Abstract: A method for preparing fluoroalkylsulfonyl imides by reacting a fluoroalkylsulfonamide with a fluoroalkylsulfonyl halide or a fluorosulfonyl halide in the presence of a non-nucleophilic base. One reaction is:Z--R.sub.f --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2 +Z--R'.sub.f --SO.sub.2 --X+2B(Z--R.sub.f --SO.sub.2)(Z--R'.sub.f --SO.sub.2)N.sup.-.BH.sup.+ +BHX,where each Z is a fluorine atom or a polymerizable organic functional group, R.sub.f and R'.sub.f are fluoroalkylene groups optionally containing catenary oxygen or nitrogen, X is a halogen atom, and B is a non-nucleophilic base.Unsymmetrical imides and polymeric imides can be prepared.

Abstract: Method for making Z-axis interconnections between adjacent circuit layers with electrically conductive traces, in multi-layered circuits, include connecting a conducting member of a deformable material to a circuit board layer and depositing an adhesive layer over an adjacent circuit board layer. The adjacent circuit layers are aligned, with the conducting member substantially collinear with the conductive traces of the adjacent circuit layers, and the circuit layers are brought together by pressure, such that the conducting member penetrates the adhesive layer and deforms until it "cracks". The cracking exposes fresh (unoxidized) material that contacts a conductive trace, joining the circuit layers together and creating a low resistance electrical connection. The adhesive serves to bound expansion of the deformable conducting member, reducing any potential contacts with adjacent conducting members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a work surface, wherein there is provided a chamber having a longitudinal axis and longitudinally extending electrically conductive sidewalls, at least one sidewall having at least one longitudinally extending gap that interrupts a current path through the sidewalls transverse to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the chamber is sealed to allow pressure inside the chamber to be controlled.

Abstract: A coating composition which imparts anti-reflective and anti-fog properties to substrates coated therewith. The coating composition utilizes an inorganic metal oxide in combination with particular anionic surfactants. The coating compositions are particularly useful in the manufacture of disposable surgical masks and face shields.

Abstract: Systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomers comprising (1) organoborane amine complexes and (2) bireactive decomplexers preferably comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable group and at least one amine-reactive group in the same molecule. The decomplexer is capable of forming a covalent bond with both the acrylic monomers and amine complex, resulting in a reduced level of mobile constituents. Furthermore, when the organoborane amine complex of the initiator system comprises a polyamine compound, polymerized acrylic compositions having improved solvent resistance are advantageously provided.

Abstract: A birefringent interference polarizer which may be fabricated from readily available materials using established coextrusion techniques is provided. The polarizer has a level of light absorption near zero and can be fabricated to polarize and reflect light of specific wavelengths while transmitting light of other wavelengths. The polarizer includes multiple alternating oriented layers of at least first and second polymeric materials having respective nonzero stress optical coefficients which are sufficiently different to produce a refractive index mismatch between the first and second polymeric materials in a first plane which is different from the refractive index mismatch between the first and second polymeric materials in a second plane normal to the first plane. The refractive index mismatch in the first plane is preferably at least 0.03.

Abstract: Abrasive grain including manganese oxide therein are provided. The inclusion of manganese oxide can be utilized to reduce the transition temperature of transitional alumina(s) to alpha alumina(s), during the formation of the abrasive grain. Further, manganese oxide presence can be utilized to generate sintered abrasive grain having a submicrometer, faceted microstructure. The abrasive grain are useful in abrasive articles such as coated abrasives, three-dimensional, low density abrasives, and bonded abrasives.

Abstract: A modular blood treatment system with a blood treatment cartridge having a blood treatment media receiving opening defining an entrance of a first chamber. The first chamber defines a first interior space and a second interior space. At least one cardiotomy blood sucker port is in fluid communication with the first interior space via a cardiotomy manifold. The cardiotomy manifold preferably defines a downward curving surface from the at least one cardiotomy blood sucker port to the first interior space having a radius of about 2.54 to 7.62 cm. A venous blood inlet is in fluid communication with a second interior space within the interior space. A first blood treatment media is interposed between the first interior space and the second interior space. A second blood treatment media is interposed between the second interior space and the blood treatment media receiving opening. A blood storage section has an outlet port extends substantially across the blood treatment media receiving opening.

Abstract: The invention is a surface modifier for magnetic pigments having the formula:(Ar).sub.n --R--PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 (I)where Ar represents an aryl group, R represents an aliphatic group of 1-6 carbons and n is an integer of 1 or more. The invention also includes magnetic recording media made using such surface modifiers.

Abstract: The invention provides an intumescent sheet material comprising 20 to 80 dry weight percent of at least one unexpanded intumescent material, 10 to 40 dry weight percent of at least one processed vermiculite selected from ground expanded vermiculite and delaminated vermiculite, greater than 0 to 5 dry weight percent of inorganic fibers having diameters greater than 5 microns, and greater than 0 to 10 dry weight percent of organic fibers; wherein said sheet material comprises substantially no ceramic fibers of less than 5 microns.

Abstract: Sheets to be coated with water-based coating material, for example a primer and a low adhesion backsize, are supplied from a feeder (1), in end-to-end overlapping relationship, to a dual coater (3) in which the sheets are coated individually on both sides. A sheet inserter (2) is provided, upstream of the dual coater, to insert sheets from a second supply into the sheets from the feeder (1). The dual coated sheets are dried as individual sheets or as a pseudo-web of overlapped sheets. The sheets are then overlapped, unless previously overlapped, and the direction of overlap changed, if necessary, to provide the trailing edge of each sheet on top of the leading edge of each succeeding sheet. The overlapped sheets are conveyed through an adhesive transfer station (7) where stripes (236) of at least partially dried adhesive are coated onto the dual coated sheets from a transfer belt (71).

Abstract: The present disclosure reports a thin film culture plate device including i) a self-supporting, waterproof substrate containing a layer of a unique reconstitutable culture medium made of nutrients for growing microorganisms, and a mixture of gelling agents which are prepared in granular form by agglomerating the nutrients and mixture of gelling agents in the presence of an aqueous binder and ii) a cover sheet adhered to a portion of the substrate. Methods to make agglomerated medium particles are also reported.

Abstract: A tape applying apparatus for applying adhesive tape product to a primarily vertical surface includes a taping head which can be adjusted to apply the tape product at a specific predetermined location along such a primarily vertical surface, wherein the taping head is mounted to follow surface fluctuations. Moreover, the taping head is preferably vertically adjustable, horizontally movable, and angularly repositionable. Thus, adhesive tape product can be applied consistently and for an indefinite length based on preset positions, and the taping head is movable to follow surface changes or undulations.

Abstract: In an acrylonitrile based retarder, relatively uniform performance is obtained as the angle of incidence varies over a wide range. A toughening material may be blended with an acrylonitrile based polymer to facilitate processing of a retarder and improve mechanical properties of the retarder without compromising the optical performance. A rubber-modified acrylonitrile based retarder which provides relatively uniform wide angle can be fabricated using conventional processing techniques. Such retarders are particularly suited for a number of specific applications which use relatively wide ranges of incidence angles.

Abstract: A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device comprises a multiplicity of droplets of a birefringent, functionally nematic liquid crystal material dispersed in a matrix comprising the reaction product of ultraviolet radiation polymerizable materials. The device specularly transmits incident light as a function of the magnitude of an electric field applied across the device. The difference between a first applied voltage corresponding to a first percentage of the total incident light transmitted by the device as specular light and a second applied voltage corresponding to a second percentage of the total incident light transmitted by the device as specular light is greater than or equal to 15 volts. As a result, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device according to the invention displays a variable grey scale which has a uniform optical transmission. A method for preparing a PDLC device in general is also disclosed.

Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.

Abstract: An article is disclosed having both holographic and retroreflective features. The article includes a holographic layer that is perceptible under normal lighting conditions and substantially imperceptible to the unaided eye under retroreflective lighting conditions, a retroreflective layer perceptible under retroreflective lighting conditions, and means for bonding the two layers together.

Abstract: A protective housing for a biological indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a tube constructed of a liquid impermeable and gas-nonabsorptive polymer, a cap assembly having an aperture that allows sterilant to enter the housing during the sterilization procedure and contact the biological indicator, and an absorptive material in the cap assembly to prevent condensed sterilant from entering the housing and contacting the biological indicator. During a sterilization procedure the protective housing reduces premature inactivation of biological indicators, especially biological indicators that measure the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure by monitoring an enzyme whose activity can be correlated with the viability of at least one microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization efficacy.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which includes a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.