Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to customized thin-film composite membranes comprising: a porous support; a selective barrier; and one or more polymeric additives dispersed in the porous support in an amount from at least about 1% and about 50% by weight of the porous support. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fabricating a porous support comprising the steps of: preparing a polymer solution comprising a polymer, a polymeric additive, and a first liquid; contacting a surface with the polymer solution; and evaporating the liquid. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the thin-film composite membranes disclosed herein in osmotically driven membrane processes.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method for producing an air-permeable composite sheet which has excellent mechanical strength and compression resistance as well as PTFE's innate property such as air-permeability, water repellency, heat resistance and chemical resistance; and a filter and a fabrics material containing the air-permeable composite sheet produced by the method as a constituent material. The method for producing an air-permeable composite sheet according to the present invention is characterized in comprising steps of filling pores of a porous PTFE sheet with a hardenable material solution; hardening or semi-hardening the porous PTFE sheet filled with the hardenable material solution; and expanding the hardened or semi-hardened porous PTFE sheet.

Abstract: A separator includes a monolayer-type polyolefin-based micro-porous film having a porosity of 40 to 60%, an average pore diameter of 60 nm or less, and an air permeability of 350 s/100 mL or less; and a porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the micro-porous film and made of a mixture of a plurality of inorganic particles and a binder polymer. An electrochemical device having the above separator has excellent thermal stability and allows a high power while minimizing the occurrence of leak current.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymer composition suited to forming a dialysis membrane includes a matrix material and at least one xanthone. The composition may be formed into a membrane for inserting into a dialyzer filter whereby free radicals in the fluid are removed by the membrane.

Abstract: A method of thermally insulating a transport means or an industrial or plant construction comprises obtaining a nanoporous foam (NP1) by reacting epoxy resin(s) (E) with amphiphilic epoxy resin hardener(s) (H) in water by a phase inversion polymerization wherein the binder content during polymerization is from 15% to 39.9% by weight, and installing the nanoporous polymer foam as a thermal insulation material in transport means or in an industrial or plant construction.

Abstract: A kneadable and moldable bone-replacement material includes a mixture of calcium-containing ceramic particles and a hydrogel or a substance which can be swelled into a hydrogel. The ceramic particles are of fully synthetic origin and the individual ceramic particles have a structure which is at least partially cohesive and porous. In addition, the majority of the ceramic particles have a non-spheric shape.

Abstract: The method relates to the fabrication of a polymer microspheres comprised of an asymmetric layer surrounding a hollow interior. The fabricated hollow microsphere is generated from a nascent hollow microsphere comprised of an inner core of core fluid surrounded by a dope layer of polymer dope, where the thickness of the dope layer is at least 10% and less than 50% of the diameter of the inner core. The nascent hollow microsphere is exposed to a gaseous environment, generating a vitrified hollow microsphere, which is subsequently immersed in a coagulation bath. Solvent exchange produces a fabricated hollow microsphere comprised of a densified outer skin surrounding a macroporous inner layer, which surrounds a hollow interior. In an embodiment, the polymer is a polyimide or a polyamide-imide, and the non-solvent in the core fluid and the coagulation bath is water. The fabricated hollow microspheres are particularly suited as solvent supports for gas separation processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charge-transporting material comprising a heteropoly acid compound such as phosphomolybdic acid as a charge-transporting substance. Also disclosed is a charge-transporting varnish comprising the charge-transporting material and an organic solvent, wherein the charge-transporting substance is dissolved in the organic solvent. It becomes possible to provide a charge-transporting material which comprises a substance having high solubility in an organic solvent, charge-transporting properties, and an ability to oxidize hole transport materials, and a charge-transporting varnish comprising the charge-transporting material.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-stage printing teaches a 3D printer in combination with one or more additional dispensing nozzles. One or more additional dispensing nozzles are combined with the 3D for filling cavities with other compounds such as foam, sterilizing parts by spraying printed mold with disinfectant or antibacterial treatments, and embedding parts or other materials such as paper, fiberglass, or carbon fiber within the printing layers for additional strength and changing mold properties of a final product. In other embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention can be used in combination with a robotic packaging mechanism for bagging sterilized parts for shipment.

Abstract: A resin composition [composition (C)] comprising: from 40 to 95% by volume (% v) of at least one aromatic polyimide [polymer (PI)], from 0.1 to 15% by volume (% v) of at least one compound having the general formula AnXm [compound (AnXm)], wherein each A is independently selected from a group consisting of a metal atom (M) which is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Pt, Au, Hg, Pb and Tl and a semimetal atom (SM) which is selected from the group consisting of As, Sb and Bi; wherein each X is independently selected from a group consisting of As, Sb, S, Se and Te; with the proviso that when A is As or Sb then X is different from A; and wherein n and m equal or different from each other, are independently 1, 2, 3 and 4, from 0.

Abstract: Monomer beads which can be obtained according to a process in which i. one or more aromatic tetraamino compounds are mixed with one or more aromatic carboxylic acids comprising at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer in an extruder and melted at 190° C.-270° C.; ii. the melt is dropletized at 190° C.-270° C. by means of a die located at the extruder outlet; iii. the liquid droplets are collected, cooled and allowed to solidify. The monomer beads are particularly suited to the production of a proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles.

Abstract: Asymmetric membranes comprising a first asymmetric porous zone including a first porous asymmetry that increases from the first exterior surface through the first porous zone of the bulk, and a second asymmetric porous zone including a second porous asymmetry that increases from the second exterior surface through the second porous zone of the bulk, wherein the first average pore size is larger than the second average pore size, as well as methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing porous structures from polyamide by dissolving the polyamide in an ionic liquid and precipitating or coagulating the dissolved polyamide by contacting the solution with a liquid precipitant medium. Fibers are produced from the dissolved polyamide in a wet-spinning process by precipitation in protic solvents, in particular water, a C1-4-alkanol or mixtures thereof, and subsequent freeze-drying. Foils, films or coatings are produced by blade coating the dissolved polyamide onto a substrate surface, optionally spraying with protic solvent, in particular water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, dipping into a precipitation or coagulation bath, freeze-drying of the resulting foil, of the film or of the coated substrate. Molded parts are prepared by extracting the dissolved polyamide with protic solvents, preferably water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, wherein the dissolved polymer is transformed to a solid or wax-like state by cooling and extracted after subsequent molding.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a reverse osmosis membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane manufactured thereby. The method includes forming a polysulfone layer by applying a solution including a mixed solvent containing two or more solvents having different solubility parameter values to a surface of a porous support; and forming an active layer on the polysulfone layer.

Abstract: A polymer sheet includes a polyurethane core. The polyurethane core has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The polymer sheet can have at least one functional layer overlying a major surface. The polymer sheet has a thickness tPS. The polyurethane core has a thickness tPC. In embodiments tPC can at least 0.3 of tPS. The polyurethane core can have at least one feature selected from the group: (i) an elasticity as measured according to the Thin Gauge Elasticity Test of not more than 30%, (ii) a loss of tensile strength of not greater than 30% when exposed to UV light according to standard SAE J1960 (Rev. August 2003), (iii) a thickness of polyurethane core tPC of not greater than 0.2 mm, (iv) an elongation at break of at least 200%, and (v) a tensile strength at break of at least 0.3 MPa.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions are described that exhibit resistance to hydrocarbon absorption. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include combining a polyarylene sulfide with a first impact modifier and a second impact modifier such that the impact modifiers are dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent can be combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the additives throughout the composition to dynamically crosslink at least one of the first and second impact modifiers.

Abstract: A two-layered osmosis membrane contains a support layer and a rejection layer. The support layer, in which a mesh is embedded, is made of a phase separation polymer and has a thickness of 50 to 200 ?m. The rejection layer, which adheres to the support layer, is made of a thin film composite polymer and has a thickness of 0.05 to 3 ?m. The mesh, which is embedded in the support layer, has an open area of 30 to 70%, a mesh size of 60-300 mesh, and a thickness of 45-150 ?m. Also disclosed is a method of making the above described membrane.

Abstract: A method of making a creep resistant, highly lubricious, tough hydrogel includes the steps of preparing a first solution including polyacrylamide-co-acrylic acid and another polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol), and introducing a second solution a gellant into the first solution to form the hydrogel. The first solution can be heated to a first temperature above room temperature, and the combination of the first solution and the second solution can be cooled to a second temperature at or below room temperature. The hydrogel can be used for cartilage repair or in an interpositional device that requires mechanical integrity, high water content, and excellent lubricity in order to fully function under the high stress environment in the joint space and withstand high loads of human joints.

Abstract: A foam-molded article has high weldability to a polypropylene-based resin molded article, a high expansion ratio, and a predetermined level of impact resistance despite using inexpensive polyethylene-based resin. The foam-molded article includes a foamed and molded base material resin in which a first polyethylene-based resin, a second polyethylene-based resin, and a polypropylene-based resin are mixed. The first polyethylene-based resin has a long-chain branched structure and a density of 0.920 g/cm3 or more. The second polyethylene-based resin is manufactured by a low pressure slurry method, and has a long-chain branched structure and a density of 0.920 g/cm3 or less. The second polyethylene-based resin has a melt tensile force of 70 mN or more at 160° C. The polypropylene-based resin has a compounding ratio of 20% or more by weight of the base material resin.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to cast metal molds that are used in the manufacture of polymer parts, and more specifically, to methods tier sealing cast metal molds used in the manufacture of polymer parts. One embodiment of the present technique relates to a cast metal mold having a sealant disposed within the pores on the surface of a mold cavity such that the sealant is configured to seal the surface of the mold cavity to produce a sealed surface. The sealed surface is blocked from absorbing or releasing gases during the production of a polymer part. The mold further includes a surface coating to facilitate the release of a product from the mold cavity. The surface coating includes a fluoropolymer base layer, which configured to adhere to the sealed surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to improve the properties of a porous structure formed by a rapid manufacturing technique. Embodiments of the present disclosure increase the bonding between the micro-particles 5 on the surface of the porous structure and the porous structure itself without substantially reduce the surface area of the micro-particles. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure improves the bonding while preserving or increasing the friction of the structure against adjacent materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for fabricating various regenerated silk geometries using temperature control. In addition to temperature control, mechanical processing can be used to enhance properties of the fabricated article. The present disclosure also provides silk foam and paper-like materials molded using freezer processing.

Abstract: A porous polymer battery separator is provided that includes variable porosity along its length. Such battery separators can increase the uniformity of the current density within electrochemical battery cells that may normally experience higher current density and higher temperatures near their terminal ends than they do near their opposite ends. By disposing a variable porosity separator between the electrodes of an electrochemical cell such that its terminal end has a lower porosity than its opposite end, the transport of ions, such as lithium ions, through the separator can be more restricted in normally high current regions and less restricted in normally low current regions, thereby increasing the overall uniformity of current density within the battery cell. Variable porosity battery separators may be produced by a dry-stretching process or by a wet process.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented laminate film including a core layer including a blend of crystalline polylactic acid polymer and an inorganic antiblock particle which is biaxially oriented at low transverse direction orientation temperatures to impart a degree of cavitation around the particles such that a matte or opaque appearance is obtained. The laminate film may further have additional layers such as a heat sealable layer disposed on one side of the core layer including an amorphous polylactic acid resin and/or a polylactic acid resin-containing layer disposed on the side of the core layer opposite the heat sealable layer, a metal layer, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates mold, particularly a mold for producing foam articles. In a preferred embodiment, the mold comprises a lid and a bowl releasingly engageable to define a mold cavity, the lid comprising: (i) a vent having a passageway for gas to escape from the mold cavity, and (ii) a plurality of grooves connected to the vent. The use of a plurality of grooves/slots in the mold cavity surface effectively acts as a siphon to draw gas away from the composition to be molded. The plurality of grooves/slots is connected to one or more vents which then allows for escape of the gas from the mold cavity to the exterior of the mold.

Abstract: A reactive polymer-supported porous film for separator, that has sufficient adhesiveness between electrodes and separator and can suitably be used to produce a battery having low internal resistance and high rate performance, a method for producing the porous film, a method for producing a battery using the porous film, and an electrode/porous film assembly are disclosed. The reactive polymer-supported porous film for battery separator includes a porous film substrate having supported thereon a reactive polymer obtained by reacting a crosslinkable polymer having at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of 3-oxetanyl group and epoxy group in the molecule, with an acid anhydride, thereby partially crosslinking the polymer.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a friction disk including preparing a mixture including a carbide-forming element having an average particle size ?2,000 ?m, a resin, optionally a binder, and optionally fine carbon, and/or short carbon fibers; forming the mixture at ? to 280° C. to produce a molded body; heating the molded body to approximately 750° C. to approximately 1300° C. to form a porous carbon body including a carbon residue; heating the porous carbon body to a temperature above the melting point of the carbide-forming element thereby reacting the carbide-forming element with at least a portion of the carbon residue to yield an alveolar structure; infiltrating the alveolar structure with silicon at a temperature above the melting point of silicon thereby filling at least one pore of the alveolar structure with silicon and reacting the silicon with an amount of unreacted carbon residue to form silicon carbide; and obtaining a friction disk.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method for making a polymer article comprises: orienting polymer chains in one direction more than any other direction to form an oriented article, contacting the oriented article with a foaming agent, and foaming the material to form the reflective polymer article comprising planar cell structures having a length “l” and a thickness “t”.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal accumulation inhibiting and performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement for use in or in association with rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cells, and a system for delivering the supplement including articles of plastic, articles containing plastic, articles similar to plastic, plastic containers, apparatus, porous electrodes, liquids and electrolytes, in particular, articles, apparatus, electrodes, insolating sheets, liquids and electrolytes associated with rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cells incorporating one or more supplements. An effective amount of the supplement typically exhibits foaming of an electrolyte, providing a visual indicator of activity in attenuating metal deposition on, and thereby reducing metal accumulation on, various surfaces in the rechargeable electrochemical storage cell.

Abstract: A method for the production of a hydrophilic polymer membrane (1), in particular for the production of a porous membrane for filtration or for use in functional textiles, whereby at least one hydrophilization additive (3) is used as a starting material for the membrane production, optionally, at least one additional aggregate, is/are admixed into an in particular hydrophobic polymer membrane material (2), whereby the membrane material (4) that has the hydrophilization additive (3) and optionally the additional aggregate is extruded to form a polymer film (5) that is charged with the hydrophilization additive (3) and optionally the additional aggregate, and whereby the polymer film (5) is stretched, in particular in a monoaxial and/or biaxial manner for pore formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to polysaccharide materials and more particularly to microbial-derived cellulose having the porosity and containing pores of the desired size making it suitable for cellular infiltration during implantation and other desirable properties for medical and surgical applications. The invention also relates to the use of porous microbial-derived cellulose as tissue engineering matrices, human tissue substitutes, and reinforcing scaffolds for regenerating injured tissues and augmenting surgical procedures. The invention outlines various methods during and after fermentation to create porous microbial cellulose capable of allowing cell infiltration while preserving the physical properties of the microbial-cellulose.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film useable as a battery separator, which is easy to control strength, permeability and shrinking properties of the microporous film and embodies excellent quality uniformity and production stability in fabricating the microporous film.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device and method for treating tissues of the central nervous system and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device and method for treating the brain tissue.

Abstract: Improved integrally skinned asymmetric membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration, and their methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Membranes are formed from polyimides by phase inversion and are then crosslinked by addition of amine crosslinking agents that react with the imide groups of the polyimide, creating amide bonds. These stabilize the membranes and allow solvent nanofiltration to be maintained even in the solvents from which the membranes were formed by phase inversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for secondary battery including cellulose nanofibers, and to a method for fabricating the same. The separator has a porous structure of micropores formed between the cellulose nanofibers. The porous structure has a porosity of 10 to 80% (v/v) and a pore size of 0.01 to 10 ?m. The separator has a thickness of 5 to 30 ?m. The separator has good properties in regards to thermal stability, dimensional stability, wettability, and electrochemical stability, and the fabrication process can be simplified to reduce the production cost.

Abstract: The present invention describes a diaphragm comprising SPEEK for alkaline electrolysis with a first layer having micropores and a second layer of macroporous channels which start at the contact surface between the first and the second layer then extending and forming the outer surface of the second layer, where said macroporous channels increase in section and change direction as they approach said outer surface of the second layer, and where the walls of the macrochannels are in turn macroporous. The invention also describes a production method for producing the diaphragm comprising the use of the chemically induced phase separation (CIPS) technique, and its use in alkaline electrolysis and in electrolyzers.

Abstract: A problem is to provide a monolithic structure that is a porous body formed of a polysaccharide being a naturally-occurring polymer, and has continuous pores having an average pore diameter suitable for biomolecule separation to allow formation into an arbitrary shape, and a manufacturing method therefor. A solution is to manufacture the polysaccharide monolithic structure by a method including a first step for dissolving a polysaccharide into a mixed solvent including a solvent into which the polysaccharide is soluble and a solvent into which the polysaccharide is insoluble, at a temperature lower than a boiling point of the mixed solvent, to give a polysaccharide solution, and a second step for cooling the polysaccharide solution to give the polysaccharide monolithic structure. The polysaccharide monolithic structure obtained is a porous body having continuous pores having an average pore diameter of 0.01 to 20 micrometers and a thickness of 100 micrometers or more.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for producing a foam moulding from poly(meth)acrylimide, an adhesion promoter or an adhesion promoter mixture and optional auxiliaries, comprising the following steps: grinding a polymeric moulding made of poly(meth)acrylamide, coating the grindings obtained in the preceding step with an adhesion promoter, introducing the coated grindings into a mould, optionally adding the auxiliaries, heating the mould, cooling the mould below the foaming temperature, and demoulding the foam moulding. The resulting foam moulding has outstanding mechanical properties and is suitable for applications including as a component in the production of space, air, water and land vehicles.

Abstract: A frame of a lens device includes a frame portion and a plurality of bubble portions which are disposed in the frame portion. A temple of a lens device is also disclosed, including a temple portion and a plurality of bubble portions which are disposed in the temple portion. A lens device is also disclosed, including the said frame or temple. The manufacturing methods of the said frame and temple are also disclosed.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions that incorporate a polyarylene sulfide and exhibit reduced volatility are described. Methods for forming the thermoplastic composition are also described as are products that can incorporate the compositions. A formation method can include melt processing the composition and incorporating a molecular sieve in the composition downstream of the addition point for the polyarylene sulfide as well as downstream of additives that could interact with the molecular sieve such as coupling agents.

Abstract: A molding die for molding a foam molding in a cavity constituted in the interior by matching a stationary die and a movable die, the cavity being able to be filled with molten resin, and the foam molding being produced using counter-pressure. A seal material for sealing the pressurization area for the counter pressure technique between the stationary die and the movable die is provided to the molding die, and the seal material is constituted of an elastic foam that has open cells.

Abstract: Reinforced, laminated, impregnated, and materials with composite properties as cross linked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel structures in bulk or cellular matrix forms that can take essentially any physical shape, or can have essentially any size, degree of porosity and surface texture. They have a wide range of physical properties, unusual and unique combinations of physical properties and unique responses to stress fields, which allows for their use in many end use applications.

Abstract: A microfiltration membrane comprising (a) an asymmetric layer, (b) an isometric layer, and (c) an interface layer between the asymmetric layer and the isometric layer, the interface layer having a first portion contacting the asymmetric layer and a second portion contacting the isometric layer; wherein, (i) the asymmetric layer has a region contacting the first portion of the interface layer, the region including cells having a first porous structure; (ii) the isometric layer has a region contacting the second portion of the interface layer, the region including cells having a second porous structure; the first porous structure being larger than the second porous structure; and the first portion of the interface layer comprises cells having the first porous structure, and the second portion of the interface layer comprises cells having the second porous structure, and methods of making and using the membrane, are disclosed.

Abstract: A growth substrate for plants including polylactic acid, wherein the polylactic acid is particulate polylactic acid foam. A method for preparing a growth substrate for plants including polylactic acid foam, the method including providing particulate expandable polylactic acid and exposing the particulate expandable polylactic acid to predetermined temperature and pressure conditions to obtain particulate polylactic acid foam.

Abstract: A conductive mesoporous carbon composite comprising conductive carbon nanoparticles contained within a mesoporous carbon matrix, wherein the conductive mesoporous carbon composite possesses at least a portion of mesopores having a pore size of at least 10 nm and up to 50 nm, and wherein the mesopores are either within the mesoporous carbon matrix, or are spacings delineated by surfaces of said conductive carbon nanoparticles when said conductive carbon nanoparticles are fused with each other, or both. Methods for producing the above-described composite, devices incorporating them (e.g., lithium batteries), and methods of using them, are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous polymer structure involves (i) forming a polymer; (ii) subsequently contacting the polymer with a nonsolvent and inducing the formation of an emulsion in which the nonsolvent is present as the dispersed phase and the polymer as the continuous phase; and (iii) removing at least some of the nonsolvent so as to leave pores within the polymer, wherein the polymer is formed by exciting one or more molecules in an exciting medium, in particular by pulsed plasma deposition. Emulsion formation in step (ii) may be induced by or in the presence of an emulsion stabilising agent. Also provided is a porous polymer structure produced using the method, and a polymer which is impregnated with an emulsion stabilising agent, for use in the emulsion formation step of the method.

Abstract: A method of drawing a material into sheet form includes forming a preform comprising at least one material as a large aspect ratio block wherein a first transverse dimension of the preform is much greater than a second transverse dimension substantially perpendicular to the first transverse dimension. A furnace having substantially linearly opposed heating elements one spaced from the other is provided and the heating elements are energized to apply heat to the preform to create a negative thermal gradient from an exterior surface along the first transverse dimension of the preform inward toward a central plane of the preform. The preform is drawn in such a manner that the material substantially maintains its first transverse dimension and deforms across its second transverse dimension.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous cementitious product, which method comprises: forming a cementitious premix; casting the premix in a desired configuration; generating gas bubbles within the premix; and curing the premix, wherein gas bubbles are generated and/or collapsed at specific locations within the premix in order to produce a porosity profile along a cross-section of the product such that the product comprises a relatively low density core region and higher density outer regions.

Abstract: The following disclosure provides compositions and methods for the repairing of a diseased or disordered retina, for example, in patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD).