Abstract: A melt-processed polyolefin composition or composite includes a polyolefin compounded with a hindered amine light stabilizer, an organodisulfide antioxidant, and silver sulfate as an antimicrobial agent. A process of preparing such a composite includes compounding all of the compounds in various orders as long as the silver sulfate is added after the hindered amine light stabilizer is added to the polymer.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polyamide polymer compounded with an organo-disulfide additive and a silver-based antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The organo-disulfide additive inhibits undesirable discoloration of the thermoplastic polyamide polymer including one or more silver-based antimicrobial agent. Processes for preparing the composite are also disclosed, including compounding the organo-disulfide additive in a polymeric carrier with the silver-based antimicrobial agent, then with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer, or compounding the organo-disulfide additive with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer before adding the silver-based antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble carboxylic acid additive or salt thereof, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble inorganic additive compound containing a cation capable of forming a sulfate salt that is less soluble than silver sulfate or a halide anion or an oxyanion capable of forming a silver salt that is less soluble than silver sulfate, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: A melt-processed polyolefin composition or composite includes a polyolefin compounded with a hindered amine light stabilizer, an organodisulfide antioxidant, and silver sulfate as an antimicrobial agent. A process of preparing such a composite includes compounding all of the compounds in various orders as long as the silver sulfate is added after the hindered amine light stabilizer is added to the polymer.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polyamide polymer compounded with an organo-disulfide additive and a silver-based antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The organo-disulfide additive inhibits undesirable discoloration of the thermoplastic polyamide polymer including one or more silver-based antimicrobial agent. Processes for preparing the composite are also disclosed, including compounding the organo-disulfide additive in a polymeric carrier with the silver-based antimicrobial agent, then with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer, or compounding the organo-disulfide additive with the thermoplastic polyamide polymer before adding the silver-based antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: Aqueous silver-containing composition is designed for use as an antimicrobial agent on fibers and fabrics. This composition includes silver halide particles, gelatin, and an additive that includes an N-heterocyclic acid having a pKa of from about 4 to about 9. The additive improves the redispersibility and shelf-life of the composition.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble fluorinated additive, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 50 micrometers.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a melt-processed polymer compounded with a color stabilizer comprising a bromate or iodate ion, and a silver-based antimicrobial agent. The specified color stabilizers are particularly superior in inhibiting undesirable darkening or discoloration of melt-processed polymers compounded with silver-based antimicrobial agents containing a grain-size controlling additive.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble carboxylic acid additive or salt thereof, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble fluorinated additive, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 50 micrometers.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer compounded with a phenolic antioxidant, an organo-disulfide antioxidant, and a silver-based antimicrobial agent. The specified combination of antioxidant stabilizers is superior in inhibiting undesirable discoloration of thermoplastic polymers in the presence of compounded silver-based antimicrobial agents. A process of preparing such a composite, comprising compounding the phenolic antioxidant and organo-disulfide antioxidant with the thermoplastic polymer prior to compounding the silver-based antimicrobial agent with the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble inorganic additive compound containing a cation capable of forming a sulfate salt that is less soluble than silver sulfate or a halide anion or an oxyanion capable of forming a silver salt that is less soluble than silver sulfate, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a melt-processed polymer compounded with a color stabilizer comprising a bromate or iodate ion, and a silver-based antimicrobial agent. The specified color stabilizers are particularly superior in inhibiting undesirable darkening or discoloration of melt-processed polymers compounded with silver-based antimicrobial agents containing a grain-size controlling additive.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer compounded with a phenolic antioxidant, an organo-disulfide antioxidant, and a silver-based antimicrobial agent. The specified combination of antioxidant stabilizers is superior in inhibiting undesirable discoloration of thermoplastic polymers in the presence of compounded silver-based antimicrobial agents. A process of preparing such a composite, comprising compounding the phenolic antioxidant and organo-disulfide antioxidant with the thermoplastic polymer prior to compounding the silver-based antimicrobial agent with the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A multiple group variable focal length lens is provided. The lens has a first lens group including a variable power lens element and is positioned in a stationary manner along an optical axis. The lens also has a second lens group moveably positioned along the optical axis. The variable power lens element can be an electrically controllable liquid lens having a surface with a variable radius of curvature created by two liquids having distinct indices of refraction with one of the liquids having an index of refraction greater than 1.60. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the liquids used in the liquid lens can include nanoscale particles.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble organo-sulfate or organo-sulfonate additive compound, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain size of less than 50 micrometers.

Abstract: A photographic element which comprises a support bearing: (i) a first radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising a high bromide tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, exhibiting an average thickness of at least 0.07 &mgr;m and an average aspect ratio of at least 2; and (ii) a second radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide and at least 0.25 mole percent iodide, exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 &mgr;m and an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.

Abstract: A photographic element which comprises a support bearing: (i) a first radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising a high bromide tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, exhibiting an average thickness of at least 0.07 &mgr;m and an average aspect ratio of at least 2; and (ii) a second radiation-sensitive silver halide emulsion image-forming layer comprising an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion including tabular grains having {111} major faces, containing greater than 70 mole percent bromide and at least 0.25 mole percent iodide, exhibiting an average thickness of less than 0.07 &mgr;m and an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.

Abstract: A color reversal photographic element is disclosed comprising a support having coated thereon a silver halide emulsion layer comprising a silver halide emulsion chemically sensitized in the presence of an organomercapto Au(I) complex having the formula [L—Au—L]M wherein M is a cationic counter ion and each L is an organomercapto ligand which has antifogging, stabilizing or sensitizing properties, and a rapid sulfiding agent represented by structure SS-1 wherein each of the R1, R2, R3, and R4 groups independently represents an alkylene, cycloalkylene, carbocyclic arylene, heterocyclic arylene, alkarylene or aralkylene group; or taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, R1 and R2 or R3 and R4 can complete a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring; and each of the B1, B2, B3, and B4 groups independently is hydrogen or represents a carboxylic, sulfinic, sulfonic, hydroxamic, mercapto, sulfonamido or primary or secondary amino nucleophilic group, with th