Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer composition that exhibits substantially isotropic post injection molding shrinkage. The thermoplastic polymer composition includes a blend of highly crystalline polypropylene homopolymer, an ethylene-C4-8 ?-olefin plastomer and talc having a D50 of about 2.0 ?m or less. The thermoplastic polymer composition exhibits post injection molding shrinkage, low temperature impact strength and tensile strength that is similar to or better than relatively expensive engineering resins and blends. The thermoplastic polymer composition according to the invention is particularly useful for forming injection molded parts for motor vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing abrasive particles and methods of using the same in chemical mechanical polishing slurry applications. The nanosized abrasive particles according to the invention are produced by hydrothermal synthesis using an insoluble source of cerium. The crystallites of the particles include cerium ions and titanium ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides polyolefin compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. Polyolefin compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene and an impact modifying fluid that includes a nonionic surfactant and optionally a diluent such as mineral oil. The nonionic surfactant can be an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate. Unfilled impact modified polypropylene homopolymer formed in accordance with the invention preferably exhibits a Gardner impact strength of at least 100 in-lbs, a flexural modulus of at least 40 kpsi and a tensile modulus of at least 60 kpsi.

Abstract: Formulations and methods of making solar cells are disclosed. In general, the invention presents a solar cell contact made from a mixture wherein the mixture comprises a solids portion and an organics portion, wherein the solids portion comprises from about 85 to about 99 wt % of silver, and from about 1 to about 15 wt % of a glass component wherein the glass component comprises from about 15 to about 75 mol % PbO, and from about 5 to about 50 mol % SiO2, and preferably with no B2O3.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for producing particles via supercritical fluid processing. In one embodiment, the method includes expanding a supercritical fluid plasticized melt across a pressure drop to form solid composite particles that are simultaneously dispersed, foamed and cooled, and milling the solid particles produced to achieve the desired size distribution. In another embodiment, a pressure vessel containing a supercritical fluid plasticized melt is depressurized to form a cooled solid porous mass, which is then milled to obtain solid composte particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides impact modified thermoplastic olefin (“TPO”) compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. TPO compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene, from about 17% by weight to about 30% by weight of a rubbery copolymer comprising at least one alpha olefin, and from about 1.0% to about 8.0% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, which acts as an impact modifying fluid. The preferred nonionic surfactant for use in the invention is an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate (“ESTO”).

Abstract: The present invention provides zinc-free glass frits that can be used to formulate glaze compositions that develop glossy surfaces when fired on ceramic products such as floor tile and wall tile. The zinc-free glass frits include, by weight, from about 50% to about 70% SiO2, from about 5% to about 20% CaO, from about 3% to about 15% Al2O3, up to about 20% BaO, up to about 15% B2O3, up to about 10% K2O, up to about 10% Na2O, up to about 10% ZrO2, up to about 5% MgO and up to about 5% PbO and less than 0.5% ZnO. Glaze compositions comprising the zinc-free glass frits can be fired using conventional double fast firing, single fast firing, and gres porcellanato ceramic firing cycles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing composite particles using supercritical fluid as a plasticizing and extracting agent, composite particles formed in accordance with the methods and an apparatus for carrying out the methods. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a polymer, a wax and/or a lipid that is a solid at standard temperature and pressure is contacted with a supercritical fluid to form a melt, either before or after the polymer, wax and/or lipid has been contacted with a solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The supercritical fluid plasticizes the polymer, wax and/or lip and extracts the solvent from the solution, resulting in the formation of a two-fraction system including a first melt-rich fraction that includes the plasticized melt and fine particles of precipitated solute that are dispersed in the melt, and a second fraction that includes the supercritical fluid and the solvent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition comprising (A) from about 55% to about 75% by weight of at least one polyolefin, (B) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of at least one reaction product of an alpha, beta unsaturated carboxylic reagent and a polyolefin, and (C) from 15% to about 35% by weight of filler. In one aspect, the polymer compositions also include (D) at least one copolymer of ethylene and an olefin, (E) at least one polyamide, or (F) a mixture of (D) and (E). These compositions provide articles and films with improved scratch resistance and hardness. These compositions have improved processing character because their low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for removing impurities from biodegradable polymers and/or pharmaceutical compounds. In accordance with the method, a stream of supercritical fluid and, optionally, a modifying co-solvent, is used to dissolve the impurities. The pressure and temperature of the supercritical fluid or supercritical fluid/co-solvent mixture is controlled such that the supercritical fluid or mixture acts as a solvent for the impurities, but not for the biodegradable polymers and/or pharmaceutical compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides inorganic pigments including cobalt and aluminum having the spinel crystalline structure that exhibit improved color and/or weatherability in paint and polymer applications. Inorganic pigments according to the invention are formed by adding small quantities of a phosphate compound such as aluminum phosphate and, optionally, chromium (III) oxide, to a raw batch that includes a mixture of cobalt-containing and aluminum-containing inorganic pigment precursors, and calcining the raw batch to obtain the inorganic pigment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming particles using supercritical fluid (SCF). In accordance with the method, one or more growth retardant compounds having both SCF-philic and SCF-phobic groups are present when one or more solute materials reach a supersaturation point and begin to form particle nuclei. The growth retardant compounds can reduce the particle growth rate, increase the nucleation rate and also prevent particle agglomeration. Preferred growth retardant compounds include sugar acetates and fluorocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making barium titanate powder. The method includes adding barium acetate to a solution of oxalic acid and titanium oxychloride to form barium titanyl oxalate and then calcining the barium titanyl oxalate to obtain barium titanate powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of controlling the properties of abrasive particles produced via hydrothermal synthesis for use in chemical-mechanical polishing slurries. In accordance with the methods of the invention, variables such as cerium salt concentration, dopant solution concentration, hydrothermal medium pH, hydrothermal temperature and processing duration are controlled to produce particles having the desired properties and shapes. The abrasive particles formed in accordance with the method of the invention can be used to produce CMP slurries that provide substantial improvements in the polishing of STI structures and a reduction in defects.

Abstract: A method of producing microparticles and nanoparticles of a solute via the extraction of solvent, having the solute dissolved therein, from an emulsion using a supercritical fluid. The solute to be precipitated is dissolved in the solvent to form a solution, and the solution is dispersed in an immiscible or partially miscible liquid to form an emulsion. The particles are produced via the extraction of the solvent from the emulsion using the supercritical fluid. The process can produce an aqueous suspension of particles that are substantially insoluble in water, and the solvents used in the process to form the emulsion initially can be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a glass article having a transparent hydrophobic surface during a glass-forming operation. In accordance with the method, a plurality of solid particles of inorganic material having an average diameter of less than about 400 nm are applied to a surface of the glass article when the glass article is at a temperature within the range of from about 700° C. to about 1200° C. The inorganic particles fuse to the surface of the glass article to form the transparent hydrophobic surface. Optionally, a fluorosilane agent can be applied to the transparent hydrophobic surface to further increase its hydrophobicity. The transparent hydrophobic surface has a nano-structured texture, which makes the surface of the glass article very hydrophobic and easy to clean.

Abstract: A reduction resistant lead-free and cadmium-free glass composition that is particularly suitable for use in conductive ink applications. The invention includes a capacitor comprising a conductive copper termination, the copper termination is made by firing an ink including a glass component, the glass component may comprise ZnO, provided the amount does not exceed about 65 mole %; B2O3, provided the amount does not exceed about 61 mole %; and, SiO2, provided the amount does not exceed about 63 mole %. The molar ratio of B2O3 to SiO2 is from about 0.05 to about 3.

Abstract: A forehearth color concentrate comprising a non-smelted agglomerated interspersion of particles for use in coloring, said concentrate comprising by weight from about 50% to about 95% of a glass component and from about 4% to about 50% of a binder, said glass component comprising by weight from about 15% to about 35% chromium oxide. The present invention further provides a method of using the color concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming particles using supercritical fluid. The method includes the steps of mixing a load material with a first flow of a supercritical fluid in a first mixing chamber having a primary mixing device disposed therein to form a melt, transferring the melt from the first mixing chamber to a second mixing chamber having a secondary mixing device disposed therein, mixing the melt with a second flow of the supercritical fluid in the second mixing chamber to form a lower viscosity melt, expanding the lower viscosity melt across a pressure drop into an expansion chamber that is at a pressure below the critical pressure of the supercritical fluid to convert the supercritical fluid to a gas and thereby precipitate the load material in the form of particles.

Abstract: A method of producing solid composite lipid/drug nanoparticles that includes the steps of: (1) dissolving a lipid and a drug in a suitable organic solvent to form a solution; (2) emulsifying the solution in a liquid to form an emulsion having a discontinuous phase of micelles comprising the organic solvent, the drug and the lipid, and a continuous phase comprising the liquid; and (3) contacting the emulsion with a supercritical fluid under conditions suitable to keep the supercritical fluid in a supercritical state, whereby the supercritical fluid extracts the organic solvent from the micelles, causing them to precipitate as organic-solvent free solid composite lipid/drug nanoparticles suspended or dispersed in the liquid.