Abstract: A multiblock, cationic-functionalized norbornene copolymer is formed by a process including performing a vinyl addition polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst of a first norbornene monomer substituted with a first alkyl group and a second norbornene monomer substituted with a second alkyl group by adding a predetermined amount of the first norbornene monomer and a predetermined amount of the second norbornene monomer sequentially to the reaction to form blocks of an intermediate norbornene multiblock copolymer. The second alkyl group includes a substituent which undergoes a reaction with a precursor for a cationic group having a volume less than 0.25 cm3/mol. The process further includes reacting the precursor for the cationic group with the intermediate norbornene multiblock copolymer to form the multiblock, cationic-functionalized norborene copolymer.

Abstract: A statistical, cationic-functionalized norbornene copolymer is formed by a process including performing a vinyl addition polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst of a first norbornene monomer substituted with a first alkyl group and at least a second norbornene monomer substituted with a second alkyl group, to form an intermediate norbornene copolymer. The second alkyl group includes a substituent which undergoes a substitution reaction with a precursor of a cationic group. The process further includes adding the precursor for the cationic group to the intermediate norbornene copolymer to form the cationic functionalized norbornene copolymer. The cationic group has a volume of 0.25 cm3/mol or greater (for example, a phosphonium group or an imidazolium group).

Abstract: A statistical, cationic-functionalized norbornene copolymer is formed by a process including performing a vinyl addition polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst of a first norbornene monomer substituted with a first alkyl group and at least a second norbornene monomer substituted with a second alkyl group, to form an intermediate norbornene copolymer. The second alkyl group includes a substituent which undergoes a substitution reaction with a precursor of a cationic group. The process further includes adding the precursor for the cationic group to the intermediate norbornene copolymer to form the cationic functionalized norbornene copolymer. The cationic group has a volume of 0.25 cm3/mol or greater (for example, a phosphonium group or an imidazolium group).

Abstract: Phosphazenium-based ionomers and methods of making them are disclosed. The ionomers are useful in making membranes for fuel cells and other devices that benefit from extremely base-stable membranes. The polymers (ionomers) contain repeating units of formula: in which all of R1, R2, W, Y and Z are hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Phosphazenium-based ionomers and methods of making them are disclosed. The ionomers are useful in making membranes for fuel cells and other devices that benefit from extremely base-stable membranes. The polymers (ionomers) contain repeating units of formula: in which all of R1, R2, W, Y and Z are hydrocarbon.

Abstract: In one preferred implementation, a business rules engine optimizes staffing decisions by accepting as inputs top-down constraint as well as bottom-up constraint rules to dynamically determine short to medium term optimal staffing patterns. The business rules engine of this embodiment optionally utilizes a Holt-Winters algorithm which factors in both seasonal and annualized trend information. In certain embodiments, the business rules engine is able to more accurately estimate necessary minimum staffing based on business constraints at both the strategic and operations levels. For instance, strategic (top-down) factors may include intentional overstaffing of stores during certain time periods or in certain key geographic regions, sales forecasts, aggregate margin enhancement, etc. Operational (bottom-up) factors can, in selected embodiments, include time-to-unload, time-to-stock, product throughput and related factors.