Abstract: The present invention provides variable pore size filters. The variable pore size filters of the present invention comprise a fabric matrix, having a set pore size, wherein the fabric matrix is coated with a gel that expands and shrinks in response to a trigger. When the gel is expanded, the pore size of the filter is small and filtering is accomplished. When the gel is shrunken, the pore size of the filter is large and cleaning of the filter by a backwash or forward flush of fluid is accomplished.

Abstract: An on-site modular method and system for processing waste typically including food from a food services facility. The waste is processed in a size reduction unit and subsequently dried in a dryer. The dried shredded waste is processed to produce densified pellets. The food binds the non-food waste in the pellets. The pellets are burned in a thermal conversion unit to produce a gas and waste heat. The waste heat is directed to the dryer for use therein. The gas is fed to a generator or turbine to produce electricity. A portion of the electricity produced is used to energize the process.

Abstract: The invention features dilute solutions of rigid rod or extended rod lyotropic liquid crystalline polymers prepared from high concentration polymerization mixtures. The invention also features methods of preparing such dilute solutions which utilize high mechanical shear to induce mix the high concentration solution with a diluent. The invention further provides articles of manufacture, including films and fibers, having a porous microstructure which are prepared from the dilute homogeneous solutions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides polyester/polyurethane/vinyl dioxolane based coating compositions containing no or essentially no volatile organic components. Oligomers for forming the coating compositions of the present invention are vinyl dioxolane end-capped polyesters and polyurethane oligomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

Abstract: An electrical cable protected against moisture by a tubular liquid crystal film having its molecules multiaxially oriented.

Abstract: A flat and nearly mechanically isotropic polymer film or sheet, or a tube, can be formed by laminating two or more films, preferably by coextrusion of a liquid crystal polymer film and a thermoplastic polymer film. A liquid crystal polymer layer may be combined with one or more thermoplastic polymer layer in various arrangements. The liquid crystal, and possibly the thermoplastic as well, may have a controlled molecular orientation. The film may be formed by passing a polymer through a set of two or three tubular rotors which are concentric and have facing surfaces which define inner and outer annular polymer flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles of manfacture, such as films, tubes, and coatings, comprising a multiaxially oriented film having a planar morphology, wherein the article of manfacture comprises at least one thermoplastic flexible polymer, at least one thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, or a blend thereof. Recyclable articles of manufacture having improved barrier properties are also provided.

Abstract: Coatings of multiaxially oriented Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer (TLCP) are provided to elongated members. Suitable members include glass rods, glass fibers, pipes, beams, and other oval or polygonal members having an essentially regular cross-section. Members of ceramic, plastic, or metal can also be coated. This extrusion is performed using a die having inner and outer mandrels capable of rotating in opposite directions. Concentricity between inner and outer mandrels of the die is maintained to assure uniform coating thickness. In order to produce a high level of multiaxial orientation at lower die rotational speeds, the die design may include spiraling feed zones on one or both facing surfaces of the inner and outer mandrels. The application of the multiaxially oriented coating provides superior impermeability to water vapor and oxygen, and increased strength to the elongated member in the axial direction.

Abstract: The retortable multilayer container of the present invention includes a receptacle and lid having at least a barrier layer includes an LCP film and inner food contact layer comprising at least one thermoplastic material. The receptacle has a base portion and a sidewall portion extending from the base portion defining a storage compartment. The storage compartment has a filling volume from about 0.03 to about 20 liters. The receptacle may be in the form of a tray, cup, bowl, tub or bucket. The tray may be designed as a simple tray or a multi-compartment tray. The receptacle may further have a lip portion extending from the sidewall portion providing an area for the lid to rest.

Abstract: A flat and nearly mechanically isotropic polymer film or sheet, or a tube, can be formed by laminating two or more films, preferably by coextrusion of a liquid crystal polymer film and a thermoplastic polymer film. A liquid crystal polymer layer may be combined with one or more thermoplastic polymer layer in various arrangements. The liquid crystal, and possibly the thermoplastic as well, may have a controlled molecular orientation. The film may be formed by passing a polymer through a set of two or three tubular rotors which are concentric and have facing surfaces which define inner and outer annular polymer flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer film-based and tubular components having a controlled CTE and components produced by such methods. The methods of the present invention include treating a melt or dope of liquid crystalline polymer with simultaneous biaxial shearing forces and with an electric or magnetic field normal to each of the biaxial shearing forces.

Abstract: A flat and nearly mechanically isotropic liquid crystal polymer film (38) can be formed by laminating two continuous biaxially oriented films. A laminate is produced having two thin outer surface portions which are oriented in one direction, and a relatively thick inner portion oriented in a transverse direction. The film may also be formed by passing a polymer through a set of three tubular rotors (30) which are concentric and having surfaces which are concentric and define inner and outer annular polymer flow channels (33, 35) between them. These rotors may rotate in the same or opposite directions. Another way to make the film is with a slit-type die (90) through which a polymer flows in one direction, while a moving band (91) passes continuously in a transverse direction. These ordered-polymer films are useful, for example, in the production of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A liguid separation system includes a first separator unit, a second separator unit and means including a pump for flowing a liquid mixture from a system inlet to the inlet of the first separator unit. A first outlet of the first separator unit is connected to the inlet of the second separator unit, a second outlet of said second separator unit is connected to the inlet of the first separator unit, a first outlet of the second separator unit is connected to a system outlet, and feedback means is adapted to provide continuous flow during system operation of at least about 0.01 gallon per minute from a second outlet of the second separator unit to the inlet of the first separator unit.

Abstract: Disposal container structure for the disposal of waste radioactive materials includes inner structure comprising a cover member with an inlet port and an annular seal surface portion, and depending filter structure attached to the cover structure that includes circumferential side wall structure and bottom wall structure that defines an enclosed chamber volume in which waste materials are introduced for storage therein through the inlet port. The container structure further includes outer structure that has circumferential side wall structure corresponding in shape to the filter structure of the inner structure, bottom wall structure that defines a chamber for receiving the filter structure of the inner component, and annular seal surface structure formed on the side wall structure for mating with seal surface structure of the inner structure to seal the storage chamber volume defined by the filter structure.

Abstract: A separation system for dewatering radioactive waste materials includes a disposal container, drive structure for receiving the container, and means for releasably attaching the container to the drive structure. Separation structure disposed in the container adjacent the inner surface of the side wall structure retains solids while allowing passage of liquids. Inlet port structure in the container top wall is normally closed by first valve structure that is centrifugally actuated to open the inlet port and discharge port structure at the container periphery receives liquid that passes through the separation structure and is normally closed by second valve structure that is centrifugally actuated to open the discharge ports. The container also includes coupling structure for releasable engagement with the centrifugal drive structure.