Abstract: Polyurethane polymers useful as hydrogels wherein the polyol is a specific polyol of block copolymers and a method for desalination of water.

Abstract: The method of reinforcing a panel of sheet metal, a shaped plastic body or the like is performed by means of a one- or multi-layer stiffening member of essentially flat shape which comprises a layer at least partially consisting of a thermosetting resin. Thereby, the stiffening member is subjected to a first heat treatment until at least one of the surfaces of the stiffening member is sticky. Thereafter, the stiffening member is applied to the surface of an element to be reinforced. Finally, the stiffening member is subjected to a second, final heat treatment until all layers comprising a thermosetting resin material are cured. Thus, it is not necessary to manually prepare the stiffening member by removing a protection foil from its sticky surface prior to applying it to the element to be reinforced and a fully automated handling is possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for start spinning or piecing at least two yarns of fibers, which process includes forming strands for start-spinning or piecing by introducing a continuous filament into each roving, false twisting the strands, assembling the strands at a given point of convergence, cutting each filament upstream of its introducing point, removing the filament from the strands and twisting the strands without the filament to a twisted yarn. This process serves to overcome the problem of breaking at the start of the spinning. Also by the present invention, the problem of breaking while twisting the assembled intermediate yarns to a twisted yarn is avoided by introducing a false twisting of the assembled intermediate yarns, supplementing to the false twisting of the intermediate yarns, before the last twisting.