Abstract: Illumination devices comprising a light source and a light fiber are reported. The light fiber is optically coupled to the light source such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source impinges on the input end of the light fiber. The light fiber comprises an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end. The light fiber includes a light-emitting region including at least one optical element that directs light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extends over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements.

Abstract: Illumination devices comprising a light source and a light fiber are reported. The light fiber is optically coupled to the light source such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source impinges on the input end of the light fiber. The light fiber comprises an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end. The light fiber includes a light-emitting region including at least one optical element that directs light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extends over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements.

Abstract: Light fibers comprising: (a) an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end; (b) a light-emitting region directing light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the light-emitting region comprising at least one optical element; and (c) a continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extending over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements. Methods of making the light fibers using an embossing process are also reported.

Abstract: A polymerization process produces polymers that are insoluble in a reaction mixture that was homogeneous before the polymer began to form. A dispersing agent in the polymerizing system (i.e., the reaction mixture plus the dispersing agent) allows a kinetically stable dispersion of the polymer to be formed in this polymerizing system. The polymerization process is performed in a fluid held under superatmospheric conditions such that the fluid is a liquid or a supercritical fluid; the fluid being carbon dioxide, a hydroflurocarbon, a perfluorocarbon, or a mixture of any of the foregoing.

Abstract: Methods of impregnating various polymer substrates with an impregnation additive, by simultaneously contacting the polymer substrate with an impregnation additive, carrier liquid, and supercritical fluid are provided. The impregnation additive is substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid, and the carrier liquid is preferably substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprises at least one ring-strained non-conjugated cyclic olefin, a two-part transition metal-containing catalyst wherein said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Periodic Groups 6 to 10, said catalyst being air and moisture stable and comprises a transition metal-containing catalyst, provided that the oxidation state of the transition metal is in the range of +3 to 0, and as cocatalyst an organosilane comprising at least one group selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## groups.

Abstract: Polymerization of ring-strained cyclic olefins takes place in the presence of a one-part or two-part catalyst which is air and moisture stable and which comprises a transition metal-containing compound.The one-part transition metal-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of(a) compounds of the formula(L.sup.1)(L.sup.2)QwhereinQ represents Mo or W;L.sup.1 represents one to six CO (carbonyl) ligands;L.sup.2 represents none to 5 ligands, each of which is a non-ionic compound or unit of a polymer which can be the same or different, each contributes two, four, or six electrons to the metal and is different from L.sup.1 ; wherein the sum of the valence electrons of Q and the electrons contributed by the ligands L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 is 18,(b) at least one of cationic ruthenium and osmium-containing organometallic salts having at least one polyene ligand, and(c) [Ir(RO.sub.2 CHC.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 R).sub.2 Cl].sub.2 wherein each R independently is hydrogen or lower alkyl (C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: Polymerization of ring-strained cyclic olefins takes place in the presence of a one-part or two-part catalyst which is air and moisture stable and which comprises a transition metal-containing compound.The one-part transition metal-containing catalyst is selected from the group consisting of(a) compounds of the formula(L.sup.1) (L.sup.2)QwhereinQ represents Mo or W;L.sup.1 represents one to six CO (carbonyl) ligands;L.sup.2 represents none to 5 ligands, each of which is a non-ionic compound or unit of a polymer which can be the same or different, each contributes two, four, or six electrons to the metal and is different from L.sup.1 ;wherein the sum of the valence electrons of Q and the electrons contributed by the ligands L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 is 18,(b) at least one of cationic ruthenium and osmium-containing organometallic salts having at least one polyene ligand, and(c) [Ir(RO.sub.2 CHC=CHCO.sub.2 R).sub.2 Cl].sub.2 wherein each R independently is hydrogen or lower alkyl (C.sub.1 to C.sub.