Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material that comprises a microwave-sensitive polymeric region, wherein the method includes exposing the microwave-sensitive polymeric region to microwaves; wherein the exposing results in an increase in the temperature of the polymeric region; and processing the thermoplastic material is disclosed.

Abstract: A microwave-sensitive thermoplastic composition that includes a microwave-receptive additive; and a thermoplastic polymer; wherein the microwave-receptive additive is selected from the group consisting of sepiolite clay, molecular sieves formed from ammonium ion salts or hydrogen ion salts, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophasphates, silicotitanates, organo-modified clays, molecular sieves or zeolites having a caged organic microwave receptive material, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A microwave-sensitive thermoplastic composition that includes a microwave-receptive additive; and a thermoplastic polymer; wherein the microwave-receptive additive is selected from the group consisting of sepiolite clay, molecular sieves formed from ammonium ion salts or hydrogen ion salts, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophasphates, silicotitanates, organo-modified clays, molecular sieves or zeolites having a caged organic microwave receptive material, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material (46), the method including: passing a thermoplastic material through a microwave heating apparatus (40) a a selected feed rate; wherein the microwave heating apparatus comprises: a microwave emitter for supplying microwave energy to a resonant cavity (43); the resonant cavity comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlets and outlets collectively forming a passageway (49) for passing the thermoplastic material through the resonant cavity; and a movable piston (48) configured to adjust a length of the resonant cavity; exposing the thermoplastic material to microwaves in the resonant cavity, wherein the exposing causes an increase in temperature of at least a portion of the thermoplastic material; measuring an e-field generated by the microwave emitter; and adjusting a position of the movable piston in response to the measured e-field; and, processing the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method of formulating a microwave-heatable thermoplastic composition designed to have a selected heating rate. The method may include: selecting at least one of a microwave receptive additive, a microwave receptive additive particle size, and a concentration of the microwave receptive additive; selecting at least two inputs selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polymer composition, a microwave power, an electric field strength, a maximum allowable temperature of the thermoplastic polymer composition, a processing temperature of the thermoplastic polymer composition, and a thermal diffusivity of the thermoplastic polymer composition; and mixing a microwave receptive additive with a thermoplastic polymer to form the microwave-heatable thermoplastic composition having a selected heating rate based on the selecting at least one and the selecting at least two.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating using a first electrode (33) and a second electrode (34). The second electrode is positioned apart from the first electrode thereby defining a volume space (42) between the first and second electrodes which volume space is covered by a duct sealed to the electrodes. Gas is flowed from the volume space between the first and second electrodes at the same or at a greater flow rate than the sum of gaseous coating precursor mixtures flowed to the first and second electrodes. In addition, the invention relates to an improved electrode assembly for use in an atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating system. The electrode assembly includes a means for distributing a gaseous coating precursor mixture to emerge from an electrode assembly. The improvement relates to a gas distributing subassembly of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: Chalcogenide based photovoltaic devices cells with good resistance to environmental elements can be formed by direct low temperature deposition of inorganic barrier layers onto the film. A unique multilayer barrier can be formed in a single step when reactive sputtering of the silicon nitride onto an inorganic oxide top layer of the PV device.

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: Process and apparatus for atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating using a first and second electrode, the second electrode being positioned apart from the first electrode thereby creating a volume space between the first and second electrodes which volume space is covered by a duct sealed to the electrodes. Gas is flowed from the volume space between the first and second electrodes at the same or at a greater rate than the sum of the gaseous coating precursor mixtures of the first and second electrodes. In addition, an improved electrode assembly for use in an atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating system that includes a means for distributing a gaseous coating precursor mixture to emerge from an electrode assembly. The improvement relates to a gas distributing subassembly of the electrode assembly.