Abstract: Described herein is a kit that includes at least one press for pressing matter that is being observed by a light microscope and a method of pressing the matter using the press while the matter is being observed. The press includes a pestle that is supported between, and for independent motion relative to the objective of the microscope and a sample residing on the stage of the microscope.

Abstract: A method for treating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in its reactor latex form to produce a dry submicron PTFE powder that remains stable without rheology modifiers, surfactants, wetting agents, pH adjusters or other stabilizing additives. Reactor latex PTFE formed during an emulsion polymerization process can be irradiated, with an electron beam or gamma rays, during or after the polymerization to form a product where the dry submicron PTFE powder is free-flowing, tends not to self-agglomerate and tends not to dust into the air upon handling so that the PTFE is readily dispersible when placed in a desired application system or medium.

Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 ?m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions. Such improved PTFE dispersions may be formed with or without the addition of surfactants, wetting agents, rheology modifiers, pH-adjusting agents, and the like.

Abstract: A method for treating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in its reactor latex form to produce a dry submicron PTFE powder that remains stable without rheology modifiers, surfactants, wetting agents, pH adjusters or other stabilizing additives. Reactor latex PTFE formed during an emulsion polymerization process can be irradiated, with an electron beam or gamma rays, during or after the polymerization to form a product where the dry submicron PTFE powder is free-flowing, tends not to self-agglomerate and tends not to dust into the air upon handling so that the PTFE is readily dispersible when placed in a desired application system or medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making melt spun fibers having decreased coefficient of friction and other improved properties such as wear resistance and the like, when compared to conventional melt spun fibers. In the method of the present invention, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is incorporated into the fiber-forming substance during the melt spinning process before passing through the spinneret. PTFE that is useful in the present invention includes PTFE powder that is dispersible to low micron or submicron particle size and aqueous or organic dispersions of such highly dispersible PTFE powder. The present invention is also directed to fabrics, textiles, and other articles of manufacture made from the PTFE-enhanced melt spun fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making solution spun fibers having decreased coefficient of friction and other improved properties such as wear resistance and the like, when compared to conventional solution spun fibers. In the method of the present invention, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is incorporated into the fiber-forming substance during the solution spinning process before passing through the spinneret. PTFE that is useful in the present invention includes PTFE powder that is dispersible to low micron or submicron particle size and aqueous or organic dispersions of such highly dispersible PTFE powder. The present invention is also directed to fabrics, textiles, and other articles of manufacture formed from the PTFE-enhanced solution spun fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 ?m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions. Such improved PTFE dispersions may be formed with or without the addition of surfactants, wetting agents, rheology modifiers, pH-adjusting agents, and the like.

Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 ?m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions. Such improved PTFE dispersions may be formed with or without the addition of surfactants, wetting agents, rheology modifiers, pH-adjusting agents, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method for increasing the dispersibility of an anionic molecule of interest by reacting the anionic molecule of interest onto the surface of a cationically modified substrate having a high surface area. The present invention further provides for the resulting compositions whereby an anionic molecule of interest has been incorporated onto the surface of a cationically modified high surface area substrate and where the resulting anion/cationically modified substrate composition (such as an anion/organoclay composition) experiences greater dispersibility in a target application system than the anionic molecule of interest alone experiences in that same application system. The method of the present invention further serves to substantially reduce the water solubility of the anionic molecule of interest by incorporating it into a cationically modified high surface area substrate such as an organoclay.

Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 &mgr;m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions.

Abstract: A sharpening holder and a knife are uniquely configured for use with each other, the holder and the knife having permanent elements that mate when the holder is installed on the knife so that the holder is installed on the knife in exactly the same position on the knife every time that the knife is sharpened.