Abstract: The present invention relates to vulcanizable polymer compositions comprising a very low molecular weight optionally hydrogenated nitrile rubber, at least one cross-linking agent, optionally at least one filler and optionally one or more further auxiliary products for rubbers, a process for preparing such vulcanizable polymer compositions, furtheron a process for vulcanizing such polymer compositions and the resulting vulcanizate, preferably as a shaped article.

Abstract: Pursuant to the invention a process for the production of hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art in the is provided wherein the process is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and optionally at least one co-(olefin). The present invention further relates to the use of specific metal compounds in a process for the production of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber by simultaneous hydrogenation and metathesis of a nitrile rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the metathesis of nitrile rubbers in the presence of a specific catalyst for the metathetic degradation of nitrile rubber. The present invention further relates to specific novel metathesis catalysts and to the use thereof for the metathesis of nitrile rubbers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low molecular weight optionally hydrogenated nitrile rubber and a process for preparing a low molecular weight optionally hydrogenated nitrile rubber by molecular weight degradation of nitrile rubbers via a metathesis process in the presence of a transition metal complex catalyst in a specific reaction mixture, a polymer composite comprising at least one optionally hydrogenated nitrile rubber, at least one cross-linking agent and/or curing system, optionally at least one filler and optionally further auxiliary products for rubbers and a shaped article comprising the optionally hydrogenated nitrile rubber or the composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and optionally at least one co-olefin. The present invention further relates to the use of specific metal compounds in a process for the production of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber by simultaneous hydrogenation and metathesis of a nitrile rubber.

Abstract: A process of degrading nitrile rubbers comprises subjecting them to a metathesis reaction in the presence of specific catalysts with increased activity.

Abstract: New catalyst systems for metathesis reactions, in particular for the metathesis of nitrile rubber, are provided.

Abstract: The metathetic degradation of nitrile rubber can be improved by use of a combination of metal-carbene complex catalysts with specific transition metal additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a heterologous polypeptide having enzymatic activity for converting pyruvate, acetaldehyde or acetate into acetyl-CoA in (the cytosol of) a yeast cell comprising: a) providing a mutated yeast cell comprising a deletion of at least one gene of the (PDH) by-pass, selected from the genes encoding the enzymes pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD), and acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS); b) transforming said mutated yeast cell with an expression vector comprising a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a candidate polypeptide having potential enzymatic activity for converting pyruvate, acetaldehyde or acetate into acetyl-CoA; c) testing said recombinant mutated yeast cell for its ability to grow on minimal medium containing glucose as sole carbon source, and d) identifying said candidate polypeptide as a heterologous polypeptide having enzymatic activity for converting pyruvate, acetaldehyde or acetate into acetyl-CoA in (the cytosol of

Abstract: A novel process for reducing the molecular weight of nitrile rubber in the presence of specific catalyst systems containing the metathesis catalyst and also a specific addition of fluorine-containing boron compounds is provided.

Abstract: An improved process for the metathetic degradation of nitrile rubber using catalyst systems comprising the catalyst and also a phosphane or diphosphane is provided.

Abstract: A novel process for the degradation of nitrile rubber by metathesis using ruthenium- or osmium-based catalysts which have both a substituted or unsubstituted imidazolidine ligand and a carbene ligand bearing a phosphonium radical is provided.

Abstract: Commercially available diode lasers are operated immersed in liquid nitrogen (LN2, 77 K), in another cryo-fluid, or are cryo-cooled (77 K-250 K) by conduction in all high-power (>0.1 W) applications. The result is higher output power per diode chip area, higher conversion efficiency, lower cost per watt of laser power, longer lifetime, higher reliability, smaller thermal gradients inside the laser chip and therefore better thermal management due to the higher thermal conductivity of the semiconductor and substrate material. The cryo-diode lasers are driven by cryogenically cooled and integrated power electronics ciruitry using Cryo-MOSFETs or Cryo-CMOS ICs. Applications of the Cryo-Diode Laser/Cryo-Driver assembly include generation of hyperpolarized He-3 or Xe-129 gases for inert gas magnetic resonance imaging of the airways in human beings, metal and materials working and processing with laser tools, “pumping” solid-state lasers and many others.

Abstract: A knee area protection apparatus for the protection of a vehicle occupant is provided which includes a deployment guiding plate and a support plate each having a top transverse edge, a bottom transverse edge, and side edges. The support plate is securable to the vehicle in a lower area of a seat compartment thereof. The knee area protection apparatus also includes retaining bands to retain and guide an air bag sack as it is deployed as well as to retain and guide the deployment guiding plate, which is moved by the deployment of the air bag sack.