Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for rapid testing of films used in the manufacture of bioprocess bags. The methods described herein allow for determination of resistance to flexural fatigue while mimicking actual conditions in bioprocesses such as flexion and subsequent fatigue and failure of a bioprocess bag made of a film when it is placed on a rocking platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulated fluid conduit useful in facilities in which a hot fluid susceptible to one or more deleterious phase changes in response to heat loss to a cold environment is transported. Such conduits may be particularly well suited to improve thermal control in subsea hydrocarbon production operations. The fluid conduit includes an inner first insulating layer containing a first polymer matrix, and a first phase change material undergoing a phase change at T1. The fluid conduit includes an outer second insulating layer containing a second polymer matrix, and a second phase change material undergoing a phase change at T2, wherein T1 is greater than T2. One or more barrier layers inhibit migration of the phase change material from the insulation layers and into the environment. In one or more embodiments, the phase change material is present as a microencapsulated phase change material.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to a continuous method of making a polymer foam by using a polymer having a first monomeric component and a second monomeric component. The method employs a tandem type extruder having a first extruder and a second extruder. The method disclosed herein can provide a foam having a desired cell size, cell density, porosity, foam density, and/or thermal conductivity, etc. In turn, the polymer foams produced according to the present method can have numerous applications, such as thermal insulation applications for appliances including ovens, freezers, refrigerators, etc.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for rapid testing of films used in the manufacture of bioprocess bags. The methods described herein allow for determination of resistance to flexural fatigue while mimicking actual conditions in bioprocesses such as flexion and subsequent fatigue and failure of a bioprocess bag made of a film when it is placed on a rocking platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulated fluid conduit useful in facilities in which a hot fluid susceptible to one or more deleterious phase changes in response to heat loss to a cold environment is transported. Such conduits may be particularly well suited to improve thermal control in subsea hydrocarbon production operations. The fluid conduit includes an inner first insulating layer containing a first polymer matrix, and a first phase change material undergoing a phase change at T1. The fluid conduit includes an outer second insulating layer containing a second polymer matrix, and a second phase change material undergoing a phase change at T2, wherein T1 is greater than T2. One or more barrier layers inhibit migration of the phase change material from the insulation layers and into the environment. In one or more embodiments, the phase change material is present as a microencapsulated phase change material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of protecting refinery equipment, the method comprising: (a) applying an uncured organic coating comprising a curable epoxy phenol novolac resin and a curing agent comprising a vicinal primary diamine moiety to a surface of refinery equipment susceptible to corrosion and/or wear; and (b) curing the uncured coating to form a cured coating having a viscosity of at least 2,000,000 centipoise; wherein the uncured organic coating has a viscosity of less than 500,000 centipoise, and wherein the uncured coating is substantially free of components comprising secondary and tertiary amine groups, and wherein the uncured coating is characterized by a latent viscosity of at least 2,000,000 when cured for 1 hour at 50° C.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing tissue to be scanned for medical imaging is provided. The apparatus may comprise a compression membrane and a tensioning apparatus coupled to the membrane to apply a tensile force to the membrane to place the membrane in a taut condition during an imaging process. In one exemplary application that combines ultrasound scanning with X-ray mammography, the compressing apparatus enables accurate, reproducible ultrasound images reducing distortion and attenuation, which may otherwise be introduced as a consequence of such a combination of imaging processes.

Abstract: A sensor package and method are described. The sensor package includes an enclosure, a diaphragm coupled to the enclosure. The diaphragm is configured to receive vibrations from an ambient environment. Further, the sensor package includes a pressure sensing element disposed inside the enclosure, and a pressure transfer medium disposed inside the enclosure and proximate the pressure sensing element, where the pressure transfer medium includes a fluid, and a plurality of filler particles suspended in the fluid. The filler particles serve to reduce a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pressure transfer medium.

Abstract: A lens and encapsulant made of an amorphous fluoropolymer for a light-emitting diode (LED) or diode laser, such as an ultraviolet (UV) LED (UVLED). A semiconductor diode die (114) is formed by growing a diode (110) on a substrate layer (115) such as sapphire. The diode die (114) is flipped so that it emits light (160, 365) through the face (150) of the layer (115). An amorphous fluoropolymer encapsulant encapsulates the emitting face of the diode die (114), and may be shaped as a lens to form an integral encapsulant/lens. Or, a lens (230, 340) of amorphous fluoropolymer may be joined to the encapsulant (220). Additional joined or separate lenses (350) may also be used. The encapsulant/lens is transmissive to UV light as well as infrared light. Encapsulating methods are also provided.

Abstract: Block copolyestercarbonates may be prepared by first conducting a reaction between at least one of resorcinol or an alkyl- or haloresorcinol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride, preferably isophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride or a mixture thereof, to produce a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate, and then conducting a reaction of the intermediate with a carbonate precursor, preferably in the presence of a dihydroxy compound such as bisphenol A. The products have excellent physical properties, including a high degree of weatherability. They may be blended with other polymers such as polycarbonates, poly(alkylene carboxylates), polyarylates, polyetherimides, and addition polymers to improve the weatherability thereof.

Abstract: The multistage process for the chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) of Cu commences with forming a primary aqueous or non-aqueous (e.g., using alcohols and ketones as non-aqueous carriers) slurry from (i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of an oxidizer, (ii) between 0 and 7 wt-% of a chelating agent, (iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iv) between about 0.001 and 5 wt-% diamond particles having an average particle size not substantially above about 0.4 &mgr;, and (v) an amount of a pH adjustment agent so that the aqueous slurry has a pH of between about 3 and 10, and advantageously about 5). The Cu of the semiconductor wafer then is subjected to CMP using the primary aqueous slurry and then is subjected to a cleaning operation. Next, a secondary aqueous slurry from (i) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of an a hydroxyl amine compound, (ii) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of a chelating agent, (iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iv) between about 0.

Abstract: The multistage process for the chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) of Cu commences with forming a primary aqueous or non-aqueous (e.g., using alcohols and ketones as non-aqueous carriers) slurry from (i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of an oxidizer, (ii) between 0 and 7 wt-% of one or more of a complexing agent or a passivating agent, (iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iv) between about 0.001 and 5 wt-% diamond particles having an average particle size not substantially above about 0.4 &mgr;m, and (v) an amount of a pH adjustment agent so that the aqueous slurry has a pH of between about 3 and 10, and advantageously about 5). The Cu of the semiconductor wafer then is subjected to CMP using the primary aqueous slurry and then is subjected to a cleaning operation. Next, a secondary aqueous slurry from (i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of one or more a complexing agent or a passivating agent, (ii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iii) between about 0.