Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing damage resulting from environmental electromagnetic effects on a non-metallic surface. The method includes disposing a polymeric sheet material over the non-metallic surface and disposing a metal layer between the non-metallic surface and the polymeric sheet material. Objects which includes a substrate having a non-metallic surface, a halopolymer sheet material disposed over the substrate's non-metallic surface, and a metal layer disposed between the halopolymer sheet material and the substrate's non-metallic surface are also described. Laminates are also disclosed. One such laminate includes a metal layer having a first surface and a second surface, a halopolymer sheet material bonded or adhered to the first surface of the metal layer, and an adhesive disposed on the second surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing damage resulting from environmental electromagnetic effects on a non-metallic surface. The method includes disposing a polymeric sheet material over the non-metallic surface and disposing a metal layer between the non-metallic surface and the polymeric sheet material. Objects which includes a substrate having a non-metallic surface, a halopolymer sheet material disposed over the substrate's non-metallic surface, and a metal layer disposed between the halopolymer sheet material and the substrate's non-metallic surface are also described. Laminates are also disclosed. One such laminate includes a metal layer having a first surface and a second surface, a halopolymer sheet material bonded or adhered to the first surface of the metal layer, and an adhesive disposed on the second surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into nanoparticles or other types of macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated under conditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: Novel appliqués comprising oxyhalopolymer-adhesive composites wherein the adhesive layer of the composite is chemically bonded to reactive sites on at least one side of the oxyhalopolymer layer, possess superior peel strengths, resistance to delamination and protective properties, including protection of surfaces from lightning strike to seamless protective liners for tanks. The appliques are suitable for printing architectural designs thereon. Multilayered specialty appliqués can be fabricated from the above fundamental oxyhalopolymer-adhesive composite structure, including layered adhesives for encapsulating tridimensional mechanical and electrical devices, such as RF, or microwave sensitive antennae for transmitting and receiving communications, providing protection from environmental electromagnetic effects (E3), shock and impact resistance, multidimensional deformable structures; housing for temperature control systems, etc.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into nanoparticles or other types of macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated under conditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated under conditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: Novel appliqués comprising oxyhalopolymer-adhesive composites wherein the adhesive layer of the composite is chemically bonded to reactive sites on at least one side of the oxyhalopolymer layer, possess superior peel strengths, resistance to delamination and protective properties, including protection of surfaces from lightning strike to seamless protective liners for tanks. The appliques are suitable for printing architectural designs thereon. Multilayered specialty appliqués can be fabricated from the above fundamental oxyhalopolymer-adhesive composite structure, including layered adhesives for encapsulating tridimensional mechanical and electrical devices, such as RF, or microwave sensitive antennae for transmitting and receiving communications, providing protection from environmental electromagnetic effects (E3), shock and impact resistance, multidimensional deformable structures; housing for temperature control systems, etc.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated under conditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: There is disclosed adhesive-oxyhalopolymer composites having surface hydrogen and oxygen or oxygen functionality groups wherein the oxygen or oxygen functionality sites are chemically bonded to an adhesive material forming a stable and permanent bond with surprisingly and unexpected superior bond strength. The adhesive-oxyhalopolymer composites comprise an oxyhalopolymer prepared from a halopolymer having from about 1 to 100 percent of surface halogens permanently substituted with hydrogen and oxygen or oxygen-containing groups of which from about 3 to about 30 percent of the substituted halogens are replaced with oxygen or oxygen-containing groups and from about 70 to about 97 percent of the substituted halogens are replaced with hydrogen atoms and the oxyhalopolymer is chemically bonded to an adhesive material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing damage resulting from environmental electromagnetic effects on a non-metallic surface. The method includes disposing a polymeric sheet material over the non-metallic surface and disposing a metal layer between the non-metallic surface and the polymeric sheet material. Objects which includes a substrate having a non-metallic surface, a halopolymer sheet material disposed over the substrate's non-metallic surface, and a metal layer disposed between the halopolymer sheet material and the substrate's non-metallic surface are also described. Laminates are also disclosed. One such laminate includes a metal layer having a first surface and a second surface, a halopolymer sheet material bonded or adhered to the first surface of the metal layer, and an adhesive disposed on the second surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel surface modified biodegradable polyesters having fluorocarbon chains at the terminal end of the polyesters. The compounds of the present invention are obtained by the addition of fluorocarbon chains at the surface of the polyester. Any commonly used polyester material can be used in the present invention; however, polyglycolic or polylactic acids or co-polymers thereof are preferred.

Abstract: Oxyhalopolymer composites which include an oxyhalopolymer having free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the free volume of the oxyhalopolymer are disclosed. Also disclosed is a surface-oxyhalogenated non-halopolymer composite. The composite includes a surface-oxyhalogenated non-halopolymer having free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the free volume of the surface-oxyhalogenated non-halopolymer. Methods for making and using these composites are also described.

Abstract: Patterned conducting polymer surfaces exhibiting excellent properties may be prepared by:(a) forming a surface of a conducting polymer on a surface of a substrate;(b) forming a surface of a blocking material on said surface of said conducting polymer in a pattern-wise fashion, to obtain a first patterned surface containing regions of exposed conducting polymer and regions of blocking material;(c) treating said first patterned surface with an agent which: (i) removes said conducting polymer from said regions of exposed conducting polymer; (ii) decreases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; or (iii) increases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; and(d) removing said blocking material to obtain a second patterned surface containing an exposed pattern of conducting polymer.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated underconditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: Fluoropolymeric substrates with metallized surfaces may be prepared by self-assembly of a chemisorbed layer of a metal ion-chelating organosilane onto a fluoropolymer surface after radio-frequency glow discharge plasma surface hydroxylation. The silane covalently binds an aqueous palladium catalyst and subsequent electroless deposition yields homogeneous or patterned metal deposits that exhibit excellent adhesion to the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Conducting substrate for use in display device having a conducting polymer on the surface of a rigid or flexible, flat, curved or bent substrate.

Abstract: Novel metallohalopolymers comprising an oxyhalopolymer and a transition metal covalently bonded to an oxygen site on the oxyhalopolymer possess desirable properties of inertness, stability, hydrophobicity and high electronegativity like fluoropolymers such as PTFE. The metallohalopolymers also possess unusual superacidic properties making oxygen-containing sites on the polymeric backbone highly nucleophilic and reactive with transition metals for synthesis of stable metallized polymers without requiring exposure to destructive calcining temperatures or intermediate chelating organosilane linking agents. The transition metals can be covalently bonded directly to the polymeric support to form metallohalopolymers for use as catalysts in the synthesis of chemicals, biocides and useful articles of manufacture, such as filtration devices containing the biocidally active metallohalopolymers.

Abstract: Fluoropolymeric substrates with metallized surfaces may be prepared by self-assembly of a chemisorbed layer of a metal ion-chelating organosilane onto a fluoropolymer surface after radio-frequency glow discharge plasma surface hydroxylation. The silane covalently binds an aqueous palladium catalyst and subsequent electroless deposition yields homogeneous or patterned metal deposits that exhibit excellent adhesion to the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Permanently substituted oxyfluorinated surfaces can be formed on non-fluorinated substrates having a fluorinated surface or fluorocarbon coating applied by gas phase surface fluorination or plasma deposition. The oxyfluorinated surfaces can be refunctionalized by bonding organosilanes, isothiocyanate-containing fluorescent compounds and proteins, such as enzymes, antibodies and peptides directly to such surfaces. Surfaces refunctionalized with such protein based groups are useful in the fabrication of biological sensors, devices for separation of cell lines, filtration applications for selective binding of antigens. Masking techniques can be employed in forming a predetermined pattern of covered and exposed surfaces, for example, prior to oxyfluorination.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers modified by radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of vapor/gas plasma provides for permanent and controlled substitution of hydrogen and oxygen functionality for fluorine. The oxygen-containing sites of the modified fluoropolymer are highly reactive, enabling the material to be readily refunctionalized by the introduction of a new atom, functionality or macromolecular unit, such as organosilane, alkali metal or reactive fluorescent compound.