Abstract: Polydiacetylenes prepared from 2,4-hexadiyne monomers substituted with at least one side chain component, exhibit an absorption maximum wavelength maximum greater than that exhibited by polydiacetylenes formed from 1,6-di-N-carbazolyl 2,4-hexadiyne. Preferably, the polydiacetylenes exhibit an absorption maximum that is in the range of visible light. Examples of suitable side chain components of the polydiacetylenes include cyanovinyl aromatic substituents and quinoid substituents. The polydiacetylenes exhibit useful third order nonlinear optical behavior for electromagnetic radiation in the visible and near-infrared electromagnetic wavelength range and can be formed by thermally-based synthesis methods.

Abstract: A biomimetic approach utilizing biomolecular self-assembly is described to form nanometer particle size composites for uses, such as, nonlinear optical media. Yeast tRNA was utilized as an ion-exchange/nucleation site within a polymeric matrix (polyacrylamide). Cadmium ion-exchange and subsequent sulfide precipitation resulted in formation of nanometer particle size composites. Illumination of samples with an Argon laster (514 nm) utilizing the Z-scan measurement method resulted in third order nonlinearity .chi..sup.3 values of +2.7.times.10.sup.-6 esu.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric substrate, such as polyethylene terephthalate and nylon 66, imparts water repellency and lubricity, and provides the additional benefit of reducing the soiling of fabrics. The method includes combining the polymeric substrate with a dense or liquified gas, such as carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride, and a fluorinated compound, such as a fluorinated polyether.

Abstract: A method for coupling a cationic polymer includes forming a reaction mixture of a cationic polymer and a bis(diphenylethylene). The reaction mixture is exposed to a temperature which causes the bis(diphenylethylene) to react with the cationic polymer, thereby coupling the cationic polymer. In another embodiment, the method includes forming a reaction mixture of an oxo-acid and a isopropenyl polyisobutylene. The reaction mixture is exposed to a temperature below about -30.degree. C., whereby the oxo-acid reacts with isopropenyl polyisobutylene, thereby coupling the polymer.

Abstract: A method for treating a plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, to remove at least a portion of at least one contaminant includes combining the plastic with a supercritical medium, such as carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride, whereby at least a portion of the contaminant dissolves in the supercritical medium. Alternatively, the plastic can be combined with a suitable liquid medium, such as carbon dioxide or liquid sulfur hexafluoride. At least a portion of the medium, containing the dissolved contaminant, is separated from the plastic, thereby removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power plant including an air separation unit arranged to separate oxygen from air and produce a stream of substantially pure liquid oxygen; a gas turbine arranged to combust a fuel, e.g., natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or synthesis gas, in the presence of substantially pure oxygen gas and carbon dioxide gas, and to produce an exhaust gas comprising water and carbon dioxide; and a carbon dioxide removal unit arranged to recover carbon dioxide gas from the exhaust gas, recycle a portion of the recovered carbon dioxide gas for passage through the gas turbine, and liquefy the remainder of the recovered carbon dioxide gas for removal from the plant.

Abstract: A method for coupling a cationic polymer includes forming a reaction mixture of a cationic polymer and a bis(diphenylethylene). The reaction mixture is exposed to a temperature which causes the bis(diphenylethylene) to react with the cationic polymer, thereby coupling to cationic polymer. In another embodiment, the method includes forming a reaction mixture of an oxo-acid and a isopropenyl polyisobutylene. The reaction mixture is exposed to a temperature below about -30.degree. C., whereby the oxo-acid reacts with isopropenyl polyisobutylene, thereby coupling the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the capping of a living polymer with a substituted or unsubstituted diphenyl alkylene. Diphenyl alkylene is defined to also include substituted or unsubstituted .alpha.-methoxystyrene, trans-stilbene, 1-isopropenylnapthalene and 2,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-methylstyrene.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical composition and a method of forming the nonlinear optical composition are disclosed. The nonlinear optical composition includes a silicon-containing component and a nonlinear optical component which causes the nonlinear optical composition to exhibit second order nonlinear optical polarization of electromagnetic radiation, such as light. The method includes forming a sol of the silicon-containing component and the nonlinear optical component of the composition. A gel is formed from the sol. The nonlinear optical component is then poled while the gel is exposed to conditions sufficient to cause formation of a nonlinear optical composition which exhibits second order nonlinear optical polarization of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A composition of the invention includes a polymer component which consists essentially of an asymmetric telechelic polymer having a boron-containing head group. These asymmetric telechelic polymers can also have halogen tail groups. The end group functionalities make these polymers extremely useful because, for example, the functionalities facilitate subsequent elaboration of the polymer. A method of forming the composition includes forming a reaction mixture which consists essentially of an olefin, a Lewis acid, and a base which will react with essentially all protic impurities in the reaction mixture, thereby preventing protic initiation during polymerization of the olefin. The reaction mixture is exposed to conditions which cause the olefin to react to form an initiator in situ which can cause polymerization of additional olefin to form a polymerized olefin consisting essentially of a telechelic polymer. In another embodiment, the initiator has the structure BX.sub.2 --[CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ].sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the capping of a living polymer with one or more capping compounds comprising non-polymerizable monomer, preferably selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted diphenyl alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted .alpha.-methoxystyrene, substituted or unsubstituted trans-stilbene, substituted or unsubstituted 1-isopropenylnapthalene and substituted or unsubstituted 2,4-dimethyl-.alpha.-methylstyrene.

Abstract: An apparatus for strengthening weld lines in molded parts includes a mold body having a mold cavity formed within the mold body. A reciprocating pin extends along a longitudinal axis through the mold body. The reciprocating pin is adapted to reciprocate between a position flush with the inner surface of the mold cavity and a position slightly away from the mold cavity to displace material within the mold cavity and strengthen weld lines formed in the molded part.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical interpenetrating polymer network which can exhibit nonlinear optical properties includes a first polymer, and a second polymer interpenetrating the first polymer. At least one of the polymers includes a nonlinear optical component. A method of forming a nonlinear optical interpenetrating polymer network which can exhibit nonlinear optical properties includes combining a first prepolymer, which can react to form a first polymer, with at least one monomer which can react to form a second polymer. At least one of either the first prepolymer or the monomer include a nonlinear optical component. The nonlinear optical component is poled and the first prepolymer and the monomer, or monomers, of the second prepolymer are reacted while the nonlinear optical component is being poled.

Abstract: A composite spread spectrum signal including modulator and demodulator therefor is disclosed. The composite signal having a multi-dimensional signal space, comprising a pulse position modulation dimension generated by varying starting positions of cyclically repeated chipping sequences, a frequency shift key dimension generated by varying a carrier frequency between a plurality of frequencies, code shift keyed dimensions generated by selecting the chipping sequences from among a plurality of orthogonal sequences, and amplitude shift key dimensions generated by selecting amplitudes of each subcarrier for each message bundle. This signal may further comprise a phase shift key dimension generated by assigning a phase relationship of the orthogonal subcarriers.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring interface properties of a composite test specimen includes a first jaw for gripping the specimen. The specimen has a fiber extending through a matrix forming a fiber-matrix interface with a portion of the fiber extending from the matrix. A second jaw grips the fiber extending from the matrix. A motor drive coupled to the first jaw rotates the fiber relative to the matrix. The torque transmitted through the fiber-matrix interface to the fiber is measured with a stationary torque transducer coupled to the second jaw with respect to the angular rotation of the fiber relative to the matrix. From the resulting torque-twist angle plot, composite interface properties such as interfacial fracture energy and frictional traction can be obtained.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process is provided wherein an olefin chargestock is contacted with an organic compound polymerization initiator, a Lewis acid coinitiator and a pyridine compound such as 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine to produce homopolymers, copolymers or block copolymers having a narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: High molecular weight, biodegradable polymers of substituted-poly(.beta.-propioesters), wherein the repeat unit sequences have a predominantly syndiotactic arrangement and a method of forming such polymers are disclosed. The method includes exposing a substituted-.beta.-propiolactone to a tin-based organometallic catalyst for a sufficient combination of time and temperature to form the predominantly syndiotactic substituted-poly(.beta.-propioester).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a nucleic acid polymer without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer. The method includes contacting a liquid medium, in which the nucleic acid polymer is disposed, with an electrically conductive polymer substrate. The substrate has an electrical charge which, when the substrate is contacted with said liquid medium, causes at least a portion of the nucleic acid polymer in the liquid medium to bind to said substrate without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer. The substrate is then separated from the liquid medium, whereby the bound nucleic acid polymer is removed from the liquid medium, thereby isolating the bound nucleic acid polymer from the liquid medium without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer.

Abstract: A biodegradable and hydrodegradable diblock copolymer includes a naturally-occurring poly(.beta.-alkanoate) component and a chemically synthesized polyester component formed by ring-opening polymerization. A method of forming the biodegradable and hydrodegradable diblock copolymer having a poly(.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate) component and a chemically synthesized polyester component includes exposing a naturally-occurring poly(.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate) to alcoholysis and then to a trialkyl metal to form a dialkyl metal poly(.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate) macroinitiator. The macroinitiator is then reacted with a lactone or lactide reactant to form the biodegradable and hydrodegradable diblock copolymer.