Abstract: A polishing pad is provided. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer composed of a polymeric matrix and liquid microelements embedded in the polymeric matrix. Open pores defined by the embedded liquid microelements are distributed across a surface of the polishing layer. Due to the microstructural open pores uniformly distributed across a surface of the polishing pad, a polishing operation can be performed at high precision. The polishing pad shows constant polishing performance during the polishing operation, can be stably used, and does not cause a wafer to be scratched. In addition, a method of manufacturing the polishing pad is provided. Since all components used to manufacture the polishing pad are in a liquid phase, manufacturing can be easily performed.

Abstract: An at least two zone, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane is disclosed. The at least two zone, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane may include at least two different membrane pore size zones or the pore sizes may have about the same pore size. Apparatus and processes for fabricating at least a two zone unsupported, continuous, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention aims at preventing a peeling phenomenon occurring on the surface of a foamed product. In order to achieve this object, an injection-molded product formed in accordance with injection molding by mixing a foaming agent in a molding resin material, is formed by molding using a mold having a heat insulating material on a surface of its cavity forward in a moving direction of a portion where the molding resin material molten and injected for forming the molded product has an injection speed of at least 1.5 m/sec to 2,000 m/sec in the cavity of the mold.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator is manufactured by charging a powdered molding material into a mold and compression molding the powdered material at a pressure of 0.98 to 49 MPa. The powdered material is charged in varying amounts for respective predetermined regions of the fuel cell separator. This process enables the inexpensive mass production of even fuel cell separators having a complex channel geometry to a uniform density, uniform pore characteristics and a good precision.

Abstract: Mono- or biaxially-stretched polyester resin foamed sheets and films wherein the polyester resin has a melt strength of more than 1 centinewton at 280° C., a melt viscosity of at least 1500 Pa.s at 280° C. for a shear ratio which tends to zero and a crystallization rate such that for a 10-minute heating at 120° C. the crystallinity can reach values as high as 30-35%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of scaffolds, such scaffolds to be used for a variety of purposes, including tissue engineering. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of fused crystals, such as fused salt crystals to form a framework. The methods for producing the scaffolds of this invention improve the porosity, interconnectivity and ease of manufacture as compared to prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite membrane comprising a porous support layer and a selective layer comprising a vinylacetate polymer. The invention also provides a process for preparing a vinylacetate polymer selective layer on a porous support by depositing a colloidal dispersion having colloid particles of the vinylacetate polymer on the porous support followed by annealing the deposited colloids to form a selective layer. The membranes are useful for separation of gas or liquid or vapor mixtures.

Abstract: Sulfonamide polymer matrices and their various uses are disclosed. Among the uses is the configuration of the matrix with a porous support membrane to form a semipermeable membrane of the invention. The matrix of the invention is ultrathin, dense and substantially free of defects. The matrix configuration as the semipermeable membrane shows improved permeate flux and retention values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible graphite sheet having increased isotropic properties. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible graphite sheet formed from particles of expanded natural graphite formed from graphite flake sized no more than about 30% by weight +80 mesh prior to expansion. The resulting sheet of flexible graphite exhibits improved conductive and fluid sealing properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of polyurethane molded parts, blocks and cylinders from production residues and/or from so-called post-consumer parts based on polyurethane by the so-called flake composite technique, and to their use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.

Abstract: There is provided an improved ceramic foam filter for use in filtering molten metals, metal prepared from a ceramic slurry containing silicon carbide, a colloidal silica binder and at least 10 percent of fumed silica. The filter has enhanced strength properties.

Abstract: This invention concerns a composition useful for preparing latex loam. The composition includes a latex and a polynitrile oxide such as 2, 4, 6-triethylbenzene-1, 3-dintrile oxide, or a latex and an epoxy silane, or a latex and a mixture of the two crosslinkers. The composition may also contain additional components, including fillers, surfactants, cell detackifiers, froth stabilizers, froth boosters, viscosity reducers, compounds to improve resilience and antioxidants. The composition is particularly useful in the manufacture of flooring, wall covering, shoe lining and non-woven materials.

Abstract: Uniform cooling of complex surface shapes in injection mold tooling can be accomplished with cooling channels that conform to the shapes of the mold cavity or mold cone. By conventional methods this can be very difficult to accomplish. By applying methods of material deposition or material sintering, which include but are not limited to, laser metal deposition, where material is deposited on a layer by layer basis, certain cooling or heating passages could be integrated into the manufactured component that follow the contours and profiles of the mold's complex surfaces. These passages would act as internal heat sinks with a much higher surface area for heat transfer than traditional drilled and plugged straight passages. These geometries could also be incorporated into complex geometries such as, but not limited to, turbine blades where the cooling passages can follow the contour of the outer shape, provide a more uniform or controlled heat transfer from the component.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to intrinsically bacteriostatic synthetic polymer membranes, and to process for the manufacture thereof. In one embodiment, bacteriostatic metal ions are attached to a surface of a preformed synthetic polymer membrane by static adsorption/adsorption and reduced to the metal in situ. In another embodiment, the instrinsically bacteriostatic membranes are formed by providing a casting solution of a membrane forming synthetic polymer and bacteriostatic metal ions, and casting into a bath containing a reducing agent for the metal ions to form the membrane containing the metal ions incorporated therein.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method to control the pore size or bubble point of porous membranes made by phase inversion in a continuous manufacturing process by blending two or more solutions each capable of producing a porous membrane with different pore size or bubble point than the pore size or bubble point of the desired membrane, and blending these solutions by the method of this invention to produce the desired pore size or bubble point. This invention also provides for a method to monitor membrane pore size in a continuous process and adjust pore size during the continuous manufacturing process.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for making microporous membranes from a polymer solution and the membranes therefrom. A thermal assist, such as heating of the polymer solution can be effected subsequent to shaping the solution, such as by forming a film, tube or hollow fiber of the solution under conditions that do not cause phase separation.. In a preferred embodiment, the formed solution is briefly heated to generate a temperature gradient through the body of the formed solution. The polymer in solution then is precipitated to form a microporous structure. The formation of a wide variety of symmetric and asymmetric structures can be obtained using this process. Higher temperatures and/or longer heating times effected during the heating step result in larger pore sizes and different pore gradients in the final membrane product.

Abstract: A process for producing a molded article comprised of polyurethane is provided, comprising the steps of pouring or injecting a liquid molding material into a mold under the condition that the contact angle between the liquid molding material and the inner surface of the mold is adjusted to not more than 30° by applying the surface-treating agent to the inner surface of the mold, and curing the liquid molding material. A surface-treating agent is also provided which reduces the contact angle between the liquid molding material and a flat plate made of the same material as the mold to not more than 30°. when the surface-treating agent is applied to the flat plate and the liquid molding material is dropped thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming liquid spinning solution into a solid formed product. The liquid spinning solution is passed through a die assembly having a tubular passage having walls formed partly of semipermeable and/or porous material. In operation, draw down of the liquid spinning solution is performed partly within the die assembly. The semipermeable and/or porous material allows parameters, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions, water, salts and low molecular weight constituents, of the spinning solution to be altered as the spinning solution passes through the tubular passage.

Abstract: A breathable multilayer film having a breathable core layer and at least one skin layer is disclosed. The core layer prepared by from a mixture containing a thermoplastic polymer and a particulate filler and the skin layer or layers are prepared from a mixture of at least two incompatible polymers and a polymer which compatiblizes the incompatible polymers. The addition of the compatiblizer in the skin layer improves the film forming consistency. In addition, the core layer contains voids around the particulate filler and the skin layer or layer has cracks or voids, which provides breathability to the multilayer film. Stretching of the film after the layers are coextruded together forms the voids and/or cracks.

Abstract: A method for casting-in-place composite and/or non-filled structures which are useful as sorptive or reactive media or for size-based separations. Any particular housing size or configuration can be used, and the inclusion of a large amount of adsorptive particles in polymer is achieved while still maintaining the membrane three dimensional structure. In a first preferred embodiment, the composite structures comprise particles entrapped within a porous polymeric substrate, and are cast in-place into a housing such as a pipette tip, thereby providing an effective platform for micromass handling. With the appropriate selection of particle chemistry, virtually any separation or purification operation can be conducted, including selective bind/elute chromatography operations, on sample mass loads less than 1 microgram in volumes of a few microliters, as well as larger mass loads and volumes. The present invention also encompasses the composite structures as well as sample preparation devices containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulose compound hollow fiber membrane having high mechanical strength and is hardly degraded by microorganisms, wherein a cellulose compound is comprised as a membrane material, the thickness of the membrane is 50 to 500 &mgr;m, a dense membrane surface having an average pore diameter of 0.001 to 0.05 &mgr;m exists on the internal and/or external surface thereof, the inside of the membrane is composed of a three-dimensional network-like porous structure having voids with an average pore diameter of 0.05 to 2 &mgr;m, and 70% by weight or more of the membrane material is cellulose acetate propionate or cellulose acetate butyrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biomedical, biocompatible, polymeric foam scaffold suitable for use in the repair and regeneration of tissue and which contains located therein a network of, branched channels that are effective to encourage and facilitate vascularization and tissue growth within the scaffold and to methods for making such biomedical scaffolds.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing open-pore polymeric matrices prepared via gas induced phase inversion are provided. Matrices produced by these methods for various uses including medical implant devices, filtration/separation aids, and porous supports are also provided.

Abstract: A method of compacting aerogels into larger aerogel particles is disclosed. The method provides for molding small aerogel particles into larger aerogel particles and selecting a desired granular range of the molded aerogel particles. Additives, fillers, and binders may be added to the aerogel particles to achieve specific desired properties of the molded aerogel particles.

Abstract: A sheet-form structure of expandable thermoplastic resin is provided which is capable of undergoing a pseudo-one-dimensional expansion in its thickness direction and which enables manufacture of thermoplastic resin foams having reduced variations in thickness and weight precisions, increased compressive strength, and excellent properties such as surface smoothness. A method of manufacturing the sheet-form structure, as well as such thermoplastic resin foams, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic resin micro-porous film wherein a thermoplastic resin and a solvent (A) are melted and kneaded together to prepare a solution, the solution is extruded and cooled to prepare a formed product in a gel state, and the residual solvent (A) is removed from the formed product, characterized in that in the step of removing the solvent (A) use is made of a non-aqueous solvent (B) which is compatible with the solvent (A) and not compatible with the thermoplastic resin, and has a boiling point of 100° or higher and a flashing point of 0° or higher. The use of the non-aqueous solvent (B) provides a production method which allows the removal of a solvent with good efficiency and also with the reduction of a fear of environmental pollution and catching fire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of chromatography columns or capillaries containing sorbents of monolithic mouldings which can remain directly in their gelation mould after production. This is achieved by the process according to the invention, in which the gelation mould is repeatedly filled with the monomer sol.

Abstract: What is disclosed herein are physically cross-linked, cellular hydrogels and methods for their preparation. The cellular materials are highly resilient, hydrophilic materials having broad uses. The cellular materials are prepared by the physical crosslinking of frothed polymers and providing materials that have cellular pores provided by the use of removable materials during the formation of the cellular materials.

Abstract: A high durability composite textile material, like a synthetic suede, is prepared according to a procedure that comprises the impregnation of micro-fibers non-woven fabric substrate with a polyurethane-polyurea solution. This polymer solution, is made by a pre-polymerization phase between diisocyanate and polyols, a dilution phase of the pre-polymer thus obtained and an extension step of the pre-polymer, the extension of the pre-polymer free isocyanate groups is carried out by means water addition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a porous bioresorbable material having interconnected pores. A bioresorbable polymer and a low molecular weight oligomer are dissolved in an organic solvent to form a bioresorbable polymer solution. The bioresorbable polymer has a molecular weight greater than 20,000 and the oligomer has a molecular weight of 200 to 4000. The bioresorbable polymer solution is then contacted with a coagulant to form a porous bioresorbable material.

Abstract: The invention provides micro- and nano-porous materials made from crosslinked polymers crystallized from supercritical fluids. The resulting products show an open cell porous network, and can be used for a variety of applications in medical fields, textiles, separation science and others. The invention also provides methods for obtaining such products.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for producing foam moldings by sintering prefoamed polymer particles by means of superheated steam in a mold which has been arranged in a steam chamber into which the superheated steam is introduced and from there forces its way though nozzles into the mold. The inner walls of the steam chamber have been coated with a cured epoxy resin.

Abstract: A hydrophilic membrane that includes a hydrophobic polymer and a water-soluble polymer-metal complex is provided. This membrane is made by heating a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer, a metal compound, and a water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble polymer forms complexes with the metal compound and homogeneously entangles with the dissolved hydrophobic polymer to form a viscous dope. The dope is extruded through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber. The fiber is put in an environment having a controlled humidity so that it becomes partially solidified, and then, the fiber is put in a coagulation bath. The hollow fiber is formed by phase inversion in the coagulation bath and is collected using a take-up wheel that is partially immersed in a leaching bath.

Abstract: A porous food casing consisting essentially of a film of food grade thermoplastic having a plurality of interconnected interstices therein. The interstices are defined by a porosity modifier selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, peanut oil, corn oil, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, monolaurate, mineral oil, polyoxyethylene, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate and glycerol monooleate. The interstices are in a range of approximately 0.002 to 1 micron and the casing has a water vapor permeability in a range of about 1 to 1500 gms/m2/min.

Abstract: A continuous method for making foams having uniform and/or small cell sizes and articles made with these foams are described. The method allows for adjusting or controlling cell size and cell size distribution by controlling temperature and/or blowing agent concentration. The foams feature small and/or uniform cell sizes and may be comprised of amorphous thermoplastic polymers, pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, and immiscible thermoplastic polymer compositions. A method for coextruding the foams is also described.

Abstract: Fibers are produced from an acetone solution of cellulose acetate by pulling or extruding such material through a spinneret in a dry spinning process. A vacuum is applied to the thus formed fibers after a certain degree of drying. A dried outer skin is formed, and the vacuum causes the solvent inside the skin to explode or pop and exit the fiber along micro-porous paths thereby producing high surface area fibers with micro-porous cavities and internal void volume. Such micro-cavities are particularly useful for retaining solid and/or liquid reagents in a cigarette filter for selective filtration of various smoke components.

Abstract: This invention provides biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric films having uniform selected thicknesses between about 60 micrometers and about 5 mm useful in the manufacture of therapeutic implants for insertion into a patient's body and methods of making them. The films may be shaped to cover implants made of other materials to improve their biocompatibility. The films may be coated with or incorporate bioactive agents. They may have differing properties, e.g., porosity, thickness, and degradation rate, in different areas.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprises a thermosetting resin and a polyolefin resin that cures to a semi-interpenetrating polymer network and is useful for producing plastic shipping and storage containers. The containers exhibit one or more friction surfaces, and can include fire resistance and other properties derived from property enhancing agents.

Abstract: A process to make particles by anaerobic reaction of a water-insoluble solution of organic compounds comprising (a) a monomer selected from C2-4 alkylene glycol esters of a C3-6 acrylic acid and a divinyl benzene; (b) a polyfluorinated vinyl monomer; (c) a monomer selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and esters thereof; (d) a free radical initiator; and (e) a water-insoluble, organic solvent-soluble porogenic material, the weight ratio of comonomers (a) plus (b) plus (c) to the porogenic material being from 0.5:1 to 2:1. The adsorbent particles produced by the process are useful in carrying out chromatographic separations, or in the production of medical devices.

Abstract: A foamed polishing sheet for use in a free particle polishing method using abrading particles with average particle diameter less than 0.1 &mgr;m is produced by applying a foaming paint of a foaming resin on a surface of a form-providing film such as a plastic film, foaming the foaming paint by a wet foaming method to form a foamed sheet on the surface of the form-providing film, and peeling off the foamed sheet from the form-providing film so as to form a polishing surface on the foamed sheet having the same shape as the surface of the form-providing film.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a method for producing water-insoluble polysaccharides. A method for making the water-insoluble bio-compatible gel includes activating the hydroxyl-containing polysaccharides with the activating agent to form activated polysaccharides, and cross-linking the activated polysaccharides, under moderate conditions producing different shapes of the water-insoluble bio-compatible gel. The water-insoluble bio-compatible gels, films, porosities, powders, sheets, fibers and spheres of this invention may be applied to various medical and cosmetic uses.

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane includes discharging a polyvinylidene fluoride solution comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride resin and a poor solvent at a temperature above a phase separation temperature into a cooling bath at a temperature below the phase separation temperature to coagulate the polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber membrane comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride resin having spherical structures that have an average diameter in the range of 0.3 to 30 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition which can be foamed from pressurized containers. Said composition is based on an aqueous plastic dispersion containing an aqueous dispersion of at least one film-forming plastic material consisting of 30% to 80% by weight of a film-forming plastic material, a propellant gas amounting between 3% to 25% by weight in relation to the entire composition and one or more ionic foam stabilizers amounting between 0.3 and 6% by weight in relation to the entire composition. The foamed compositions can he used as scaling, damping and insulating materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationically charge-modified membranes and methods of preparing such membranes. In one major aspect of the invention, the membranes are hydrophobic membranes that are treated with one or more polymeric wetting agents to render the membranes substantially hydrophilic, followed by treatment with one or more charge-modifying agents, the agents causing the membranes to possess a fixed formal positive charge. In another major aspect of the invention, a cationic membrane is formed from casting in a film a mixed polymer solution comprising a sulfone polymer and a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and a cationic imidazolinium compound, and quenching the film in an aqueous bath to produce a coagulated membrane. The membrane can be further cationically charge-modified with one or more charge-modifying agents.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a microporous polyolefin membrane, high in pin puncture strength, adequate in pore diameter and high in porosity, comprising (A) an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more, or (B) a composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more, and having a porosity of 30 to 95%, bubble point exceeding 980 KPa and pin puncture strength of 4,900 mN/25 &mgr;m or more. The membrane can be used as a filter or as a separator for a battery.

Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.