Abstract: A hydrophilic polytetramethylene adipamide microporous membrane has a narrow pore-size distribution. The membrane is formed by a rapid quench process in a quench bath having solubility parameter above about 21 Hildebrands.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having photo-electronic properties and methods of making the same. The instant films may be made, for example, by spreading a mixture of one or more types of biotinylated lipids and one or more types of electrically-conductive lipids over a water-miscible liquid subphase. Conjugated molecules comprising a biotin-binding component made up of an avidin or streptavidin molecule or a fragment or derivative thereof having biotin-binding activity and a photodynamic proteinaceous component are then injected into the subphase. Because of the affinity between biotin and the biotin-binding component, the conjugated molecules bind to the biotinylated lipids. The air-subphase interface is then compressed, causing the biotinylated lipids and electrically-conductive lipids to form a monolayer thereat.

Abstract: Movable barriers as well as auxiliary movable barriers are provided in a trough filled with a liquid forming a monomolecular film thereon. The barriers are driven with a constant positional relationship maintained therebetween to prevent disturbances from occurring in the flow of the monomolecular film. Thus, the monomolecular film is transferred to a substrate with a uniform molecular density. The substrate preferably has a width equal to the length of the movable barriers and the distance between the auxiliary movable barriers.

Abstract: Three-dimensional objects are produced by the polymerization of a photopolymerizable liquid medium with the aid of high-energy radiation by continuously introducing the liquid medium in lamina form from a casting means onto the surface of a carrier liquid which has a higher specific gravity than the photopolymerizable medium and is not miscible therewith. This lamina is polymerized by irradiation to form a laminar, two-dimensional polymer layer, then the surface of the carrier liquid is raised and another lamina of the photopolymerizable medium is introduced onto the surface and polymerized to form a further polymer layer which combines with the preceding one. These steps are repeated until the three-dimensional object is formed. The steps of forming the polymer lamina and raising the surface of the carrier liquid may be computer controlled.

Abstract: An ultra-thin, self-assembling molecular film has ordered amphiphilic molecules that are oriented relative to one another in two directions. The improved method of the present application makes it possible to form the film in a continuous fashion with the ordered molecules arranged in oriented crystals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a polyacetylene which is stable even in an atmosphere containing oxygen, by spreading onto the surface of water, which contains Ca-salt, a solution of a fatty acid series substance containing an acetylene group or diacetylene group dissolved in an organic solvent, removing the organic solvent by evaporation, gathering up molecules of the fatty acid series substance which remain on the water by means of a barrier, then irradiating the molecules in the state of a monomolecular film on the water surface by use of radiation, or by building up the molecules by means of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film method under a definite surface pressure.

Abstract: A method of producing a nonlinear optical film from a lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer by diluting the polymer with a dopant to form a concentrated mixture. The concentrated mixture is filtered in a high pressure filtration cell and vacuum degassed. Thin film are formed on plates and are coagulated in water. The thin films are supported on a microporous membrane support and then air dried.

Abstract: A process for preparing a slender or thin ceramic green body, which comprises discharging a raw material slurry comprising a ceramic powder raw material, a binder and a solvent from a discharge outlet in a slender or thin shape, and then contacting it with a solidifying liquid composed of a liquid in which the solvent is soluble and the ceramic powder raw material and the binder are insoluble or hardly soluble so that the solvent in the slurry is dissolved and removed to form the green body.

Abstract: Thin films which contain a defined concentration of dye per unit area and are useful as layer elements, e.g. for optical filters, are prepared by spreading an oleophilic dye which is soluble in an organic water-immiscible solvent and an organic polymer dissolved in an organic solvent as a thin film at the water/air interface and, after the solvent has evaporated, transferring said film by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique to a solid base material.

Abstract: Thin films are produced by a process in which organic polymers having long-chain side groups are dissolved in an organic solvent, the solution is spread at the water/air interface by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and the film is transferred onto a solid base material after evaporation of the organic solvent, and the organic polymers used are those which contain long-chain n-alkyl side groups bonded to the main chain of the polymer via polar groups, and some of these long-chain n-alkyl side groups are replaced by shorter-chain n-alkyl side groups, by branched alkyl side groups having the same or a smaller number of carbon atoms or by equally long or shorter side groups having one or more C-C multiple bonds.This process can be used to produce film elements, for example for optical filters.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the fields of processes for producing an organic ultrathin film having polyacetylene linkages and the resultant films. In one embodiment the process for producing the film consists of the steps forming an acetylene monomolecular film on a water surface, applying magnetic or electric field to enhance orientation, irradiating the acetylene film with an energy beam to polymerize the acetylene film into a polyacetylene film. Other embodiments for producing the film consists of the steps of forming an acetylene film by chemical absorption, applying magnetic or electric field, and irradiating the film with an energy beam. The polymerized film is useful as an electrical material having high conductivity and as an optical material having non-linear effect.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method for producing polydiacetylene of superhigh molecular weight (i.e., a superlong conjugated polymer) having continuous conjugated bands and a straight chain by spreading an organic solvent containing diacetylene derivative on a water surface, gathering up by a barrier, and photopolymerizing the derivative while compressing at a constant surface pressure. Also disclosed is a method for producing polydiacetylene comprising the step of improving the arrangement by applying a direct-current field in a specified direction at the time of spreading and collecting the diacetylene derivative molecules.

Abstract: A method of treating the surface of an optical structure which comprises forming on the surface a thin layer of organic polymer using a solvent casting technique. Preferably the process includes the subsequent treatment of the polymer layer with a solution of a specific ligand.Complex formation between the bound ligand and its specific binding partner present in a sample to be analyzed alters the optical properties of the diffraction grating surface and the change can form the basis of an assay method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-porous isocyanurate-crosslinked polyurethane membranes. These membranes are useful for the separation of aromatic hydrocarbons from non-aromatic hydrocarbons. The separation can be performed using any commonly accepted membrane separation technique, e.g. reverse osmosis, dialysis, pervaporation or perstraction but is preferably performed under pervaporation or perstraction conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel semi-permeable isotropic or anisotropic microporous membranes fabricated from a mixture of isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene and a method of producing such membranes.

Abstract: Novel ultrathin unit layers and built-up multilayers of polymeric imine are obtained when a spreadable polyfunctional aldehyde or its precursor, particularly the alkyl Schiff base formed by its condensation with an alkyl amine, is spread on the surface of an aqueous subphase containing a diamine. The resulting polymeric imine unit layers can be transferred and built up on substrates which included quartz, aluminum and chrome-plated glass, and semiconductors.

Abstract: Disclosed are semipermeable fluid separation membranes prepared from polyaromatic polymers including aromatic repeat units of which at least five mole percent are substituted by moieties having ethylenically unsaturated carbon bonds wherein the polymer is crosslinked through carbon bonds between the ethylenically unsaturated moieties. The invented membranes have enhanced durability yet retain very high fluid, especially gas, permeability.

Abstract: The film consists of one or more Langmuir-Blodgett layers, the layer containing an organic polymer having long-chain fluoroalkyl side groups or consisting of this compound. The film is distinguished by a multilayer structure having few defects and is, for example, suitable for optical purposes and for surface treatment. The order of the molecules in the multilayer can be improved by annealing and by heating the film through the phase transition and cooling again.

Abstract: A film comprised of at least one monomolecular layer composed essentially of a polyimide having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a tetravalent organic group and R.sup.2 is a bivalent organic group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polymide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: A film manufacturing method which utilizes a trough storing a liquid therein. The liquid surface of the liquid forms a developing region in which a monomolecular film of organic molecules is developed. The developed monomolecular film is compressed by a barrier to a predetermined surface pressure. A workpiece having a build-up surface is moved by a vertical moving mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the developing region through the monomolecular film while being moved ahead of the build-up surface in a horizontal direction by a horizontal moving mechanism, so that the monomolecular film is built up on the build-up surface.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer thin film wherein a first polymer thin film is formed on a support liquid, on which a solution of a second polymer is dropped is described. The first polymer film is pulled in opposite directions to break the first polymer film as a slit, from which the second polymer solution is cast on the support liquid. As a result, the solution can spread uniformly without involving any appreciable irregularity in thickness of a final film product.

Abstract: An amphiphilic high polymer comprises a linear recurring unit containing at least divalent organic group (R.sub.1) having at least two carbon atoms, at least divalent organic group (R.sub.2) having at least two carbon atoms, and at least one C.sub.10-30 hydrocarbon-containing group (R.sub.3) which may have one or more substituent groups, said organic groups R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being connected to each other by a divalent connecting group, and said hydrocarbon-containing group R.sub.3 being boned to said recurring unit by a covalent bond, and the method for producing the same comprises polycondensating a combination of monomers containing R.sub.1 and R.sub.2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyphenylene oxide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pinhole-free, ultrathin, free-standing cellulose ester films having thicknesses of 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyether sulfone films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pinhole-free, ultrathin, polymethylmethacrylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, blended, cellulose nitrate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: A method of forming hollow, porous elastomeric bodies and hollow, duo-layered elastomeric bodies wherein one layer is porous and contiguous with the other layer which is solid by (a) coating a surface of a mandrel with a coating liquid, (b) adhering a layer of water-elutable particles onto the coated mandrel surface, (c) applying a layer of fluid elastomer composition to the particle-coated mandrel surface wherein the elastomeric composition is capable of forming a water-insoluble elastomer, (d) causing said elastomeric composition to form a cohesive mass while in contact with the particle-coated mandrel surface, (e) dissolving said elutable particles from the cohesvie mass with a water-based solvent, and (f) removing the cohesive mass from the mandrel. The coating liquid comprises water and may also further comprise a wetting agent and/or a sugar. The invention also relates to the method wherein the water-elutable particles are adhered to the mandrel surface by heating the mandrel surface.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing spherical objects which includes the steps of ejecting into a reaction medium layer a predetermined amount of liquid material which form spherical objects and allowing the spherical mass produced by the ejection to react and set while floating in the reaction medium layer. The reaction medium layer is restricted by a first blocking and protective liquid layer having a smaller specific gravity than the reaction medium layer and located above the level of ejection and a second blocking and protective layer having a greater specific gravity than that of the reaction medium and located below the level of ejection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hyperfiltration membrane containing a supporting layer and a separation layer. The membrane is characterized in that the separation layer consists of a crosslinked monomolecular film of molecules, the molecules of the separation layer in the uncrosslinked state being surfactants or surfactant-like lipoids containing at least one hydrophobic chain and at least one hydrophilic group, the hydrophobic chains of these molecules being oriented mainly perpendicularly to the plane of the membrane and parallel to the diffusion direction after crosslinking and the molecules of the separation layer being crosslinked with one another through functional groups in at least one of their hydrophobic chains and/or through functional groups in at least one of their hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: A polymer has a linear recurring unit in which a first organic group (R.sub.1) having at least two carbon atoms and a valence of at least three and a second organic group (R.sub.2) having at least two carbon atoms and a valence of at least two are bonded together alternatively through a divalent connecting group, and containing at least one hydrocarbon group (R.sub.3) having 10 to 30 carbon atoms which is linked to the recurring unit by an ionic bond and which may be substituted.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously applying a plurality of liquid coating compositions to a moving web by the method of multi-layer coating; wherein the lowermost layer is comprised of water, with the wet coverage of water on the web being 2 cm.sup.3 or less per square meter (m.sup.2) of the web, and the layer immediately above the lowermost layer comprising a water-soluble coating solution having a viscosity greater than water and which is greater in thickness than the lowermost layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting element of a metal/organic film/semiconductor junction structure has a semiconductor layer, and an organic Langmuir-Blodgett thin film formed on the semiconductor layer. The thin film includes an electron donative organic monomolecular compound whose longest absorption peak wavelength in an electron transition spectrum falls within a range of 300 nm to 600 nm. A layer of metallic material is formed on the thin film.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing cellulose membranes with pore radii less than 30.times.10.sup.-10 m, suitable for reverse osmosis applications. The method comprises dissolving a cellulosic material in a DMSO/PF solvent at a temperature about 125.degree. C. for about 90 min., cooling and casting the solution at room temperature, evaporating the solvent at a temperature of 140.degree.-180.degree. C. and gelling the resulting membrane in a protic solvent, e.g. ethanol or water.

Abstract: A process for preparing a thin film having a large area. A casting solution of a film-forming material and a solvent is fed to the surface of a liquid substrate immiscible with the solution by utilizing interfacial tension. Spontaneous spreading of the casting solution occurs across the surface of the liquid substrate and evaporation of the solvent produces a thin film on the liquid surface which is continuously collected. The feed of the casting solution to the surface of the substrate is at least either a material which shows selective wettability for the casting solution in preference to the liquid substrate or a structure capable of developing capillarity.

Abstract: A process for forming a built-up film with logic polymers whose film inherently cannot be readily obtained by LB technique comprises modifying the high polymers, and if required, further cyclizing the product partially or wholly. The produced thin films have extremely excellent heat resistance, good chemical resistance and mechanical characteristics and their thickness is so small that it is generally hardly attainable, that is, less than 10,000 .ANG., or if desired, 10 to 1000 .ANG..

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuously forming and depositing a layer of monomolecular amphiphilic molecules on a substrate. The present invention includes an apparatus and method for transferring and compressing an uncompressed molecular layer from one liquid surface region in a tank to another adjacent liquid surface region by using non-moving or static mechanical components which do not come into direct contact with the monomolecular layer. The present invention includes a method and apparatus which permit the continuous and simultaneous draining and replenishing of the liquid in the tank while maintaining the liquid surface level constant. The continuous replacement of the liquid in the tank with clean liquid reduces the level of contamination of the liquid in the tank. In addition, the level, as well as the type of contamination of the liquid, does not vary significantly with time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyether sulfone films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: A process to prepare pinhole-free, ultrathin, polymethylmethacrylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less. The films are prepared by dissolving a polymethylmethacrylate polymer in a mixture of solvents to form a casting solution and then casting the solution upon water to form a free-standing film. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: A film forming method, a recording medium formed thereby, and a recording method therewith are provided. The recording medium comprises a recording layer constituted of a monomolecular film or monomolecular-layer built-up film of a clathrate complex compound comprised of a host molecule and a guest molecule, said host molecule having a hydrophilic portion, a hydrophobic portion, and a portion capable of enclosing said guest molecule.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pinhole-free, ultrathin, free-standing cellulose ester films having thicknesses of 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyphenylene oxide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process for preparing them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, polyarylate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin polyimide films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are free-standing, pinhole-free, ultrathin, blended, cellulose nitrate films having thicknesses of about 400 angstroms or less and a process to prepare them. The films find particular utility in separatory applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuously forming and depositing a layer of monomolecular amphiphilic molecules on a substrate. The present invention includes an apparatus and method for transferring and compressing an uncompressed molecular layer from one liquid surface region to another adjacent liquid surface region by using non-moving or static mechanical components which do not come into direct contact with the monomolecular layer. The present invention is based on the fact that by continuously flowing liquid from one region to an adjacent region by using non-moving or static mechanical components that do not touch the monomolecular layer, a monomolecular layer having surprisingly little damage can be transported to the adjacent region and simultaneouly compressed by the flowing liquid surface. The monomolecular layer can then be coated onto a substrate.

Abstract: Using the Langmuir-Blodgett's technique and a compound represented by the general formula CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.n (CH.sub.2).sub.m --X, wherein X is a hydrophilic group, preferably --COOH, n is from 5 to 20 and m is from 0 to 10, a firm built-up film having a desired number of monomolecular layers can surely be formed on a solid substrate surface by spreading a monomolecular film of the fluorinated compound on an aqueous phase containing trivalent metal ions. In the obtained built-up film the CF.sub.3 -terminated molecules are well oriented in the direction of the thickness of the film. The built-up film fully exhibits extreme hydrophobicity, high insulation, low refraction and other properties characteristic of the fluorine-containing compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying, devolatilizing and/or sheeting a thermoplastic material in which a high density, flowable heat exchange material, having a density substantially above the density of the thermoplastic material and which is essentially immiscible therewith, is continuously circulated through a contact zone in a manner to maintain an extended surface area body of the high density heat exchange material in the contact zone, the thermoplastic material is introduced into and withdrawn from the contact zone in a manner to form a continuously flowing layer of the thermoplastic material across the surface of the body of high density heat exchange material. Thermoplastic material may be introduced into the contact vessel as a powder, melted in an intermediate section of the contact vessel, resolidified at the opposite end of the contact vessel and withdrawn as a sheet of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Process for producing a film having at least one monomolecular layer of non-amphiphilic molecules.This process comprises the following stages:(a) combining non-amphiphilic molecules A, such as pyridine, with amphiphilic molecules B, such as a zinc porphyrin, in order to form a complex of molecules A and B;(b) forming on the surface of the liquid a monomolecular layer of the thus obtained complex, and(c) transferring the thus formed monomolecular layer to a rigid support.Molecules A and B can form between them a charge transfer complex, e.g. TCNQ-alkyl pyridinium which makes it possible to obtain laminated structures of organic conductors.