Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a short incident in an electrochemical cell (e.g., a Simons electrochemical fluorination cell or bipolar flow cell) using means for detecting vibration to detect vibration of an external piece on the cell. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a short incident in an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Described are (alkyl,bromo)phenoxy alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers and polymers made therefrom.

Abstract: A non-aqueous cleaning process uses an organic solvent for removing soil or surface contamination from contaminated articles such as printed circuit boards which are cleaned by immersion into a sump compartment of a cleaning tank containing the organic cleaning solvent. The organic solvent is preferably a hydrocarbon solvent. The cleaned articles, now coated with the organic cleaning solvent, are then disposed in a rinsing sump containing a fluorocarbon based rinsing solvent having an affinity for the organic cleaning solvent. The organic solvent is thus removed from the articles which are then dried without waste water as in a conventional solvent vapor degreasing solvent process.

Abstract: An apparatus for low temperature processing and high temperature sterilization comprising a hydrofluoroether heat-transfer fluid. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method therefor.

Abstract: In one aspect, this invention provides a fluid comprising one or more hydrofluoroether(s) and one or more lubricious additive(s) for the cutting and abrasive treatment of metal, cermet, or composite materials. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of cutting and abrasively treating metal, cermet, or composite materials comprising applying to the metal, cermet, or composite workpiece and tool a fluid comprising a hydrofluoroether and a lubricious additive.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-flammable cleaning composition comprising (a) a major amount of one or more highly fluorinated compounds having a boiling point less than about 100° C.; (b) a minor amount of one or more fluorinated compounds containing at least one aromatic moiety and having a boiling point between about 100° C.and about 140° C.; and (c) a minor amount of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrically conductive, light colored coated particles that are particularly useful for the manufacture of static dissipative compositions. This invention also relates to static dissipative composites made with these coated particles.

Abstract: An open air analysis apparatus includes an optical source for providing an optical signal, an interferometer for modulating the optical signal, and an optical signal detector. The apparatus further includes a folded path mirror configuration defining a sample path through which the optical signal passes from the interferometer to the optical signal detector. An enclosure encloses and seals the sample path with the enclosure including at least one removable portion for allowing entry into the sample path of a representative sample of ambient air when the at least one removable portion is removed. The method of gas analysis includes providing an open air spectrometry system defining a sample path. The sample path is enclosed and sealed when the open air spectrometry system is calibrated. The sample path is then opened to allow ambient air therein and analysis of a sample of ambient air in the sample path is initiated.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles of the invention comprise a continuous base layer and a multi-color polymeric top layer. The invention also includes methods of making such retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles of the invention provide excellent daytime contrast while maintaining nighttime retroreflectivity. Variously colored segments of polymer are directly and either sequentially or simultaneously coated onto a continuous backing to form a multi-colored top layer. Durability over existing multi-colored retroreflective articles is enhanced by use of a continuous base layer.

Abstract: Briefly, in one aspect, this invention provides a catalytic method of preparation of primary and secondary hydrofluoroethers, the process comprising reacting a fluorinated precursor material and an alkylating agent in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst or a mixture comprising Lewis acid and Bronsted acid catalysts.

Abstract: In one aspect, this invention provides a composition for the cutting and abrasive treatment of metals and ceramic materials comprising a hydrofluoroether. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of cutting and abrasively treating metals and ceramic materials comprising applying to the metal or ceramic workpiece and tool a composition comprising a hydrofluoroether.

Abstract: Compositions containing conductivity enhancers, which are capable of being coated onto a substrate by means of electrostatic assistance. The compositions comprise one or more cationically polymerizable monomer(s), one or more cationic initiator(s), and one or more non-volatile conductivity enhancer(s) having anionic and cationic portions which are soluble in the monomer(s) and which do not interfere with cationic polymerization wherein the anionic portion is a non-coordinating carbon-containing anion. The compositions may further comprise one or more dissociation enhancing agent(s), oligomer(s) or polymer(s), preferably co-reactive, free-radically curable monomer(s), free-radical generating initiator(s), leveling agents, and other additives or adjuvants to impart specific properties to the polymerized composition.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic retroreflective element having enhanced strength and increased retained reflectivity. The method of the present invention comprises forming retroreflective elements by the following steps:a) providing glass flakes;b) coating said glass flakes with a first barrier layer yielding coated glass flakes;c) providing optical elements;d) optionally coating said optical elements with a second barrier layer;e) blending said optical elements and said coated glass flakes;f) heating said optical elements and said coated glass flakes to spheroidize said flakes while agitating said optical elements and said coated glass flakes;g) further heating said optical elements and said spheroidized glass flakes to partially embed said optical elements in said spheroidized flakes while agitating said optical elements and said spheriodized flakes; andh) cooling said spheroidized flakes having partially embedded optical elements.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise optical elements embedded in either a core having a binder layer which is embedded in a road-binder or optical elements which are directly embedded into a binder layer. The binder layer may be part of a preformed pavement marking tape or may be applied directly to a traffic-bearing surface. The binder layer is comprised of a black pigment. The pavement marking articles of the present invention comprise one or more first region(s) wherein the first region(s) has a daytime appearance of black and is retroreflective.In another embodiment of the present invention, the pavement marking articles further comprise one or more second region(s) having a color which contrasts with black during the daytime and which is typically also retroreflective. The second region(s) is adjacent to the first region(s).

Abstract: All-ceramic retroreflective elements which may be used in pavement markings comprising an opacified ceramic core and ceramic optical elements partially embedded into the core.

Abstract: A heat-activatable adhesive comprising an acrylic copolymer, which copolymer comprises a monomer consisting of an acrylate or methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alkyl alcohol having a Tg of about 0.degree. C. or lower; a monomer consisting of an acrylate or methacrylate ester of an alcohol having a Tg of at least about 5.degree. C.; and a functional monomer. Selected embodiments include a retroreflective article comprising a film having a substantially flat surface and a structured surface, the structured surface comprising a plurality of precisely shaped projections, a colored layer disposed on the structured surface and adhered thereto in a plurality of discrete locations, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer disposed on the colored layer.

Abstract: Articles comprising a substrate, preferably a retroreflective sheeting, having a coating of a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and articles wherein the adhesive adheres the substrate to a highly monomericly plasticized PVC component, preferably a PVC coated fabric. The adhesive comprises a crosslinked copolymer of a first monofunctional acrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol having as a homopolymer a glass transition temperature of less than -25.degree. C., a nitrogen containing moderately basic monomer copolymerizable therewith selected from the group consisting of N,N-dialkyl substituted amides, an optional copolymerizable acidic monomer, an optional second monofunctional acrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol having as a homopolymer a glass transition temperature -25.degree. C. or greater, and a crosslinking agent. A method of bonding a highly monomericly plasticized PVC component to a substrate, preferably a retroreflective sheeting, using the adhesive.

Abstract: Free-radically polymerizable release coating compositions containing conductivity enhancers, which are capable of being electrosprayed onto a substrate. The compositions comprise (a) about 100 parts by weight of one or more free-radically polymerizable vinyl monomer(s), (b) from about 0.05 to about 250 parts by weight of one or more polydiorganosiloxane polymer(s) copolymerizable with the vinyl monomer(s), and (c) from about 0.10 to about 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of (a) and (b), of one or more non-volatile conductivity enhancer(s), which are soluble in the monomer(s) and which do not interfere with polymerization, wherein the composition may be electrosprayed.The composition may further comprise from about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of one or more initiator(s) based on 100 parts by weight of monomer(s) and polydiorganosiloxane polymer(s).Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises at least 0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) as low temperature heat transfer media in secondary loop refrigeration systems. These materials exhibit a low, somewhat linear Temperature Difference Factor over the temperature range of −15° C. to −65° C., making them ideal for use as low temperature heat transfer media. The HFEs of the present invention are nonflammable, nontoxic, environmentally benign, and have a high heat transfer capacity and low viscosity over the required operating temperatures. Furthermore, since these materials have high boiling points and low freezing points, they are not prone to phase changes over the required operating temperatures, and do not require pressurized systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) as low temperature heat transfer media in secondary loop refrigeration systems. These materials exhibit a low, somewhat linear Temperature Difference Factor over the temperature range of −15° C. to −65° C., making them ideal for use as low temperature heat transfer media. The HFEs of the present invention are nonflammable, nontoxic, environmentally benign, and have a high heat transfer capacity and low viscosity over the required operating temperatures. Furthermore, since these materials have high boiling points and low freezing points, they are not prone to phase changes over the required operating temperatures, and do not require pressurized systems.