Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol, such as dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol, by reacting a feed containing a cyclic carbonate, a hydroxy alkyl carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst is described. In another aspect, a process is described which is particularly useful for producing unsymmetric dialkyl carbonates, such as ethyl methyl carbonate.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of cumene is disclosed which comprises the step of contacting a feed containing cumene, under disproportionation conditions, with a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve, preferably TEA-mordenite. The contacting step disproportionates at least part of the cumene in the feed to provide a disproportionation effluent containing benzene and a mixture of diisopropylbenzene isomers. The effluent is then recovered and contains, prior to any separation step, less 1% of ortho-diisopropylbenzene by weight of the total diisopropylbenzene content of said effluent, less than 1 wt % of n-propylbenzene, less than 5 wt % of triisopropylbenzenes and less than 5 wt % of disproportionation products other than benzene and diisopropylbenzenes.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A male-female electrode joint is presented, the joint including two joined graphite electrodes having blocked threads and having a seal interposed between the electrodes, the seal composed of a material having an oxidation rate equal to or less than that of the electrodes.

Abstract: Photoresist compositions that demonstrate superior photolithographic performance and hardened resist films that show superior resistance to solvents, have excellent resistance to under plating during the electrodeposition of metals, and show excellent resist stripping characteristics. These photoresist compositions according to the invention are well-suited as for applications in the manufacture of MEMS and micromachine devices. These photoresist compositions according to the invention comprise one or more epoxide-substituted, polycarboxylic acid Resin Component (A), one or more photoacid generator compounds (B), and one or more solvent (C).

Abstract: A process for preparing a gas permeable flexible graphite sheet is presented. The process includes providing graphite flakes; admixing the graphite flakes with a sacrificial additive to form a graphite mixture; compressing the graphite mixture into a sheet having sacrificial additive dispersed therethrough; and treating the sheet to at least partially remove the sacrificial additive to form a permeable flexible graphite sheet.

Abstract: An oligomerization process in which hydrocarbon feedstocks are contacted with a hydrotreating catalyst in the absence of hydrogen and in the liquid phase. The catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst selected from supported reduced metals, metals oxides, metal sulfides and combinations thereof. Preferred catalysts include mixed nickel and molybdenum oxides or mixed cobalt and molybdenum oxides. The process also oligomerizes sulfur compounds so that sulfur containing feedstocks can be treated without deactivating the catalysts.

Abstract: An improved method enables preparation of articles for a variety of applications, including embossing or otherwise shaping to form a variety of articles. A plurality of thin, preferably resin-impregnated, flexible graphite sheets are arranged to form zones in a composite material having a graded density or other characteristic. Variation of properties between zones in the stock material formed is useful for achieving a desired set of properties in the formation of articles such as those useful in electrochemical fuel cells and double-layer capacitors.

Abstract: A heat resistant positive-working photosensitive PBO precursor composition comprising: (a) at least one polybenzoxazole precursor polymer; (a) at least one plasticizer compound; (b) at least one solvent; wherein the amount of the plasticizer present in the composition is an amount effective to reduce the sidewall angle of imaged and cured features in the coated film on the substrate to prevent stress failures in subsequent metallization of the substrate due to steep angles of the imaged features, and with the proviso that if the polybenzoxazole precursor polymer solely consists of polybenzoxazole precursor polymers that do not contain a photoactive moiety on the polymer, then (c) at least one photoactive compound is also present in the composition.

Abstract: An end-face seal for graphite electrode joints, including a seal formed of a plurality of individual elements interlocked to form a unitary whole, and formed of a material having an oxidation rate equal to or less than that of the electrodes.

Abstract: An oligomerization process in which hydrocarbon feedstocks are contacted with a hydrotreating catalyst in the absence of hydrogen and in the liquid phase. The catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst selected from supported reduced metals, metals oxides, metal sulfides and combinations thereof. Preferred catalysts include mixed nickel and molybdenum oxides or mixed cobalt and molybdenum oxides. The process also oligomerizes sulfur compounds so that sulfur containing feedstocks can be treated without deactivating the catalysts.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is provided that includes an optic body having anterior and posterior walls, a chamber, and optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids, and method for making and using the same. One of the fluids is a gas. The secondary fluid is substantially immiscible with the primary fluid and has a different density and a different refractive index than the primary fluid. The primary fluid is present in a sufficient amount that orienting optical body optical axis horizontally for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid, thereby immersing the anterior and posterior optical centers in the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is contained in the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis over a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal for near vision positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid, thus changing the focus of the intraocular lens.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: An improved method enables preparation of articles for a variety of applications, including embossing or otherwise shaping to form a variety of articles. A plurality of thin, preferably resin-impregnated, flexible graphite sheets are arranged to form zones in a composite material having a graded density or other characteristic. Variation of properties between zones in the stock material formed is useful for achieving a desired set of properties in the formation of articles such as those useful in electrochemical fuel cells and double-layer capacitors.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a halogen-free carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the carbonation catalyst and/or a transesterification catalyst and recycling the carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol, wherein the dialkyl carbonate product exhibits a halogen concentration of about 5 ppm or less.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a homogeneous carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the homogeneous carbonation catalyst and/or a heterogeneous transesterification catalyst and recycling the homogeneous carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol.

Abstract: A modular power converter that is easily adapted to a wide variety of applications separates the substantially constant power conversion functions from the largely application specific components of the power converter. A core power conversion module is provided that includes the converter functions and thermal systems of a typical power converter. An output connector is adapted to couple the core module to an application specific module that may contain application specific components such as magnetics, filters, contactors, relays, current sensors, etc. An easily reconfigurable cabinet is included that is readily adaptable to particular applications.

Abstract: A positive photosensitive resin composition of at least one uncapped polybenzoxazole precursor polymer, at least one capped polybenzoxazole precursor polymer, at least one photosensitive agent and at least one solvent, use of such compositions to pattern an image on a substrate and the resulting relied patterned substrates and electronic parts therefrom.