Abstract: Bifuran-modified polyester, polyethylene-terephthalate-co (2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate), prepared by esterifying or transesterifying a diacid component comprising from 2 to 10 mole percent 2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate and a diol component with a catalyst compound comprising metal present in an amount of from about 10 to about 450 ppm and polycondensation to form the polyester wherein the polyester has an inherent viscosity of at least 0.5 g/dL, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 82° C. or more, a semicrystalline melting peak (Tm) with ?Hf equal to or greater than 5 J/g on the second heating ramp, and melting temperature (Tm) between 229° C. and 246° C. Reinforced compositions and shaped articles comprising bifuran-modified polyethylene terephthalate and methods of their production are also disclosed.

Abstract: Semicrystalline polyethylene-2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate (PEBF) homopolyester or copolyester with up to 5 mole percent isophthalate or up to 2.7 mole percent terephthalate, based on the diacid component, or up to 2.5 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), based on the diol component, prepared by esterifying or transesterifying the diacid and the diol components with a catalyst including about 10 to about 50 ppm wt metal, and polycondensation, wherein the bifuran polyester has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.4 g/dL and a semicrystalline melting peak (Tm) with ?Hf equal to or greater than 5 J/g on the second heating ramp.

Abstract: Wax compositions may be obtained by providing an olefinic feed comprising a first linear alpha olefin having m carbon atoms and a second linear alpha olefin having n carbon atoms, wherein m and n are independently selected integers each ranging from about 12 to about 100, and the olefinic feed optionally comprises one or more internal olefins and/or one or more branched olefins; contacting the olefinic feed with a metal carbene catalyst in a reactor; forming ethylene and a hydrocarbon substance comprising a linear olefin dimer comprising two carbon atoms less than a sum of m and n; removing the ethylene from the reactor while forming the linear olefin dimer; and isolating a wax composition comprising the linear olefin dimer, a hydrogenated reaction product thereof, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Fischer-Tropsch processes for converting syngas produces linear alpha olefins at high yield and selectivity in the presence of supported nano-particle catalyst compositions and/or metal carbide/nitride-containing catalyst compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel supported nanoparticle compositions, precursors, processes for making supported nanoparticle compositions, processes for making catalyst compositions, and processes for converting syngas. The catalyst composition can comprise nanoparticles comprising metal oxide(s), such as manganese cobalt oxide. This disclosure is particularly useful for converting syngas via the Fischer-Tropsch reactions to make olefins and/or alcohols.

Abstract: Wax compositions may be obtained by subjecting one or more linear alpha olefins to olefin metathesis and optionally hydrogenating. The wax compositions comprise: a hydrocarbon substance comprising a linear olefin dimer formed from a first linear alpha olefin having m carbon atoms and a second linear alpha olefin having n carbon atoms, a hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated reaction product of the linear olefin dimer, or any combination thereof, the first linear alpha olefin and the second linear alpha olefin being the same or different, and the linear olefin dimer comprising two carbon atoms less than a sum of m and n; wherein m and n are independently selected integers each ranging from 12 to 100; and wherein the wax composition has a melting point of 25° C. or greater.

Abstract: Wax compositions may be obtained by providing an olefinic feed comprising a first linear alpha olefin having m carbon atoms and a second linear alpha olefin having n carbon atoms, wherein m and n are independently selected integers each ranging from about 12 to about 100, and the olefinic feed optionally comprises one or more internal olefins and/or one or more branched olefins; contacting the olefinic feed with a metal carbene catalyst in a reactor; forming ethylene and a hydrocarbon substance comprising a linear olefin dimer comprising two carbon atoms less than a sum of m and n; removing the ethylene from the reactor while forming the linear olefin dimer; and isolating a wax composition comprising the linear olefin dimer, a hydrogenated reaction product thereof, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A machine learning system and method. The machine learning system includes at least one computation circuit that performs a weighted summation of incoming signals and provides a resulting signal. The weighted summation is carried out at least in part by a magnetic element in which weights are adjusted based on changes in effective magnetic susceptibility of the magnetic element.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel supported nanoparticle compositions, precursors, processes for making supported nanoparticle compositions, processes for making catalyst compositions, and processes for converting syngas. The catalyst composition can comprise nanoparticles comprising metal oxide(s), such as manganese cobalt oxide. This disclosure is particularly useful for converting syngas via the Fischer-Tropsch reactions to make olefins and/or alcohols.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nanoparticle compositions, catalyst compositions, processes for making nanoparticle compositions and processes for making catalyst compositions. In at least one embodiment, a composition includes a plurality of nanoparticles, where each nanoparticle includes a kernel, the kernels include at least one metal element and oxygen, and the kernels have an average particle size from 4 to 100 nanometers, and a particle size distribution of less than 20%.

Abstract: Copolyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene furanoate (PEF) modified with bifuran polyacids such as dimethyl-2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate (BFE), 2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylic acid (BDA), or bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate (BHEB), and/or bifuran polyhydroxyls, may have improved properties such as glass transition temperature (Tg), tensile modulus, barrier properties, crystallinity, and/or impact strength. Polyethylene terephthalate-co-bifuranoate (PETBF) has an improved Tg. Also described are polyethylene furanoate-co-bifuranoates (PEFBF).

Abstract: Processes are described for separating 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethylbiphenyl from a mixture comprising at least 3,3?-, 3,4?- and 4,4?-dimethylbiphenyl. In the processes, the mixture is cooled to produce a crystallization product comprising at least of the 4,4?-dimethylbiphenyl from the feed mixture and a first mother liquor product. The first mother liquor product is distilled to produce a bottoms stream enriched in 4,4?-dimethylbiphenyl as compared with the first mother liquor product and an overhead stream deficient in 4,4?-dimethylbiphenyl as compared with the first mother liquor product. The overhead stream is then cooled to produce a second crystallization product comprising at least part of the 3,4?-dimethylbiphenyl from the overhead stream and a second mother liquor product.

Abstract: Semicrystalline bifuran polyesters wherein the diacid and/or diol components include bifuran units such as those derived from 2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylic acid (BFA), dimethyl-2,2?-bifuran-5,5?-dicarboxylate (BFE), and/or bis(hydroxyethyl) bifuranoate (BHEB) Polyethylene-BFE (PEBF) having a high ?Hf and high Tg determined by DSC on the second heating ramp is described. Polybutylene-BFE (PBBF), polyhexylene-BFE (PHBF), polypropylene-BFE (PPBF), etc., are also described. Method for making bifuran polyesters includes melt esterification or transesterification and polycondensation of one or more monomers comprising a diacid component and a diol component, wherein the one or more monomers include a bifuran monomer, such as BFA, BFE, BHEB or BFD. Also described is a method of forming a bifuran polyester prepolymer in the melt, pelletization, crystallization, and solid state polymerization.

Abstract: Processes are described for purifying a biphenyldicarboxylic acid product containing one or more impurities, particularly at least formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid. In the processes, a mixture comprising the biphenyldicarboxylic acid product is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under conditions to selectively reduce at least part of the formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid to produce a hydrogenation effluent comprising (i) hydroxymethylbiphenylcarboxylic acid and/or methylbiphenylcarboxylic acid, and (ii) biphenylcarboxylic acid. At least a portion of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid is then separated from the hydrogenation effluent. Advantageously, a polyester product may be produced from the separated biphenyldicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Processes are described for purifying a biphenyldicarboxylic acid product containing one or more impurities, particularly at least formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid. In the processes, a mixture comprising the biphenyldicarboxylic acid product is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under conditions to selectively reduce at least part of the formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid to produce a hydrogenation effluent comprising (i) hydroxymethylbiphenylcarboxylic acid and/or methylbiphenylcarboxylic acid, and (ii) biphenylcarboxylic acid. At least a portion of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid is then separated from the hydrogenation effluent. Advantageously, a polyester product may be produced from the separated biphenyldicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Processes are described for purifying a biphenyldicarboxylic acid product containing one or more impurities, particularly at least formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid. In the processes, at least a portion of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid product is contacted with an alcohol under conditions effective to esterify at least part of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid and at least part of the formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid and produce an esterification effluent containing biphenyldicarboxylic acid diester and formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid ester. At least part of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid diester is then separated from the esterification effluent by crystallization. Advantageously, a polyester product may be produced from the separated biphenyldicarboxylic acid diester.

Abstract: A recording head includes a bearing surface, a first writer and a first shield structure for the first writer. The recording head also includes a second writer and a second shield structure for the second writer. The recording head further includes a magnetic bridge connecting the first shield structure to the second shield structure at the bearing surface.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline hydroquinone-3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylate polyesters, and methods of making them. The polyesters may be melt processed at a temperature below the thermal decomposition temperature and the isotropic temperature, and may form a liquid crystalline glass phase. The polyesters may be formed by polycondensation of hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative with 3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline hydroquinone-3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylate polyesters, and methods of making them. The polyesters may be melt processed at a temperature below the thermal decomposition temperature and the isotropic temperature, and may form a liquid crystalline glass phase. The polyesters may be formed by polycondensation of hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative with 3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A method of forming a recording head for use with a data storage medium in a data storage device. The method includes forming first and second writers of different target geometries. A first recording measurement is performed on one or more storage media using the first writer. A second recording measurement is performed on the one or more storage media using the second writer. Based on a comparison of the first and second recording measurements to a predetermined quantity, either the first writer or the second writer is selected to be operational in the data storage device.