Abstract: This invention relates to an asymmetric composite membrane containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes within a single membrane layer, where the carbon nanotubes are randomly oriented within the polymeric matrix and the composite membrane is formed by phase inversion. This invention also relates to a method for producing the composite membrane which includes: coating a surface with a film of a polymer solution containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes dissolved in at least one solvent; immersing the coated surface in a non-solvent to affect solvent/non-solvent demixing resulting in phase inversion to form a carbon nanotube-containing membrane; and optionally, removing the carbon nanotube-containing membrane from the surface. The invention also relates to a desalination method using the composite membrane.

Abstract: A cellulose ester film is provided and includes a non-phosphoric acid additive. The cellulose ester film has: a degree of alignment of 0.12 or higher in a thickness direction of the cellulose ester film as measured by wide angle X-ray diffractometry; and an average elastic modulus of 3.7 to 4.5 GPa.

Abstract: In the overmoulding of an article channels are provided in the surface of the article to guide the flow of the overmoulding material, in addition holes may be provided across the article to enable flow of the overmoulding material to the side of the carrier remote from the point of injection. The techniques are particular useful in the overmoulding of articles having a lattice or honeycomb structure particularly when produced by injection moulding. When the overmoulding material is foamable the overmoulded articles may be used as acoustic baffles or structural reinforcement for automobiles.

Abstract: A method for the production of cellulose fibers or filaments from cell material, by the dry-wet extrusion method with aqueous amine oxides, in particular, N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide as solve is described comprising the following steps: a) dispersion of a cell material, or a cell material mixture with a cuoxam DP from 250-3000, in aqueous amine oxide, b) transformation of the obtained dispersion, by water evaporation with shear, at elevated temperature, into a homogeneous solution with a zero shear viscosity of 600 to 6000 Pa·s and a relaxation time of 0.3 to 50 seconds all at 85° C.

Abstract: Extruded fibers and nonwoven webs made from the fibers are disclosed having improved cloth-like properties and an improved aesthetic appearance. The fibers used to form the webs are made from a thermoplastic polymer containing titanium dioxide and at least one mineral filler such as kaolin or calcium carbonate. In particular, the fillers are added in the amount so that the fillers become encapsulated within the polymeric material.

Abstract: A sponge cloth of decrystallized cellulose modified by the acetyl group content, where the average degree of substitution is 0.2 to 1.5. The cloth does not contain any organic or inorganic sulfur compounds. The sponge cloth is produced by treating wood pulp with sodium hydroxide solution, then treating it with acetylating substances, drying and dissolving in an organic solvent with the addition of a pore-forming salt, fibers and optionally pigment dyes and foaming agents, spreading the mixture on a web and boiling in water with subsequent drying to form a finished cloth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a food product encased in a water insoluble film of glucomannan and a method for its manufacture. In the process an aqueous solution of glucomannan is cast onto the food product surface and then is deacetylated and coagulated in sire by contact with a saturated salt solution having either an acidic or basic pH. The coagulated solution is cured and dried in the presence of salt and subsequently washed and further dried to provide the water insoluble film.

Abstract: A cross-linked flexible sponge absorbent medium containing substantially uniformly distributed fibrous reinforcement is prepared under such conditions that swelling of the sponge is controlled to a water retention value of 2 to 6; and simultaneously or subsequently, the cross-linked sponge is reacted with a reagent which introduces functional groups into the modified cross-linked sponge. There is also provided apparatus having an inlet for liquid, an outlet for liquid so as to define a path for liquid flow between the inlet and the outlet, an adsorbent medium, obtainable by the above method, being positioned across the liquid flow path in the apparatus.

Abstract: A protective film is placed on acrylic sheet. The film has a polyethylene side and an adherent EVA side; it will survive stressful lamination procedures as well as thermoforming, and can be easily removed from a finished article after thermoforming.

Abstract: It is a method of treatment of support rods for the support of steel reinforcements in making aerated concrete, in which the support rods are first dipped into a hot bath of molten paraffin or a similar wax-like, waterproof material, which is solid at room temperature and has a softening temperature of about 50.degree. to 70.degree. C. Then the coating formed thereby is hardened by cooling. Then the steel reinforcements are suspended on the support rods and they, together with the support rods are coated with a corrosion protection medium in the form of a water-lacquer.

Abstract: Virtually any material may be encapsulated in a starch matrix by combining the material with a high temperature-stabilized dispersion of starch, optionally in the presence of salt. The temperature-stabilized starch dispersion acts as a protective colloid, encasing the material to be encapsulated. Upon subsequent rapid cooling of this mixture on a chilled surface the starch polymer chains collapse upon themselves, forming a firm sheet or the like and encapsulating the core material. The sheet can then be cut, chopped or sliced in the wet state, then dried and ground to yield particles.

Abstract: A caramel-containing cellulosic article, e.g. casing, with the caramel uniformly distributed and immobilized, without chemical bonding, in the cellulose so as to be substantially nonextractable in water and steam and method of producing said article by the alkali cellulose, xanthate, viscose, extrusion and acid-salt bath regeneration procedure.

Abstract: Packaged fibrous and non-fibrous reinforced food casings containing sufficient water that presoaking prior to stuffing can be eliminated. The casings which rely on water as the sole or principal plasticizer do not rely on chemical type plasticizers like glycerin and propylene glycol. The premoisturized, ready-to-stuff casings are preserved with effective amounts of a high pH active antimycotic agent. Drying requirements can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Gelled cellulose triacetate products are made by mixing with a solution of the cellulose triacetate an amount of miscible liquid nonsolvent agent insufficient to cause gelling, then cooling the mixture or evaporating the solvent to cause gelling.

Abstract: A phase inversion process for the preparation of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and regenerated cellulose membranes is disclosed. Such membranes are useful as supports for liquid membranes in facilitated transport processes, as microfiltration membranes, as dialysis or ultrafiltration membranes, and for the preparation of ion-selective electrodes. The process comprises the steps of preparing a casting solution of CTA in a solvent comprising a mixture of cyclohexanone and methylene chloride, casting a film from the casting solution, and immersing the cast film in a methanol bath. The resulting CTA membrane may then be hydrolyzed to regenerated cellulose using conventional techniques.

Abstract: A process of preparing film, fibers and other shaped articles by nitrosating a polyhydroxy polymer in a reaction medium containing a solubilizing agent for the resulting polyhydroxy polymer nitrite ester and a suitable proton acceptor, bringing the reaction mixture into the desired shape and regenerating and separating the polyhydroxy polymer by contact with a protic solvent in the presence of an acid catalyst. The polyhydroxy polymer may be a polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose or other polysaccharide, and mixtures thereof. Also dissolved in the reaction medium may be an organic solvent soluble polymer substantially lacking hydroxyl groups. If mixtures of polyhydroxy polymers or of polyhydroxy polymers lacking hydroxyl groups and organic solvent soluble polymers are employed the resulting films, fibers or other shaped articles consist of homogeneous and intimate mixtures of all the polymers originally present in solution.

Abstract: Membrane forming polymers are converted to hydrophilic polymeric membranes by (a) grafting a polyoxyethylene chain to a membrane forming polymer structure and thereafter forming a membrane; (b) coating a membrane with a polymer to which a polyoxyethylene chain has been grafted; or (c) grafting in situ a polyoxyethylene chain to a formed membrane polymer.