Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides an optical medium which consists of a microdispersion of liquid crystal droplets in a synthetic resin matrix. A preferred invention optical medium exhibits a Kerr effect, and can transmit propagating light waves with low scattering loss under waveguiding conditions.

Abstract: A sulfoalkyl derivative of N-substituted hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole is disclosed, produced by the reaction of an N-substituted hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole anion with a sultone. The N-substituted hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole polymer is first reacted with an alkali hydride to produce the anion of N-substituted hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole. The N-substituted hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole anion is then reacted with the sultone to produce a sulfoalkyl derivative of the N-substituted hydroxyethylated polybenzimidazole polymer. These derivatives find great use as ion exchange devices.

Abstract: This invention discloses a unique process for the preparation of N-substituted phenyl polybenzimidazole polymers from unsubstituted polybenzimidazole polymers. An unsubstituted polybenzimidazole polymer is first reacted with an alkali hydride to produce a polybenzimidazole anion which is then reacted with a substituted or an unsubstituted phenyl fluoride to produce N-substituted phenyl polybenzimidazole polymer. The N-substituted phenyl polybenzimidazole polymer produced by this process can be formed into a wide range of products, such as membranes, films resins or fibers. The produce can be designed to meet special applications by the choice of the substitutent. These N-substituted phenyl polybenzimidazole polymers can be utilized for numerous applications including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, electrodialysis, ion exchange and affinity chromatography.