Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan with a weight average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least 1000. This glucan polymer comprises at least 30% alpha-1,3 linkages and at least 30% alpha-1,6 linkages. Further disclosed are glucosyltransferase enzymes that synthesize poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan. Ether derivatives of poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and methods of using such derivatives as viscosity modifiers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan with a weight average degree of polymerization (DPw) of at least 1000. This glucan polymer comprises at least 30% alpha-1,3 linkages and at least 30% alpha-1,6 linkages. Further disclosed are glucosyltransferase enzymes that synthesize poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan. Ether derivatives of poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and methods of using such derivatives as viscosity modifiers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a process for making a poly alpha-1,3-glucan film. These films can be transparent or translucent and used in packaging applications.

Abstract: Polymer surfaces coated with organometallic layers, wherein the organometallic layers and polymer surfaces have functional groups that react to bond the organometallic layer to the polymer surface with organometallic functional groups remaining unreacted for the subsequent covalent attachment of organic overlayers. Coating methods and coated articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for collecting nucleic acids from particulate samples. One embodiment disclosed herein relates to the use of ultrasonic energy to simultaneously shear large nucleic acid molecules and large particulates to very small sizes prior to or during a chemical binding step to a nucleic acid binding surface. Another embodiment involves crushing the nucleic acid binding surface prior to eluting the bound nucleic acid molecules to enable better wetting of the nucleic acid binding surface and easier diffusion of bound nucleic acid molecules out of the nucleic acid binding surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for collecting nucleic acids from particulate samples. One embodiment disclosed herein relates to the use of ultrasonic energy to simultaneously shear large nucleic acid molecules and large particulates to very small sizes prior to or during a chemical binding step to a nucleic acid binding surface. Another embodiment involves crushing the nucleic acid binding surface prior to eluting the bound nucleic acid molecules to enable better wetting of the nucleic acid binding surface and easier diffusion of bound nucleic acid molecules out of the nucleic acid binding surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte and a multi-layer article, the multi-layer article comprising a first electrode, a second electrode in ionically conductive contact with the first electrode, and a separator disposed between and in contact the first electrode and the second electrode. The separator comprises a nanoweb, the nanoweb comprising nanofibers of a cross-linked polyimide, wherein the cross-linked polyimide is derived from an aromatic dianhydride, an aromatic diamine, and a reactive end-capper. The reactive end-capper is at least one of a functionalized anhydride or a functionalized amine, functionalized with a reactive functionality selected from the group consisting of acetylene, vinyl, epoxide, nitrile, and ester. The electrochemical cell also comprises a first current collector in electrically conductive contact with the first electrode and a second current collector in electrically conductive contact with the second electrode.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-layer article comprising a first electrode material, a second electrode material, and a porous separator disposed between and in contact with the first and the second electrode materials, wherein the porous separator comprises a nanoweb consisting essentially of a plurality of nanofibers of a fully aromatic polyimide. Also provided is a method for preparing the multi-layer article, and an electrochemical cell employing the same. A multi-layer article comprising a polyimide nanoweb with enhanced properties is also provided.

Abstract: Poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds are disclosed herein with a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed are methods of producing poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds.

Abstract: A method for reducing the self discharge rate and the variability in the self discharge rate of an electrochemical cell wherein a porous separator is inserted between a cathode and an anode of the cell and the porous separator contains a nanoweb that comprises a plurality of nanofibers that may contain a fully aromatic polyimide and the fully aromatic polyimide has a degree of imidization of greater than 0.51 where degree of imidization is the ratio of the height of the imide C—N absorbance at 1375 cm?1 to the C—H absorbance at 1500 cm?1.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-layer article comprising a first electrode material, a second electrode material, and a porous separator disposed between and in contact with the first and the second electrode materials, wherein the porous separator comprises a nanoweb consisting essentially of a plurality of nanofibers of a fully aromatic polyimide. Also provided is a method for preparing the multi-layer article, and an electrochemical cell employing the same. A multi-layer article comprising a polyimide nanoweb with enhanced properties is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-layer article comprising a first electrode material, a second electrode material, and a porous separator disposed between and in contact with the first and the second electrode materials, wherein the porous separator comprises a nanoweb consisting essentially of a plurality of nanofibers of a fully aromatic polyimide. Also provided is a method for preparing the multi-layer article, and an electrochemical cell employing the same. A multi-layer article comprising a polyimide nanoweb with enhanced properties is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation and use of aromatic polyimide nanowebs with amide-modified surfaces. Uses include as a filtration medium, and as a separator in batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. The invention is also directed to a filtration apparatus comprising the aromatic polyimide nanoweb with amide-modified surface. The invention is further directed to a multi-layer article comprising the aromatic polyimide nanoweb with amide-modified surface, and to an electrochemical cell comprising the multi-layer article.

Abstract: A method for reducing the self discharge rate and the variability in the self discharge rate of an electrochemical cell, wherein a porous separator is inserted between a cathode and an anode of the cell and the porous separator contains a nanoweb that comprises a plurality of nanofibers that may contain a fully aromatic polyimide and the fully aromatic polyimide has a degree of imidization of greater than 0.51 where degree of imidization is the ratio of the height of the imide C—N absorbance at 1375 cm?1 to the C—H absorbance at 1500 cm?1.

Abstract: A method for reducing the self discharge rate and the variability in the self discharge rate of an electrochemical cell.wherein a porous separator is inserted between a cathode and an anode of the cell and the porous separator contains a nanoweb that comprises a plurality of nanofibers that may contain a fully aromatic polyimide and the fully aromatic polyimide has a degree of imidization of greater than 0.51 where degree of imidization is the ratio of the height of the imide C—N absorbance at 1375 cm?1 to the C—H absorbance at 1500 cm?1.

Abstract: A nanoweb that contains a plurality of nanofibers wherein the nanofibers contain a fully aromatic polyimide that is characterized by having a crystallinity index (CI) and a degree of imidization (DOI). The product of the DOI and the CI is between 0.08 and 0.25 or above a lower limit to obtain a desired tensile strength and/or toughness. The nanoweb may for example have a tensile strength per unit basis weight of greater than 15 kg/cm2 per gram per square meter unit of basis weight.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for collecting nucleic acids from particulate samples. One embodiment disclosed herein relates to the use of ultrasonic energy to simultaneously shear large nucleic acid molecules and large particulates to very small sizes prior to or during a chemical binding step to a nucleic acid binding surface. Another embodiment involves crushing the nucleic acid binding surface prior to eluting the bound nucleic acid molecules to enable better wetting of the nucleic acid binding surface and easier diffusion of bound nucleic acid molecules out of the nucleic acid binding surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for collecting nucleic acids from particulate samples. One embodiment disclosed herein relates to the use of ultrasonic energy to simultaneously shear large nucleic acid molecules and large particulates to very small sizes prior to or during a chemical binding step to a nucleic acid binding surface. Another embodiment involves crushing the nucleic acid binding surface prior to eluting the bound nucleic acid molecules to enable better wetting of the nucleic acid binding surface and easier diffusion of bound nucleic acid molecules out of the nucleic acid binding surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation and use of aromatic polyimide nanowebs with amide-modified surfaces. Uses include as a filtration medium, and as a separator in batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. The invention is also directed to a method comprising the aromatic polyimide nanoweb with amide-modified surface. The invention is further directed to a multi-layer article comprising the aromatic polyimide nanoweb with amide-modified surface, and to an electrochemical cell comprising the multi-layer article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation and use of aromatic polyimide nanowebs with amide-modified surfaces. Uses include as a filtration medium, and as a separator in batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. The invention is also directed to a filtration apparatus comprising the aromatic polyimide nanoweb with amide-modified surface. The invention is further directed to a multi-layer article comprising the aromatic polyimide nanoweb with amide-modified surface, and to an electrochemical cell comprising the multi-layer article.