Abstract: An improved electrode (44) useful for modifying a substrate using corona or plasma treatment or coating a substrate using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition under atmospheric or near atmospheric pressure conditions, the electrode comprising a body (10) defining at least a first cavity therein, the body having at least one inlet passageway (12) therein in gaseous communication with the first cavity (11) so that a gas mixture can be flowed into the first cavity by way of the at least one inlet passageway (12), the electrode having at least one outlet passageway (43) therein in gaseous communication with the first cavity so that a gas that is flowed into the first cavity can flow out of the cavity by way of the at least one outlet passageway.

Abstract: The invention is a crystalline fiber comprising syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture. Preferably the fiber is a high strength fiber isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene wherein the fiber is monoaxially oriented, has a tensile strength of about 10,000 psi or greater, and a modulus of about 1,000,000 psi or greater.In another aspect the invention is a process for the preparation of fibers of syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene which comprises:A. contacting syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene with a solvent for the polystyrene at elevated temperatures under conditions such that a homogenous solution is formed which has sufficient viscosity to be extruded;B. extruding the solution through an orifice to form a fiber at elevated temperatures;C. quenching the fiber by passing the fiber through one or more zones under conditions such that the fiber solidifies;D.