Abstract: Chitosan films that have been treated with a polyhydroxyalkyl compound and washed, and laminates made from the films are provided. This treatment lessens the film shrinkage. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Chitosan films and laminates made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Laminates made from films and powders of N-halochitosan are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating selectively permeable laminates are provided. In one process, continuous chitosan film is prepared by casting a chitosan solution directly onto a substrate that will be incorporated along with the film into a laminate. Alternatively, the chitosan solution is cast onto a work device (for example, such as glass or a polymer film), dried, detached, and then incorporated into a laminate in a separate step. In various embodiments, the laminates are useful for fabrication as a protective article and are substantially impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate prepared in part from a continuous acid polysaccharide film. In various embodiments, the laminate is useful for fabrication as a protective article as it typically is largely impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but is sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.

Abstract: Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: Laminates made from films and powders of N-halochitosan are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: Chitosan films that have been treated with a polyhydroxyalkyl compound and washed, and laminates made from the films are provided. This treatment lessens the film shrinkage. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Low-shrinkage chitosan films containing sugars and laminates made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: N-alkylchitosan films, composite films, and, laminates, made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a hydroxy-substituted organic compound comprising decomposing an organic hydroperoxide, preferably a compound of the formula Ar—C(CH3)2O2H, wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted mononuclear or polynuclear aromatic group. The decomposition is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising highly fluorinated polymer having sulfonic acid groups with the catalyst being in the form of particles of which at least about 20 weight % have a particle size less than about 300 &mgr;m. Cumene hydroperoxide can be decomposed in the process to phenol and acetone which can be reacted to form bisphenol A in the presence of the same catalyst that was used for the decomposition.

Abstract: A medical implant of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having an improved balance of wear properties and oxidation resistance is prepared by irradiating a preform of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, annealing the irradiated preform in the absence of oxygen to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, and forming an implant from the stabilized cross-linked polymer. Implants prepared according to the process of the present invention have comparable oxidation resistance and superior wear performance compared to unirradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: Liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: A medical implant of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having an improved balance of wear properties and oxidation resistance is prepared by irradiating a preform of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, annealing the irradiated preform in the absence of oxygen to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, and forming an implant from the stabilized cross-linked polymer. Implants prepared according to the process of the present invention have comparable oxidation resistance and superior wear performance compared to unirradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A medical implant of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having an improved balance of wear properties and oxidation resistance is prepared by irradiating a preform of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, annealing the irradiated preform in the absence of oxygen to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, and forming an implant from the stabilized cross-linked polymer. Implants prepared according to the process of the present invention have comparable oxidation resistance and superior wear performance compared to unirradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A solid acid catalyst comprising porous highly fluorinated acidic polymer and process for manufacturing it. The catalyst comprises at least about 90 wt. % highly fluorinated acidic polymer and has a surface area of about 0.01 m2/g to about 5 m2/g.

Abstract: Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: A medical implant of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene having an improved balance of wear properties and oxidation resistance is prepared by irradiating a preform of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, annealing the irradiated preform in the absence of oxygen to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, and forming an implant from the stabilized cross-linked polymer. Implants prepared according to the process of the present invention have comparable oxidation resistance and superior wear performance compared to unirradiated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.