Abstract: A method of determining the proportion of short-chain branching in an olefin copolymer process stream is disclosed. The short-chain branching may also be determined as a function of molecular weight in a sample having a range of molecular weights. In the method, at least two olefin copolymer training samples are provided. The respective samples have different, known proportions of short-chain branching. The infrared (e.g. FT-IR) absorbance spectra of the training samples in a wavenumber range are obtained. Calibration information is determined from the training samples by chemometrically correlating the differences in the infrared absorbance spectra of the training samples to the differences in the degree of short-chain branching in the training samples. This step generates calibration information that allows the degree of short-chain branching in a sample to be determined once its infrared absorbance spectrum is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a supported metallocene catalyst system that can be used to catalyze formation of polyolefins having a wide molecular weight range. In accordance with the process of the present invention, a first portion of an inorganic oxide is dried under a first set of conditions, wherein upon treatment with an organoaluminoxide and a metallocene, a first catalyst system is formed usable to produce a polyolefin product having a first molecular weight average distribution. A second portion of an inorganic oxide under a second set of conditions, wherein upon treatment with an organoaluminoxane and a metallocene, a second catalyst system is formed usable to produce polyolefin product having a second molecular weight distribution. An amount of the first portion is mixed with an amount of the second portion to produce a final inorganic oxide support.

Abstract: A self supporting film having one or more layers wherein at least one layer has a percent haze of less than 17.8 and the polymer of that layer consists essentially of a polyethylene having a density of at least 0.925 grams per cc, a molecular weight distribution of no more than 4, optionally containing a fluoroelastomer, and methods for making such film are disclosed.

Abstract: A high clarity film containing three layers wherein the polymer of each outer layer is the same or different polyethylene selected from polyethylenes having a density of at least 0.925 g/cc, and a molecular weight distribution of less than 4, and being further characterized by being substantially free of branches having 6 or more carbon atoms, polyethylenes of the outer layers optionally containing a fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer of ethylene having a flow activation energy higher than that of a substantially linear ethylene polymer of the same molecular weight involving using bridged sandwich-bonded fluorenyl-containing metallocenes and the polymers resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell is provided having an amorphous silicon electrode. A system employing a V.sup.+3 /V.sup.+2 redox system is described which enables the amorphous silicon electrode to function as the cathode, reducing the rate of photo-oxidation during the operation of the photoelectrochemical cell to convert solar energy to electricity.