Abstract: There is described a nonwoven material comprising a multilayered stack, the multilayered stack comprising discrete interconnected layers, each of the layers, which may be the same or different, comprising a composite fibre of from about 80 to 100% w/w leaf or stem fibre and from about 1 to 20% w/w of a polymer, wherein the polymer is fusible at a temperature of about 180° C. or less. There is also described a novel method of enzyme degumming leaf and/or stem fibres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an aerogel blanket exhibiting excellent hydrophobicity at high temperatures and an aerogel blanket produced thereby. The present invention uses a mixture of silica sol and a hydrophobic aerogel powder as an aerogel precursor and thus can achieve hydrophobicity in the internal structure as well as on the surface of the aerogel included in the aerogel blanket. Accordingly, the aerogel blanket can attain high hydrophobicity and thus can exhibit excellent hydrophobicity retention ability even in high-temperature applications.

Abstract: A thermal insulation sheet is used that includes a fiber, a silica aerogel contained in the fiber, and a fibrous cavity. A method for manufacturing a thermal insulation sheet is used that includes: an impregnation step of impregnating a silica aerosol in a nonwoven fabric substrate containing a fiber that is insoluble in an acidic solution, and a fiber that is soluble in the acidic solution; a gelling step of gelling the silica aerosol; a hydrophobizing step of hydrophobizing the gel; and a drying step of drying the gel. The fiber that is soluble in the acidic solution is dissolved in the hydrophobizing step.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel including a reinforcement sheet comprises the steps of: providing a first layer of thermoplastic material, providing a reinforcement sheet, laying the reinforcement sheet and the first layer onto each other, applying a second layer of thermoplastic material on top of the reinforcement sheet at a side facing away from the first layer, at least partially melting the thermoplastic materials of the first layer and the second layer, adhering the at least partially melted first layer, the at least partially melted second layer and the reinforcement sheet to each other so as to form the panel, wherein the reinforcement sheet and the first layer are adhered to each other by pressing them together after at least partially melting the thermoplastic material of the first layer, but before applying the second layer of thermoplastic material onto the reinforcement sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-dust, high insulation aerogel blanket and a method for producing the same. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing a low-dust, high insulation aerogel blanket, wherein a plate type Mg(OH)2.MgO.SiO2 powder is added to a silica sol, thereby being capable of reducing the generation of dust with excellent flame retardancy and thermal conductivity, and an aerogel blanket produced thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulated building wall comprising a composite thermal insulation system and an external building wall, where the composite thermal insulation system is affixed to the side of the building wall facing away from the building, the composite thermal insulation system comprising an at least two-layer thermal insulation cladding, with at least two layers each containing from 25 to 95% by weight of aerogel and from 5 to 75% by weight of inorganic fibers and from 0 to 70% by weight of inorganic fillers, wherein the layers of the thermal insulation cladding are joined to one another by means of an inorganic binder and the composite thermal insulation system has a gross calorific potential of less than 3 MJ per kilogram.

Abstract: The method forms a porous polyurethane polishing pad by coagulating thermoplastic polyurethane to create a porous matrix having large pores extending upward from a base surface and open to an upper surface. The large pores are interconnected with small pores. Heating a press to temperature below or above the softening onset temperature of the thermoplastic polyurethane forms a series of pillows. Plastic deforming side walls of the pillow structures forms downwardly sloped side walls. The downwardly sloped side walls extend from all sides of the pillow structures. The large pores open to the downwardly sloped sidewalls are less vertical than the large pores open to the top polishing surface and are offset 10 to 60 degrees from the vertical direction.

Abstract: A film capable of covering an article having a three-dimensional shape by heat expansion provided by one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an outermost layer disposed on an outermost surface, and a polyurethane thermal adhesive layer, which contains a thermoplastic polyurethane selected from the group consisting of polyester-based polyurethanes and polycarbonate-based polyurethanes and is thermally adhered to the article during the heat expansion, wherein the fracture strength of the polyurethane thermal adhesive layer is not less than 1 MPa at 135° C., and the storage modulus at 150° C. and frequency 1.0 Hz is from 5×103 Pa to 5×105 Pa, and the coefficient of loss tan ? is not less than 0.1.

Abstract: A polyurea or polyurea-urethane elastomer comprises a soft polymer segment and a hard polymer segment, wherein the hard polymer segment includes polyurea groups in combination with H-bond accepting chain extenders (HACEs) to reduce the flow temperature (Tflow) while maintaining the excellent mechanical properties such that the resulting polyurea elatomer is rendered melt-processable.

Abstract: A down-proof woven fabric includes a cloth composed of synthetic fibers with a yarn fineness of 33 decitex or less and having a weight per unit area of 50 g/m2 or less and a cover factor of 1,400 to 1,800, wherein the cloth is coated at least on one surface thereof with a resin by an amount of 0.1 g/m2 to 5 g/m2 as a solid component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a composite porous film having a stable film quality and a desired hollow shape by controlling the entrance of a film-forming resin solution into a hollow part of a hollow reinforcement support. The method is provided with a step of adhering a film-forming resin solution to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow reinforcement support and thereby forming a film intermediate, a step of adhering a coagulating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the film intermediate, and a step of flowing the coagulating liquid along the outer peripheral surface of the film intermediate so that at least a part of the outermost interface of the coagulating liquid in the circumferential direction is a free surface and thereby coagulating the film-forming resin solution adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow reinforcement support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet that has excellent lubricity and good touch feeling under wet conditions and suffers from little drop of the lubricity even if the sheet is used repeatedly. In the sheet of the present invention, a layer of modified polyalkylene oxide obtainable by reacting a polyalkylene oxide compound, a diol compound, and a diisocyanate compound together is directly formed on a surface of a substrate.

Abstract: Various fluoropolymers have been proposed for imparting oil and water repellency to leather. Commonly, these fluoropolymers are amphiphilic; i.e., they are made from at least one monomer which is hydrophobic and at least one monomer which is hydrophilic. The present invention identifies and remedies disadvantages associated with the ability of amphiphilic fluoropolymers to impart oil and water repellency to leather. Contrary to conventional thinking, it has now been discovered that the incorporation of hydrophilic groups in a fluoropolymer undesirably reduces its ability to impart water resistance to leather. Correspondingly, it has also been discovered that a fluoropolymer incorporating fewer or no hydrophilic groups imparts superior oil and water repellency to leather when compared to fluoropolymers incorporating more hydrophilic groups. Therefore, this invention provides fluoropolymers which incorporate reduced levels of hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially 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 multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially 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 multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: A hollow porous membrane with a reduced cost and excellent separation characteristic, water permeability, and mechanical strength and a process of producing the hollow porous membrane with an excellent adhesive property between a support and a porous membrane layer at a low cost are provided. The hollow porous membrane includes a porous membrane layer in which dense layers are disposed in the vicinities of an outer surface and an inner surface. In the process of producing the hollow porous membrane, membrane-forming dopes of a first membrane-forming dope and a second membrane-forming dope, which contain the material of the porous membrane layer and a solvent, are successively applied and stacked onto the outer circumferential surface of a hollow support and the applied membrane-forming dopes are simultaneously coagulated.

Abstract: A method for making a liquid separation membrane, including: (1) providing a polyvinylidene fluoride liquid separation membrane or polypropylene liquid separation membrane prepared by a thermally induced phase separation method as a substrate membrane, soaking the substrate membrane with water or a weak polar organic liquid to make membrane pores of the substrate membrane filled with the liquid, the soaking time being between 0.5 s and 1 min, and the weak polar organic liquid being indissolvable and compatible with the polyvinylidene fluoride liquid separation membrane or polypropylene liquid separation membrane; (2) coating a casting solution of polyvinylidene fluoride on the surface of the soaked substrate membrane obtained in step (1), and quickly soaking the substrate membrane in a coagulating bath heated to a temperature of 60-100° C. for curing to yield the liquid separation membrane.

Abstract: A method of photo-grafting onto a separation membrane a copolymer includes at least one of: and; For example, in Structure 1A, x1?2 and y1?1; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of CH3 and H; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of poly(oxyalkylene), quaternary ammonium salts, pyridinium salts, sulfonium salts, sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, alcohols, phenols, tertiary amines, aryl groups; linear, branched and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic heteroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; and siloxyl; R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic hetroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; phenyl; and siloxyl; and Z1 is 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing RAFT, ATRP or NMRP functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on a microporous substrate. A further aspect of the invention is the subsequent modification of the thin film composite polyamide membrane by controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) to yield membranes having new chemical and physical properties, e.g. antifouling and/or antibacterial properties. Further aspects of the invention are the functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on the microporous substrate itself and the membranes modified by controlled free radical polymerization.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous membrane, the method comprising: casting a polymer solution, in which a polymer is dissolved in a mixture of a good solvent, a poor solvent and a non-solvent, over a support, so as to form a casted polymer solution; drying the casted polymer solution, so as to form a cast film; and subjecting the cast film to a phase separation, wherein the porous membrane is produced under a condition where a temperature of a casted surface is lower than a temperature of the polymer solution, and each of a temperature change of the polymer solution and a temperature change of the casted surface is kept within ±3.0° C.

Abstract: A dope solution for membrane production comprising polyethersulfone having high strength, high water permeability, a high rejecting ability and excellent contamination resistance, a separation membrane, and a process for producing the separation membrane are provided. The dope solution for membrane production contains a polyethersulfone and a solvent for thermally induced phase separation selected from the group consisting of 3-pyridinemethanol, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one, 4-benzylpiperidine, trimethyl phosphate, 1,3-dioxolane-2-one and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Articles having porous or foam-like elements are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the articles exploit properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and their reaction products. In particular, fluids generated by reacting RCM are utilized to create or fill voids in the porous or foam-like elements.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a leather-like sheet having a fine image drawn by an inkjet printing method, etc., on its surface and having practically sufficient physical properties. This invention includes a leather-like sheet including (i) a fibrous substrate and (ii) a porous layer thereon, the porous layer having a surface having open pores with a diameter of 1 ?m or more and the porous layer having the surface having an image whose definition is 5 dots/mm or more, and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: An inorganic membrane having an improved pore structure. The membrane has a mean pore size of up to about 100 nm and a mean particle size in a range from about 10 nm to about 100 nm. In one embodiment, the membrane comprises ?-alumina and is formed by providing a coating slip comprising ?-alumina; applying the coating slip to a support surface to form a coating layer; drying the coating layer; and firing the dried coating layer at a temperature of at least about 1000° C. to convert at least a portion of the ?-alumina to ?-alumina and form the inorganic membrane.

Abstract: The nanocomposite membrane includes a composite of carbon nanotubes coated or chemically bonded with metal oxide nanoparticles. This composite is embedded within a polymeric matrix via interfacial polymerization on a polysulfone support. The metal oxide particles are selected to exhibit catalytic activity when filtering pollutants from water in a water treatment system, or for separating a gas from a liquid, or for selectively separating particles or ions from solution for reverse osmosis (e.g., for desalination systems), or other filtration requirements. A method of fabricating the nanocomposite membrane is also included herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a polymer membrane, the polymer membrane being produced from a solution, in particular a casting solution, comprising at least one first polymer. The invention further relates to a polymer membrane. The process of the invention is distinguished by the fact that a water-soluble second polymer and/or oligomer that forms phases in the solution is part of the solution. The polymer membrane of the invention, preferably produced by the process of the invention, has an oil flow rate, in particular of a refined edible oil, of greater than 200 l/m2 h bar at 60° C.

Abstract: A composite membrane is provided for the separation of water with at least one separation layer of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, with the separation layer being subjected in a separate process step to a post-crosslinking operation with an acid or an acid-releasing compound and at least one dialdehyde.

Abstract: A thermally, heat and chemically stable polyimide asymmetric ultrafiltration membrane, is a porous film or a hollow fiber, having an anisotropic structure a selective surface layer and a substrate, wherein the selective ultraporous surface layer has size of pores 70-800 ? with thickness 0.1-10 mcm and is composed of insoluble rigid-chain aromatic (co)polyimide based on dianhydride of aromatic tetracarbonic acid and aromatic diamine and located on the microporous substrate with thickness 50-250 mcm, and the membrane has water permeability Q=(2?500)·10?4 cm/sec atm and nominal molecular weight cutoff ML=(5?500)·103 g/mol, and method for producing an ultrafiltration membrane as disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an electrical insulating sheet having excellent heat resistance, electrical insulating properties, impregnating property with resin and insulating oil, mechanical strength and dimensional stability which is demanded for rotating electric machines, stationary electric machines (such as a transformer) and electric wire cables. According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical insulating sheet which uses, as a support, a woven or nonwoven fabric comprising polyester fiber and/or polyphenylene sulfide fiber, characterized in that the voids among the fibers of the support are filled with a heat resistant resin having continuous pores.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a composite porous film having a stable film quality and a desired hollow shape by controlling the entrance of a film-forming resin solution into a hollow part of a hollow reinforcement support. The method is provided with a step of adhering a film-forming resin solution to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow reinforcement support and thereby forming a film intermediate, a step of adhering a coagulating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the film intermediate, and a step of flowing the coagulating liquid along the outer peripheral surface of the film intermediate so that at least a part of the outermost interface of the coagulating liquid in the circumferential direction is a free surface and thereby coagulating the film-forming resin solution adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the hollow reinforcement support.

Abstract: A method to prepare a flexible and breathable protective glove having excellent grip in both aqueous and oil environments includes coating an electrolyte treated glove liner substrate with a non-foamed dispersion of a polymeric material. The resulting semi-gelled polymeric coating which partially penetrates the depth of the glove liner substrate, is treated with a foamed solution of a surfactant, tenside or aerosol solution and the foam treated coating is overcoated with an electrolyte solution. In a resulting chemical or physical reaction, fine pores and cavities are formed in and on the polymer coating.

Abstract: Using the methods of the invention, an elastomeric polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent, cast in one of the membrane casting techniques using a phase inversion technique, and immersed in a coagulation bath comprised of suitable solvent/non-solvent pairs (e.g., THF/water and ethanol). Asymmetric membranes having a dense discriminating layer and a thicker porous support layer suitable for application in pervaporation processes were obtained in a single step. An increase of the polymer concentration in the casting solution gives a more dense layer. When cast as formed using the methods of the invention, the membrane obtained is an integrally skinned membrane comprising a thin, dense separation layer over a porous support layer (asymmetric membrane) formed in a single casting operation. The resulting membrane is homogenous with respect to chemical composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain partially fluorinated amide compounds and composite materials containing the compounds. Also disclosed are methods for making the composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides germania-silica-based sol-gel monoliths that form the solid-phase material for extraction, isolation, preconcentration, and separation of analytes. In one embodiment, the germania-silica-based sol-gel monolith can be used to coat surfaces of the inner walls of extraction and chromatographic columns. In a preferred embodiment, the sol-gel germania-silica monolith of the present invention is formed from hydrolysis and polycondensation of precursors comprising tetraethoxygermane, tetramethoxysilane, and polyethylene glycol. Also provided are methods of preparing the germania-silica-based sol-gel monolith of the present invention.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium having a gas-permeable substrate, and an ink receiving layer and a surface layer provided in that order on the gas-permeable substrate, wherein the surface layer is formed through the steps of (1) applying a coating liquid comprising a first inorganic pigment and a binder onto the ink receiving layer, and (2) applying a coagulating liquid comprising a coagulant and a second inorganic pigment having a refractive index higher by 0.30 or more than that of the above first inorganic pigment and an average particle size of 100 nm or less onto the applied coating liquid to subject the coating liquid to a coagulating treatment followed by pressing a coating layer including the coating liquid and the coagulating liquid against a heated casting drum while the coating layer is in a wet condition to subject the coating layer to a cast treatment.

Abstract: Porous ceramic part comprising a porous ceramic foam having a total porosity of between 50 and 92% and an intergranular porosity of at least 5%, walls of at least some of the cells of the ceramic foam being at least partly covered with an impregnation material. The invention relates in particular to a recrystallized silicon carbide foam impregnated with silicon.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of making porous structures or materials, including the colloidal processing (e.g. slip casting, pressure casting, tape casting or electrophoretic deposition) of solid particle emulsions to form a green body that can be directly sintered without a de-binding step.

Abstract: A microporous asymmetrical membrane formed of one or more layers wherein the “tight” side of the membrane has an “opened” face or otherwise highly-porous reticulated surface is described. The microporous asymmetrical membrane has high throughput and high flux, even when used for filtering viscous materials, such as serum or plasma. The membrane's surface can be formed by ablation or solvation, or in a two or more layered structure, through an appropriate selection of casting dopes.

Abstract: Composite membranes that exhibit long-term resistance to biofouling comprise a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide discriminating layer having an external surface, the discriminating layer comprising a branched poly(alkylene oxide) (PAO) polymer attached to its external surface. The branched PAO polymer typically has the structure of a molecular comb or brush, and is made by polymerization of a PAO macromonomer of the following formula: RO—[(CHR?)n—O]m—V in which R is hydrogen or a C1-20 aliphatic or aromatic group, V is any group containing a polymerizable site, each R? is independently hydrogen or a short chain alkyl group, n is an integer of 1-6, and m is an integer of 1 to about 200. The ? end group can be either polymerized or copolymerized.

Abstract: A hydrophilizing agent for a hydrophobic porous membrane, wherein the agent contains a surfactant, and the surfactant has a frothability such that the bubble height immediately after frothing, as measured according to the Ross-Miles method (JIS K 3362), using a 0.1 wt % aqueous solution of the surfactant at 25° C., is 40 mm or less, and preferably has a frothability such that the bubble height five minutes after frothing is 20 mm or less; a method for hydrophilizing a hydrophobic porous membrane using this hydrophilizing agent; and a method for testing and hydrophilizing a membrane module using this hydrophilizing agent.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composite porous membrane, which has not only excellent filtration capacity, but also excellent adhesion between a porous membrane and a braid and mechanical properties, and a method for producing the composite porous membrane. The present invention relates to a composite porous membrane comprising a braid, and a membrane material; wherein the membrane material comprises a first porous layer comprising a dense layer which is arranged on the outer surface of the braid, and a second porous layer comprising a dense layer which is arranged on the first porous layer, and a method for producing the composite porous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides microporous polymers and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, microporous polymers of the present invention are highly porous as indicated by a Gurley air permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per mL of air flow per 25 micron of microporous polymer thickness per square inch.

Abstract: A membrane generally comprises a tubular support, and a polymeric membrane film on the support. The polymeric membrane film comprises three zones cast simultaneously from a single dope. The three zones include an inner zone on the support comprising macro-void pores, an intermediate zone on the inner zone comprising macro-void pores smaller than the macro-void pores of the inner zone, and a skin on the intermediate zone comprising pores of less than 1 micron.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides ion-exchange and gas-diffusion membranes, fabricated by a layer-by-layer approach, for use, e.g., in electrochemical cells; a process for making membrane electrode assemblies fabricated using porous frameworks, LBL composite membranes and LBL carbon-Polymer electrodes; and the application of the membrane and electrode assemblies to a variety of devices, both electrochemical and otherwise.

Abstract: A polymer thin film 30 includes a continuous phase 10 primarily composed of polymers of a first monomer 11 and cylindrical microdomains each of which is primarily composed of a polymer of a second monomer 21, the cylindrical microdomains 20 being distributed in the continuous phase 10 and oriented along the penetration direction through the film, wherein the polymer thin film 30 contains block copolymers 31 which include at least respective first segments 12 formed by polymerization of the first monomer 11 and respective second segments 22 formed by polymerization of the second monomer 21, and polymers 13 compatible with the first segments.

Abstract: A microporous fire resistant film coated or laminated composite textile may be uses as an upholstery fabric or mattress ticking which provides an air permeable microporous barrier to liquid, allergen or pathogen particle, or biological organism penetration. The microporous cellular structure of the coated or laminated film backing may provide a high capacity reservoir which may contain additives such as antimicrobial, UV absorbing, scent dispersing, or organism repelling particles or other functional agents, while maintaining superior barrier and air permeability properties in the finished product constructions. Applications may include any seating and bedding products where a combination of two or more of the above properties is desired.

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 fabric having a foamed layer. The fabric is obtained by the foaming method which prevents to expand heat expansible micro capsules in a cross-linked resin. A foamed layer is laminated on the fabric material. The foamed layer is comprising of heat expanded micro capsules, a synthetic resin holding the capsules on the fabric material, silica fine powders which are hydrophilic and fine porous. The fabric is obtained by the following method. A synthetic resin solution comprising of heat expansible micro capsules and the silica fine powders is prepared. The solution is applied on the fabric material at all surface or pattered surface. The synthetic resin layer is formed after drying. After that, the heat expansible micro capsules are expanded by heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyvinyl chloride hollow filtration membrane, which mainly comprises the following components: 30-95 wt. % of polyvinyl chloride and 5-70 wt. % of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride terpolymer, wherein the polymerization degree of polyvinyl chloride is from 700 to 2500; the content of vinyl acetate is 10-19 % and the content of maleic anhydride is 18-40 % on a basis of total weight of the terpolymer; and the absolute viscosity of the terpolymer is 1.2-1.9 mPa·s. A method for preparing such a polyvinyl chloride hollow filtration membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of nanoporous silica dielectric films and to semiconductor devices and integrated circuits comprising these improved films. The nanoporous films of the invention are prepared using silicon containing pre-polymers and are prepared by a process that allows crosslinking at lowered gel temperatures by means of a metal-ion-free onium or nucleophile catalyst.