Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyether sulfone films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: A process to prepare pinhole-free, ultrathin, polymethylmethacrylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less. The films are prepared by dissolving a polymethylmethacrylate polymer in a mixture of solvents to form a casting solution and then casting the solution upon water to form a free-standing film. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyarylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, blended, cellulose nitrate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyimide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pinhole-free, ultrathin, free-standing cellulose ester films having thicknesses of 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyphenylene oxide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: A specimen holder for use in an ion beam sputter coating machine to prepare a specimen placed on a specimen stub for analysis by a scanning electron microscope. The specimen holder is comprised of two planar members, each containing a plurality of openings sufficient in size to hold a specimen stub, with screws projecting through the lip of the upper planar member to allow the specimen holder to securely hold the specimen stubs within the openings in the planar member. The lower planar member has a limited rotation, in relation to the upper planar member, to prevent the specimen stubs from falling through the openings in the specimen holder.

Abstract: The invention provides a substituted polybenzimidazole product produced by employing a cyclic carbonate to attach hydroxyalkyl substituents at the reactive imidazole hydrogen sites on the polybenzimidazole polymer. The substituted polybenzimidazole polymer membranes produced by this process exhibit improved hydrophilicity and chemical stability over prior art polybenzimidazole membranes. Substituted polybenzimidazole polymer ultrafilters produced by this process filter a broad range of molecular weight compounds.