Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) copolymer is the product of oxidative copolymerization of monomers including a monohydric phenol and a dihydric phenol. It has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.04 to about 0.15 deciliter per gram and, on average, about 1.8 to about 2 hydroxyl groups per molecule. The poly(arylene ether) copolymer is enriched in low molecular weight copolymer chains and copolymer chains that include a terminal unit derived from the dihydric phenol.

Abstract: Capped poly(arylene ether)s are prepared by a method that includes reacting a poly(arylene ether) with a capping agent to form a capping reaction mixture, washing the capping reaction mixture with a concentrated basic aqueous solution, and isolating the capped poly(arylene ether) by a total isolation method. The washing method is effective for removal of capping-related impurities, and surprisingly does not result in decomposition of the capped poly(arylene ether).

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) may be fractionated into higher and lower molecular weight fractions by forming a mixture that includes a poly(arylene ether) starting material, a first solvent that is dichloromethane, bromochloromethane, dibromomethane, or a mixture thereof, and a second solvent different from the first solvent having a Hildebrand solubility parameter of about 16 to about 22 megapascal1/2. The mixture separates into fractions containing higher and lower molecular weight poly(arylene ether)s.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) copolymer is the product of oxidative copolymerization of monomers including a monohydric phenol and a dihydric phenol. It has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.04 to about 0.15 deciliter per gram and, on average, about 1.8 to about 2 hydroxyl groups per molecule. The poly(arylene ether) copolymer is enriched in low molecular weight copolymer chains and copolymer chains that include a terminal unit derived from the dihydric phenol.

Abstract: A new architecture and operational techniques for supporting high quality live and on-demand streaming multimedia on a data network. By using Helper machines inside the network as data forwarding, caching, and buffering agents, and by forming meshes among Helper machines, advantages of homogeneous, synchronous multicast transmission and of heterogeneous, asynchronous reception are achieved. The architecture provides essentially transparently support to the receivers for near-zero start-up latency, improved playback quality, improved CR-like operations. These are achieved while reducing network and server load compared to today's multimedia networking techniques.

Abstract: An electron-beam cured poly(arylene ether) composition exhibits an excellent balance of flexibility, chemical resistance, and resistivity per unit volume. The chemical resistance of the composition is substantially improved by electron beam curing. The electron-beam cured poly(arylene ether) composition is useful for the fabrication of extruded articles, including insulation for automotive wire and cable.

Abstract: A flame retardant poly(arylene ether) composition is described. In addition to the poly(arylene ether), the composition includes a polyolefin component, and a flame retardant composition that includes a metal dialkyl phosphinate, a nitrogen-containing flame retardant, and a liquid triaryl phosphate. The polyolefin component can be a polyolefin polymer and/or the polyolefin block of a poly(alkenyl aromatic)-polyolefin block copolymer. The composition is particularly suitable as a replacement for poly(vinyl chloride) in insulation for wire and cable.

Abstract: A flame retardant poly(arylene ether) composition is described. In addition to the poly(arylene ether), the composition includes a polyolefin component, and a flame retardant composition that includes a metal dialkyl phosphinate and a nitrogen-containing flame retardant but excludes a liquid triaryl phosphate. The polyolefin component can be a polyolefin polymer and/or the polyolefin block of a poly(alkenyl aromatic)-polyolefin block copolymer. The composition is particularly suitable as a replacement for poly(vinyl chloride) in insulation for wire and cable.

Abstract: Capped poly(arylene ether)s are prepared by a method that includes reacting a poly(arylene ether) with a capping agent to form a capping reaction mixture, washing the capping reaction mixture with a concentrated basic aqueous solution, and isolating the capped poly(arylene ether) by a total isolation method. The washing method is effective for removal of capping-related impurities, and surprisingly does not result in decomposition of the capped poly(arylene ether).

Abstract: The invention provides a composition including a crosslinked styrenic block copolymer, a poly(arylene ether), and a non-polyolefin crystalline or semi-crystalline resin. The composition exhibits an improved balance of stiffness, ductility, and heat resistance. The composition can be prepared by a process that includes melt-kneading the poly(arylene ether), an acid functionalized styrenic block copolymer, an amine crosslinking agent, and a non-polyolefin crystalline or semi-crystalline resin.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing unsaturated monomers is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing, in the presence of a late transition metal catalyst (LTMC), a variety of unsaturated monomers which are traditionally, some of which are exclusively, made by free radical polymerizations. The LTMC polymerization provides the polymer with improved properties such as no free radical residue and narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A method of separating a poly(arylene ether) from a solvent includes treating a poly(arylene ether)-containing solution with a devolatilizing extruder to form an extruded composition, and cooling the extruded composition with a cooling device that does not immerse the extruded composition in water. The composition may be used to isolate a poly(arylene ether) from the solvent-containing reaction mixture in which it is prepared, or to remove solvent from a multi-component poly(arylene ether)-containing thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: A composite-forming process includes impregnating a reinforcing structure with a curable composition at a temperature of about 10 to about 40° C. The curable composition includes specific amounts of an epoxy resin, a poly(arylene ether), a solvent, and a curing promoter. The poly(arylene ether) includes, on average, about 1.6 to about 2.4 phenolic hydroxy groups per molecule, and it has a polydispersity index less than or equal to 2.2 and an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.03 to about 0.2 deciliter per gram. These characteristics substantially improve the solubility of the poly(arylene ether) in the curable composition and allow the curable composition to be formed and used at or near room temperature. Composites formed by the process and circuit boards including the composites are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the pulse width of ultra-short light pulses of an input repetitive light pulse signal comprises a two-photon absorption detector (2) in the form of a microcavity (3) having an active region (4) located between top and bottom distributed Bragg reflectors (5,6). An optical fibre cable 16 directs the input light pulse signal combined with a reference repetitive light pulse signal normal to an incident surface (8) of the detector (2). The input light pulse signal is split in a polarisation light splitter (19) to form the reference light pulse signal which is passed through a delay line (23) to a polarisation light combiner (20) to be combined with the input light pulse signal, and directed at the incident surface (8) by the optical fibre cable (16). The delay line (23) is operated for alternately bringing the respective light pulses of the input and reference light pulse signals into and out of phase with each other to produce a pulsed photocurrent in the microcavity (3).

Abstract: A composition includes at least 15 weight percent of a low intrinsic viscosity, bifunctional poly(arylene ether) and at least 20 weight percent of a nonhalogenated solvent. The bifunctional poly(arylene ether)s are substantially and unexpectedly more soluble than their monofunctional analogs. The compositions are useful as concentrates to add bifunctional poly(arylene ether)s to thermosets.

Abstract: A method for producing a capped poly(arylene ether) having a low concentration of metal impurities is described. The method includes treating a solution of a capped poly(arylene ether) with a chelant to bind the polymerization catalyst metal, and separating the chelated metal from the capped poly(arylene ether). Capped poly(arylene ether)s prepared by the method are also described, as are curable compositions that include them.

Abstract: A conductive thermosetting composition comprises a functionalized poly(arylene ether), an alkenyl aromatic monomer, an acryloyl monomer, and a conductive agent. After curing, the composition exhibits good stiffness, toughness, heat resistance, and conductivity, and it is useful in the fabrication of a variety of conductive components, including the bipolar plates of fuel cells.

Abstract: A composition includes a poly(arylene ether) and a crosslinked block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer, such as styrene, and a conjugated diene, such as butadiene. The crosslinked block copolymer includes 50 to about 90 weight percent of repeating units derived from the alkenyl aromatic monomer. The composition exhibits improved ductility relative to a corresponding composition in which the block copolymer is not crosslinked.

Abstract: A crosslinked block copolymer concentrate includes at least 80 weight percent of a crosslinked block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer, such as styrene, and a conjugated diene, such as butadiene. The crosslinked block copolymer includes 50 to about 90 weight percent of repeating units derived from the alkenyl aromatic monomer. The concentrate may be blended with a poly(arylene ether) to form a composition with high ductility. Blends of the concentrate and poly(arylene ether) may also be formulated to be translucent or transparent.

Abstract: A cured composition is prepared by curing a curable composition including an epoxy resin and a bifunctional poly(arylene ether) having an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.03 to about 0.2 deciliter per gram. The cured composition exhibits markedly improved impact strength relative to a corresponding composition prepared from monofunctional poly(arylene ether).