Abstract: Articles having improved flame retardance and chemical resistance properties can be made from blends containing a cross-linkable polycarbonate resin having repeating units derived from a dihydroxybenzophenone. Predictive equations can be used to relate properties of the blend and the polycarbonate resin to the final properties of the article, and permit design of articles with desired combinations of properties.

Abstract: A heat and humidity exchanger has example application in exchanging heat and water vapor between fresh air entering a building and air being vented from the building. The heat and humidity exchanger has a self-supporting core formed from layered sheets of a moisture-permeable material. Plenums are arranged to direct fluid streams into and out of the core. The plenums may be on opposing sides of the core to permit counterflow exchange of heat and water vapor.

Abstract: Polysiloxane-polycarbonates and improved methods for preparing the polysiloxane-polycarbonates are provided. Also provided are blend compositions including the polysiloxane-polycarbonates. The blend compositions can include one or more additional polymers. The blend compositions can include one or more additives. The blend compositions can be used to prepare articles of manufacture.

Abstract: An interfacial process for preparing a poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) includes providing an initial polymerization reaction mixture comprising an aliphatic C6-20 dicarboxylic acid, a bisphenol, an alkali hydroxide, and optionally a catalyst in a solvent system comprising water and an immiscible organic solvent, adding an initial portion of a carbonyl dihalide over a first time period while maintaining the reaction at a first pH from 7 to 8; and adding a second portion of the carbonyl dihalide over a second, subsequent time period while maintaining the reaction pH at a second pH from 9 to 12, to provide a product polymerization mixture, wherein the amount of alkali hydroxide in the initial polymerization reaction mixture is effective to increase the fraction of the first time period at a measured pH of 7 to 8 compared to the same reaction mixture with a higher amount of alkali hydroxide in the initial polymerization mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of a gas, containing a controllable valve, wherein the position of the valve and the gas pressure upstream of the valve are measured and used in conjunction with a first lookup table to determine the flow rate of the gas through the valve; and a flow restrictor upstream of the controllable valve, wherein the temperature of the flow restrictor and the gas pressure upstream and downstream of the flow restrictor are measured and used in conjunction with a second lookup table to determine the flow rate of the gas through the flow restrictor.

Abstract: An example method comprises receiving, at a first digital device, video data, scanning video content of the video data for visual transitions within the video content between consecutive frames of the video data, each transition indicating significant visual transitions relative to other frames of the video data, timestamping each visual transition and create a first set of temporal video fingerprints, identifying items of metadata to be associated with the video data, identifying a location within the video data using the temporal video fingerprints for the identified items of metadata, generating a metadata index identifying each item of metadata and a location for each item of metadata relative to the video data using at least one of the temporal video fingerprints, and transmitting, at the first digital device, the video data, the first set of temporal video fingerprints, and the metadata index to a different digital device.

Abstract: A mobile fabrication solution for onsite assemblage of earth drains for ground stabilization that includes a despooling carousel for uncoiling corrugated tubing from a stock supply, and for feeding the stock tubing into an extrusion head unit. The head unit contains counter-rotating wheels that grip and drive the tubing out through a collet into a filter sock and into a collection trough. One end of a stock supply of fabric filter sock is attached to the collet exteriorly of the head unit to the collet and is unrolled along the trough. When the corrugated tubing is ejected it fills the sock within the trough and may be cut to the desired length onsite, eliminating waste.

Abstract: A heat and humidity exchanger has example application in exchanging heat and water vapor between fresh air entering a building and air being vented from the building. The heat and humidity exchanger has a self-supporting core formed from layered sheets of a moisture-permeable material. Plenums are arranged to direct fluid streams into and out of the core. The plenums may be on opposing sides of the core to permit counterflow exchange of heat and water vapor.

Abstract: An example method comprises receiving, at a first digital device, video data, scanning video content of the video data for visual transitions within the video content between consecutive frames of the video data, each transition indicating significant visual transitions relative to other frames of the video data, timestamping each visual transition and create a first set of temporal video fingerprints, identifying items of metadata to be associated with the video data, identifying a location within the video data using the temporal video fingerprints for the identified items of metadata, generating a metadata index identifying each item of metadata and a location for each item of metadata relative to the video data using at least one of the temporal video fingerprints, and transmitting, at the first digital device, the video data, the first set of temporal video fingerprints, and the metadata index to a different digital device.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition including a resin phase and 10% to 55%, especially 25% to 45% of glass fibers by weight of the composition is disclosed. The resin phase includes a polysiloxane block copolymer including polydimethylsiloxane blocks and polycarbonate blocks derived from bisphenol A. The resin phase further includes a polycarbonate and has between 2.0 wt % and 10 wt % by weight of siloxane. The thermoplastic composition has (i) a notched Izod impact strength of at least 150 Joules per meter measured at 23° C. according to ASTM D256, (ii) a tensile strength greater than 95 MPa as determined by ASTM D638, (iii) a tensile modulus greater than 10,900 MPa as determined by ASTM D638 and (iv) an unnotched Izod impact strength greater than 775 Joules per meter measured at 23° C. according to ASTM D256.

Abstract: A heat and humidity exchanger comprises panels made up of membrane sheets attached on either side of a separator. Channels extend across each panel between the separator and the membrane sheets. The panels are much stiffer than the membrane sheets. Panels are stacked in a spaced apart relationship to provide an ERV core.

Abstract: A method of preparing a poly(ester-carbonate) includes contacting an aqueous solution including a dicarboxylic acid with a first solution including phosgene and a first organic solvent in a tubular reactor to provide a first reaction mixture. A dihydroxy aromatic compound, the corresponding dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, water, and a second organic solvent are combined to provide a second reaction mixture. The method further includes introducing the first reaction mixture, the second reaction mixture, and a second solution comprising phosgene to a tank reactor, wherein the tank reactor has a first pH of 7 to 10. The pH is optionally raised to 9 to 11 to provide a third reaction mixture including the poly(ester-carbonate). Poly(ester-carbonate)s prepared according to the method described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Melt polymerization processes for producing photoactive additives are disclosed. The photoactive additives are cross-linkable polycarbonate resins formed from a benzophenone, a dihydroxy chain extender, a carbonate precursor, and a catalyst. The additives can be produced without the use of phosgene or dichloromethane, and can be cross-linked with other polymers upon exposure to UV radiation.

Abstract: A sandwiching device for creating pocket sandwich-type food, the sandwiching device having a stand, a lever mechanism attached to the stand, a punch attached to the lever mechanism, a die attached to the stand and positioned below the punch, and a sealer seated within the die. The lever mechanism is used to lower the punch and press the punch against the die and the sealer. When foodstuff is placed on the die, pressing the punch against the die and the sealer simultaneously cuts the crust off the foodstuff while sealing the edges of the foodstuff to create a pocket sandwich. To facilitate the sealing, the perimeter edge of the sealer may have a scalloped edge.

Abstract: Crosslinkable polycarbonate resins having improved properties are disclosed. The crosslinkable polycarbonate resins are formed from a reaction of at least a benzophenone, a first dihydroxy chain extender, and a carbonate precursor, and may include a second dihydroxy chain extender as well.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions having improved flame retardance properties are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cross-linkable polycarbonate resin having a photoactive group derived from a benzophenone, a bromine source, and optionally a non-brominated and non-chlorinated flame retardant. The composition contains a minimum amount of bromine. Articles formed from the compositions have robust flame retardance properties and enhanced chemical resistance.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns medical device parts having a thickness of about 4 mm or less, where the medical device part is manufactured by an injection molding process utilizing a polycarbonate polymer and from about 0.2 wt % to about 0.5 wt % of pentaerythritol tetrastearate and from about 0.05 wt % to about 0.3 wt % of glycerol monostearate; wherein said pentaerythritol tetrastearate is derived from a biosource.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions with high flame retardance are disclosed. The compositions include a polycarbonate having repeating units derived from a monomer with an ester side group, and also include a flame retardant additive. These compositions may be further blended with another polycarbonate. The resulting compositions have high flame retardance and improved anti-drip properties.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an aromatic polycarbonate, having an aromatic polycarbonate backbone, can comprise: less than or equal to 5 ppm of polymeric chlorine attached to the aromatic polycarbonate backbone; less than 0.5 ppm of dichloromethane, less than 5 ppm of monohydric phenols, and less than 0.5 ppm of aromatic compounds containing no chlorine based on the total weight of the aromatic polycarbonate, wherein the aromatic compounds are compounds other than the aromatic polycarbonate.

Abstract: Polymeric blends having improved flame retardance properties and good ductility at low temperatures are disclosed. The blend is formed from (A) a photoactive additive that is a cross-linkable polycarbonate resin containing a photoactive group derived from a dihydroxybenzophenone; and (B) a polymer resin which is different from the photoactive additive. The additive can be a compound, oligomer, or polymer. When exposed to ultraviolet light, crosslinking will occur between the photoactive additive and the polymer resin, enhancing the chemical resistance and flame retardance while maintaining ductility.