Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing oriented polymer films are disclosed. The apparatus includes a curved enclosure configured to rotate and a flow obstacle. The curved enclosure has an interior volume with an opening at one end. The flow obstacle extends through the opening and interior volume, with one end rigidly coupled to a mounting plate. The flow obstacle's position is adjustable to contact the interior surface of the curved enclosure, defining a gap between them. The method involves introducing a material into the curved enclosure, adjusting the flow obstacle's position, and rotating the curved enclosure to generate an extensional flow within the material. The apparatus and method may be used for producing two-dimensional polymer films and can incorporate features such as inert gas flushing, heating systems, and various blade configurations for the flow obstacle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, fiber further having: i) a halide anion, the halide anion being present in an amount of 0.05 to 20.1 weight percent, based on weight of fiber; and ii) sulfur, wherein the sulfur is present in the fiber in an amount of 0.05 to 3 weight percent; the fiber exhibiting hydrochloric acid evolution as identified by TGA-IR between 277.13° C. to 448.19° C.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, fiber further having: i) a halide anion, the halide anion being present in an amount of 0.05 to 20.1 weight percent, based on weight of fiber; and ii) sulfur, wherein the sulfur is present in the fiber in an amount of 0.05 to 3 weight percent; the fiber exhibiting hydrochloric acid evolution as identified by TGA-IR between 277.13° C. to 448.19° C.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, fiber further having: i) a halide anion, the halide anion being present in an amount of 0.05 to 20.1 weight percent, based on weight of fiber; and ii) sulfur, wherein the sulfur is present in the fiber in an amount of 0.05 to 3 weight percent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for producing a yarn comprising the steps of: (a) producing a plurality of dope filaments by spinning a polymer solution in sulfuric acid through a multi-hole spinneret, the polymer comprising imidazole groups; (b) coagulating the plurality of dope filaments into an as-spun yarn; (c) contacting the yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11; and (d) rinsing the yarn.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried sulfur-containing fiber in a yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11 to release at least a portion of said sulfur, said sulfur comprising, at least in part, sulfate anions and said yarn comprising fiber derived from polymer comprising imidazole groups; and b) rinsing said yarn to remove at least a portion of released sulfur.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: a) contacting never-dried sulfate anion-containing polymeric-fiber with an halide-containing acid to displace at least a portion of the sulfate ions with halide anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove the displaced sulfate ions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: contacting never-dried sulfate anion-containing polymeric-fiber with an aqueous acid having a pKa of less than 5 to displace at least a portion of the sulfate anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove the displaced sulfate ions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns processes for producing a yarn comprising polymer comprising imidazole groups, the process having the following steps: (a) spinning a solution of polymer in sulfuric acid to give rise to a plurality of dope filaments; (b) coagulating the plurality of dope filaments into a multi-filament as-spun yarn; and (c) washing the as-spun multi-filament yarn with an aqueous acid comprising a halide or an aqueous salt comprising a halide or combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: contacting never-dried sulfate anion-containing polymeric-fiber with an aqueous acid having a pKa of less than 5 to displace at least a portion of the sulfate anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove the displaced sulfate ions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns processes for producing a yarn comprising polymer comprising imidazole groups, the process having the following steps: (a) spinning a solution of polymer in sulfuric acid to give rise to a plurality of dope filaments; (b) coagulating the plurality of dope filaments into a multi-filament as-spun yarn; and (c) washing the as-spun multi-filament yarn with an aqueous acid comprising a halide or an aqueous salt comprising a halide or combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for producing a yarn comprising the steps of: (a) producing a plurality of dope filaments by spinning a polymer solution in sulfuric acid through a multi-hole spinneret, the polymer comprising imidazole groups; (b) coagulating the plurality of dope filaments into an as-spun yarn; (c) contacting the yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11; and (d) rinsing the yarn.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, fiber further having: i) a halide anion, the halide anion being present in an amount of 0.05 to 20.1 weight percent, based on weight of fiber; and ii) sulfur, wherein the sulfur is present in the fiber in an amount of 0.05 to 3 weight percent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried sulfur-containing fiber in a yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11 to release at least a portion of said sulfur, said sulfur comprising, at least in part, sulfate anions and said yarn comprising fiber derived from polymer comprising imidazole groups; and b) rinsing said yarn to remove at least a portion of released sulfur.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: a) contacting never-dried sulfate anion-containing polymeric-fiber with an halide-containing acid to displace at least a portion of the sulfate ions with halide anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove the displaced sulfate ions.

Abstract: A method to synthesize choline salts to be used as inexpensive ingredients for application in ionic liquids or other applications is disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane for use as a packaging or in microbial fuel cells having a first layer of a polymer having a high oxygen permeability and a second supporting layer made of a woven or a non-woven material, wherein both layers are dot laminated and/or pattern laminated together by using an adhesive.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for the selective removal of CO2 from a mixture of gases. The method comprises contacting a first gaseous mixture containing CO2 in an absorber with an absorbent having substantial selectivity for CO2, thereby forming a second mixture of absorbed CO2 and absorbent. After separating any nonabsorbed gases from the second mixture of CO2 and absorbent, the second mixture enters a separator wherein the CO2 is released from the absorbent. The absorbent is recycled back to the absorber to start the process over. The released CO2, is then compressed in one or more stages. Each stage provides a compression step to heat the released CO2, followed by a cooling step. The heat generated during the cooling of the CO2 is captured by intercoolers and recycled to operate the capture and separating process in a substantial manner, if not entirely.

Abstract: A method to synthesize choline salts to be used as inexpensive ingredients for application in ionic liquids or other applications is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to adsorbents useful for storing hydrogen and other small molecules, and to methods for preparing such adsorbents. The adsorbents are produced by heating carbonaceous materials to a temperature of at least 900° C. in an atmosphere of hydrogen.