Abstract: Describes a diaphragm for an electrolytic diaphragm cell, e.g., a chlor-alkali cell, in which the diaphragm comprises fibrous material substantially resistant to the environment within the electrolytic cell and spheroidal ceramic microspheres at least partially resistant to the environment within the electrolytic cell associated with said diaphragm. Also describes a diaphragm for an electrolytic cell in which the diaphragm comprises a base mat of fibrous material chosen from asbestos fibers, resin-modified asbestos fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures of such fibers on which base mat is applied a coating comprising spheroidal ceramic microspheres. Further describes a synthetic diaphragm for an electrolytic cell, e.g., a chlor-alkali cell, on which is applied a coating comprising substantially water-insoluble inorganic particulate material, e.g., clay material, and spheroidal ceramic microspheres.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein provide phase-separating polymer systems including a cured polymeric liquid crystal matrix phase and a guest phase including at least one photoactive material where the guest phase separates from the matrix phase during the curing process. Optical elements, including ophthalmic elements and other articles of manufacture including the phase-separating polymer systems are also disclosed. Methods of forming a liquid crystal phase-separating photoactive polymer system are also described.

Abstract: Described are optical elements made of a substrate and a curable film-forming composition applied to at least a portion of the substrate to form a coating thereon. The curable film-forming composition comprises: i) a resinous material comprising a monomer, oligomer, and/or polymer containing reactive functional groups; ii) a curing agent having two or more reactive functional groups that are reactive with functional groups in the resinous material of i); and iii) a material different from i) and ii), comprising a blocked isocyanate group blocked with a blocking agent capable of deblocking at a low temperature. The material of iii) is present in the curable film-forming composition at least in an amount sufficient to improve adhesion between the curable film-forming composition and the substrate and/or a superposed coating compared to a substantially identical optical element that does not comprise the material of iii) in the curable film-forming composition.

Abstract: Describes a method for lowering the flow of liquid anolyte through perforations in the diaphragm of a diaphragm electrolytic cell, e.g., a chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolytic cell, comprising introducing ceramic fiber into the anolyte compartment of the electrolytic cell, e.g., during cell operation. The benefits described for lowering the flow of anolyte liquor through the diaphragm of a chlor-alkali diaphragm electrolytic cell are increasing the concentration of alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium hydroxide, and decreasing the concentration of hypochlorite ion, e.g., sodium hypochlorite, in the catholyte liquor. Also describes introducing dopant material and/or fibers comprising halogen-containing polymer, e.g., fluorocarbon polymer fibers, into the anolyte compartment of the electrolytic cell in conjunction with the addition of ceramic fiber into the anolyte compartment, e.g., during cell operation.

Abstract: Described are photochromic ocular devices such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses made of an organic polymeric material and at least one photochromic material capable upon exposure to actinic radiation to change from a less ultraviolet radiation absorbing unactivated form to a more ultraviolet radiation absorbing activated form. The photochromic ocular device is capable upon exposure to actinic radiation to exhibit a ratio of greater than 0.5:1.0 of increased ultraviolet radiation absorbance to increased visible radiation absorbance as measured in the Ultraviolet Photochromic Performance Test described herein.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to photochromic compounds, which may be thermally reversible or non-thermally reversible, and articles made therefrom. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to photochromic-dichroic compounds, which may be thermally reversible or non-thermally reversible, and articles made therefrom. For example, one non-limiting embodiment provides a thermally reversible, photochromic compound adapted to have at least a first state and a second state, wherein the thermally reversible, photochromic compound has an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in at least one state as determined according to CELL METHOD.

Abstract: Photochromic materials comprising indeno-fused naphthopyrans having a first electron-withdrawing substituent and, in certain non-limiting embodiments, a second electron-withdrawing substituent are disclosed. The photochromic materials according to the various embodiments may display faster fade rates, bathochromic shift, and higher performance ratings compared to comparable indeno-fused naphthopyrans without the electron-withdrawing substituents. Photochromic compositions and articles, such as optical elements, incorporating the photochromic materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to photochromic materials comprising a reactive substituent. For example, the present disclosure contemplates photochromic materials, such as photochromic naphthopyrans and indeno-fused naphthopyrans having a reactive substituent comprising a reactive moiety linked to the photochromic naphthopyran by one or more linking groups. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the reactive moiety comprises a polymerizable moiety. In other non-limiting embodiments, the reactive moiety comprises a nucleophilic moiety or an electrophilic moiety. Other non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to photochromic articles, compositions, and methods of making the photochromic articles, wherein the photochromic articles and compositions comprise the photochromic naphthopyrans described herein.

Abstract: Described are naphthols useful in the manufacture of novel indeno-fused photochromic naphthopyran materials.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to photochromic compounds, which may be thermally reversible or non-thermally reversible, and articles made therefrom. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to photochromic-dichroic compounds, which may be thermally reversible or non-thermally reversible, and articles made therefrom. For example, one non-limiting embodiment provides a thermally reversible, photochromic compound adapted to have at least a first state and a second state, wherein the thermally reversible, photochromic compound has an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in at least one state as determined according to CELL METHOD.

Abstract: Photochromic materials comprising indeno-fused naphthopyrans having substituents comprising a 4-fluorophenyl group and a 4-aminophenyl group bonded to the 3-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran are disclosed. The photochromic materials may exhibit faster fade rates as compared to similar indeno-fused naphthopyrans without a 4-fluorophenyl group and a 4-aminophenyl group bonded to the 3-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran. Substituted 2-propyn-1-ols utilized for the synthesis of the indeno-fused naphthopyrans disclosed herein are disclosed. Photochromic compositions and articles, such as optical elements, incorporating the photochromic materials disclosed herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a substrate; and at least one at least partially aligned thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound connected to at least a portion of the substrate and having an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in an activated state.

Abstract: Calcium hypochlorite compositions that are classified as a Packing Group III Division 5.1 oxidizer material or as a non-Division 5.1 oxidizer material are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise an admixture of particulate calcium hypochlorite and particulate metaboric acid. The calcium hypochlorite is present in the composition in an amount and is of a concentration such that the composition would be classified as a Packing Group II Division 5.1 oxidizer in the absence of said particulate metaboric acid. Other embodiments described are solid shaped articles, e.g., tablets, comprising the described calcium hypochlorite-metaboric acid composition.

Abstract: Describes an optical article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes: (1) a transparent substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic plastic substrate, (2) a multiply laminate adjacent to at least one surface of the substrate, the laminate comprising (i) a transparent, thermoplastic polyurethane film, the thermoplastic, polyurethane film providing a desirable light filtering property, e.g., photochromism, and being juxtaposed to the surface of the substrate, the polyurethane being formed from a material comprising polyether-based polyurethane or polycarbonate-based polyurethane, and (ii) a transparent protective film of polymeric material, e.g., polycarbonate film, adjacent to the thermoplastic polyurethane film. Describes also the aforedescribed optical article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the protective film, e.g.

Abstract: Describes a photochromic plastic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a polymeric substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one organic photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran and/or fulgide, and (3) a radiation-cured, acrylate-based film coherently appended to the photochromic coating, the acrylate-based film being (a) resistant to removal by aqueous solutions of inorganic caustic, e.g., potassium hydroxide, (b) compatible with organo silane-containing abrasion-resistant coating, and (c) harder than said photochromic coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the radiation-cured acrylate-based film, e.g.

Abstract: Describes a composition comprising a mixture of calcium hypochlorite and hydrated magnesium sulfate having an average of from 3 to 5.5 moles of water of hydration per mole of magnesium sulfate. The amount of hydrated magnesium sulfate in the composition is such that the composition has at least a DOT Packing Group III Division 5.1 Classification.

Abstract: Describes compositions of 1,2-dichloroethylene, particularly trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, stabilized with effective stabilizing amounts of a combination of (a) C3 to C12 alkylene oxide, e.g., butylene oxide, (b) alcohol chosen from aliphatic and cycloaliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., isopropanol, and (c) a material chosen from (i) C1 to C5 alkoxyphenol, e.g., 4-methoxyphenol, (ii) free radical stabilizer having at least one 2,2,6,6-tetra(lower alkyl)-1-piperidinyloxy-yl group, and (iii) mixtures of (i) and (ii). Also describes use of such compositions for vapor degreasing of soiled articles, e.g., metal parts and soldered circuit boards.

Abstract: Describes an integrated process for preparing 1,2-dichloroethylenes. In the described process organic feed material, e.g., C2-C4 aliphatic hydrocarbons and/or chlorinated derivatives of such aliphatic hydrocarbons, is introduced into a first reaction zone 10, e.g., a chlorination zone such as an oxychlorination zone, or a thermal cracking zone; first product effluent from the first reaction zone is forwarded to a second reaction zone 9; trichloroethane is introduced into the second reaction zone and into heat exchange contact with the first product effluent from the first reaction zone, which has a heat content sufficient to cause thermal dehydrochlorination of trichloroethane in the second reaction zone; and second product effluent is removed from the second reaction zone. 1,2-dichloroethylene is recovered by conventional distillation recovery methods from the second product effluent.

Abstract: Describes a cathode assembly for electrolytic cells, e.g., chlor-alkali electrolytic cells, comprising a foraminous cathode substrate, a deposited erodible mat comprising synthetic (man-made) fibers, e.g., polyamide (nylon) fibers, on the foraminous surface of said cathode substrate, and a synthetic diaphragm on said erodible mat. Also described is a method for preparing the cathode assembly that comprises depositing a mat of erodible synthetic fibers on the active surface of the foraminous cathode, e.g., by drawing an aqueous slurry of the erodible synthetic fibers through the foraminous cathode, and subsequently forming, e.g., by vacuum deposition, a synthetic diaphragm on the erodible mat.

Abstract: Describes a method for recovering trans-1,2-dichloroethene from a liquid feed composition comprising both the cis-and trans-isomers of 1,2-dichloroethene and contaminating amounts of other chlorinated hydrocarbons, e.g., lower alkyl chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as C1-C2 chlorinated hydrocarbons. In one of the described methods, the liquid feed composition is introduced into a first distillation column 10 wherein the stereoisomers and chlorinated hydrocarbons more volatile than the stereoisomers are removed as overhead 12 and charged to a second distillation column 20. In column 20, the stereoisomers are separated from the more volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, and a bottoms fraction 24 comprising the stereoisomers is charged to a reactive distillation column 30 wherein the cis-isomer is isomerized to the trans-isomer in the liquid phase and in the presence of an organic free-radical initiator, e.g., an azonitrile initiator.