Abstract: A device includes an ion-conducting membrane with ion-conducting ceramic particles, and an ion-conducting polymer that surrounds the ion-conducting membrane. The ion-conducting polymer includes a pressure-deformable film with a glass transition temperature lower than an operation temperature of the device.

Abstract: Initial film layers prepared from tin(II) chloride spontaneously generate open cavities when the initial film layers are thermally cured to about 400° C. using a temperature ramp of 1° C./minute to 10° C./minute while exposed to air. The openings of the bowl-shaped cavities have characteristic dimensions whose lengths are in a range of 30 nm to 300 nm in the plane of the top surfaces of the cured film layers. The cured film layers comprise tin oxide and have utility in gas sensors, electrodes, photocells, and solar cells.

Abstract: An electrode used for resistance welding is described. In an embodiment, the electrode comprises a two-part construction having an electrode tip portion that is removably contactable to an electrode base. The electrode is constructed such that the respective base and electrode tip portions may be composed of metals having differing melting temperatures, in particular a significant difference in melting temperature of at least 100° C. or more. The electrode is preferably constructed so that the electrode tip portion can be easily removed, thereby leaving the base portion within the fixture.

Abstract: A multi-ply knit fabric containing a first knit ply and a second knit ply. The first knit ply contains a plurality of first yarns and forms the upper surface of the fabric. The second knit ply forms the lower surface of the fabric and contains a plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) yarns having a density of about 2 to 2.25 g/cm3, a transmission in the IR region of 8-10 ?m at least about 60%, and a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/(m.K). The plies are integrated through combined portions formed by at least one of the following methods: interlacing first yarns among the PTFE yarns of the second knit ply, interlacing PTFE yarns among the first yarns of the first knit ply, and interlacing a plurality of third yarns among the first yarns of the first knit ply and the PTFE yarns of the second knit ply.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include an insulated drinking vessel comprising an inner wall surrounding an interior for containing a liquid beverage and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall to form an air space which acts to insulate the vessel interior in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid beverage contents within a desired range throughout a period of time which is normally required to consume the entire beverage contents. The insulated drinking vessel also includes a removable/resealable lid comprising at least one integrated tamper-evident sealed content dispensing opening which, when breached, allows the beverage contents to be removed while the lid remains attached to the vessel.

Abstract: Initial film layers prepared from tin(II) chloride spontaneously generate open cavities when the initial film layers are thermally cured to about 400° C. using a temperature ramp of 1° C./minute to 10° C./minute while exposed to air. The openings of the bowl-shaped cavities have characteristic dimensions whose lengths are in a range of 30 nm to 300 nm in the plane of the top surfaces of the cured film layers. The cured film layers comprise tin oxide and have utility in gas sensors, electrodes, photocells, and solar cells.

Abstract: A porous membrane with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) greater than about 10 kDa, and a coating on at least a portion of a major surface of the porous membrane. The coating includes a star polymer having a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic arms, wherein the hydrophobic core contacts the porous membrane.

Abstract: A thin film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membrane includes a porous support with surfaces having thereon a hydrophilic self-assembled monolayer. An active layer on the support is sufficiently dense to remove an ionic species from a liquid.

Abstract: In a first stage or operation, at least one shear initiation breakthrough opening is formed through the ultra-high strength material sheet at an interior location. A leading terminal end of each of at least two inclined shearing edges of an interior opening shearing tool is positioned in the at least one shear initiation breakthrough opening. The interior opening shearing tool is different from the breakthrough opening forming tool. In a second stage or operation, shearing of the material is initiated from the at least one shear initiation breakthrough opening by advancing the at least two inclined shearing edges of the interior opening shearing tool against the ultra-high strength material sheet and relative to a corresponding shearing tool.

Abstract: A process comprises insulating a porous low k substrate with an organic polymer coating where the polymer does not penetrate or substantially penetrate the pores of the substrate, e.g., pores having a pore diameter of about one nm to about 5 nm, thereby completely or substantially mitigating the potential for capacitance increase of the substrate. The substrate comprises porous microcircuit substrate materials with surface pores optionally opening into subsurface pores. The organic polymer has a molecular weight greater than about 5,000 to greater than about 10,000 and a glass transition temperature greater than about 200° C. up to about the processing temperature required for forming the imaging layer and antireflective layer in a microcircuit, e.g., greater than about 225° C. The invention includes production of a product by this process and an article of manufacture embodying these features.

Abstract: Amphiphilic star polymers were prepared having superior loading properties for delivery of hydrophobic biologically active materials intended for use in medical, cosmetic, and other applications. The star polymers comprise a plurality block copolymer arms linked to a crosslinked polyester core. The monovalent arms comprise a peripheral poly(ethylene oxide) block (PEG block) and a polyester block, which is linked to the core. The sidechain substituents of the polyester block substantially improve the loading capacity of the star polymer for CoQ10 and other hydrophobic materials.

Abstract: A porous membrane with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) greater than about 10 kDa, and a coating on at least a portion of a major surface of the porous membrane. The coating includes a star polymer having a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic arms, wherein the hydrophobic core contacts the porous membrane.

Abstract: A binder assembly for stamping sheet material includes an upper die, a stationary punch, an outer ring, and an inner ring. The stationary punch is aligned to be received inside a cavity of the upper die. The outer ring and the inner ring extend around the punch and are movable relative thereto. The inner ring includes teeth on a top surface and is positioned an initial distance from an end of the punch. The upper die is driven along the punch the initial distance such that the punch is received inside the cavity of the upper die a partial distance and a remaining distance such that the punch is received inside the cavity of the upper die a deeper distance.

Abstract: A binder assembly for stamping sheet material includes an upper die, a stationary punch, an outer ring, and an inner ring. The stationary punch is aligned to be received inside a cavity of the upper die. The outer ring and the inner ring extend around the punch and are movable relative thereto. The inner ring includes teeth on a top surface and is positioned an initial distance from an end of the punch. The upper die is driven along the punch the initial distance such that the punch is received inside the cavity of the upper die a partial distance and a remaining distance such that the punch is received inside the cavity of the upper die a deeper distance.

Abstract: An outer bend radius is cold formed in an outer position within a final arc of the angled corner with an outer bend radius male die member. A central bend radius is cold formed in a central position spaced from the outer position and within the final arc of the angled corner with a central bend radius male die member. An inner bend radius is cold formed in an inner position that is spaced from the outer and central positions and the inner position is within a final arc of the angled corner with an inner bend radius male die member. The angled corner is transferred between each of the bend radii male die members using a continuous advanced high strength metal sheet in which the angled corner is formed.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane (TFC) includes an active layer on a support. The active layer includes at least 8 barrier layers of star-polymers each having at least three linear polymers attached at a central core. Each of the barrier layers has a thickness between 5 and 50 nm, and the barrier layers have alternating charge.

Abstract: A thin film composite membrane (TFC) includes an active layer on a support. The active layer includes at least 8 barrier layers of star-polymers each having at least three linear polymers attached at a central core. Each of the barrier layers has a thickness between 5 and 50 nm, and the barrier layers have alternating charge.

Abstract: A sensor including a surface plasmon resonance detector with a reservoir for containing a liquid sample. The sensor further includes a sensing metallic film positioned within the reservoir so that at least a majority of a surface of the sensing metallic film is to be in contact with the liquid sample being housed within the reservoir. The sensory also includes a semiconductor device having a contact in electrical communication with the sensing metal containing film that is positioned within the reservoir. The semiconductor device measures the net charges of molecules within the liquid sample within a Debye length from the sensing metallic film.

Abstract: A sensor including a surface plasmon resonance detector with a reservoir for containing a liquid sample. The sensor further includes a sensing metallic film positioned within the reservoir so that at least a majority of a surface of the sensing metallic film is to be in contact with the liquid sample being housed within the reservoir. The sensory also includes a semiconductor device having a contact in electrical communication with the sensing metal containing film that is positioned within the reservoir. The semiconductor device measures the net charges of molecules within the liquid sample within a Debye length from the sensing metallic film.

Abstract: A process comprises insulating a porous low k substrate with an organic polymer coating where the polymer does not penetrate or substantially penetrate the pores of the substrate, e.g., pores having a pore diameter of about one nm to about 5 nm, thereby completely or substantially mitigating the potential for capacitance increase of the substrate. The substrate comprises porous microcircuit substrate materials with surface pores optionally opening into subsurface pores. The organic polymer has a molecular weight greater than about 5,000 to greater than about 10,000 and a glass transition temperature greater than about 200° C. up to about the processing temperature required for forming the imaging layer and antireflective layer in a microcircuit, e.g., greater than about 225° C. The invention includes production of a product by this process and an article of manufacture embodying these features.