Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler, where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include a polymer having (i) at least one first group that interacts with the untreated filler and (ii) at least one second group that interacts with a rubber matrix into which the treated filler is incorporated. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler, where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include a polymer having (i) at least one first group that interacts with the untreated filler and (ii) at least one second group that interacts with a rubber matrix into which the treated filler is incorporated. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroactive optical device including an optical substrate having two opposing surfaces; at least two electrodes spaced one from the other and disposed on the surface of the substrate; and at least one electroactive material layer in contact with the at least two electrodes and the surface of the substrate. The electroactive optical device has variable light transmittance in response to the magnitude of an applied electrical voltage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include an unsaturated fatty acid, derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid, or salt thereof. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler, where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include a polymer having (i) at least one first group that interacts with the untreated filler and (ii) at least one second group that interacts with a rubber matrix into which the treated filler is incorporated. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler, where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include a polymer having (i) at least one first group that interacts with the untreated filler and (ii) at least one second group that interacts with a rubber matrix into which the treated filler is incorporated. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include a polymer having (i) at least one first group that interacts with the untreated filler and (ii) at least one second group that interacts with a rubber matrix into which the treated filler is incorporated. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of separating a fluid emulsion stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an aqueous stream, by contacting the stream with a microporous membrane to yield a hydrocarbon product stream and an aqueous product stream. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix, and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has a mean pore size less than 1.0 micron, and the purities of the product streams are independent of the flux rate of the aqueous product stream and the pore size of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroactive optical device including an optical substrate having two opposing surfaces; at least two electrodes spaced one from the other and disposed on the surface of the substrate; and at least one electroactive material layer in contact with the at least two electrodes and the surface of the substrate. The electroactive optical device has variable light transmittance in response to the magnitude of an applied electrical voltage.

Abstract: Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate having a first surface, a fixed-polarized layer over the first surface of the substrate, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the first surface of the substrate. The fixed-polarized layer optionally includes a fixed-colorant and has a first polarization axis. The photochromic-dichroic layer includes a photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The photochromic-dichroic articles can provide, for example, increased optical density and/or increased kinetics when exposed to a given amount of actinic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include a polymer having (i) at least one first group that interacts with the untreated filler and (ii) at least one second group that interacts with a rubber matrix into which the treated filler is incorporated. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include an unsaturated fatty acid, derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid, or salt thereof. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include at least one of an anhydride, a cyclic imide, and a derivative thereof. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing treated filler that includes (a) treating a slurry that includes untreated filler where the untreated filler has not been previously dried, with a treating composition that includes a treating agent, thereby forming a treated filler slurry, and (b) drying the treated filler slurry to produce treated filler. The treating agent can include an amino acid or polypeptide. The present invention also is directed to treated filler prepared by the process, as well as rubber compounding compositions and tires including the treated filler.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of separating a fluid emulsion stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an aqueous stream, by contacting the stream with a microporous membrane to yield a hydrocarbon product stream and an aqueous product stream. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix, and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has a mean pore size less than 1.0 micron, and the purities of the product streams are independent of the flux rate of the aqueous product stream and the pore size of the membrane.

Abstract: Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate having a first surface, a fixed-polarized layer over the first surface of the substrate, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the first surface of the substrate. The fixed-polarized layer optionally includes a fixed-colorant and has a first polarization axis. The photochromic-dichroic layer includes a photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The photochromic-dichroic articles can provide, for example, increased optical density and/or increased kinetics when exposed to a given amount of actinic radiation.

Abstract: Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate, a first photochromic-dichroic layer over the substrate, and a second photochromic-dichroic layer over the first photochromic-dichroic layer. The first photochromic-dichroic layer includes a first photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the first photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a first polarization axis of the first photochromic-dichroic layer. The second photochromic-dichroic layer includes a second photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the second photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis of the second photochromic-dichroic layer. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.

Abstract: Compositions comprising the reaction product of a polymer comprising a polyol, a polyisocyanate and/or a polyamine and a compound comprising a chlorendate group are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of improving adhesion between a coating composition and a substrate by applying the adhesion promoting compositions of the present invention to the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are coating compositions that include a polymer comprising silanol functional groups. Also disclosed are substrates coated with such compositions, methods for coating substrates with such compositions, and methods for imparting self cleaning properties to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of applying a multi-component coating composition to a substrate is disclosed. The coating composition comprises a polymeric component containing reactive functional groups and a hardener component comprising a curing agent having coreactive functional groups. The composition is applied with a spray applicator and the rheological profile of the polymeric component is adjusted by adding to the polymeric component one or more materials having a lower molecular weight than the polymeric component and which contain functional groups reactive with the curing agent such that the polymeric component and the hardener component are delivered to a mixing chamber in the spray gun at a predetermined volume ratio over a varied range of temperatures and shear rates.