiloxane in an amount of 0.1 to 10 mol. %, based on the amount of total amine compounds, to give a solid of polyimide precursor; heating the solid of polyimide precursor to a temperature of 300° C. to 500° C. to produce a polyimide foam; and compressing the polyimide foam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing porous polymer materials by a combination of gas foaming and particulate leaching steps. The invention is also directed to porous polymer material prepared by the process, particularly having a characteristic interconnected pore structure, and to methods for using such porous polymer material, particularly for tissue engineering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing block-shaped and plate-shaped polymethacrylimide foamed materials by copolymerizing methylacrylic acid and methylacryl nitrile, by subjecting the copolymerizate to a post-polymerization and cyclization in order to form polyimide, and by converting the same into a foamed material. The invention is characterized in that the copolymerization is carried out in the presence of a mixture containing at least three initiators with graduated half-life periods. The polymerization can be controlled especially well and yields polymerizate plates with thicknesses of up to 80 mm which can be easily foamed. The invention makes it possible to produce filling materials, especially plates and blocks containing electrically conductive particles.

Abstract: A flexible polyimide foam having an apparent density of 70 kg/m3 or less and a glass transition temperature of 300° C. or higher can be prepared by mixing an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid comprising 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride a portion of which is converted into its mono- or di-lower primary alcohol ester with an aromatic polyamine containing diaminodisiloxane in an amount of 0.1 to 10 mol. %, based on the amount of total amine compounds, to give a solid of polyimide precursor; and heating the solid of polyimide precursor to a temperature of 300° C. to 500° C.

Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Microcellular rigid foams with a matrix consisting of cross-linked duromers, especially of polytriazine resins, and with an apparent density of 20 to 95 percent of the density of the compact matrix material. The rigid foams are highly stable and highly temperature resistant and are suitable for use, e.g., as material for aircraft lining.

Abstract: Highly crosslinked monolithic porous polymer materials for chromatographic applications. By using solvent compositions that provide not only for polymerization of acrylate monomers in such a fashion that a porous polymer network is formed prior to phase separation but also for exchanging the polymerization solvent for a running buffer using electroosmotic flow, the need for high pressure purging is eliminated. The polymer materials have been shown to be an effective capillary electrochromatographic separations medium at lower field strengths than conventional polymer media. Further, because of their highly crosslinked nature these polymer materials are structurally stable in a wide range of organic and aqueous solvents and over a pH range of 2-12.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber and film compositions comprising partially acidified, hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers or film derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: Composites of at least two different plastics materials joined directly to one another, wherein A) is a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic mixture of polymers which contain at least one polar compound of at least one of the metals of the 1st to the 5th main group or of the 1st to 8th subsidiary group of the Periodic System as an extremely finely divided powder, and B) is polyurethane.

Abstract: A method of making a novel composition of a porous medium comprising volume elements of both voids and pores wherein the voids are much larger than the mean size of the pores. The method includes a first step of preparation of a porous medium comprising solid particles the approximate size selected for the voids and pores as volume elements and a second step of removing the particles by etching out with hydrofluoric acid or other means to form a porous medium comprising both voids and pores. In another embodiment, the voids are prepared from Bow etching out of a polymeric hydrogel silica particles which were allowed to self-assemble as a crystalline colloidal array prior to formation of the polymeric hydrogel around them, thereby forming a porous medium containing a crystalline colloidal array of voids containing aqueous solution. In another embodiment, a method of partitioning macromolecules between a solution comprising the macromolecules, and the voids and pores of a porous medium.

Abstract: A porous material made of a dry gel of a polyimide resin having an apparent density of 800 kg/m3 or less and a mean pore size of 1 &mgr;m or less is disclosed. The porous material exhibits high heat resistance and is low in density and mean pore size. The use of the porous material provided by the present invention can produce not only a heat insulator with a low thermal conductivity and high heat insulation but also an insulating material having a low dielectric constant and exhibiting excellent dielectric characteristics at high frequencies. The present invention can also provide a semiconductor circuit including the insulating material.

Abstract: Composites of at least two different plastics materials joined directly to one another, wherein

Abstract: A method of making a novel composition of a porous medium comprising volume elements of both voids and pores wherein the voids are much larger than the mean size of the pores. The method includes a first step of preparation of a porous medium comprising solid particles the approximate size selected for the voids and pores as volume elements and a second step of removing the particles by etching out with hydrofluoric acid or other means to form a porous medium comprising both voids and pores. In another embodiment, the voids are prepared from etching out of a polymeric hydrogel silica particles which were allowed to self-assemble as a crystalline colloidal array prior to formation of the polymeric hydrogel around them, thereby forming a porous medium containing a crystalline colloidal array of voids containing aqueous solution. In another embodiment, a method of partitioning macromolecules between a solution comprising the macromolecules, and the voids and pores of a porous medium.

Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants less than about 3.0, with some materials having dielectric constants less than about 2.5. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of manufacture are provided as well.

Abstract: A heat-resistant polymer foam is disclosed which has excellent heat resistance, a fine cellular structure, and a low apparent density. The heat-resistant polymer foam comprises a heat-resistant polymer having a glass transition point of 120° C. or higher, e.g., a polyimide or polyether imide, and has an average cell diameter of from 0.01 &mgr;m to less than 10 &mgr;m. This heat-resistant polymer foam can be produced by, for example, impregnating a heat-resistant polymer under pressure with an non-reactive gas such as carbon dioxide, which is in, e.g., a supercritical state, reducing the pressure, and then heating the polymer at a temperature exceeding 120° C. to foam the polymer.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber and film compositions comprising partially acidified, hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers or film derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing porous polymer materials by a combination of gas forming and particulate leaching steps. The invention is also directed to porous polymer material prepared by the process, particularly having a characteristic interconnected pore structure, and to methods for using such porous polymer material, particularly for tissue engineering.

Abstract: A superporous hydrogel composite is formed by polymerizing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers, and a multiolefinic crosslinking agent, in the presence of particles of a disintegrant and a blowing agent. The disintegrant, which rapidly absorbs water, serves to greatly increase the mechanical strength of the superporous hydrogel and significantly shorten the time required to absorb water and swell. Superporous hydrogel composites prepared by this method have an average pore size in the range of 10 &mgr;m to 3,000 &mgr;m. Preferred particles of disintegrant include natural and synthetic charged polymers, such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, crosslinked sodium starch glycolate, and crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blowing agent is preferably a compound that releases gas bubbles upon acidification, such as NaHCO3. Improved hydrogel composites formed without a blowing agent are also provided.

Abstract: A silicate-based blowing agent and method for producing foamed polymers provides a blowing agent containing at least one metal silicate, boric acid or a salt thereof, a peroxy compound, a reaction initiator and, optionally, a desiccant. The blowing agent is prepared by mixing the ingredients at least one time and allowing the mixture to rest without mixing until a dry dilatent gel is formed. The blowing agent is useful for the production of foamed polymers, especially for the production of foamed rubber.

Abstract: A mechanically undensified aromatic polyimide foam is made from an aromatic polyimide precursor solid residuum and has the following combination of properties: a density according to ASTM D-3574A of about 0.5 pounds/ft.sup.3 to about 20 pounds/ft.sup.3 ; a compression strength according to ASTM D-3574C of about 1.5 psi to about 1500 psi; and a limiting oxygen index according to ASTM D-2863 of about 35% oxygen to about 75% oxygen at atmospheric pressure. The aromatic polyimide foam has no appreciable solid inorganic contaminants which are residues of inorganic blowing agents. The aromatic polyimide which constitutes the aromatic polyimide foam has a glass transition temperature (Tg) by differential scanning calorimetry of about 235.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C.; and a thermal stability of 0 to about 1% weight loss at 204.degree. C. as determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Abstract: A shaped article composed of an aromatic polyimide has a hollow, essentially spherical structure and a particle size of about 100 to about 1500 .mu.m, a density of about 1 to about 6 pounds/ft.sup.3 and a volume change of 1 to about 20% by a pressure treatment of 30 psi for 10 minutes at room temperature. A syntactic foam, made of a multiplicity of the shaped articles which are bonded together by a matrix resin to form an integral composite structure, has a density of about 3 to about 30 pounds/ft.sup.3 and a compression strength of about 100 to about 1400 pounds/in.sup.2.