Abstract: A process for endowing a polymeric article with a surface layer of an ion-conducting polymer to yield electrical surface resistivity sufficiently low for electrostatic discharge applications is provided. The polymeric article contains one or more immobilized, polymeric components having amine functional groups. The presence of the ion-conducting polymer in the surface layer lowers the surface electrical resistivity into the range suitable for electrostatic discharge applications, between about 1×105 and about 1×1012 ?/?. Plastic electrostatic dissipation materials produced by the inventive process may find use in the optical, electronics, automotive, entertainment, sporting goods, and medical sectors.

Abstract: A process for endowing a polymeric article with a surface layer of an ion-conducting polymer to yield electrical surface resistivity sufficiently low for electrostatic discharge applications is provided. The polymeric article contains one or more immobilized, polymeric components having amine functional groups. The presence of the ion-conducting polymer in the surface layer lowers the surface electrical resistivity into the range suitable for electrostatic discharge applications, between about 1×105 and about 1×1012?/?. Plastic electrostatic dissipation materials produced by the inventive process may find use in the optical, electronics, automotive, entertainment, sporting goods, and medical sectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for the production of polyurethane wind turbine blades and other large objects. The inventive process involves forming a mold for the polyurethane wind turbine blade at a wind farm site, injecting an isocyanate and an isocyanate-reactive component with an automated reaction injection molding (“RIM”) machine into the mold, closing, pressing and heating the mold to cure the resulting polyurethane and installing the polyurethane blade in the wind turbine. Alternatively, the process involves forming a mold for polyurethane wind turbine blade at a wind farm site, injecting an isocyanate, an isocyanate-reactive component and long fibers with an automated long fiber injection (“LFI”) machine, closing, pressing and heating the mold to cure the resulting polyurethane and installing the polyurethane blade in the wind turbine. Because the inventive manufacturing process occurs at the wind farm site, transportation problems are obviated.

Abstract: A process for making a colored article of manufacture is disclosed. Accordingly an article of manufacture is first prepared of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, glass, ceramic, masonry and polymeric materials. A polymeric coating (superstrate) is then applied to at least a portion of the surface of the article. At least a portion of the superstrate is brought into contact with a material system that contains (i) water, (ii) a carrier, (iii) a dye and (iv) a diol, under conditions calculated to bring about diffusion of said dye into said superstrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic article containing a first polymer and an interpenetrating network or blend of a second polymer infused in a surface layer of the first polymer, wherein the second polymer is the product of photopolymerizing, in a de-oxygenated environment, a reactive monomer in the presence of one or more radical photoinitiators. The present invention also provides a process for the infusion of a surface layer polymer interpenetrating network (“IPN”) or interpenetrating blend (“IPB”) into plastic articles. By inclusion of a second polymer within the pre-existing first polymer, surface modification of the physical and chemical properties of the host polymer may be enhanced.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating large articles to impart color or performance enhancing additives to the article in which a treatment system which includes: (i) a coloring solution and/or a solution containing at least one performance enhancing additive, (ii) water, and (iii) a solvent such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is applied to the article.

Abstract: A blast-resistant barrier comprising a plurality of units each including a panel having a thickness of greater than 20 to less than 40 millimeter is disclosed. The panel is in the form of a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or laminate that is positioned vertically between the source of a blast and the blast target, the laminate including at least two polycarbonate sheets and an optional image layer interposed therebetween. The panel is fixedly attached to a frame which is firmly embedded in concrete in a manner calculated to provide stiffness sufficient to absorb and withstand external forces resulting from said blast. In a preferred embodiment the panel includes at least two polycarbonate sheets laminated one to the other, optionally including an image layer interposed therebetween. In an additional embodiment, the frame is anchored securely to the target enabling dissipation of the blast force through the target's structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-active method of mounting a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or a laminate in a semi-rigid metallic framing system along two parallel sides of a rectangular shaped sheet or laminate with the two shorter parallel sides being unconstrained. In the case of a square shaped sheet, two parallel sides are supported in the semi-rigid frame, and the other two parallel sides are unconstrained. The semi-rigid frame utilizes cylindrically shaped hardware (i.e., bolts, rivets, studs, etc.) to hold the sheet or laminate. The semi-rigid frame is designed, via section and material properties, to flex and hinge about fixed mounting points along the length of the frame.

Abstract: A process of incorporating metal in the form of nanoparticles into the surface layer of a polymeric article is disclosed. The process includes bringing at least a part of the surface of said article in contact with a solvent mixture that contains (a) water, (b) a carrier conforming to R1—[—O—(CH2)n]mOR2 where R1 and R2 independently one from the other denote a radical selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C1-18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, phenyl and H, n is 2 or 3, and m is 1-35, (c) a metal precursor, and optionally (d) a leveling agent, for a time sufficient to enable infusion of at least some of said metal precursor into said article to obtain an article having a treated surface layer; and treating the surface layer with a reducing agent to produce metal in the form of nanoparticles. Articles prepared by the inventive process exhibit advantageous electrical and/or optical properties.

Abstract: A process of incorporating metal in the form of nanoparticles into the surface layer of a polymeric article and the resultant articles are disclosed. The process includes bringing at least a part of the surface of said article in contact with a solvent mixture that contains (a) water, (b) a carrier conforming to R1—[—O—(CH2)n]mOR2 where R1 and R2 independently one from the other denote a radical selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C1-8 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, phenyl and H, n is 2 or 3, and m is 1-35, (c) a metal precursor, and optionally (d) a leveling agent, for a time sufficient to enable infusion of at least some of said metal precursor into said article to obtain an article having a treated surface layer; and treating the surface layer with a reducing agent to produce metal in the form of nanoparticles. The inventive articles prepared by the inventive process exhibit advantageous electrical and/or optical properties.

Abstract: A method of tinting a plastic article is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a plastic article comprising a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; (b) contacting at least a portion of the surface of said plastic article with a treatment composition comprising at least one dye and water; (c) maintaining said portion of said plastic article in contact with said treatment composition for a period of time at least sufficient to form a tinted plastic article; (d) removing said tinted plastic article from contact with said treatment composition; and (e) rinsing said tinted plastic article with water to remove excess dye. The method is carried out in the absence of an organic solvent, without the need for fixing or further processing steps.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention at least a portion of the surface of a plastic article (e.g., a molded article of thermoplastic polycarbonate) is contacted with (e.g., immersed in) a treatment composition which includes one or more performance additives. The treatment composition contains: (i) at least one performance additive (e.g., an ultraviolet light absorber); (ii) water; (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general formula I, wherein R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, R2 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, phenyl and H, n is 2, 3 or 4, and m is 1 to 35; and (iv) a diol selected from at least one of linear or branched C2-C20 aliphatic diols, poly(C2-C4 alkylene glycol), cycloaliphatic diols having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the cyclic ring, monocyclic aromatic diols, bisphenols and hydrogenated bisphenols.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating large articles to impart color or performance enhancing additives to the article in which a treatment system which includes: (i) a coloring solution and/or a solution containing at least one performance enhancing additive, (ii) water, and (iii) a solvent such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is applied to the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering components of a material system containing dye, water, and solvents such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is provided. The apparatus comprises in sequence: a first vessel including a cooling device for cooling the material system; a pump; at least one first filter; at least one purifying vessel containing activated carbon; optionally, a second filter; and a second vessel optionally including a probe. Each of the first vessel, purifying vessel, filter housings and baskets, second vessel and interconnecting piping are fabricated of a material which does not absorb dye, such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A method of impregnating a plastic article with a drug is disclosed. Accordingly at least a portion of the surface of a plastic article is contacted with a treatment composition which contains: (i) at least one drug; (ii) water; (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general Formula I, wherein R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, R2 is R1 or H, n is 2, 3 or 4, and m is 1 to 35; and (iv) a diol.

Abstract: A process for making a colored article of manufacture is disclosed. Accordingly an article of manufacture is first prepared of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, glass, ceramic, masonry and polymeric materials. A polymeric coating (superstrate) is then applied to at least a portion of the surface of the article. At least a portion of the superstrate is brought into contact with a material system that contains (i) water, (ii) a carrier, (iii) a dye and (iv) a diol, under conditions calculated to bring about diffusion of said dye into said superstrate.

Abstract: A process for making an article molded of polymeric material, the article featuring photochromic properties is disclosed. To at least a portion of the surface of an article, molded of a composition that contains at least one transparent thermoplastic polymer or a transparent thermosetting composition there is applied a curable weatherable polyurethane coating. At least a portion of the coating is after curing brought into contact with a material system that contains (i) water, (ii) at least one carrier conforming to wherein R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, R2 is R1 or H, n is 2, 3 or 4, and m is 1 to 35; (iii) a photochromic compound and (iv) a diol, under conditions calculated to bring about diffusion of said compound into the cured coating.

Abstract: A method of dyeing a semi-finished product is disclosed.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention a plastic article (e.g., a molded article of thermoplastic polycarbonate) is immersed at least partially in a dye bath which includes one or more dyes, water, at least one carrier, and at least one diol. The dye bath contains: (i) at least one dye (e.g., a static and/or photochromic dye); (ii) water; (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general formula I, R—O—(CH2)n—OHI wherein R is a radical selected from linear or branched C1–C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, and n is 2 or 3; and (iv) a diol selected from at least one of linear or branched C2–C20 aliphatic diols, poly(C2–C4 alkylene glycol), cycloaliphatic diols having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the cyclic ring, monocyclic aromatic diols, bisphenols and hydrogenated bisphenols. In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is ethyleneglycol butyl ether, and the diol is diethylene glycol.

Abstract: A composition of matter (e.g., a molded article) is described. More particularly, the composition of matter includes: (a) a resinous component selected from at least one member of the group consisting of (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)acrylate and styrene copolymers; (b) at least one water-insoluble dye; (c) a carrier represented by the following formula, R1[—O—(CH2)n]mOR2 wherein R2is butyl, R1 is H, n is 2 or 3, and m is 2–35; (d) an emulsifier that is poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-phenyl-omega-hydroxy, styrenated; and (e) a particulate or plate-like material, such as metal flakes.