Abstract: A process for recycling a stream of polyester waste material by depolymerising the polyester by alcoholysis, includes first and second consecutive stages of depolymerisation, in which the polymer waste material is subjected in a continuous manner, in the first stage, the polyester waste material is continuously fed to an extruder operated at a temperature above the polyester melting temperature, while a first amount of alcohol is co-fed to the extruder, to produce a fluid mixture including a melt of the at least partly depolymerised polyester, and in the second stage, the fluid mixture is continuously fed to a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operated at a temperature above the polyester melting temperature, while co-feeding a second amount of alcohol to the CSTR, a residence time in the CSTR being used to provide at the CSTR outlet a continuous stream of polyester depolymerised into an oligomeric ester.

Abstract: A process for chemically recycling polylactic acid (PLA), includes at least a first stage of depolymerisation of the PLA and a separate second consecutive stage of depolymerisation, to which stages the PLA is subjected in a continuous manner, wherein in the first stage, the PLA is continuously fed to an extruder operated at a temperature above the melting temperature of the PLA, while a water is co-fed to the extruder, in order to produce a fluid mixture including a melt of the at least partly depolymerised PLA, and in the second stage, the fluid mixture is continuously fed to a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operated at a temperature above the melting temperature of the PLA, while co-feeding water to the CSTR, wherein a residence time in the CSTR is used to provide at the outlet of the CSTR a continuous stream of PLA depolymerised into an oligomeric ester.

Abstract: A process for recycling a stream of polyester waste material by depolymerising the polyester by alcoholysis, includes first and second consecutive stages of depolymerisation, in which the polymer waste material is subjected in a continuous manner, in the first stage, the polyester waste material is continuously fed to an extruder operated at a temperature above the polyester melting temperature, while a first amount of alcohol is co-fed to the extruder, to produce a fluid mixture including a melt of the at least partly depolymerised polyester, and in the second stage, the fluid mixture is continuously fed to a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operated at a temperature above the polyester melting temperature, while co-feeding a second amount of alcohol to the CSTR, a residence time in the CSTR being used to provide at the CSTR outlet a continuous stream of polyester depolymerised into an oligomeric ester.

Abstract: For determining autofluorescence of a clinically normal skin issue (7) of a patient, the tissue (7) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. An amount of fluorescent radiation emitted by the tissue (7) in response to the irradiation is measured and, in response thereto, a signal is generated which represents a determined autofluorescence in agreement with the measured amount of electromagnetic radiation. Because the tissue (7) is skin tissue (7) in vivo and irradiation is performed noninvasively, a method which is very simple to apply for determining autofluorescence is obtained. An apparatus especially adapted for use in this method is also described.

Abstract: A process to manufacture a reinforcing element provided with a cured adhesive composition, a reinforcing element provided with a cured adhesive composition, and a rubber article including the reinforcing element. The manufacturing process includes the steps of providing a reinforcing element, treating the reinforcing element with a composition that includes an aqueous dispersion of components, optionally drying the treated reinforcing element, and curing at least two of the components.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrophobically finished aramid fabric includes at least a) providing an aramid yarn, b) applying a water-repellent agent to the aramid yarn, c) drying the aramid yarn resulting from step b), d) producing a fabric from the aramid yarn resulting from step c), and e) heat treating the fabric. The fabric is used to produce an antiballistically effective article. The v50 values for the hydrophobically finished fabrics of the invention are in the wet state higher than, and in the dry state at least as high as or higher than, the values for hydrophobically finished fabrics not of the invention in the wet and dry states, respectively.

Abstract: For determining autofluorescence of a clinically normal skin issue (7) of a patient, the tissue (7) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. An amount of fluorescent radiation emitted by the tissue (7) in response to the irradiation is measured and, in response thereto, a signal is generated which represents a determined autofluorescence in agreement with the measured amount of electromagnetic radiation. Because the tissue (7) is skin tissue (7) in vivo and irradiation is performed noninvasively, a method which is very simple to apply for determining autofluorescence is obtained. An apparatus especially adapted for use in this method is also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrophobically finished aramid fabric includes at least

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of a laminate of a textile material covered with a copolyetherester film having a water vapor transmission rate of at least 1000 g/m.sup.2 /day for the manufacture therefrom of waterproof rainwear, shoes, tents, and mattress covers, and for the complete covering therewith of molded articles of foam rubber for use in chairs or mattresses, the copolyetherester being composed of a plurality of recurrent intralinear long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units which are randomly joined head-to-tail through ester bonds, with at least 20 wt. % of the long-chain ester units being prepared from a long-chain glycol having a carbon to oxygen ratio in the range of 2.0 to 2.4, which glycol constitutes 15-45 wt. % of the copolyetherester, and with at least 70 wt. % of the short-chain ester units consisting of butylene naphthalate units constituting 20-80 wt. % of the copolyetherester.