Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling thin films, for example, for handling and assembling membranes in fuel cell electrodes. The apparatus includes a translatable vacuum table for mounting the thin film, a perforated drum having a source of vacuum for removing the thin film from the vacuum table, and a transfer assembly having a perforated surface and a source of vacuum for transferring the thin film from the perforated drum to a target location. When the thin films are provided in containers, the apparatus may also include means for opening the containers to access the thin film within. Removal of the thin film from the transfer assembly may be aided by a thin film release device, for example, a plurality of moveable wires. The apparatus may be automated, for example, the apparatus may included automated controllers and robotic arms to facilitate the handling of thin film materials.

Abstract: Copolymers prepared by copolymerization of (a) a total of from 3.5 to 20% by weight of at least one polymerizable acid selected from (a1) ethylenically unsaturated C3-C10-monocarboxylic acid and (a2) ethylenically unsaturated C4-C10-dicarboxylic acid or their anhydrides, (b) from 4 to 10% by weight of at least one compound of the general formula I ?the sum of (a) and (b) being in the range from 7.5 to 24% by weight, (c) from 60 to 92.5% by weight of at least one compound of the general formula II (d) from 0 to 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to reflectance sensors built up from an optical unit, a sample analysis unit and a system control unit, and to a method of measuring the reflectance of a sample in the form of a liquid pigment preparation, and to the use of a reflectance sensor according to the invention for the measurement of the reflectance of liquid pigment preparations in various process stages during the production, further processing and use of the liquid pigment preparations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an aqueous polymer dispersion, according to which unsaturated monomers are first polymerized by means of suitable catalysts, whereupon the obtained polymers that are swelled with all or some of the remaining unreacted monomers are added to surface-active substances and water in a last step in which the obtained polymers are not entirely separated from the remaining monomers.

Abstract: Novel fuels for gasoline engines comprise a synergistic mixture of a detergent additive component (A) and a synthetic carrier oil component (B), i) the detergent additive component (A) comprising at least one compound having a basic nitrogen atom which is substituted by a hydrocarbyl radical having a number average molecular weight of from about 500 to 1 300, and the detergent additive component (A) being contained in the fuel in an amount of from about 30 to 180 ppm by weight; and ii) the carrier oil component (B) comprising at least one compound of the following formula I R—O-(A-O)x—H??(I) ?where R is a straight-chain or branched C6-C18-alkyl group; A is a C3- or C4-alkylene group; and x is an integer from 5 to 35; the carrier oil component (B) being contained in the fuel in an amount of from about 10 to 180 ppm by weight.

Abstract: Zeolite catalysts and systems and methods for preparing and using zeolite catalysts having the CHA crystal structure are disclosed. The catalysts can be used to remove nitrogen oxides from a gaseous medium across a broad temperature range and exhibit hydrothermal stable at high reaction temperatures. The zeolite catalysts include a zeolite carrier having a silica to alumina ratio from about 15:1 to about 256:1 and a copper to alumina ratio from about 0.25:1 to about 1:1.

Abstract: A paper coating or binding formulation comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent. The carbohydrate derived compound can be selected from the group consisting of dextrins, maltodextrins, and mixtures thereof. Methods of preparing a paper coating or binding formulation and improving the whitening properties of paper are also provided. Furthermore, paper including a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyurethanes by reacting polyisocyanates a) with compounds having at least two hydrogen atoms reactive with isocyanate groups b), wherein a polyisocyanate a) used is at least one polyisocyanate ai) having an average functionality of greater than 2, a content of diisocyanates of not more than 2% by weight and a content of uretonimines of not more than 4% by weight, based in each case on the weight of the polyisocyanate ai).

Abstract: The invention is a product, comprising a substrate and a film that limits the transmission of water vapor comprising a polymer derived from one or more nonionic monomers polymerized in the presence of at least one nonionic surfactant and in the absence of ionic surfactants. The cloud temperature of the at least one nonionic surfactant is preferably less than the polymerization temperature. The nonionic surfactant is preferably an alkylene oxide adduct of an alkyl alcohol, alkylbenzene alcohol or dialkylbenzene alcohol, wherein the number of alkylene oxide groups is less than or equal to 14.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an amine, which comprises the step cathodic reduction of a corresponding oxime derivative of the general formula (I) where R is C1-6-alkyl or C2-6-alkenyl which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected independently from the group consisting of phenyl, O—C1-6-alkyl, NH—C1-6-alkyl, N(C1-6-alkyl)2, OH and NH2; R1 is H; C1-6-alkyl or C(O)—C1-6-alkyl and A is a 5-, 6- or 7-membered hydrocarbon ring which is saturated or has a double bond and in which at least one CH2 group may, if appropriate, be replaced by —O—, —S— —NH—, —N? or —N(C1-6-alkyl)- and which may optionally be substituted by one or more further substituents selected independently from the group consisting of phenyl, C1-6-alkyl, O—C1-6-alkyl, NH—C1-6-alkyl, N(C1-6-alkyl)2, OH and NH2; wherein, based on the ring carbon bearing the substituent R, the oxime derivative has an excess of the R or S form of at least 10%.

Abstract: Self-adhesive articles comprising at least one backing and a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising A) a polymer synthesized from a) 50 to 99.5% by weight of butyl acrylate b) 0 to 40% by weight of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate c) 0 to 5% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid d) 0.1 to 5% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated compound having at least one keto or aldehyde group e) 0 to 30% by weight of further monomers.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,2-diamino-3-methylcyclohexane and/or 1,2-diamino-4-methylcyclohexane by reacting 2,3- and/or 3,4-diaminotoluene with hydrogen at elevated pressure and elevated temperature in the presence of a heterogeneous rhodium catalyst, wherein a mixture comprising 2,3- and/or 3,4-diaminotoluene, a dialkyl ether and/or alicyclic ether as a solvent and ammonia is initially charged in an autoclave in the presence of the catalyst and subsequently hydrogenated while supplying hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying an ionic liquid, which comprises the steps (a) partial crystallization of the ionic liquid from its melt and (b) separation of the crystals from the residual melt.

Abstract: Process for preparing polymeric aromatic phosphonates and also polymeric aromatic phosphonates which can be prepared by the process of the invention and blends comprising these polymeric aromatic phosphonates and at least one further polymer and also films, composites and membranes comprising these polymers or blends, the use of the membranes of the invention in fuel cells or in separation technology and also fuel cells comprising the membranes of the invention.

Abstract: A method of charging a vertical tube having an internal diameter of 50 mm or less with catalyst particles, which comprises introducing a filling aid into the vertical tube, where the filling aid comprises a flexible elongated body and the ratio of the cross section of the flexible elongated body to the cross section of the tube is from 0.003 to 0.08, and introducing the catalyst particles into the tube.

Abstract: Fungicidal mixtures, comprising as active components 1) the isoxazole derivative of the formula I, and 2) at least one active compound II selected from the group of the azoles, strobilurins, carboxamides, heterocyclic compounds, carbamates, guanidines, antibiotics, nitrophenyl derivatives, sulfur-containing heterocyclyl compounds, organometallic compounds, organophosphorus compounds, organochlorine compounds, inorganic active compounds, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, metrafenone and spiroxamine, in a synergistically effective amount, methods for controlling harmful fungi using mixtures of the compound I with active compounds II, the use of the compound I with active compounds II for preparing such mixtures and compositions comprising these mixtures.

Abstract: A process for removing residual monomers from polyoxymethylene homo- or copolymers, comprising the following process steps: a) the residual monomers are removed in gaseous form as vapors from the polymer in a devolatilization apparatus, b) the residual monomer vapors are removed through a vapor pipe, c) the residual monomers are condensed from the vapors in a condensation apparatus at from 1.09 to 102.4 bar and from 102 to 230° C., the temperature not falling below 102° C. at any point of the condensation apparatus, and those surfaces of the condensation apparatus which come into contact with the vapors being coated with a liquid film of condensed residual monomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for distillatively purifying tetrahydrofuran in the presence of a polar solvent.

Abstract: A transgenic plant transformed by a Protein Kinase Stress-Related Polypeptide (PKSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the plant results in increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant. Also provided are agricultural products, including seeds, produced by the transgenic plants. Also provided are isolated PKSRPs, and isolated nucleic acid coding PKSRPs, and vectors and host cells containing the latter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the incorporation of DNA into the genome of a Zea mays plant by means of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Preferred is the use of the Zea may lines deposited with American Type Culture Collection under the Patent Deposit Designation PTA-6170 and PTA-6171.