Abstract: Certain monomer composition mixtures having desirable properties for purposes of impregnating porous substrates (e.g. low viscosity, low vapor pressure, low viscosity) have also been found after curing to have surprisingly good mechanical characteristics at elevated temperature (e.g. relatively high storage modulus and flexural stress at ?90° C.). These monomer compositions comprise a blend of at least two different monomers, the first being a mono- or difunctional methacrylic or acrylic ester and the second being a polyfunctional methacrylic or acrylic ester. The total amount of monofunctional and difunctional monomers in the composition is in a weight range from about 20 to about 90% and the total amount of polyfunctional monomers is in a weight range from about 10 to about 80%. These monomer compositions are particularly suitable for preparing robust, impregnated carbon plates for use in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which typically operate around this elevated temperature.

Abstract: An exterior building component with a distinct surface topography and a method for manufacturing the same. A substrate, a barrier film, and an adhesive are provided together with a finishing sacrificial coating. The adhesive has pressure sensitive characteristics in a temperature range including a temperature below barrier film embossment temperature. The temperature of a surface of the substrate and the barrier film is adjusted to the barrier film embossment temperature. The adhesive is disposed onto at least one of the surface of the substrate and the barrier film. The barrier film is then disposed onto the surface of the substrate and embossed such that the surface topography of the substrate is replicated in a substantially identical fashion using a roller at low pressure and short pressure application time. The barrier film is then, if needed, finished with a weather-resistant coating compatible with commercially available architectural exterior paints and lacquers for refinishing as required.

Abstract: An exterior building component with a distinct surface topography and a method for manufacturing the same. A substrate, a barrier film, and an adhesive are provided together with a finishing sacrificial coating. The adhesive has pressure sensitive characteristics in a temperature range including a temperature below barrier film embossment temperature. The temperature of a surface of the substrate and the barrier film is adjusted to the barrier film embossment temperature. The adhesive is disposed onto at least one of the surface of the substrate and the barrier film. The barrier film is then disposed onto the surface of the substrate and embossed such that the surface topography of the substrate is replicated in a substantially identical fashion using a roller at low pressure and short pressure application time. The barrier film is then, if needed, finished with a weather-resistant coating compatible with commercially available architectural exterior paints and lacquers for refinishing as required.

Abstract: An electrically conductive adhesive is disclosed for bonding anode and cathode flow field plates together for use in fuel cells. The adhesive formulation comprises epoxy methacrylate resin and non-fibrous carbon particles but little to no carbon fibres. The adhesive provides suitable strength, bond gap, conductivity and other properties, particularly for flow field plates made of flexible graphite, carbon, or metal.

Abstract: An electrically conductive adhesive is disclosed for bonding anode and cathode flow field plates together for use in fuel cells. The adhesive formulation comprises epoxy methacrylate resin and non-fibrous carbon particles but little to no carbon fibres. The adhesive provides suitable strength, bond gap, conductivity and other properties, particularly for flow field plates made of flexible graphite, carbon, or metal.

Abstract: A composite wood product and methods for manufacturing the same and determining the concentration and distribution of an organic biocide within a composite wood product are provided. The organic biocide may be added to wood elements (i.e., fibers, flakes, strands, veneers) prior to consolidation and/or heating of the wood particles to form the composite wood product. A tracer additive may be mixed with the biocide, or applied separately to the furnish which is used to produce the composite wood product. The tracer additive may be detected via, for example, x-ray fluorescence. An amount of tracer additive detected may correlate to an amount of organic biocide within the wood elements and/or the composite wood product.

Abstract: A photodegradable and fully biodegradable plastic material, which can be molded using conventional molding techniques and which has good physical and mechanical properties includes a blend of polyisoprene and polycaprolactone resins. The material biodegrades in soil and sea water environments. All blend ingredients are completely decomposed by microorganisms. Polyisoprene is a natural polymer present in a large variety of plant species or is man made. Polycaprolactone is a synthetic polymer resin known to be decomposed by microorganisms. The plastic material has thermoplastic properties which permits processing of the material using conventional plastic working techniques. The presence of C.sub.1 -C.sub.15 saturated fatty acids and organic peroxide compatibilizers improve the properties of the blend, especially when large quantities of polyisoprenes are used which allows the production of high quality blown films.

Abstract: The assembly of the invention includes a pressure vessel having a size to fit in a usual home refrigerator for the domestic fermenting of a fermentable liquid mixture under pressure and under chilled conditions, The pressure vessel defines a closed fermentation chamber for containing a bath having an amount of fermentable liquid mixture effective to provide a pressurized atmosphere above the surface of the bath within the closed fermentation chamber during the fermenting process, A pressure relief valve controls the pressure within the fermentation chamber at a level sufficient to maintain safety conditions during the fermentation process, Pressurized gaseous material is introduced into the pressure vessel to enhance the fermentation process within the chamber. A spigot is part of an output discharge mechanism including a float used to remove fermented beverage from adjacent the surface of the bath to draw beverage from the pressurized vessel while a pressurized atmosphere remains in the vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for combating mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) which causes severe damage to pine trees in North America. A method and apparatus for reducing attack by mountain pine beetles Dendroctonus ponderosae on pine trees, Pinus species, by spacially deploying verbenone (4,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-3-en-2-one) in stands of pine trees.

Abstract: The assembly of the invention includes a pressure vessel having a size to fit in a usual home refrigerator for the domestic fermenting of a fermentable liquid mixture under pressure and under chilled conditions. The pressure vessel defines a closed fermentation chamber for containing a bath having an amount of fermentable liquid mixture effective to provide a pressurized atmosphere above the surface of the bath within the closed fermentation chamber during the fermenting process. A pressure relief valve controls the pressure within the fermentation chamber at a level sufficient to maintain safety conditions during the fermentation process. Pressurized gaseous material is introduced into the pressure vessel upon completion of the fermentation process to maintain pressure in the bath within the chamber.