Abstract: A system for measuring the conductivity of a flexible media positioned between a conductive backing and a conductive roller, wherein the conductive roller contacts the flexible media in a roller contact region. A pressure control mechanism presses the conductive roller against the second surface of the flexible media with a specified contact pressure, and a motion control system provide a relative motion between the conductive roller and the flexible media. A resistance measuring system connected to the conductive roller and the conductive backing measures the conductivity of the flexible media within the roller contact region. A data recording system records the measured conductivity of the media as a function of position.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A microbicidal and decontaminant composition comprising an aqueous solution of peroxides and peracids having equilibrium reaction products, a photoreactive surfactant, and a polymer, wherein said polymer interacts with said peroxides and said peracids.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: Compositions are formulated with generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredients for use as chemical simulants of toxants such as chemical warfare agents. The compositions can be used for training exercises, testing, and research studies and they can be applied safely to human skin. They include ultraviolet-excited fluorescent ingredients that make possible visible viewing of the simulants. The chemical simulants have good fidelity with the physical properties of toxants, for example, vapor pressure, volatility, persistence, viscosity, response to oxidative, hydrolysis, and perhydrolysis decontaminants, and they can be detected by commonly used portable instruments used to detect toxants.

Abstract: A composition is formulated with generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredients for use as a non-radio-active simulant of radiological contamination such as fallout from a nuclear explosion, particulate from a radiological dispersal device, or contamination from operation of nuclear facilities. The compositions can be used for training exercises, testing, and research studies, and they can be applied safely to human skin. They include an ultraviolet (UV)-excited fluorescent ingredient that makes possible visible viewing of the simulants when illuminated by UV light. The chemical simulants have good fidelity with the physical properties of contamination, for example, adhesion, particle size, electrostatic charging, and response to decontamination technologies such as washing and vacuuming.

Abstract: The reaction product of a monomer comprising phthalazinone and a phenol group, and at least one sulfonated aromatic compound. The monomer comprising phthalazinone and a phenol group is used in a reaction with the sulfonated aromatic compound to produce ionomers with surprising and highly desirable properties. In one embodiment, the inventive ionomer is a sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone), hereinafter referred to as sPPEK. In another embodiment, the inventive ionomer is a sulfonated poly(phthalazinone either sulfone), herein after referred to as SPPES. In another embodiment, the inventive ionomer is other sulfonated aromatic polymeric compounds. The invention further includes the formation of these polymers into membranes and their use for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), and in particular for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC).

Abstract: A method for immobilizing at least one hazardous chemical, comprising the steps of breaching a container having a bulk chemical agent, adding a rheological modifier into the container, and dispersing the rheological modifier within the container so as to promote interaction between the rheological modifier and the bulk chemical agent.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monomer having the formula A-B, wherein A is represented by Formula I: wherein B is selected from —OCF═CF2 and —A; wherein, when B is—OCF═CF2, the orientation of B is meta or para to the trifluorovinyloxy group of A; wherein, when B is A, the bond joining the A groups is para to the trifluorovinyloxy group of each A; and wherein each Z is independently selected from —SO2F, —SO2Cl, —SO3H, —SO2—N(M)—SO2CF3, and —SO2—N(M)—SO2Rf; wherein M is any suitable cation and Rf is a C1 to C10 fluorocarbon or fluorinated ether group. The present invention also provides a monomer according to Formula II: wherein X is F, Cl, or N(M)SO2Rf, wherein M is any suitable cation and Rf is a C1 to C10 fluorocarbon or fluorinated ether group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monomer having the formula A-B, wherein A is represented by Formula I: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a monomer having the formula A—B, wherein A is represented by Formula I: wherein B is selected from —OCF═CF2 and —A; wherein, when B is —OCF═CF2, the orientation of B is meta or para to the trifluorovinyloxy group of A; wherein, when B is A, the bond joining the A groups is para to the trifluorovinyloxy group of each A; and wherein each Z is independently selected from —SO2F, —SO2Cl, —SO3H, —SO2—N(M)—SO2CF3, and —SO2—N(M)—SO2Rf; wherein M is any suitable cation and Rf is a C1 to C10 fluorocarbon or fluorinated ether group. The present invention also provides a monomer according to Formula II: wherein X is F, Cl, or N(M)SO2Rf, wherein M is any suitable cation and Rf is a C1 to C10 fluorocarbon or fluorinated ether group.