Abstract: A process for removing a solvent from a first solution, said process comprising positioning a selective membrane between the first solution and a second solution having a higher osmotic potential than the first solution, such that solvent from the first solution passes across the membrane to dilute the second solution, and extracting solvent from the second solution, wherein the membrane has an average pore size of at least 10 Angstroms, and wherein the second solution contains solute species that are too large to pass through the pores of the membrane.

Abstract: A cable comprising one or more electrical conductors or communications media or a core of two or more electrical conductors or communications media, each electrical conductor, communications medium, or core being surrounded by a layer comprising: (a) polyethylene; polypropylene; or mixtures thereof; (b) carbon nanotubes; (c) a conductive carbon black other than carbon nanotubes; and (d) optionally, a copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene wherein the acrylonitrile is present in an amount of about 30 to about 60 percent by weight based on the weight of the copolymer or a silicone rubber.

Abstract: Compositions having good impact performance can be made from a thermoplastic (e.g., a polyolefin such as polypropylene or HDPE) and an ethylene multi-block copolymer. The compositions are easily molded and often have particular utility in making, for example, automotive facia, parts and other household articles.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polyolefin polymer and an expanded graphite exhibit uniform conductivity over a broad range of temperature. In one embodiment, the polyolefin polymer is polypropylene or polyethylene homopolymer or a polypropylene or polyethylene copolymer. The compositions provide uniform conductivity and can be used as a conductive formulation for medium and high voltage cable components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rheological additive in the form of a preactivated paste, comprising: A) at least one fatty acid diamide introduced in powder form, it being possible for the powder optionally to comprise, in addition to the diamide, hydrogenated castor oil, B) at least one organic plasticizer, the plasticizer being liquid at room temperature. A specific process for the preparation of this rheological additive, a composition comprising the additive, a process for the preparation of the composition and specific uses, in particular specific coatings obtained from the additive, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymerization process and the resulting polymer composition, said process comprising polymerizing one or more addition polymerizable monomers and a polymerizable shuttling agent in the presence of at least one addition polymerization catalyst comprising a metal compound or complex and a cocatalyst under conditions characterized by the formation of a branched polymer, preferably comprising pseudo-block molecular architecture.

Abstract: An air intake component and assembly, as well as an associated carburetor assembly and related method of assembly, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the intake component includes a surface capable of being coupled at least indirectly to a carburetor assembly, where the surface includes first and second orifices, a first channel capable of communicating engine intake air from a first location to the first orifice of the surface, and a second channel by which at least one of the first location and a second location is connected to the second orifice. The second channel is capable of communicating at least one of a primer air pressure pulse from the at least one location to the second orifice and fuel fumes from the second orifice to the at least one location. In at least some further embodiments, the intake component can be fitted with any of several interchangeable covers.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved rim designs for diaphragms or any similar intravaginal device and methods for producing same. The rim designs of the present invention improve, among other characteristics of the rim, structural durability, manufacturability, ease of insertion, comfort in use, and ease of removal of intravaginal devices. These designs incorporate one or more recesses in the inner portion of a rim piece that provide an attachment site for a separate dome piece. Attachment within a recess shields the exposed outer edge of the dome material from contact with epithelial surfaces and improves comfort and safety. In certain embodiments of the invention, a thinned inner portion of the rim serves as a handle that can be easily grasped by a finger to remove the device from the vagina. These devices are useful in providing a protective cervical barrier for contraception and disease prevention, to deliver beneficial agents, and as a means to collect and remove substances from the vagina.

Abstract: Scorch is inhibited during the free-radical crosslinking of a crosslinkable polymer, e.g., an EPDM, by incorporating into the polymer before melt processing and crosslinking a scorch inhibiting amount of a derivative, preferably an ether, ester or urethane derivative, of a TEMPO compound, e.g., 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrocarbylpiperidin-1-oxyl. The scorch inhibitors of this invention perform as well, if not better, than their 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrocarbylpiperidin-1-oxyl counterparts in similar polymer compositions and under similar conditions in terms of scorch inhibition and ultimate degree of crosslinking, but exhibit less volatility and less migration within the polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film layers and compositions having improved hot tack properties. The compositions comprise at least one ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer, wherein the ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer may have, for example, a Mw/Mn from about 1.7 to about 3.5, at least one melting point, Tm, in degrees Celsius, and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the numerical values of Tm and d correspond to the relationship: Tm>?2002.9+4538.5(d)?2422.2(d)2.

Abstract: Compositions having good wrinkle resistance and other properties when made into garments an be made from an ethylene multi-block copolymers. The resulting fabrics and garments often have good chemical resistance, heat-resistances, and are dimensionally stable.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the score of an individual in a sport activity are disclosed.

Abstract: An anisotropic electrically conducting interconnect is disclosed in which an adhesive comprising particles having a breakable coating of at least one electrically nonconductive material is compressed between a first contact and a second contact. Compression to two contacts breaks the breakable coating exposing an electrically conducting material which makes contact with the first and second contacts. The electrically conducting material may be a metal conductor or a two-part reactive conductive resin/catalyst system. Also disclosed are processes for making such electrical interconnects and adhesives for use in making electrical interconnect.

Abstract: A process for introducing a solution into an evaporative cooling apparatus (14), said process comprising a) positioning a selectively permeable membrane (16) between a first solution (18) and a second solution (20) having a higher solute concentration than the first solution (18), such that the solvent from the first solution (18) flows across the selectively permeable membrane (16) to dilute the second solution (20), b) introducing the second solution into an evaporative cooling apparatus (14) in which solvent is removed from the second solution (20) by evaporation, and c) recycling the second solution (20) from step b) to step a) to draw solvent from the first solution (18).

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a photomask, methods of treating a chemically amplified resist-coated photomask blank, a photomask blank resulting from the methods, and systems for fabricating a photomask are provided. The method is useful for recovering the exposure sensitivity of a chemically amplified resist disposed on a photomask blank from a post-coat delay effect.

Abstract: A method for making micro-electromechanical system devices includes: (a) forming a sacrificial layer on a device wafer; (b) forming a plurality of loop-shaped through-holes in the sacrificial layer so as to form the sacrificial layer into a plurality of enclosed portions; (c) forming a plurality of cover caps on the sacrificial layer such that the cover caps respectively enclose the enclosed portions of the sacrificial layer; (d) forming a device through-hole in each of active units of the device wafer so as to form an active part suspended in each of the active units; and (e) removing the enclosed portions of the sacrificial layer through the device through-holes in the active units of the device wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous polymer dispersion which can be obtained from a mixture of monomers comprising, in parts by weight: a) 100 of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer not comprising an ionic group, b) 0.5 to 15 of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying at least one carboxyl and/or carboxylic anhydride functional group, c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying at least one second functionality selected from: phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate, in an amount such that the ratio c/(b+c) varies from 0.05 to 0.

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention is an article comprising at least two layers, a first or low crystallinity layer comprising a low crystallinity polymer and a second or high crystallinity layer comprising a high crystallinity polymer. The high crystallinity polymer has a melting point as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that is about the same or within less than 25 C of the melting point of the low crystallinity polymer. The article is elongated at a temperature below the melting point of the low crystallinity polymer in at least one direction to an elongation of at least about 50% of its original length or width, to form a pre-stretched article. Preferably, the high crystallinity layer is capable of undergoing plastic deformation upon the elongation.