Abstract: A dry-strippable coating composition can be incorporated into a composite article and comprises a dried water-borne polyurethane dispersion including a release additive comprising a releasing co-solvent or other selected release material. When water is removed from the polyurethane dispersion of the composite article and when the article comprises a thermoformable substrate, the article can be thermoformed to provide a shaped article. Dry-stripping the coating composition from the substrate provides a thermoformed substrate and a thermoformed protective layer. The dry-strippable coatings provide temporary protection for the surface of various products and components during manufacture, assembly, shipping, installation, painting, and refinishing operations.

Abstract: Novel catalyst systems in cationically curable compositions provide colorless cationically cured compositions with improved degree of cure and thermal stability. The curable composition comprises at least one cationically curable monomer and a curing agent comprising Photocurative A or Photocurative B. Photocurative A comprises an effective amount of an accelerating photochemically active salt comprising a photochemically active cation and an accelerating anion, and an effective amount of an inhibiting non-photochemically active salt comprising a non-photochemically active cation and an inhibiting anion. Photocurative B comprises an effective amount of an inhibiting photochemically active salt comprising a photochemically active cation and an inhibiting anion, and an effective amount of an accelerating non-photochemically active salt comprising a non-photochemically active cation and an accelerating anion.

Abstract: A method of laminating a structure comprises at least two layers and a photopolymerizable adhesive composition between the layers, at least one of the layers being opaque, colored, or reflective. One or both of the layers is transmissive to actinic radiation in wavelengths in the range of greater than 400 nm and up to 1200 nm. The photopolymerizable adhesive composition absorbs radiation in the identified spectral region of the radiation transmissive layer. Curing is effected by directing radiation in the identified spectral region through the radiation transmissive layer and produces a laminated structure. An underfilled flip chip assembly on an integrated circuit board substrate can be prepared by the method described above.

Abstract: A II-VI semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor layers. An ohmic contact is provided that electrically couples to the stack. The ohmic contact has an oxidation rate when exposed to an oxidizing substance. A passivation capping layer overlies the ohmic contact and has an oxidation rate that is less than the oxidation rate of the ohmic contact.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparation of chlorofluoroethers ClCF2CFClOR8f and Cl2CFCFClOR8f by direct fluorination of Cl2CHCH2OR8 and Cl3CCH2OR8, respectively, wherein R8 is a C1-C20 alkyl-or acyl-containing group optionally up to 5 ether oxygen atoms and optionally substituted by functional groups and R81, is the corresponding perfluoroalkyl or perfluoracyl-containing group.

Abstract: A propylene polymeric composition with elastic character that is soluble in at least one nonpolar organic solvent selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, heptane, and hexane, comprises greater than 3 weight percent and up to 45 weight percent homotactic sequences each having only r or m diads, all of which homotactic sequences have a helical length in the range of 20 to 150 Å, and in the range of 55 to 97 weight percent of the sum of homotactic sequences of less than 20 Å in helical length, each homotactic sequence having only r or m diads and having fewer than 10 repeat units with mmmm pentads being present in the range of 0 to 35 weight percent of the total composition, and heterotactic sequences having r and m diads of unequal number, the polymer having a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 70,000.

Abstract: Acrylates having a high degree of halogenation, as well as polymers that include one or more mer units derived from such acrylates provide materials having tailorable optical and physical properties. The polymers find utility particularly in optical devices including optical waveguides and interconnecting devices.

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the C3 or larger alpha-olefin units are incorporated into the polymer so as to give an average number of less than one branch point per C3 or larger alpha-olefin unit, 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the C2 alpha-olefin units are incorporated so as to give an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per C2 alpha-olefin unit, and 3) cyclopentene or substituted cyclopentene, the microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers. Optionally, the polymer of the microspheres can be crosslinked. The microspheres can be prepared by suspension or dispersion polymerization processes using aqueous or organic reaction media. Powder coatings can be prepared from the microspheres.

Abstract: A propylene polymeric composition with elastic character that is soluble in at least one nonpolar organic solvent selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, heptane, and hexane, comprises greater than 3 weight percent and up to 45 weight percent homotactic sequences each having only r or m diads, all of which homotactic sequences have a helical length in the range of 20 to 150 Å, and in the range of 55 to 97 weight percent of the sum of homotactic sequences of less than 20 Å in helical length, each homotactic sequence having only r or m diads and having fewer than 10 repeat units with mmmm pentads being present in the range of 0 to 35 weight percent of the total composition, and heterotactic sequences having r and m diads of unequal number, the polymer having a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 70,000.

Abstract: An angularity enhancement layer in a liquid crystal display, which display comprises a liquid crystal cell, wherein the angularity enhancement layer includes a negative birefringent polyimide layer comprising a plurality of structural units having pendant fluorene groups, said angularity enhancement layer being disposed on at least one surface of said liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal display can comprise an angularity enhancement construction of the invention which comprises a polyimide layer.

Abstract: A method for removing one or more fluorinated alkenes from a fluid comprises the step of contacting the fluid with an N-, S-, or P-containing nucleophile for a time sufficient to form an N-, S-, or P-containing nucleophile-fluoroalkene adduct. The nucleophile, and therefore the adduct, can be covalently bonded, coated or sorbed to a particulate support which can be enmeshed in a porous, fibrous web. In a preferred embodiment the fluorinated alkene can have the formula ##STR1## wherein A=F or R.sub.f ; X=H, F, Cl, R.sub.f, or YR.sub.f ; Z=H, F, Cl, or R.sub.f ; and Y=O, N, or S; with the proviso that at least one A=F, and at most one of Z and X is H; wherein each R.sub.f is independently selected from the group consisting of highly fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl groups; and a combination of any two R.sub.f groups can be linked to form a cyclic structure. The R.sub.f alkyl chains may contain from 1-20 carbon atoms, with 1-12 carbon atoms preferred. The R.sub.

Abstract: An angularity enhancement layer in a liquid crystal display, which display comprises a liquid crystal cell, wherein the angularity enhancement layer includes a negative birefringent polyimide layer comprising a plurality of structural units having pendant fluorene groups, said angularity enhancement layer being disposed on at least one surface of said liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal display can comprise an angularity enhancement construction of the invention which comprises a polyimide layer.

Abstract: A shaped adhesive article is prepared by a method comprising the steps of shaping an adhesive mixture in a mold, said mold having one or more featured surfaces, said mixture including a first polymer precursor and a second polymer precursor, or a first polymer precursor and a thermoplastic polymer, polymerizing said first polymer precursor in said mold, to produce a shaped adhesive article having one or more featured surfaces, removing said shaped adhesive article from said mold, and adhering one or more of said featured surfaces to a substrate.

Abstract: Insoluble supports are prepared which possess high surface areas and efficiently dispersed isocyanate groups. These reactive supports are useful for covalently binding proteins which preferably are enzymes and provide catalysts for conducting organic reactions.

Abstract: Acrylates having a high degree of halogenation, as well as polymers that include one or more mer units derived from such acrylates provide materials having tailorable optical and physical properties. The polymers find utility particularly in optical devices including optical waveguides and interconnecting devices.

Abstract: An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) or semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) comprises a first phase which is continuous and comprises a flexible polymer and a second phase which is a fluorescent or nonfluorescent durable dispersed or continuous phase and comprises a dye and a polymer, wherein the polymer enhances durability of the dye. Such networks are particularly useful in fluorescent traffic signs or safety devices or in pavement marking tape or paint.

Abstract: A method for removing metal ions from solution comprises the steps of providing titanate particles by spray-drying a solution or slurry comprising sorbent titanates having a particle size up to 20 micrometers, optionally in the presence of polymer free of cellulose functionality as binder, said sorbent being active towards heavy metals from Periodic Table (CAS version) Groups IA, IIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, and VIII, to provide monodisperse, substantially spherical particles in a yield of at least 70 percent of theoretical yield and having a particle size distribution in the range of 1 to 500 micrometers. The particles can be used free flowing in columns or beds, or entrapped in a nonwoven, fibrous web or matrix or a cast porous membrane, to selectively remove metal ions from aqueous or organic liquid.

Abstract: An angularity enhancement layer in a liquid crystal display, which display comprises a liquid crystal cell, wherein the angularity enhancement layer includes a negative birefringent polyimide layer comprising a plurality of structural units having pendant fluorene groups, said angularity enhancement layer being disposed on at least one surface of said liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal display can comprise an angularity enhancement construction of the invention which comprises a polyimide layer.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprises an alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomer, an effective amount of an organometallic catalyst of a Group VIII metal, preferably Ni or Pd, and at least one of water and air. Novel catalysts for polymerizing alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomers provide improved processes and products. Methods of the invention include polymerizing the composition in open air and in the presence of water to provide novel polymers.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the water uptake in a sulfopoly(ester-urethane) by preparing said sulfopoly(ester-urethane) from a chain extended sulfopolyester polyol which itself has been prepared in a two-step method, said sulfopoly(ester-urethane) comprising in its backbone at least one non-terminal arylene or alkylene group comprising a pendant sulfonic acid group or salt thereof, said sulfonic acid group or salt thereof having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a trivalent aliphatic or aromatic group and M is a cation, said sulfonic acid group or salt thereof being bonded directly through said aliphatic or aromatic group to ester groups, the polymer of said sulfo(polyester-urethane) being terminated by at least one hydrolyzable silyl group,said two-step method for preparing said chain extended sulfopolyester polyol comprising the steps of:a) reacting a sulfopolycarboxylic acid or ester with a polyol to produce a sulfopolyester polyol,b) chain extending said sulfopolyester polyol by an esterification reaction with