Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.

Abstract: Photocurable and photopattemable compositions are disclosed which comprise a) at least one copolymer derived from 1 to 99 parts by weight of at least one azlactone-functional monomer and 0 to 99 parts of at least one co-monomer; and b) at least one photocrosslinker. Articles are disclosed comprising a substrate and a gel layer of the cured composition which may be photopatterned with high resolution and used to bind biomolecules to the substrate.

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: A membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising an ion conducting membrane and one or more electrode layers that comprise nanostructured elements, wherein the nanostructured elements are in incomplete contact with the ion conducting membrane. This invention also provides methods to make the membrane electrode assembly of the invention. The membrane electrode assembly of this invention is suitable for use in electrochemical devices, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells, electrolyzers, chlor-alkali separation membranes, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for making crosslinked acidic polymers useful as ion conductive membranes, such as crosslinked sulfonated polyether ketones, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polystyrenes, and other acidic polymers, by crosslinking with a species which generates an acidic functionality. The crosslinker preferably binds to acid functions by conversion of acid groups to imide functionality, which, due to the acidity of the N-H bonds therein, compensate for the acidity lost by the occupation of the acid groups and thus preserve membrane conductivity while contributing to membrane strength and resistance to swelling.

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 composition of matter includes a polymerizable mixture comprising 1 to 99 weight percent of a first monomer and an initiator therefor, the first monomer being one of 1) at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer or 2) at least one cyanate ester monomer, and 99 to 1 weight percent of a second monomer and an initiator therefor, the second monomer being the member of 1) or 2) that is not selected as the first monomer, wherein the curative for the cyanate ester is a transition metal-containing organometallic compound curing agent and the curative for the free-radically polymerizable monomer is a free-radical generating curing agent or a transition metal-containing organometallic compound.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a polymerizable mixture comprising 1 to 99 weight percent of a first monomer and an initiator therefor, the first monomer being one of 1) at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer or 2) at least one cyanate ester monomer, and 99 to 1 weight percent of a second monomer and an initiator therefor, the second monomer being the member of 1) or 2) that is not selected as the first monomer, wherein the curative for the cyanate ester is a transition metal-containing organometallic compound curing agent and the curative for the free-radically polymerizable monomer is a free-radical generating curing agent or a transition metal-containing organometallic compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous material or a membrane in which the membrane includes an azlactone moiety which is blended with or grafted to a thermoplastic polymer to provide a porous material having an internal structure characterized by a multiplicity of spaced, randomly disposed, non-uniform shaped, equiaxed particles of the polyazlactone polymer/thermoplastic polymer blends or the azlactone-graft copolymer. Each of the adjacent particles throughout the material are separated from one another to provide said material with a network of interconnected micropores and each of the particles are connected to each other by a plurality of fibrils. In addition to unmodified azlactone membranes, membranes which have been modified by subsequent reaction of the azlactone moiety with a suitable nucleophile are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a membrane electrode that employs a composite membrane, which include both a porous membrane and an ion conducting electrolyte, by partially filling a porous membrane with an ion conducting electrolyte to form a partially filled membrane and then compressing the partially filled membrane with electrode particles so as to remove void volume from the partially filled membrane and embed the electrode particles in the partially filled membrane. The membrane electrode of this invention is suitable for use in electrochemical devices, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells, electrolyzers, chlor-alkali separation membranes, and the like.

Abstract: Nanostructured elements are provided for use in the electrode of a membrane electrode assembly for use in fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical cells, and the like. The nanostructured elements comprise acicular microstructured support whiskers bearing acicular nanoscopic catalyst particles which may comprise alternating layers of catalyst materials, which may comprise a surface layer that differs in composition from the bulk composition of the catalyst particles, and which may demonstrate improved carbon monoxide tolerance.

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: 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 II-VI semiconductor light emitting device includes a II-VI semiconductor light emitting region and a II-VI semiconductor waveguide layer. A light absorbing layer is provided near the II-VI semiconductor waveguide layer, outside of the active region. The light absorbing layer absorbs extraneous radiation thereby reducing dark line defects (DLDs).

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

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises an aromatic cyanate ester silane comprising at least one cyanate ester group and at least one hydrolyzable silyl group. In the presence of a cyanate ester resin the aromatic cyanate ester silane acts as a coupling agent to improve the adhesion of the cyanate ester to a substrate. The curable compositions are useful as reinforced composites, and as adhesive and coating compositions.

Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising an ion conducting membrane and one or more electrode layers that comprise nanostructured elements, wherein the nanostructured elements are in incomplete contact with the ion conducting membrane. This invention also provides methods to make the membrane electrode assembly of the invention. The membrane electrode assembly of this invention is suitable for use in electrochemical devices, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells, electrolyzers, chlor-alkali separation membranes, and the like.

Abstract: Nanostructured elements are provided for use in the electrode of a membrane electrode assembly for use in fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical cells, and the like. The nanostructured elements comprise acicular microstructured support whiskers bearing acicular nanoscopic catalyst particles which may comprise alternating layers of catalyst materials, which may comprise a surface layer that differs in composition from the bulk composition of the catalyst particles, and which may demonstrate improved carbon monoxide tolerance.