Abstract: IR-emitting or reflecting polymer fibers are formed by blending a high concentration of IR-emitting or reflecting particles with a thermoplastic polymer and meltblowing fibers which have an average diameter of 20 ? or less. The meltblowing process allows for inclusion of a high concentration of the IR-emitting or reflecting particles, yet allows fibers to be formed. These can be formed into a soft, air-permeable, nonwoven web. The fibers can be monocomponent or bicomponent or multicomponent and can be textured or shaped.

Abstract: IR-emitting or reflecting polymer fibers are formed by blending a high concentration of IR-emitting or reflecting particles with a thermoplastic polymer and meltblowing fibers which have an average diameter of 20 ? or less. The meltblowing process allows for inclusion of a high concentration of the IR-emitting or reflecting particles, yet allows fibers to be formed. These can be formed into a soft, air-permeable, nonwoven web. The fibers can be monocomponent or bicomponent or multicomponent and can be textured or shaped.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers and films that incorporate IR-emitting materials are disclosed. These fibers and films can be loaded with higher concentrations of IR-emitting materials than was previously thought possible. The IR emissivity of the resulting polymeric materials can be enhanced by increasing the surface area of these fibers and films. Laminates of the fibers or films with other substrate layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-regulating breathable microporous film layer transmits water vapor at normal use conditions, and reduces or eliminates the vapor transmission when the vapor in the environment becomes excessive. The film layer includes a voided polymer matrix and a plurality of fine water-swellable filler particles disposed within the voids. When there is an excess of vapor, the filler particles swell to block or partially block transmission of vapor through the voids and the film layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising a microbial polysaccharide having improved porosity and a process of making the same. The absorbent structure may be adapted for use in an absorbent product such as a diaper or incontinence product. The process involves the supercritical drying of a microbial polysaccharide to remove at least a portion of the aqueous medium in which the microbial polysaccharide is produced without unacceptably reducing the porosity of the microbial polysaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for disinfecting water which provides a visual indication after the disinfection is complete. First, the water to be disinfected is generally simultaneously intermixed with at least three items. The items are: (1) a disinfectant which is adapted to render harmless substantially all pathogens present in the water upon the disinfectant being intermixed with the water for a time period T.sub.k ; (2) a colorant; and (3) a material which can remove substantially all of the disinfectant and colorant from the water over a time period t.sub.r, where T.sub.r is greater than T.sub.k. Secondly, the water, disinfectant, colorant and the removing material are allowed to remain intermixed for a time period of T.sub.r or greater. At the end of the time period T.sub.r, substantially all pathogens in the water will be rendered harmless, substantially all of the disinfectant will be removed from the water and substantially all of the colorant will be removed from the water.

Abstract: A method of making a flexible fabric composed of a fibrous matrix of ribbon-like, conjugate, spun filaments. The method includes the following steps: 1) providing a fibrous matrix composed of individual, spun filaments bonded at spaced-apart bond locations, the filaments themselves being composed of: (i) a core formed of at least one low-softening point thermoplastic component; and (ii) a sheath formed of at least one high-softening point component; and 2) applying a flattening force to the fibrous matrix to durably distort the core of individual filaments into a ribbon-like configuration having a width greater than its height so that: (i) the individual filaments are substantially unattached between the spaced-apart bond locations, and (ii) the width of individual filaments is oriented substantially in the planar dimension of the fabric. Also disclosed is a flexible fabric composed of a fibrous matrix of ribbon-like, conjugate, spun filaments joined at spaced apart bond locations.

Abstract: A process for removing PCDD's and PCDF's from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the PCDD's and PCDF's without substantially damaging the fibers. Extraction efficiencies of greater than 95% have been achieved with the technique.

Abstract: A process for removing stickies and/or PCDD's and PCDF's from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical propane for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the stickies and/or PCDD's and PCDF's without substantially damaging the fibers. Extraction efficiencies of up to 95% for PCDD's or PCDF's and of about 70% to 95% for stickies have been achieved with the technique.

Abstract: A process for removing PCDD's and PCDF's from paper mill sludge is provided. The process comprises combining the sludge with an oxidant and then oxidizing the sludge under supercritical or near supercritical conditions to destroy the PCDD's and PCDF's. Using this process, destruction efficiencies of greater than 98% have been achieved for 2,3,7,8-TCDD, which is reportedly the most toxic of the dioxins.

Abstract: A process for removing PCDD's and PCDF's from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the PCDD's and PCDF's without substantially damaging the fibers. Extraction efficiencies of greater than 95% have been achieved with the technique.

Abstract: A process for removing sticky contaminants ("stickies") from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the stickies without substantially damaging the fibers.