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: The invention relates to a production method of &agr;-amylase resistant polysaccharides with high RS content, comprising the following steps: a) producing a paste of water-insoluble poly-(1,4-&agr;-D-glucan) and water; b) heating the paste; c) cooling off and retrogradation of the past at a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the heated paste and d) optionally drying the resulting product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing polysaccharides containing &agr;-1,4-glucan chains. According to the inventive method, a glucosyl group acceptor undergoes a chain prolongation reaction by reacting it with saccharose in the presence of an amylosaccharase. The amount of the glucosyl group acceptor in the reaction mixture is chosen in such a way that the mole ratio of the available ends of the glucosyl group acceptor to the saccharose is at least 1:1,000 and/or the weight ratio of the glucosyl group acceptor to the saccharose is at least 1:0.

Abstract: Polymer composition, membrane comprising the same, process for production thereof and use thereof The composition described comprises 30 to 99.5% by weight of a sulfonated aromatic polyether ketone which has an ion-exchange capacity of from 1.3 to 4.0 meq (—SO3H)/g of polymer, and from 0.5 to 70% by weight of a polybenzimidazole. This composition can, as can a sulfonated polyether ketone of PEK type, be processed to give membranes, preferably used in fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the utilisation of water-insoluble linear poly-&agr;-glucan as UV filter, e.g., in sun protection products or in cosmetic as well as medical preparations. The invention also relates to a sun protection product which contains a biotechnically produced, water-insoluble linear poly-&agr;-glucan as UV filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of small spherical particles consisting totally or partly of at least one water-insoluble linear polysaccharide by dissolving the at least one water-insoluble polysaccharide in a solvent or a solvent mixture, introducing the solution into a precipitating agent or a precipitating agent mixture, optionally cooling the mixture thus obtained and separating the formed small particles, wherein at least one poly alpha D-glucan soluble in hot water is used as auxiliary agent for precipitation. The invention also relates to the particles obtained according to said method.

Abstract: Compositions are described, based on starch and/or on modified starch and comprising, as plasticizers, polyhydroxycarboxylic acids derived from aldoses and/or from ketoses, in particular from pentoses and hexoses, or comprising lactones of these acids such as &dgr;-caprolactone. The materials can be processed thermoplastically to give shaped articles which are biodegradable and physiologically nonhazardous. They may be used as packaging or casing for food or drink or pharmaceutical products, or also for the controlled release of active substances, or else for producing temporary protective coatings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of spherical microparticles consisting totally or partly of at least one water-insoluble polysaccharide, wherein the at least one water-insoluble polysaccharide is dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture, the solution thus formed is introduced into a precipitating agent or precipitating agent mixture, the mixture obtained is optionally cooled and the formed microparticles are separated. The invention is characterized in that the water-insoluble polysaccharide is selected from a polyglucan containing branches with a degree of branching higher than zero and no higher than 8% and a mixture of a polyglucan containing branches and a linear polysaccharide, wherein the proportion of polyglucan containing branches in the mixture is at the most 30% by weight in relation to the overall weight of the polysaccharide and the polyglucan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical preparation containing spherical microparticles as the essential component, wherein the microparticles comprise water-insoluble linear polyglucan.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel polymers, their use as organic semiconductors and/or electroluminescent materials, and electro-luminescent devices containing polymers of this type.

Abstract: Polybetaine-stabilized nanosize platinum particles, a process for preparing them and their use for electrocatalysts in fuel cells Soluble nanosize particles which have a diameter of from 0.5 to 3 nm, preferably from 1 to 2 nm, comprise platinum alone or platinum and other metals of the platinum group and are embedded in a protective colloid which comprises polymeric betaines and can be degraded by hydrolysis. The betaine is preferably a carbobetaine of the formula —N+R1R2—(—CH2—)n—CO2−, a phosphobetaine of the formula —N+R1R2—(—CH2—)n—PO3— or, preferably, a sulfobetaine of the formula —N+R1R2—(—CH2—)n—SO3—, where R1 and R2 may, independently of one another, be identical or different and are alkyl radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and n is 1, 2 or 3. Also described are a process for preparing the nanosize particles and catalysts produced therefrom and also their use for fuel cells.

Abstract: Membranes for use in polymer electrolyte fuel cells or electrolyzers comprise a sulfonated aromatic polyether ether ketone of the formula (I) wherein the ion exchange equivalent (I.E.C.) of the sulfonated polyether ether ketone is in the range from 1.35 to 1.95 mmol (—SO3H)/g (polymer) and the membrane has a long-term stability of at least 1000 hours at an operating voltage of from 0.4 to 1.1 V.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane is disclosed. A liquid medium is introduced into a cylinder having an inner surface having a cylindrical configuration. The liquid medium has at least one percent by weight of a polymer electrolyte and a solvent having a boiling point or an azeotropic point ranging from 60 to 220° C. Subsequently, the cylinder is rotated for evaporating the solvent by means of a centrifugal force created by such rotation so as to form a polymer electrolyte membrane having a cylindrical configuration with a substantially uniform thickness on the inner surface of the cylinder. Onto the inner surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane, a catalytic layer containing a catalytic particle may be formed.

Abstract: Process for using microwave irradiation to prepare solutions of polymers functionalized with acid groups The invention relates to a process for preparing aqueous, hydrous and anhydrous solutions of polymers functionalized with acid groups, which comprises using microwave radiation to supply the heat required to prepare the solution. The solutions are suitable as a starting material for producing gas diffusion electrodes, fuel cells and polymer-electrolyte-stabilized platinum nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable polycondensates, to the production of said polycondensates, and to their use for releasing specific substances. The polycondensates are derived from at least three components chosen from the following group: a) dianhydrohexites b) bivalent (polyvalent) organic carboxylic acids and c) polyvalent organic carboxylic acids which, in addition to two carboxylic acid functions, have at least one other, optionally capped, i.e., OH and/or COOH function.

Abstract: A method for producing polymeric, e.g., polybenzimidazole (PBI) films, is provided by forming a porous membrane by coagulating a polymeric dope solution in a liquid coagulation bath containing a non-solvent alone or a mixture of a non-solvent and solvent; submerging the resulting membrane into a non-solvent bath to remove any residual solvent; placing the membrane into an acid solution, whereby the pores become filled with the acid solution; and drying the membrane to remove residual non-solvent which collapses the porous structure entrapping the acid and forming a dense film. An alternative method involves coagulating said polymer solution directly into an acid/solvent/non-solvent mixture to produce a porous membrane which imbibes the acid solution, followed by drying.