Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that are aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents (BES) and have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.

Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.

Abstract: A multilayer optical retardation compensation film having at least one positive C-plate and at least one negative C-plate is used in an LCD device. The multilayer film may have a substantially flat wavelength dispersion curve, or the multilayer film combined with other layers in the LCD device may have a substantially flat wavelength dispersion curve. Polymer films for the positive C-plate may be identified according to their absorbance maxima at certain wavelength ranges.

Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with mesogen anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials and compositions effective for the selective removal of gaseous aldehydes from tobacco smoke. The materials and compositions comprise tobacco smoke filters comprising a fibrous material or fibers of a polymeric material containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues. The fibrous material or fibers are capable of reacting with and removing aldehydes present in tobacco smoke. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of fibrous materials and fibers of a polymeric material containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues and methods for the removal of a gaseous aldehyde from tobacco smoke by contacting tobacco smoke with the aforesaid fibrous materials or fibers containing covalently-bonded acetoacetoxy residues.

Abstract: Disclosed are particulate filter media comprising a particulate or powdery acetoacetate-functional compound or composition that is effective in removing gaseous aldehydes present in gases such as air. The particulate filter media are capable of reacting with and irreversibly removing airborne aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. Also disclosed is a method or process for the removal of an aldehyde from a gas such as air or tobacco smoke by contacting the aldehyde-containing gas with the particulate filter media.

Abstract: Disclosed are filter materials which are effective for the selective removal of gaseous aldehydes from a cigarette smoke stream. The filter materials comprise a tobacco smoke filter comprising a filter support material and an alkyl acetoacetate that is capable of reacting with and removing aldehydes present in tobacco smoke. Also disclosed are a method of removing gaseous aldehydes from tobacco smoke by contacting tobacco smoke with a filter comprising a filter support material and an alkyl acetoacetate and a smoking article such as a cigarette comprising the tobacco smoke filter described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are high clarity films produced from semicrystalline polyesters by calendering. These films unexpectedly develop a higher peak melting point, which leads to higher thermal resistance. The semicrystalline polyesters may be biodegradable. When these calendered films are oriented, they develop unexpectedly high physical strength or clarity in comparison to films that are prepared by conventional techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a polyester comprising the steps of: (g) obtaining an aqueous homogenous solution of isosorbide; (h) feeding the aqueous homogenous solution of step (a) into a reactor; (i) feeding one or more glycols and one or more dicarboxylic acids either into the aqueous solution of step (a) or into the reactor of step (b) either prior to, during and/or subsequent to step (b); (j) esterifying the reactor contents at sufficient temperatures and pressures, and optionally in the presence of suitable catalysts, to effect esterification; (k) forming a prepolymer; and (l) polycondensing the prepolymer at sufficient temperatures and pressures in the presence of a suitable catalyst to effect polycondensation to form a polyester.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a polyester comprising the steps of:

Abstract: There are provided novel multilayer films comprising a layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester (AAPE), with or without filler, and a layer comprising a filled thermoplastic polymer. The polymers in the layers may be the same or different. The multilayer films are preferably characterized by having increased moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). Also provided are novel articles of manufacture comprising the novel multilayer films.

Abstract: There are provided novel multilayer films comprising a layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer, such as an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester (AAPE), with or without filler, and a layer comprising a filled thermoplastic polymer. The polymers in the layers may be the same or different. The multilayer films are preferably characterized by having increased moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). Also provided are novel articles of manufacture comprising the novel multilayer films.