Abstract: A microporous layer comprising a microporous xerogel comprising pores that are substantially continuously interconnected from a first outermost surface of the microporous xerogel through to a second outermost surface of the microporous xerogel; and a crosslinked polymer binder comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 50° C. or higher, wherein the polymer binder is water soluble prior to crosslinking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high capacity hydrogen storage material in which a plural mesopore channels and fractal networks of nanopore channels communicating therewith and connecting to the micropores are formed in a microporous material, wherein a plural metal particles are formed on the surface of the mesopore and nanopore channels and of the micropores. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for making the hydrogen storage material through oxidizing the microporous material so as to form a plural mesopore channels and fractal networks of nanopore channels, both of which are connected to the micropores to form a base for the deposition of metal particles capable of decomposing hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms. The high capacity hydrogen storage material is capable of increasing the capacity of hydrogen storage, and besides, the oxidizing process for making the hydrogen storage material is simple and has merits of saving cost.

Abstract: A hydrogen separator comprising a porous substrate composed mainly of a ceramic having a large number of pores connecting from one surface of the substrate to other surface, and a hydrogen-separating layer made of a hydrogen permselective metal formed on the porous substrate via an intermediate layer made of an electron-conductive ceramic. The hydrogen separator hardly generates defects such as peeling, cracks or the like in the hydrogen-separating layer and is suitable for use even when the hydrogen separator is exposed to a heat cycle, used under high temperature conditions or/and used for long-term.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the density of thermoplastic materials and the articles made therefrom having similar or improved mechanical properties to the solid or noncellular material. Also disclosed are improvements to foaming methods and the cellular structures of the foams made therefrom, and methods for altering the impact strength of solid or noncellular thermoplastic materials and the shaping of the materials into useful articles.

Abstract: A bobbin includes a carbon nanotube film structure and an amorphous carbon structure. The carbon nanotube film structure defines a number of micropores therein. The amorphous carbon structure is composited with the carbon nanotube structure. The amorphous carbon structure comprises a number of amorphous carbon particles received in the micropores.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resinous porous article having a high interconnected hole porosity and capable of retaining a large amount of a lubricating oil and does not rust iron and steel, even though an unextracted portion of a pore-forming substance bleeds out when the resinous porous article is used as parts which contact a metal portion or the like and a method of producing the resinous porous article. The resinous porous article is formed by a producing method of molding a resin containing the pore-forming substance into a molding, and extracting the pore-forming substance from the molding with a solvent which does not dissolve the resin therein. The resinous porous article has an interconnected hole porosity not less than 30%. The pore-forming substance consists of an alkali compound.

Abstract: A multilayer foam composite element whose total thickness d comprises at least three layers composed of an open-cell foam, where at least one of the internal layers has recesses and the two outermost layers have no recesses, wherein i) the volume of the recesses in the internal layer having recesses is from 20 to 70% by volume, and ii) the thickness of the layer having recesses is from 20 to 80% of the total thickness d.

Abstract: Rigid foam insulating products and processes for making such insulation products are disclosed. The foam products are formed from a polymer, a blowing agent, and nano-graphite. The nano-graphite has a size in at least one dimension less than about 100 nm and, in exemplary embodiments may be an intercalated, expanded nano-graphite. In addition, the nano-graphite may include a plurality of nanosheets having a thickness between about 10 to about 100 nanometers. The nano-graphite acts as a process additive to improve the physical properties of the foam product, such as thermal insulation and compressive strength. In addition, the nano-graphite in the foam controls cell morphology and acts as a nucleating agent in the foaming process. Further, the nano-graphite exhibits overall compound effects on foam properties including improved insulating value (increased R-value) for a given thickness and density and improved ultraviolet (UV) stability.

Abstract: A three-dimensional molded body, a method for producing a three-dimensional molded body and a method for producing an adhesive bond between a polymer-containing material and a molded body having an inorganic porous framework structure in at least partial areas are described. In all cases the porous structure of the molded body comprising inorganic material is brought in contact with a polymer-containing material which is heated until the heated material enters into a joint connection with the molded body based on adhesive interactions, interfacial interactions, electrostatic interactions or any combination thereof, in which the pore-like voids of the porous structure are filled completely with the polymer-containing material, which stabilizes the molded body so that it has dimensional stability after cooling.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed body of a crystalline polylactic acid resin which has good appearance and excellent mechanical strength such as bending strength and compressive strength and which is capable of being imparted with excellent heat resistance, and to provide a multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed molded article having excellent appearance, heat resistance and mechanical strengh. The multi-layered polylactic acid resien foamed body of the present invention is a laminate having a polylactic acid resin foamed layer and a thermoplastic resin layer provided at least one side of the foamed layer, wherein the foamed layer has a cell shape satisfying specific conditions, wherein the difference (?Hendo:2° C./min??Hexo:2° C./min) between an endothermic calorific value (?Hendo:2° C./min) and an exothermic calorific value (?Hexo:2° C.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material formed of graphene and a mesoporous metal oxide having a demonstrated specific capacity of more than 200 F/g with particular utility when employed in supercapacitor applications. A method for making these nanocomposite materials by first forming a mixture of graphene, a surfactant, and a metal oxide precursor, precipitating the metal oxide precursor with the surfactant from the mixture to form a mesoporous metal oxide. The mesoporous metal oxide is then deposited onto a surface of the graphene.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a first layer which comprises a prefabricated microcells component, surfactant-generated microcells, a surfactant component, a filler component and a binder component and a second layer, which comprises a metallic component. The composite material may further comprise a substrate to which the first layer is adhered. The composite materials have heat insulating and fire resistant characteristics and are particularly suited for use in building materials and mattresses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polishing pad whose unevenness in thickness hardly occurs and whose life can be improved. A polishing pad 1 is provided with a polyurethane sheet 2. Foams 3 having lengths of about ½ of the length of the polyurethane sheet 2 in its thickness direction and elongated foams 4 having lengths of at least 70% of the length of the polyurethane sheet 2 in the thickness direction are formed in the polyurethane sheet 2. The foams 3 and the elongated foams 4 are opened by buffing processing so that opened pores 5 and opened pores 6 are formed at a polishing face P, respectively. Regarding the opened pores 5, 6, the total number of opened pores having opened pore diameters falling in a range of from 30 to 50 ?m occupies at least 50% of the number of all opened pores. The total number of the opened pores 5, 6 per 1 mm2 of the polishing face P is set in a range of from 50 to 100.

Abstract: A carbon foam composite including a carbon foam skeleton having a supplemental material therein, the composite useful for, inter alia, a variety of applications including applications requiring durability and water resistance. Also included is a method for making such carbon foam composite materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mat or molded pre-form that may be used as a mounting mat to mount a fragile monolith within an outer housing of an exhaust gas treatment device, such as automotive catalytic converters and diesel particulate traps. The mat or pre-form may also be used as thermal insulation in the end cone regions of the exhaust gas treatment device. The mat and pre-form includes an inorganic microporous insulation component and a flexible fibrous material component. Exhaust gas treatment devices and methods for making exhaust gas treatment devices including the mat or pre-form are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous film formed of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of (a) a polyolefin resin and from 5 to 90 parts by mass of (b) a polyphenylene ether resin; the microporous film having a sea-island structure with the polyolefin resin as a sea portion and with the polyphenylene ether resin as an island portion and having a air permeability of from 10 sec/100 cc to 5000 sec/100 cc. The microporous film does not break easily even at high temperatures and has good heat resistance.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous polyolefin composite film with a thermally stable porous layer at high temperature, particularly, to the microporous polyolefin composite film in which the thermally stable porous layer at high temperature, which contains organic or inorganic particles and heat-resistant polymer having aromatic ring in main chain and also having a melting temperature or a glass transition temperature of 170 to 500° C., is formed on one surface or both surfaces of a polyolefin microporous film by a phase separation, wherein the composite film with the porous layer has a permeability of 1.5×105 to 20.O×IO 5 Darcy, a meltdown temperature of 160 to 300° C., a MD/TD shrinkage of 1 to 40% at a temperature of 15O° C. for 60 minutes.

Abstract: Highly crystalline metal oxide-carbon composites, as precursors to thermally stable mesoporous metal oxides, are coated with a layer of amorphous carbon. Using a ‘one-pot’ method, highly crystalline metal oxide-carbon composites are converted to thermally stable mesoporous metal oxides, having highly crystalline mesopore walls, without causing the concomitant collapse of the mesostructure. The ‘one-pot’ method uses block copolymers with an sp or sp2 hybridized carbon containing hydrophobic block as structure directing agents which converts to a sturdy, amorphous carbon material under appropriate heating conditions, providing an in-situ rigid support which maintains the pores of the oxides intact while crystallizing at temperatures as high as 1000 deg C. A highly crystalline metal oxide-carbon composite can be heated to produce a thermally stable mesoporous metal oxide consisting of a single polymorph.

Abstract: A carbon foam article useful for, inter alia, composite tooling or other high temperature applications, which includes a carbon foam substrate, an intermediate material on a surface of the carbon foam substrate, and a tool facing material on an outer surface of the article such that the intermediate material is positioned between the tool facing material and the carbon foam substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to porous ceramic composites incorporating biodegradable polymers for use as a bone substitute in the fields of orthopedics and dentistry or as a scaffold for tissue engineering applications. The porous ceramic composite implant for connective tissue replacement comprises a porous ceramic matrix having a biodegradable polymer provided on internal and external surfaces of the ceramic matrix. The biodegradable polymer allows for the passage and/or delivery of a variety of agents throughout the porous ceramic matrix and improves mechanical properties of the implant in vivo.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a method of cleaning molten solder from the hot tip of a soldering iron that does not require a water-laden sponge. The hot tip of the iron is wiped against a block of dry open-celled melamine foam. The block is formed with an inclined through-hole that leads to the bottom of a receptacle holding the block. The hot tip is wiped against the foam surrounding an upper end of the through-hole, and the molten solder removed from the tip accumulates in the receptacle below.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microporous membrane having a relatively low heat shrinkage values along planar axes of the membrane. The invention also relates to a battery separator formed by such microporous membrane, and a battery comprising such a separator. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for making the multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane, a method for making a battery using such a membrane as a separator, and a method for using such a battery.

Abstract: An inverse opal structure having dual porosity, a method of manufacturing the inverse opal structure, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and a method of manufacturing the dye-sensitized solar cell improve the light scattering effects of an included light scattering layer and improve functions of included electrodes. The inverse opal structure includes a plurality of first pores regularly arranged in a photonic crystal structure and a plurality of second pores formed on walls of the first pores in which the second pores have a nano-sized diameter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biodegradable microporous materials and multi-layer articles containing them. The biodegradable microporous materials comprise: (a) a polyolefin matrix, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and (d) a biodegradation promoting material distributed throughout the matrix. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microporous materials comprising: (a) a polymeric matrix comprising a renewable polymer and optionally a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. Also provided are multilayer articles prepared from the above-described microporous materials.

Abstract: The sheet for suction and fixation according to the invention is a sheet for suction and fixation, constituted by including at least a porous sheet and used for suction and fixation of a member to be sucked, and the sheet for suction and fixation has a structure of a plurality of layers comprising a porous sheet provided on at least one side of the porous sheet with a particle layer constituted by including plastic particles, wherein the surface roughness (Ra) of the particle layer is not greater than 0.5 ?m. A sheet for suction and fixation, which is continuous and long and excellent in surface smoothness, and a method of producing the same, can thereby be provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane capable of achieving both a high collection efficiency and a low pressure drop, though it has a larger average pore size and a greater thickness than conventional porous PTFE membranes. This manufacturing method includes: stretching an unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene sheet by a factor of 5 to 30 in a predetermined direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene; further stretching the stretched sheet by a factor of 5 to 40 in a direction different from the predetermined direction at a temperature lower than the melting point; and after the stretchings, heating the stretched sheet at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point.

Abstract: A microvoided film formed by mixing a microvoid forming additive with a composition including a polymeric material. The microvoided film includes a printability additive. The microvoids formed during the processing of the composition to convert it into a film result in a reduction of the density of the film, making a lighter weight film requiring less polymeric material to produce a film of desired thickness while maintaining suitable structural characteristics than required when making a higher density film. The microvoids are formed through ? crystallization of the polymeric material during casting and in a later cold drawing stage of the orientation portion of the film fabrication process. The microvoided film may be fabricated to be opaque with or without pigment additive included in the composition. The film may multilayered. In one embodiment, the multilayered film is three-layered including a core without printability additive and two outer layers with the printability additive.

Abstract: Polymeric foams having nanocellular morphology are formed from a polymeric material having structural units derived from 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine compound. The foams include a plurality of cells having an average diameter of less than 1 micron. Processes for forming the foams include melting a polymeric material having structural units derived from 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine compounds; diffusing a blowing agent into the polymeric material to form a mixture; nucleating bubbles in the mixture is at a sufficient temperature and pressure to enable the production of cells having an average diameter of less than 1 micron; stabilizing the cells; and forming the mixture into a desired shape.

Abstract: A blast energy mitigating composite useful for protecting a surface or an object from a blast, shock waves, or stress waves caused by a sudden, violent release of energy is described. Certain configurations of the blast energy mitigating composite may include a energy mitigating units contained in an energy mitigating matrix. The energy mitigating units may comprise a porous energy mitigating material such as carbon foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composites comprising inorganic micro pigments and/or fillers in the form of surface-phosphated microparticles, whose surface is at least partially coated with finely divided with alkaline earth carbonate nanoparticles by means of binders based on copolymers comprising as the monomers one or more dicarboxylic acids and one or more monomers from the group of diamines, triamines, dialkanolamines or trialkanolamines and epichlorohydrin, a method for producing such composites, aqueous slurries thereof and the use thereof in papermaking or in the field of production of paints and plastics as well as the use of the binders for the coating of microparticles with nano alkaline earth carbonate.

Abstract: Cellular thin films include a first side separated from a second side, the separation of which defines the thickness of the thin film; at least one layer of a polymeric material arranged along the thickness of the thin film, wherein the polymeric material includes cells and the first and second sides of the thin film have exterior surfaces that have substantially the same thickness as the interior walls forming the cells. The surfaces of the thin films have bumps caused by the cells. The thin exterior surfaces of the thin films is advantageous to allow the films to be flexible.

Abstract: A nano-cellular polymer foam is disclosed, which has an average pore size from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and a foam density that is from about 1 percent to about 50 percent of the bulk density of the material of the nano-cellular foam.

Abstract: The invention provides composite porous materials in which a second material is fused to and/or is in the pores and/or is fused directly to some of the pore walls of a porous first material. The invention also provides methods of filtering a fluid using these composite porous materials and methods of manufacturing the composite porous materials.

Abstract: A nano-material includes a free-standing carbon nanotube structure and a number of nano-particles. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes. The nano-particles are successively and closely linked to each other and coated on a surface of each of the carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying the surface of a membrane by plasma treatment, wherein said method imparts water-repellent and imperviousness properties to said membrane while preserving the steam perviousness and the elastic properties thereof. The method comprises, inter alia, a step of treating the membrane with a plasma of a precursor compound selected from a hydrocarbon gas, a fluorocarbon gas, mixtures thereof, a fluorocarbon liquid, a fluorocarbon solid, wherein the precursor compound is selected in such a way that the F/C ratio is lower than 2, followed by a step of treating the same surface of the substrate from the previous step with a plasma of a fluorocarbon gas selected in such a way that the F/C ratio is at least 2. The invention also relates to the resulting membranes.

Abstract: A porous film with chemical resistance of this invention includes a porous film base covered with a chemical-resistant polymeric compound and has a multiplicity of communicating micropores having an average pore size of 0.01 to 10 ?m. The chemical-resistant polymeric compound can be, for example, any of phenolic resins, urea resins, melamine resins, benzoguanamine resins, polyimide resins, epoxy resins, benzoxazine resins, polypropylene resins, polyurethane resins, fluororesins, alkyd resins, cellulose acetate resins, phthalic resins, maleic resins, and silicone resins.

Abstract: Improved expanded PTFE materials and improved gasket materials made therefrom, the gaskets being capable of forming a seal with greater bolt load retention than is possible with existing PTFE gaskets. The expanded PTFE membranes of the invention can be tailored to exhibit a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi, a matrix tensile strength ratio in two orthogonal directions of between 0.25 and 4, an orientation index of 50° or less, and a density of 2.0 g/cc or less. The improved gaskets exhibit improved mechanical properties such as high bolt load retention, low creep, high tensile strength, low stress to seal and high crystallinity index.

Abstract: Improved expanded PTFE materials and improved gasket materials made therefrom, the gaskets being capable of forming a seal with greater bolt load retention than is possible with existing PTFE gaskets. The expanded PTFE membranes of the invention can be tailored to exhibit a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi, a matrix tensile strength ratio in two orthogonal directions of between 0.25 and 4, an orientation index of 50° or less, and a density of 2.0 g/cc or less. The improved gaskets exhibit improved mechanical properties such as high bolt load retention, low creep, high tensile strength, low stress to seal and high crystallinity index.

Abstract: An article includes a microporous membrane. A porous fabric is laminated to the microporous membrane to form a laminate with a membrane side and a fabric side. A treatment material is applied to the laminate to form a treated laminate. The treated laminate having an oil resistance of at least a number 7 determined by AATCC 118 testing on both the membrane side and the fabric side. The treated laminate also has an air permeability through the treated laminate of at least 0.01 CFM per square foot determined by ASTM D737 testing.

Abstract: A durable water- and oil-resistant, breathable thin microporous membrane (90) exhibits good hand, feel, and drape. The structure of microporous membrane is a thin polymer matrix that includes a polyolefin material having a bulk region (186) between first and second major surfaces (184, 194). The bulk region includes multiple interconnecting micropores (87) extending between the surfaces to form a polyolefin membrane (170) that exhibits inherent hydrophobicity and moisture vapor transmission properties. An applied fluorochemical treatment (92) imparts oleophobicity to the polyolefin membrane by imparting a lower surface energy to polyolefin membrane to provide oil and surfactant resistance, and to maintain moisture vapor transmission through the microporous structure. Preferred embodiments of microporous membrane also include an inorganic filler material such as calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A porous film of the invention is a porous film having a large number of continuous micropores. The film has a thickness of 5 to 200 ?m, has an average surface pore size A of 0.01 to 10 ?m, an average surface porosity C, and has an average inside pore size B and an average inside porosity D. The ratio A/B of A to B is 0.3 to 3. The porous film is produced by casting a polymer solution containing a polymer onto a substrate to form a film and subjecting the film to phase conversion to thereby form a porous film. In the method, the polymer constituting the porous film has a surface tension Sa [mN/m], the substrate has a surface tension Sb [mN/m], and Sa and Sb satisfy the following condition: Sa?Sb??10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an integral security element, and a method of making the article. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating double-stranded nucleic acids out of a mixture comprising single-stranded nucleic acids and/or dNTPs and/or enzymes. The method uses spatially inhomogenously functionalized nanoporous materials. For example, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to purify DNA amplification reaction products.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanostructured material comprising defective carbon nanotubes chosen from impregnated, functionalized, doped, charged, coated, and irradiated nanotubes, and combinations thereof. The defective carbon nanotubes contain a defect which is a lattice distortion in at least one carbon ring. Also disclosed is a method of purifying fluids, such as liquids, including water, as well as gases, including the air using, this nanostructured material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transparent conductive nanostructured thin-film by oblique-angle deposition and method of the same. An electron beam system is utilized to evaporate the target source. Evaporation substrate is disposed on a plurality of adjustable sample stage. Multiple gas control valve and heat source is provided to control the gas flow and temperature within the process chamber. An annealing process is performed after the evaporation to improve the thin-film structure and optoelectronic properties.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a resin substrate includes heating a resin sheet including fibers and a resin containing incompletely polymerized molecules to a temperature lower than a polymerization initiation temperature of the resin in order to soften the resin; applying a first pressure to the resin sheet to discharge air bubbles between the fibers outside the resin sheet; decreasing the pressure applied to the resin sheet from the first pressure to a second pressure lower than the first pressure; and heating the resin sheet to the polymerization initiation temperature of the resin or higher to polymerize the molecules of the resin and to discharge a gas generated by the polymerization outside the resin sheet.

Abstract: A breathable, semi-permeable, laminate that includes at least one a semi-permeable layer having top and bottom surfaces; at least one microporous liquid impermeable layer bonded to at least one surface of the semi-permeable layer; and at least one textile layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a bixailly oriented film having a porous layer, which contains propylene polymer and at least one ?-nucleating agent and whose microporosity is generated by converting ?-crystalline polypropylene during stretching of the film, for labeling containers during a drawing process.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to relates to foamed thermoplastic material objects and articles of manufacture having an internal layered cellular structure, as well as to methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a multi-layer foamed polymeric article of manufacture, comprising: a non-laminated multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet, wherein the multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet has first and second discrete outer layers sandwiching a plurality of discrete inner foamed layers, and wherein the two outer layers and plurality discrete inner foamed layers are integral with one another. The thermoplastic material may be a semi-crystalline polymer such as, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEN (polyethylene napthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PLA (polylactide), polyhydroxy acid (PHA), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or blends thereof.