Abstract: The present invention concerns a curable composition, preferably a moisture-curable composition, comprising: a) at least one silane-functional polymer P; and b) at least one metal salt of neodecanoic acid wherein the metal salt is chosen from the group consisting of alkali metal salts and alkali earth metal salts.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of N,N-dialkyllactamide, whereby at least one of the compounds selected from the series made of alkyl lactate, lactide and polylactic acid is mixed with dialkylamine in order to form a reaction mixture, under conditions whereby aminolysis takes place in the reaction mixture. The method is characterized in that the reaction mixture further includes a Lewis acid. As a result of the method, N,N-dialkyllactamides can be manufactured in high yields and with high optical purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester polyol, suitable for use in the manufacture of a polyurethane, suitable for use in the manufacture of a polyurethane, the polyester polyol having an ABA-structure, in which A represents a lactide-oligomer and in which B represents an initiator. The initiator includes a reaction product having long chain dicarboxylic acid components having 18 or more carbon atoms. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of the polyester polyol. The invention further pertains to polyurethanes including the before-mentioned polyester polyol as well as the use of these polyurethanes as an elastomer having a high toughness. The toughness is believed to originate from the combination of the hydrophobic character of the initiator and the hydrophilic character of the lactide parts in the polyol structure. The strength of the invented polylactide-polyurethane elastomers can be further improved by incorporating a carbodiimide in the elastomer material.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of N,N-dialkyllactamide, whereby at least one of the compounds selected from the series made of alkyl lactate, lactide and polylactic acid is mixed with dialkylamine in order to form a reaction mixture, under conditions whereby aminolysis takes place in the reaction mixture. The method is characterized in that the reaction mixture further includes a Lewis acid. As a result of the method, N,N-dialkyllactamides can be manufactured in high yields and with high optical purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester polyol, suitable for use in the manufacture of a polyurethane, suitable for use in the manufacture of a polyurethane, the polyester polyol having an ABA-structure, in which A represents a lactide-oligomer and in which B represents an initiator. The initiator includes a reaction product having long chain dicarboxylic acid components having 18 or more carbon atoms. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of the polyester polyol. The invention further pertains to polyurethanes including the before-mentioned polyester polyol as well as the use of these polyurethanes as an elastomer having a high toughness. The toughness is believed to originate from the combination of the hydrophobic character of the initiator and the hydrophilic character of the lactide parts in the polyol structure. The strength of the invented polylactide-polyurethane elastomers can be further improved by incorporating a carbodiimide in the elastomer material.

Abstract: A lithographic system and method are provided that allow for variations of a basic device design to be generated without substantially increasing the cost of the data path hardware. The lithographic apparatus includes an array of individually controllable elements, a control system, a first data buffer, and a second data buffer. The control system provides control signals to the array of individually controllable elements. The first data buffer stores pattern data that corresponds to a pattern to be exposed on a plurality of areas on the substrate. The second data buffer stores pattern variation data, corresponding to at least one change to a part of the pattern. The control system is configured, such that at least one variation of the pattern is exposed on one of the areas on the substrate with the pattern variation data.

Abstract: A method for bonding two plate-shaped objects (5) with an adhesive which is cured by ultraviolet light irradiation and by heating. The two plate-shaped objects (5) with the adhesive in between are transported into a cure chamber (11) comprising an ultraviolet lamp (12) and a heating element (13). A movable heat-shielding member (3) is temporary present between the objects (5) and the heating element (13) during at least the first part of the irradiation treatment. Preferably, the heat-shielding member (3) is positioned outside the cure chamber (11) during a part of the cure treatment.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure constructed to support a patterning structure. The patterning structure is adapted to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a substrate holder that is constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system that is constructed and arranged to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a downstream radical source that is connected to a gas supply and is configured to provide a beam of radicals onto a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure constructed to support a patterning structure. The patterning structure is adapted to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The apparatus also includes a substrate holder that is constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system that is constructed and arranged to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a downstream radical source that is connected to a gas supply and is configured to provide a beam of radicals onto a surface to be cleaned.