Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biodegradable microporous materials and multi-layer articles containing them. The biodegradable microporous materials comprise: (a) a polyolefin matrix, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and (d) a biodegradation promoting material distributed throughout the matrix. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: Microporous materials that include thermoplastic organic polyolefin polymer (e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, such as polyethylene), particulate filler (e.g., precipitated silica), and a network of interconnecting pores, are described. The microporous materials of the present invention possess controlled volatile material transfer properties. The microporous materials can have a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3; and a volatile material transfer rate, from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface of the microporous material, of from 0.04 to 0.6 mg/(hour*cm2). In addition, when volatile material is transferred from the volatile material contact surface to the vapor release surface, the vapor release surface is substantially free of volatile material in liquid form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer article including at least one layer of microporous material including: (a) a polymeric matrix including a renewable polymer and optionally a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. At least one layer of the multilayer article includes at least one of a data transmission device, electronic circuitry, antenna, or magnetic material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ultrafiltration membranes comprising a microporous material, said microporous material comprising: (a) a polyolefin matrix present in an amount of at least 2 percent by weight, (b) finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble silica filler distributed throughout said matrix, said filler constituting from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of said microporous material substrate; and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The present invention is also directed to methods of separating suspended or dissolved materials from a fluid stream such as a liquid or gaseous stream, comprising passing the fluid stream through the ultrafiltration membrane described above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microfiltration membranes comprising a microporous material, said microporous material comprising: (a) a polyolefin matrix present in an amount of at least 2 percent by weight, (b) finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble silica filler distributed throughout said matrix, said filler constituting from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of said microporous material substrate, wherein the weight ratio of filler to polyolefin is greater than 4:1; and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The present invention is also directed to methods of separating suspended or dissolved materials from a fluid stream such as a liquid or gaseous stream, comprising passing the fluid stream through the microfiltration membrane described above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microporous materials comprising: (a) a polymeric matrix comprising a renewable polymer and optionally a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biodegradable microporous materials and multi-layer articles containing them. The biodegradable microporous materials comprise: (a) a polyolefin matrix, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and (d) a biodegradation promoting material distributed throughout the matrix. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.