Abstract: A compound having the general formula (I): ?O3S—R1—V1—R2—V2 wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon radical comprising C1 to C10 main chain carbon atoms, wherein hydrogen atoms bonded to the main chain carbon atoms are optionally substituted; R2 is a hydrocarbon radical comprising 6 to 20 main chain carbon atoms, wherein hydrogen atoms bonded to the main chain carbon atoms are optionally substituted; V1 is a saturated or unsaturated, monocyclic or bicyclic ring system comprising 5 to 9 ring atoms, wherein at least 2 ring atoms are nitrogen atoms forming the same cyclic moiety; and V2 is a moiety comprising a carboxyl group and an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.

Abstract: A compound having the general formula (I):

Abstract: A method for producing electroceramic materials of high sintered density from hydroxide and/or oxalate precursors is disclosed. In this method the precursor(s) are compacted to form a preform, thermally treated, recompacted and then sintered to form finished products.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer, the method comprising copolymerizing a mixture comprising about 15% to 50% by weight of water; about 10% to 50% by weight of at least one copolymerizable surfactant; and about 5% to 40% by weight of at least one copolymerizable monomer; whereby the resultant polymer has aqueous domains having sizes smaller than 100 nm. Also disclosed is a polymer comprising domains containing at least one polar solvent, the domains having sizes smaller than 100 nm and the density of the domains being at least about 3*103/&mgr;m3.

Abstract: Methods for preparing highly conductive polymers in water-in-oil microemulsions are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful for preparing conductive polyaniline in the forms of fine particles, membrane composites and coatings on electrodes. The composites and the coatings of the polyaniline have been shown to exhibit conductivities in the range of 150-400 S cm.sup.-1.