Abstract: Provided is an archival recording medium and a method for recording information on same. The recording medium comprises a microporous polymeric layer and an energy-absorbing material, e.g., a layer of an energy-absorbing material such as a metal or dye/polymer layer deposited on the microporous layer. If desired, further dimensional stability and mechanical strength can be provided by a thermally stable substrate or by tensioning the medium within a rigid frame. Information is recorded by the energy-absorbing material heating up in localized irradiated regions and causing the controlled collapse of the microporous structure in the microporous polymer layer. The collapsed portions of the structure constitute the information which can then be read either by reflectance or transmission.

Abstract: Provided is an optical information recording medium and a method of recording information thereon. The information layer of the recording medium comprises an anthracyanine or phenanthracyanine chromophore compound. In a preferred embodiment, the chromophore is substituted with at least one substituent conferring film forming properties to the chromophore, e.g., a monomer or oligomeric substituent comprised of acid, amide or ester units. The resulting information layer exhibits strong absorption in the range of from about 780-850 nm. Employing an anthracyanine or phenanthracyanine chromophore substituted with a film forming substituent further offers the advantages of a single component material exhibiting good thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: Provide is an optical data storage medium comprising a chromophore/polymer composition information layer, wherein the polymer and chromophore are chemically bound so as to improve chromophore/polymer compatibility. If necessary, the chromophore or the polymer may be modified to improve their interaction. When modification is desired, it is preferred to modify the polymer so as not to disturb the chromophore structure, which is generally selected for its absorption features. The interaction between the chromophore and polymer can be either covalent on non-covalent. The overall result is an information layer having improved chromophore/polymer compatibility.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording medium and a method for recording information thereon. The information layer of the recording medium comprises a naphthalocyanine chromophore, e.g., a sulfonamidonaphthalocyanine having silicon or germanium as the central hetero atom. Information can thereby be readily recorded via a thermal deformation technique due to the effective absorption by the dye of light in the wavelength range of about 760-850 nm. The naphthalocyanine chromophores exhibit excellent chemical and photolytic stability, their use thereby increasing the useful life of the recording medium.Provided herein are also novel naphthalocyanine chromophore compounds which are useful in optical recording media, and which exhibit exceptional solubility characteristics. Such chromophores are thereby readily applied as a film in the formulation of an information recording medium.

Abstract: Provided is an archival recording medium and a method for recording information on same. The recording medium comprises a coated microporous polymeric layer and an energy absorbing material, e.g., a layer of an energy-absorbing material such as a metal or dye/polymer layer deposited on the microporous layer. The coating on the microporous film layer is a polymeric coating, which polymer is of sufficient molecular size or branching to preclude entry of the polymer molecules into the pores of the microporous polymer film. If desired, further dimensional stability and mechanical strength can be provided to the recording medium by a thermally stable substrate or by tensioning the medium within a rigid frame.Information is recorded by the energy-absorbing material heating up in localized irradiated regions and causing the controlled collapse of the microporous structure in the microporous polymer layer.

Abstract: A process for chemically modifying a preformed polybenzimidazole semipermeable membrane is provided. The process comprises the steps of sulfonating the membrane by contacting the membrane at a temperature within the range of 5.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. with a sulfonating agent and heating the membrane in an inert atmosphere at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to convert the ionic bonds formed in the contacting step to permanent, covalent bonds, thereby providing a covalently bonded sulfonated polybenzimidazole semipermeable membrane. The membrane produced by the process of the present invention exhibits cation selectivity for electrodialysis and electrochemical applications. Other advantages may include increased water flux for reverse osmosis purposes and increased resistance to fouling.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides a nonlinear optical substrate which comprises a transparent film of an external field-induced noncentrosymmetric macroscopic orientation of poly[[benzo(1,2-d:5,4-d')bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene] molecules: ##STR1##

Abstract: Provided is an optical data storage medium comprising a chromophore/polymer composition information layer, wherein the chromophore is chemically bound or coordinated with the polymer. The chromophore is an organo macrocyclic chromophore containing a constituent metal atom, and preferably a central metal atom, with the chromophore being coordinated to the polymer through the metal atom. As a result, the chromophore/polymer material has excellent film-forming properties so that the medium can be readily and efficiently manufactured. As well, the resulting information layer offers excellent thermomechanical properties and exhibits excellent absorption properties, all in a single component material. By utilizing a single component material, the problem of dye/polymer phase separation frequently encountered in conventional dye/polymer mixtures is also overcome.

Abstract: Provided is an erasable recording medium and a method for recording and erasing same. The erasable recording medium comprises a thermally stable substrate and a polymeric layer deposited on the substrate comprised of a dimer acid polyamide. Such a recording medium has an excellent dimensional and mechanical stability on storage, readily and easily records information, and has an ability to be easily and completely erased when erasure is desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process whereby the thermal stabilization of acrylic fibers is accelerated. The process comprises providing a zone of electron radiation and continuously passing a continuous length of acrylic fibrous material through the zone so as to provide an energy absorption of from about 5 to about 30 megarads. The residence time of the acrylic fibrous material in the zone of electron radiation is less than five seconds. The continuous length of acrylic fibrous material is subsequently continuously passed through a thermal stabilization zone wherein the acrylic fibrous material is heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere provided at a temperature in the range of about 220.degree. C. to 310.degree. C. for about 10 to 30 minutes. The acrylic fibrous material formed thereby is thermally stabilized (i.e., black in appearance, retains its original fibrous configuration substantially intact, and is non-burning when subjected to an ordinary match flame).

Abstract: This invention provides an electrochemical process for the production of 2,6-diaminobenzobisthiazole by the interaction of p-phenylenediamine with a thiocyanate salt in an acidic aqueous medium under electrolysis conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrochemical process for the production of vinyl acetate from ethylene and anolyte acetic acid at a constant anodic half cell potential and under, ambient conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: This invention is directed to new electrophotographic, and magnetic toners, which are useful for example in high speed fusing systems, these toners being comprised of a polyamide resin, a pigment or colorant, which pigment or colorant may be magnetic and as an optional ingredient, a carrier material. The polyamide resin is of the formula ##STR1## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are radicals independently selected from aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, aromatic, substituted aromatic, cycloaliphatic, and heterocyclic, x is a number of from 1 to about 100, and y is a number of from 1 to about 100. In one preferred embodiment the toner composition is comprised of the polyamide resin and a high loading, 50-75 percent of a magnetic material, allowing for high speed fusing in magnetic imaging systems.