Abstract: Foam for making pads and belts with controlled, reproducible microcellular structure and method of making such foam in a fast and efficient manner. Under constant pressure and temperature, a prepolymer is mixed with the nucleation surfactant in a tank in the presence of a frothing agent metered into the tank by way of a dip tube or sparge. The nitrogen gas is sheared into small bubbles and is drawn off from the headspace of the tank creating a continuous flow of nitrogen. The pressure of the tank may vary from any absolute pressure down to near complete vacuum, thereby all but eliminating the pressure requirement. The froth of the present invention has a more consistent cell structure and increased cell count.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-reflecting member including a polyolefin resin foam as a light-reflecting layer, the polyolefin resin foam being obtained by foam molding a resin composition containing a polyolefin resin. According to the light-reflecting member of the invention, since it has the above-mentioned constitution, the light-reflecting member is excellent in light reflection, impact-absorbing property, and lightness in weight. Moreover, the process for producing a light-reflecting member of the invention can provide a light-reflecting member excellent in light reflection, impact-absorbing property, and lightness in weight by using a polyolefin resin foam.

Abstract: A method of a seamless model free of bond lines. The method includes the sequential steps of providing a substructure having an exposed outer surface, applying a modelling paste to a structure support in the form of a continuous layer, curing the applied modelling paste, and machining the cured layer of modelling paste to the desired contour. The modelling paste a low density curable composition prepared from thixotropic epoxy or polyurethane containing microballoons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a void-containing resin molded product having high heat insulation properties and a method for producing such a molded product. The present invention also provides an image-receiving film or sheet that includes the void-containing resin molded product to provide favorable printing characteristics and is intended for use in a sublimation transfer recording material or a thermal transfer recording material. The void-containing resin molded product consists of a crystalline polymer and has voids therein, wherein the resin molded product has a ratio X/Y of 0.27 or less, where X denotes a thermal conductivity (in W/mK) of the void-containing resin molded product, and Y denotes a thermal conductivity (in W/mK) of a void-free polymer molded product having the same thickness as the void-containing resin molded product and formed of the same crystalline polymer that forms the void-containing resin molded product.

Abstract: A microporous polyolefin film which comprises 5 to 95 wt. % polyethylene (A) having a viscosity-average molecular weight (Mv) of 2,000,000 or higher, a first-melting-peak signal height as determined by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) of 3.0 mW/mg or higher, a specific surface area of 0.7 m2/g or larger, and an average particle diameter of 1 to 150 ?m and 95 to 5 wt. % polyethylene (B) having an Mw of 10,000 to 200,000, excluding 10,000 and 200,000, wherein the ratio of the Mv of the compound (A) to that of the compound (B), (A)/(B), is 10 or higher, the film as a whole has a molecular weight of 300,000 to 1,500,000, and the film has a fuse temperature of 120 to 140° C., a breaking temperature of 150° C. or higher, and a ratio of the piercing strength at 25° C. to the piercing strength at 140° C. of from 0.01 to 0.25.

Abstract: A method for forming microspheres on a microscopic level comprises the steps of defining holes through a substrate, disposing a sheet of thermally formable material onto the substrate covering the holes, heating the sheet of thermally formable material until a predetermined degree of plasticity is achieved, applying fluidic pressure through the holes to the sheet of thermally formable material, while the sheet of glass is still plastic, and forming microspheres on the substrate in the sheet of thermally formable material by means of continued application of pressure for a predetermined time. The invention also includes a substrate having a plurality of holes defined therethrough, a layer of thermally formable material disposed onto the substrate covering the plurality of holes, and a plurality of microspheres thermally formed in the layer by means of applied pressure through the holes when it has been heated to a predetermined degree of plasticity.

Abstract: Injection molding and blow molding systems that include screws having low L:D ratios are provided. The systems are capable of producing microcellular polymeric materials. In some cases, the systems may be formed by retrofitting conventional polymer processing systems. Retrofitting may involve changing (e.g., machining or replacing) existing components of the conventional system, as well as, adding new components to the system. For example, retrofitting generally involves replacing the conventional polymer processing screw with a new screw designed to satisfy conditions needed for processing microcellular materials. In other cases, the systems may be newly manufactured. The retrofitted or newly manufactured systems of the invention are considerably less expensive than newly manufactured microcellular processing systems having higher L:D ratios.

Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene porous body which is produced by molding a polytetrafluoroethylene mixture, including a polytetrafluoroethylene powder and a pore-forming agent, into a predetermined shape, and subsequently removing the pore-forming agent. The pore-forming agent includes (a) one or more powders selected from a group consisting of dicarboxylic acid powders and benzoic acid powders, and (b) an organic solvent.

Abstract: A plurality of substantially conical or pyramidal elements are formed inside a sheet-like binder. The binder has smooth surfaces. The elements and the binder cooperate to refract light incident on a brightness enhancement sheet from a surface on a diffusion sheet side to the other surface in a direction normal to the brightness enhancement sheet. Thus, the front brightness is enhanced. The elements are distributed along one of the surfaces of the brightness enhancement sheet with vertices pointing in one direction toward one of the surfaces. The elements are formed by trapping gas bubbles in the binder and differ in refractive index from the binder.

Abstract: A method of preparing nanothin polymer films having uniform and selectively sized pores utilizing pore forming templates. Lipids and pore forming templates are dissolved into a first solution. The solvent is removed thereby creating a lipid bilayer with pore forming templates dispersed throughout. The bilayer is hydrated and monomers and crosslinkers are added to create a second solution. A nanothin film with pore forming templates is created through polymerization of said second solution. The pore forming templates are dissolved into a third solution by addition of a chemical in which the pore forming template is soluble, but the lipid bilayer is insoluble. This third solution is separated from the mixture leaving a nanothin polymer film with pores of a uniform thickness and surface area.

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: A film which comprises a layer composed of a moulding composition composed of a semicrystalline polyamide whose enthalpy of fusion is at least 8 J/g is used for production of a composite part with a substrate composed of a moulding composition composed of a substantially amorphous polyamide whose enthalpy of fusion is less than 8 J/g.

Abstract: A water treatment membrane comprising a porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin, wherein 0.01-5 wt. parts of photocatalytic titanium oxide is uniformly dispersed in 100 wt. parts of the vinylidene fluoride resin. The water treatment membrane can solve problems accompanying the hydrophobicity of a porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin while taking advantage of excellent mechanical properties, weatherablility, chemical resistance, etc., thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing coated foam particles, in which an aqueous polymer dispersion is applied to the foam particles and is subsequently dried to form a water-insoluble polymer film, and also foam moldings produced therefrom and their use.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing reverse osmosis membranes having improved permeability as well as membranes prepared by such methods.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricating system that improves the force of retaining a lubricating component of a foam lubricant, minimizes an exudation amount of the lubricating component caused by deformation of the foam lubricant, is excellent in initial lubrication, has a long life, has a low cost, and is excellent in the productivity thereof; a bearing utilizing the lubricating system; a universal joint utilizing the lubricating system; and a process for the production thereof. A lubricating system includes a foam lubricant (9) containing a lubricating component in a resin thereof which foams, hardens, and becomes porous and a lubricant (10) for initial lubrication which is present together with the foam lubricant (9) in a portion to be lubricated. The lubricant (10) for initial lubrication consists of grease having a worked penetration not less than 300 or having a degree of oil separation not less than 0.7 wt % when the grease is left 24 hours at 70° C.

Abstract: An improved, impact energy dissipating foam pad and method for creating a foam pad that includes plurality of uniform pegs and holes in a closed cell foam substrate. A foam substrate plank is placed between two compression molds that includes a plurality of perpendicularly aligned pegs formed thereon. The compression mold's pins have sufficient length and are offset so that when the two compression molds are pressed together, the tips of the pegs on one compression mold penetrate the area located between two pins on the opposite compression mold. The compression molds are then pressed into the heated substrate plank. The two compression molds are then removed and the compressed substrate plank is allowed to cool causing the closed voids to be ‘set’. After cooling, the compressed substrate plank is then cut transversely along a line parallel to the plank's top and bottom surfaces and perpendicular to the closed voids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collagen-related polypeptide (CRP) having hydrophobic amino acid groups at the N- and C-termini capable of non-covalent self-assembly into collagen mimetic triple helices and fibrils thereof and the synthesis, methods of use and compositions thereof. The present invention also relates to novel hemostatic foam substrates, a method of manufacturing the foam substrates, and a method of stimulating hemostasis in a mammal using such foam substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic articles, which in one aspect are composed predominately of a cordierite having a composition close to that of Mg2Al4Si5O18. The ceramic articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high porosity and relatively narrow pore size distribution, both as measured by mercury porosimetry, that render the ceramic structure useful for ceramic filter applications requiring high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop along the length of the filter. Such ceramic bodies are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed are methods for the manufacture of the ceramic articles described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyolefin microporous membrane made of a polyolefin resin and an inorganic particle, and the puncture strength of the microporous membrane is 3 N/20 ?m or more and the membrane thickness retention ratio in penetration creep is 16% or more, thereby being excellent in safety and long-term reliability, and a separator for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery, and the like can be provided.

Abstract: The membrane producible by shaping a polymer blend or a block copolymer comprising blocks of monomer units, loading the polymer blend or block copolymer with a blowing gas concentration within the polymer blend or block polymer above a critical concentration at a temperature below a critical temperature, but above the glass transition temperature of the polymer blend/gas or block copolymer/gas mixture and finally stabilizing the foam structure is characterized in that as polymer blend a homogeneous polymer blend comprising at least one hydrophilic and at least one hydrophobic polymer and/or a block copolymer of alternating blocks of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomer units is used, both the polymer blend and the block copolymer having a solubility relating to the used foaming gas above the critical concentration. The said membrane is used for medical purposes, especially for the haemodialysis, haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration, plasmapherese, immunotherapy, micro- or ultrafiltration or gas separation.

Abstract: This invention intends to provide a method for filling a foam mixture in a cavity of a metal mold, which method can produce a mold without defects.

Abstract: The separation of hydrocarbon mixtures comprising a polymerizable vinyl containing polyester of the formula I: Each R and R2 is independently a C6-C20 aromatic residue or a C1-C20 aliphatic residue. Each R1 is independently hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl; “j” is an integer in the range of 1-1000. Z is a heteroatom or two hydrogen atoms. The invention is also directed to the method of preparing the separation membrane.

Abstract: A method for producing a layer on a molded article. The method includes providing a formable film. Galvanically catalytically active nuclei are anchored to at least one region of the formable film provided for the layer. The formable film is shaped so as to form the molded article. A galvanic deposition is performed on a surface of the molded article so as to bond the nuclei to form the layer.

Abstract: A heat resistant microporous membrane containing a thermoplastic resin having a crystalline melting point of 140-300° C. and having a layer structure formed in the direction of membrane thickness, said layer structure containing 5-100% of a layer defined by the following (A) and 95-0% of a layer defined by the following (B): (A) a layer in which the micropores are intra-spherulitic voids, and (B) a layer in which the micropores are intra-spherulitic voids and inter-spherulitic voids.

Abstract: Porous polymeric membranes including HALAR® (poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene)) and related compounds and the methods of production thereof which avoid the use of toxic solvents. Preferred solvents, coating agents and pore forming agents are citric acid ethyl ester or glycerol triacetate. The membranes may be in the form of a hollow fiber or flat sheet, and may include other agents to modify the properties of the membranes, such as the hydrophilic/hydrophilic balance. Leachable agents may also be incorporated into the membranes.

Abstract: A process for producing porous films (2), with the film (2) having a polymer matrix (M) and discrete domains (D) being provided in the matrix (M). According to the invention, it is proposed that the film (2) be subjected to a field for selective excitation of the domains (D), that the domains (D) be heated selectively relative to the remainer of the matrix by the excitation and that the pores (12) be produced in the domains (D) or in the region of the domains (D).

Abstract: An elastic membrane is provided for use in a flow-control device comprising a housing with a seat of a predetermined shape and dimensions for the membrane such that when the membrane is mounted in the seat, the membrane is deflected by a pressure differential between its two opposite sides. The elastic membrane has a predetermined shape and dimensions matching the seat and is made of foamed elastomer with closed cells of predetermined cell density and morphology.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a porous membrane and a porous membrane manufactured thereby. A polymer spinning dope in a spinning dope supply container (I) is electrically spun onto a solution (B), which is contained in a collector container (6) with a high voltage applied thereto, and whose surface is disposed within a jet stream (4) of an electrospun polymer spinning dope, through spinning nozzles (2) with a high voltage applied thereto, thereby forming a porous membrane on the surface of the solution (B). The prepared porous membrane has pores having an average diameter of 0.02 to 10 ?m uniformly formed thereon. It is possible to prepare a porous membrane with pores of a given size uniformly formed thereon by a more simple procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing transport pallets from a mixture of recycled plastics with optional addition of fibrous material, wherein the mixture is portioned in an extruder (1), liquefied into a paste by heating and introduced via the conveying screw of the extruder into a closed mold (9) for hardening. The liquefied mixture from the extruder is intermediately stored in a storage device (4) having an adjustable volume, while the mold is changed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a composite membrane comprising (a) a support member that has a plurality of pores extending through the support member and (b) a cross-linked copolymer comprising (i) a cationic monomer and an anionic monomer and/or (ii) a zwitterionic monomer, which cross-linked copolymer fills the pores of the support member, the cross-linked copolymer having a permeability for a fluid that is dependent on the polarity of the fluid, wherein the permeability increases with increasing polarity. The present application also discloses a process for the preparation of the composite membrane, a pervaporation apparatus comprising the composite membrane, and methods for the use of the composite material in separation and dehydration processes.

Abstract: The invention provides composite nanofiltration membranes (FIG. 5) with lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) polymer porous membranes (30) attached to a porous support (20). The LLC membranes are prepared from LLC monomers which form the inverted hexagonal or bicontinuous cubic phase. The arrangement, size, and chemical properties of the pores can be tailored on the molecular level. The composite membrane of the invention is useful for separation processes involving aqueous and nonaqueous solutions as well as gases. Methods for making and using the composite nanofiltration membranes of the inventions are also provided.

Abstract: In a state that a fixed mold and a movable mold are matched with each other, a molten resin is filled into a cavity. In this state, a movable nest is set in a position retired from a mold matching surface of the movable mold by a predetermined distance, its surface in a fixed mold side functioning as a cavity surface, and the molten resin is filled as far as a nest fitting portion. Then, only the movable mold is made to move backward in a mold opening direction (in an arrow direction in the drawing) by the predetermined distance to release a pressure and foam the molten resin, whereby a foam molded product is molded in which a strength of part thereof is improved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure includes providing a raw material composition for producing silicon carbide including a silica powder and at least one of a carbon powder and a carbon source polymer. The raw material composition is molded to produce a honeycomb molded body having cell walls extending along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb molded body to define cells. The honeycomb molded body is degreased to obtain a honeycomb degreased body. The honeycomb degreased body is fired to manufacture a honeycomb structure including at least one porous silicon carbide sintered body.

Abstract: A foamed elastic body having low hardness and excellent flatness and smoothness on the outer circumference, and imparting low hardness to the surface of a conductive roll for an electrophotographic machine, in which coating layers having various functions are coated on the outer circumference. A tube-shaped foamed elastic body 10 has a skin layer 12 and open foamed cells 14a on outer and inner circumferences respectively. The body 10 is prepared by heating and cross-linking an outer circumference of a non-cross-linked and non-foamed tube body with a shaft core inserted therein, and removing the core and heating the tube body under normal pressure. The skin layer thickness is preferably in the range of 10 to 100 ?m. The body 10 defines a base layer 10 of a conductive roll 20, and an outermost layer 24 and an intermediate layer 26 are coated on the outer circumference of the layer 10.

Abstract: A process for combined ozone degradation and filtration using a multi-layered, nanocrystalline, sintered ceramic, metal oxide catalyst and ceramic membrane filter is described. The process reduces fouling of the membrane and degrades ozone remaining in the water from ozonation of water to kill microorganisms.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a thin film-shaped porous bioabsorbable material that is a dense structure in which the pore size average is small and the pore size is uniform and which further has a large maximum stress, in particular, a porous bioabsorbable material extremely useful as an adhesion preventing material.

Abstract: Porous ceramic articles such as ceramic filters are provided from ceramic extrusion batches comprising mixtures of oxides and oxide precursors with a reactive binder system, the binder system comprising a cellulosic temporary binder and two or more reactive binder components such as colloidal alumina, carbohydrate pore formers, reactive high charge density polymers, and chemical cross-linkers, the reactive binder system promoting cross-linking or networking reactions in the batch that enhance the fine pore structures of the porous ceramic products.

Abstract: A method of making a porous sintered body includes a formation step S102 where a sintering compound which contains a binder and a sinterable powder material is into a predetermined shape; a degreasing steps S103, S104 and S105 where the binder is removed from a formed body obtained in the formation step; and a sintering step S108 where a degreased body after the degreasing step is sintered into a sintered body. The binder contains a component which drains at a temperature higher than a draining temperature of the pore formation material drains. The pore formation material is drained in the degreasing step, with part of the binder remaining un-drained. The present invention enables to manufacture porous sintered bodies which are highly porous, and highly accurate in shape and dimensions. The present invention also enables to manufacture porous sintered bodies which offer functionalities not available before.

Abstract: There is provided a porous hollow fiber of vinylidene fluoride resin which has a water permeation rate that is large per fiber and little dependent on the length, has a large treatment capacity per volume of a filtering module, and is therefore suitable as a microfilter element. That is, a porous hollow fiber, comprising a vinylidene fluoride resin having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 3×105, having a water permeation rate F (m3/m2·day) measured at a pressure difference of 100 kPa and at a water temperature of 25° C. in a range of test length L=0.2-0.8 (m) and expressed in a linear relationship with the test length L of: F=C·L+F0 (formula 1) and satisfying requirements (a)-(d) shown below: (a) a average slope C (/day) of: ?20?C?0, (b) an intercept (basic permeability) F0 (m3/m2·day) of: F0?30, (c) a relation between F0 (m3/m2·day) and an average pore diameter P (?m) according to half-dry method of F0/P?300, and (d) an outer diameter of at most 3 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin film having a thickness of 1 ?m (inclusive) to 50 ?m (inclusive), a porosity of 30% (inclusive) to 70% (inclusive), a piercing strength of 0.15 N/?m or more in terms of a film thickness of 1 ?m, tensile strengths in the length direction (MD tensile strength) and the width direction (TD tensile strength) of 30 MPa or more each, a thermal shrinkage in the width direction (TD thermal shrinkage) of 1% or less at 65° C., and a thermal shrinkage ratio in the length to width direction (MD/TD thermal shrinkage ratio) of more than 2 at 65° C. A process for producing the microporous film and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the film are also provided.

Abstract: A plasma purification membrane and a plasma purification system for treating diseases. The above plasma purification membrane is a hollow fiber plasma purification membrane being made of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer and having a sponge-like structure wherein the pore size is continuously decreased from the outer surface of the membrane toward the inner surface thereof, characterized in that the break strength of the membrane is 50 kgf/cm2 or more and, in the case of the inner pressure filtration of bovine plasma, the total protein permeability is 50% or more while the immunoglobulin (IgM) permeability is 90% or less.

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: The present invention relates to ethylene vinyl acetate based polymer foams with low density and superior injection molding characteristics, a preparation method thereof and a material for medical and health-care use using the same, more particularly to ethylene vinyl acetate based polymer foams with low density prepared by blending, masticating, pelletizing and foaming a matrix resin comprising ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin and ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) resin under specific condition, which has low density and superior injection molding characteristics and improved biocompatibility to human body, making them a useful environment-friendly material and particularly applicable to medical or health-care use, a preparation method thereof and a material for medical and health-care use using the same.

Abstract: To provide a membrane capable of efficiently collecting fine particles for a long period of time, disclosed is a polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane wherein the mean pore size in the surface of the membrane is larger than the mean pore size in the back thereof and the mean pore size continuously changes from the surface toward the back.

Abstract: The extruded propylene-based resin foam according to the present invention is extruded propylene-based resin foam that is formed by extrusion-foaming a propylene-based resin, and the extruded propylene-based resin foam has the expansion ratio of 10 or more and the average cell diameter of less than 400 ?m. In addition, the extruded foam contains a 60 or less wt % fibrous filler in relation to the whole molding material. With this configuration, the extruded foam can have a plurality of foam cell walls therein. Thus, the extruded foam can efficiently block external radiant heat, thereby realizing excellent insulation efficiency. Furthermore, because the fibrous filler is oriented along the thickness direction, even when the extruded foam is slightly strained in the thickness direction, a high stress arises, thereby improving energy-absorbing capability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to encapsulated activated carbon and a method of preparing the same to protect the structure of the activated carbon and preserve the odor absorbing capability of the activated carbon particles. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a polymer substrate upon melt processing comprising providing a first master batch of activated carbon particles that are at least partially encapsulated with a non-water soluble amorphous polymer, providing a matrix polymer, mixing the first master batch with the matrix polymer to form a mixture, and extruding the mixture to form a polymer substrate.

Abstract: A microporous polyolefin membrane having large pore diameters and excellent air permeability, mechanical strength and compression resistance can be obtained by (a) stretching a gel molding comprising a polyolefin and a membrane-forming solvent at least uniaxially at a temperature from the crystal dispersion temperature of the polyolefin +15° C. to the crystal dispersion temperature of the polyolefin +40° C., removing the membrane-forming solvent, and then stretching again the resultant membrane to 1.1 to 2.5 fold at least uniaxially, or by (b) stretching the gel molding at least uniaxially, bringing the stretched film into contact with a hot solvent before and/or after removing the membrane-forming solvent, and then stretching again the resultant membrane to 1.1 to 2.5 fold at least uniaxially.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, because of its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used in a variety of ways and is particularly useful as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) to produce membrane electrode units for PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for injection foaming molding of a thermoplastic resin includes the steps of (1) injecting the foaming-agent-containing plasticized resin from an injection apparatus 30 to fill a mold cavity 10a, (2) releasing a clamping force of a mold 10 immediately after the foaming-agent-containing plasticized resin is injected and filled into the mold cavity 10a, so as to release the pressure of the foaming-agent-containing plasticized resin in the mold cavity 10a, (3) maintaining the pressure-released state of the foaming-agent-containing plasticized resin in the mold cavity 10a for a predetermined period of time, (4) expanding the mold cavity 10a to foam the foaming-agent-containing plasticized resin, and (5) cooling and maintaining the foaming-agent-containing plasticized resin while the mold cavity 10a is in the expanded state