Abstract: A sprayable liquid coating composition, particularly for application to foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, utilizes gaseous carbon dioxide to reduce the viscosity of a concentrated solution comprising an edible polymer and a solvent, such as ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. The addition of the gaseous carbon dioxide in the concentrated solution permits a sprayable composition to be produced using a significantly reduced level of solvent in the edible polymer/solvent solution. By reducing the amount of solvent used in the solution, the level of VOCs emission during the coating process also is reduced. Either supercritical carbon dioxide or subcritical carbon dioxide can be used as the gaseous carbon dioxide in the present invention.

Abstract: An in situ controlled oxidation reaction of trialkylborane (BR3) in the presence of polyolefin and maleic anhydride produces mono-oxidized trialkylborane adducts, i.e., peroxyldialkylborane (R—O—O—BR2), that can undergo homolytic cleavage to form (R—O* *O—BR2) and activate the polyolefin chain by alkoxyl radical (R—O*) hydrogen-abstraction at ambient temperature. The formed polymeric radical (C*), associated with the oxidized borane moiety (*O—BR2), then reacts with maleic anhydride by addition reaction, without side reactions, to form functional polyolefins that contain incorporated maleic anhydride side groups.

Abstract: Co-subsituted linear polyphosphazene polymers that useful in gel polymer electrolytes having an ion conductivity at room temperature of at least about 10−5 S/cm and comprising (i) a polyphosphazene having controlled ratios of side chains that promote ionic conductivity and hydrophobic, non-conductive side chains that promote mechanical stability, (ii) a small molecule additive, such as propylene carbonate, that influences the ionic conductivity and physical properties of the gel polymer electrolytes, and (iii) a metal salt, such as lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate, that influences the ionic conductivity of the gel polymer electrolytes, and methods of preparing the polyphosphazene polymers and the gel polymer electrolytes are disclosed.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: A new class of “living” free radical initiators that are based on alkylperoxydiarylborane and its derivatives and that may be represented by the general formula. R—[O—O—B—&phgr;1(—&phgr;2)]n wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is a hydrogen or a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical having a molecular weight from 1 to about 500, and &phgr;1 and &phgr;2, independently, are selected from aryl radicals, based on phenyl or substituted phenyl groups, with the proviso that &phgr;1 and &phgr;2 can be the chemically bridged to each other with a linking group or with a direct chemical bond between the two aryl groups to form a cyclic ring structure that includes a boron atom are disclosed.

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form high molecular weight, linear polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which consists essentially of (1) an aluminum alkyl component, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum and diethylaluminum hydride and (2) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative component, such as _B(C6F5)3, {(CH3)2N(H)(C6H5)}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C2H5) 3NH}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)3(Cl)−}, (C2H5) 2Al(OCH3), (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), (C2H5)Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide)2, (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide), 2,6-di-t butylphenol.methyl-aluminoxane or an alkylaluminoxane, and which may be completely free any transition metal component(s).

Abstract: Functional polyolefin material containing a terminal styrene or styrene derivative unit and having the following molecular structure: in which polyolefin is a homopolymer or copolymer prepared by metallocene-mediated coordination polymerization of linear, branched or cyclic C3-C18 alpha-olefins and/or diolefins, in which the molecular weight of polyolefin segment is above 500 g/mole, preferably in the range between 10,000 to 1,000,000 g/mole, in which the number of methylene spacer units (n) is between 0 and 6, and preferably between 0 and 3, and in which X is a group selected from H, Cl, Br, I, OH, NH2, COOR, O—BR2, O—SiR3, N(SiR3)2, BR2, SiR3 (where R is a C1 to C10 linear, branched, cyclic or aromatic alkyl group), CH═CH2, COOH, COOLi, and succinic anhydride, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the functional polyolefin material.

Abstract: A new class of “living” free radical initiators that are based on alkylperoxydiarylborane and its derivatives and that may be represented by the general formula. R—[O—O—B-&phgr;1(-&phgr;2)]n wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is a hydrogen or a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical having a molecular weight from 1 to about 500, and &phgr;1 and &phgr;2, independently, are selected from aryl radicals, based on phenyl or substituted phenyl groups, with the proviso that &phgr;1 and &phgr;2 can be the chemically bridged to each other with a linking group or with a direct chemical bond between the two aryl groups to form a cyclic ring structure that includes a boron atom are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyolefin copolymers (I) and to graft copolymers (II) which are prepared from the copolymers (I), wherein the copolymers (I) are linear copolymers containing divinylbenzene comonomer units selected from the group consisting of 1,4-divinylbenzene units, mixtures of 1,4- and 1,3-divinylbenzene units and mixtures of 1,4-, 1,3- and 1,2-divinylbenzene units, wherein R, in formulas I and II, is a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl group or a C6 to C10 substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and wherein G and G′, independently, are selected from —H, —OH, epoxy, —NH2, —COOH, anhydride, —Cl, —Br, —M, —COOM (M=metal) or a polymer chain having the molecular weight of at least about 500, which can be derived from both step and chain polymerization reactions. In the graft copolymer (II), the combined alpha-olefin mole % (x+y) is from about 50 and 99.

Abstract: A new class of ferroelectric terpolymers having an exceptionally large electrostrictive response (>3%) induced by external electric field at ambient temperature comprise 50-80 mole % of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), 15-40 mole % of trifluoroethylene (TrFE) and 2-20 mole % of at least one bulky monomer, such as chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) or hexafluoropropene (HFP). These semicrystalline terpolymers behave like a ferroelectric relaxor having a rapid electric field-induced mechanical response, due to a low Curie temperature (phase transition between polar and nonpolar crystalline domains at or near ambient temperature) and high dielectric constant. A combination of bulk polymerization and free radical polymerization using oxidation adducts of an organoborane as the free radical initiator may be used to prepare the terpolymers, such that the terpolymers are characterized by good processibility, high purity and uniform molecular structure.

Abstract: Oily hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin, and a method for their synthesis, are disclosed. The polymers have non-regular microstructures and are characterized by a ratio ()of methyl hydrogens centered around 0.85 ppm on the 1H-NMR spectra of the polymers relative to total aliphatic hydrogens of from about 0.40 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from ethylene or butene, and a ratio ()of from greater than 0.50 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from propylene. A method for grafting hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin onto aromatic rings in organic molecules and polymers, and the resulting grafted materials, are also disclosed. The hyperbranched polymers and grafted materials are useful, for example, as lubricants and lubricant additives.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form high molecular weight, linear polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which consists essentially of (1) an aluminum alkyl component, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum and diethylaluminum hydride and (2) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative component, such as B (C6F5)3, [(CH3)2N (H) (C6H5)]+[B (C6F5)4]−, [(C2H5)3NH]+[B C6F5)4],−, [C(C6F5)3]+[B(C6F5)4]−, (C2H5)2Al(OCH3), (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), (C2H5)Al(2,6 -di-t-butylphenoxide)2, (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butylphonoxide) , 2,6 -di-t-butylphenol·methylaluminoxane or an alkylaluminoxane, and which may be completely free any transition metal component(s).

Abstract: A light weight structural composite panel adapted for use in a vertical orientation in an underground worker protection system is disclosed. The panel comprises first and second fiberglass reinforced resin matrix facing layers and a balsa-containing core means, weights less than about 5.5 to about 6 lbs. per square foot, and when supported in a vertical plane adjacent an excavation wall, is able to withstand an extended load in Type C solid (OSHA, CFR 1926) of at least 592 pounds per square foot with a minimum safety factor of 3:1. Methods of preparing the panels and methods of assembling the panels into excavation support systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A generally "L"-shaped bandage for use in retaining a dressing on a human penis and a method for using the bandage are disclosed. The bandage comprises a generally "L"-shaped cover member having an adhesive undersurface, wherein the longer leg of the "L" is comprised of a single strip of the cover member and the shorter leg of the "L" is comprised of three adjacent short strips of the cover member. In use, the three short strips which define the shorter leg of the "L" are adhered to the base of the penis and to the patient's skin adjacent the base of the penis, whereas the strip which defines the longer leg of the "L" is wrapped circumferentially around the shaft of the penis and around the dressing positioned on the penis.

Abstract: A light weight structural composite comprised of a cellular core having high dynamic load-bearing properties and a fiber reinforced resinous skin, the panel further comprised of an internally disposed elastomeric membrane which covers the core and acts to disperse shock waves created from impact loads.

Abstract: An immunoglobulin-rich fraction containing IgG, IgA and IgM is prepared in high concentration (200 mg/ml) by contacting diluted serum with CuSO.sub.4, which is a source of strong positive ions, to produce a precipitate rich in immunoglobulins, whereafter the precipitate is washed with an EDTA chelating agent solution and then a solution of L-lysine.HCl and NaHCO.sub.3 is added to form a colloidal solution of the washed immunoglobulin precipitate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of dimer alkaloid compounds, particularly those of the Catharantus (Vinca) family, from an indole unit, such as cantharanthine, and a dihydroindole unit, such as vindoline. A multi-step process is disclosed including the steps of (1) of 1,4-reduction of a first dimeric iminium intermediate to an enamine compound by reaction with a 1,4-dihydropyridine compound; (2) oxidative transformation of the resulting enamine to a second iminium intermediate under controlled aeration; (3) reduction of the second iminium intermediate to form the target dimer alkaloid compounds. The entire process can be conducted in a one-pot operation to obtain the target compounds without isolation of the intermediates.