Abstract: A method for producing polybenzimidazole (PBI) fabrics for use as fuel cell or battery electrolytes by soaking a sulfonated or non-sulfonated PBI fabric in an acid solution, whereby the fibers of the fabric become swollen with the acid solution; and drying the fabric to remove residual water or methanol and concentrating the acid.

Abstract: Three dimensional fiber networks which are semi-rigid and dimensionally stable are made from textile fabrics that have projections and optional depressions which are compressible and return to their original shape after being compressed. The fiber networks are made by the thermo-mechanical deformation of textile fabrics that are in turn made from thermoplastic fibers. The fiber networks have particular utility as cushioning and impact absorbing materials.

Abstract: Laminated fiber network structures having high resilience, good cushioning properties, and excellent impact-resistance include at least one layer of a three-dimensional fiber network material and a second layer, which may be a planar material (e.g. a fabric, film, or sheet) or a second layer of a three-dimensional fiber network material. The surfaces of the two layers face each other and are bonded together at their points of contact. The three-dimensional fiber network material is a fabric made from thermoplastic filaments that are at least 0.1 mm in diameter, where the fabric has an array of projections and optional depressions pushed out of one or both sides of the fabric.

Abstract: Shoes for use in demanding applications, primarily athletics, are made from a three-dimensional fiber network that is semi-rigid and resilient. The fiber network is made from a textile fabric that has an array of projections made from the same fabric rising from the plane of the fabric.

Abstract: Cast padding materials and padding and lining materials for other orthopedic devices are made from three dimensional fiber networks which are semi-rigid and dimensionally stable. The fiber networks are made from textile fabrics that have projections and optional depressions which are compressible and return to their original shape after being compressed. The fiber networks are made by the thermo-mechanical deformation of textile fabrics that are in turn made from thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: Automobile seats having improved comfort have a spacer layer included within the layers of cushioning materials. The spacer layer has a large void volume and nearly unrestricted flow of air. Heated, cooled or ambient air can be forced into the spacer layer of the seat, making the seat more comfortable with respect to temperature and removal of perspiration.

Abstract: Three dimensional fiber networks which are semi-rigid and dimensionally stable are made from textile fabrics that have projections and optional depressions which are compressible and return to their original shape after being compressed. The fiber networks are made by the thermo-mechanical deformation of textile fabrics that are in turn made from thermoplastic fibers. The fiber networks have particular utility as cushioning and impact absorbing materials.

Abstract: Disclosed by this invention are polybenzimidazole polymer/superabsorbent polymer articles. These articles are prepared by either mixing the superabsorbent polymer particulates with the polybenzimidazole polymer solution during the formation of the polybenzimidazole article, or forming a composite of a polybenzimidazole film or fiber material layer with a superabsorbent polymer particulate containing layer. These polybenzimidazole products, either with the superabsorbent polymer particulates interspersed within their structure of as composites, absorb large amounts of fluid while retaining the flame retardancy and chemical unreactivity of conventional polybenzimidazole materials.

Abstract: A water absorbent latex polymer foam produced by the process of combining a foamed latex polymer product with both a water absorbent polymer and chitin and drying that blend to form a foamable latex polymer containing both water absorbent polymer and chitin. The latex foams produced by this process are of great use, for example, with wound or surgical dressings.

Abstract: A water absorbent latex polymer foam produced by the process of combining a foamed latex polymer product with a water absorbent polymer and drying that blend to form a foamable latex polymer containing a water absorbent polymer is disclosed in this invention. The latex foams produced by this process are of great use, for example, within diapers, sanitary napkins, packaging materials, and the like. In particular, the use of water absorbent polymers with particle size less than about 30 microns has been shown to produce particularly effective absorbent latex foams.

Abstract: A highly hydrophilic polyurethane article, which is the skeletal network of a cellular polyurethane foam subjected to a reticulation process wherein the polyurethane contains up to 100 parts of a superabsorbent material per hundred parts of polyol used in preparing the polyurethane, is useful in absorbing and holding large amounts of aqueous liquids is prepared by:(a) mixing a polyisocyanate, a polyol and a blowing agent with a finely divided superabsorbent material which is insoluble in a liquid which the material absorbs and which absorbs at least 15 times its weight of said liquid,(b) reacting the polyisocyanate, polyol and blowing agent under foaming conditions to produce a foam of polyurethane which cmprises a multitude of gas cells or bubbles within the polyurethane matrix,(c) curing said foam of polyurethane, forming a cellular structure with windows or membranes of solid polyurethanes present between gas cells or bubbles,(d) removing the windows or membranes by thermal reticulation thereby leaving the

Abstract: Leak resistant absorbent articles are made from a tubular casing of liquid permeable fabric wherein the casing is loosely filled with a mixture of particles of a crosslinked hydrocolloid and particles of other liquid absorbing material.