Abstract: A method of performing bariatric surgery using a robotic surgical system includes positioning a gastrectomy device in a selected location in a stomach; applying an adherent material to the stomach along a desired transection line; and cutting the stomach along the desired transection line delineated by the adherent material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nitrile group-containing highly saturated copolymer rubber comprising an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer unit (a1) in a content of 10 to 40 wt %, an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid ester monomer unit (a2) in a content of 10 to 60 wt %, and a conjugated diene monomer unit (a3) in a content of 20 to 70 wt %, and having an iodine value of 35 to 85.

Abstract: Provided are a binder composition for a secondary battery electrode that enables favorable dispersion of a conductive material when used in production of a slurry composition for a secondary battery electrode, and a slurry composition for a secondary battery electrode in which a conductive material is favorably dispersed. The binder composition for a secondary battery electrode contains a solvent and a copolymer including an alkylene structural unit and a nitrile group-containing monomer unit. The copolymer has a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 100° C.) of 40 or less. The slurry composition for a secondary battery electrode contains an electrode active material, a conductive material, the aforementioned binder composition for a secondary battery electrode, and a polymer other than the aforementioned copolymer.

Abstract: A water-based ink for use in a computer-to-plate inkjet printing and a preparation method therefor. A polymer of 5 to 40 wt %, an additive of 0.01 to 10 wt %, a dye or pigment of 0.01 to 10 wt %, an organic solvent of 1 to 30 wt %, an anti-foaming agent of 0 to 5 wt %, and deionized water are stirred and mixed at room temperature. When the polymer is dissolved, the mixed solution is filtered. The filtrate is the water-based ink. The water-based ink is sprayed via a computer-to-plate machine onto a surface of a metal substrate (which may be an aluminum plate, a zinc plate, or a copper plate) to form a graphic region. A printing plate allowing for computer-to-plate printing is acquired after solidification. The printing plate acquired is allowed to achieve a halftone dot reproduction rate between 2 and 99% and a recognition rate of 175 lpi.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer film excellent in performance of inducing Rth.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymeric compositions that are suitable protected from UV-induced discoloration and degradation. Such resins comprise an isosorbide polymer and one or more hindered amines. These resin compositions are useful in the manufacture of various shaped, formed and/or molded articles.

Abstract: An organic insulating layer composition includes a polymer mixture including 50 parts to 90 parts by volume of an organic polymer and 10 parts to 50 parts by volume of an amorphous polymer, wherein the organic polymer includes at least a first repeating unit and a second repeating unit, the first and second repeating units each being substituted with at least one of fluorine or chlorine, a total number of fluorine and chlorine atoms in the first repeating unit being different from a total number of fluorine and chlorine atoms in the second repeating unit, and an organic solvent.

Abstract: An aqueous colorant dispersion including a colorant (A), a polymer (B), and an aqueous liquid medium (I), wherein the polymer (B) is a copolymer including a hydrophilic structural unit and a hydrophobic structural unit, the content of the hydrophobic structural unit in the polymer (B) being more than 80% by mass but less than 100% by mass, the hydrophobic structural unit includes a hydrophobic structural unit (a) having an aromatic ring linked via a linking group to an atom included in the main chain of the polymer (B), the content of aromatic rings in the polymer (B) is 10% by mass or more but less than 20% by mass with respect to the mass of the polymer (B), the hydrophilic structural unit includes a hydrophilic structural unit (b) including an ionic group, and the polymer (B) includes a structural unit (c) different from the hydrophobic structural unit (a) and from the hydrophilic structural unit (b), the content of the structural unit (c) in the polymer (B) being more than 15% by mass but less than 90% by

Abstract: The present invention provides a polycarbonate resin composition comprising a polycarbonate (A), a styrene copolymer resin (B), carbon nano-tubes (C) and a carbon black (D).

Abstract: To provide a coating composition capable of forming a coating film having excellent functions on the surface of a solar heat-collecting reflective plate, and a solar heat-collecting reflective plate obtainable by such a composition, as well as processes for their production. A coating composition for coating the surface of a solar heat-collecting reflective plate, which comprises a fluorinated copolymer having repeating units derived from ethylene and repeating units derived from tetrafluoroethylene, and a solvent capable of dissolving the fluorinated copolymer at a temperature of not higher than the melting point of the fluorinated copolymer; a solar heat-collecting reflective plate obtainable by such a composition; and processes for producing such a composition and a reflective plate.

Abstract: Fluid activatable adhesive compositions and activating fluid(s) for activating the adhesive composition are described herein. The adhesive compositions contain at least two polymers with different hydrophilicities. The hydrophilic polymer has quick tack when exposed to a hydrophilic solvent, such as water or other aqueous solvent, while the hydrophobic polymer provides strong adhesion to a paper or polymeric substrate. The adhesive composition may contain particulate fillers which enable fast exhaustion of the activation fluid out of the adhesive when applied to a substrate, thereby allowing the hydrophobic polymers of the adhesive composition to achieve strong adhesion of the liner-free label to the paper or polymeric substrate. The particulate fillers may also function as anti-blocking agents when liner-free label media are tightly wound in a roll.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a carbon black composition, which comprises carbon black; an alkane nitrile; and at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone.

Abstract: To provide a composition of a fluorinated copolymer containing repeating units derived from ethylene and TFE, which can be used for e.g. production of a thin film by coating and which can be produced at a relatively low temperature, and a process for producing such a fluorinated copolymer composition at a relatively low temperature. A fluorinated copolymer composition comprising a fluorinated copolymer (hereinafter ETFE) containing repeating units derived from ethylene and repeating units derived from tetrafluoroethylene, and a medium mixture composed of at least two members selected from media, each of which does not by itself dissolve ETFE in a concentration of at least 1 mass % at a temperature of not higher than the melting point of ETFE, and having a temperature range to exhibit a uniform solution state at a temperature of not higher than the melting point of ETFE, wherein the medium mixture has a specific value as the dissolution index for ETFE based on Hansen solubility parameters.

Abstract: Coating systems and processes are disclosed for uniformly coating objects. The system comprises a pre-treatment unit, a first processing unit, a first post-treatment unit and one or more coating apparatus each configured to engage an object and rotate the object around or about two or more axes. The coating apparatus used in the system can comprise a first, second and/or third gimbals connected to rotational mechanisms to allow rotation of the gimbals around or about first, second and/or third axis. An object holder is connected to the third gimbal. When an object is present in the object holder, it can be immersed in a coating solution to form a coated object. The coated object is then rotated around or about two or three axes which produces a multidirectional centrifugal force which causes the coating solution to spread evenly over the surface of the object to produce a uniform thin film.

Abstract: An extrudable polyvinyl chloride composition comprising from 80 to 99.9 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride for use in extruding a first part and a second part, wherein a fusion joint between the first extruded part and the second extruded part is formed by: A) composition at least a portion of a first terminal edge of the first extruded part and a first terminal edge of the second extruded part; B) engaging the melted terminal edges; and C) maintaining pressure between the engaged terminal edges to create a fused joint having a strength that is at least 50% of the tensile strength of the extruded part as measured by ASTM D638-2a. The extruded parts can be pipe sections.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer containing at least a unit represented by the following Formula (1) and a unit represented by the following Formula (2). In Formula (1) and Formula (2), R1 to R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; X, Y and Z each independently represent a single bond, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent organic group, an ester group, an amide group or an ether group; and L1 and L2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted divalent organic group. The invention provides a method of synthesizing embodiments of the polymer, a composition containing the polymer, and a laminate formed by applying the composition on a resin base material.

Abstract: This invention relates a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate and processes to produce the cellulose solution. Another aspect of this invention relates to shaped articles prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising derivatives of cellulose prepared from a cellulose solution comprising at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the cellulose esters of the present invention are used as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: Provided are a nanocomposite including a layered inorganic material and a random copolymer containing a hydrophobic monomer and a hydrophilic monomer, a polymer composition including the nanocomposite, and a method for preparing the polymer composition. The random copolymer can be prepared at a low cost in a simple process and function as a compatibilizer in small amounts to maintain excellent properties of the nanocomposite including excellent mechanical characteristics such as abrasion resistance, hardness, tensile modulus and tear resistance, excellent thermal characteristics, high liquid and gas permeability, and low flammability.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of substitute 2-cyanocinnamic esters. This novel economical process provides products in high purity and yields.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide nanotube-containing coating compositions and methods for making and using the coating compositions. In an exemplary embodiment, the coating composition can include a plurality of nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) dispersed stably and uniformly in a polymer matrix containing fluoropolymers. The coating composition can further include stabilizers to allow a stable and/or uniform dispersion of the plurality of nanotubes in the fluoropolymers. The nanotube coating composition can be coated on an article surface to improve mechanical robustness, and electrical and thermal conductivity of the coated article. The coated article can be used as, for example, a fuser member, a fixing member, a pressure roller, or a release agent donor member in an electrostatographic printing machine or process.

Abstract: A composition includes at least 15 weight percent of a low intrinsic viscosity, bifunctional poly(arylene ether) and at least 20 weight percent of a nonhalogenated solvent. The bifunctional poly(arylene ether)s are substantially and unexpectedly more soluble than their monofunctional analogs. The compositions are useful as concentrates to add bifunctional poly(arylene ether)s to thermosets.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal film-coated material, the process including: (a1) forming, on a substrate, a polymer layer formed from a polymer which has a functional group capable of interacting with a plating catalyst or a precursor thereof, and is directly chemically bonded to the substrate; (a2) providing a plating catalyst or a precursor thereof to the polymer layer; and (a3) performing plating with respect to the plating catalyst or a precursor thereof. The polymer layer satisfies all of the following requirements (1) to (4): (1) the saturated water absorption coefficient of the polymer layer as measured in an environment of temperature of 25° C. and relative humidity of 50% is 0.01 to 10% by mass; (2) the saturated water absorption coefficient of the polymer layer as measured in an environment of temperature of 25° C. and relative humidity of 95% is 0.05 to 20% by mass; (3) the water absorption coefficient of the polymer layer as measured after 1 hour of immersion in boiling water at 100° C. is 0.

Abstract: Novel chain polymers comprising weakly basic anionic moieties chemically bound into a polyether backbone at controllable anionic separations are presented. Preferred polymers comprise orthoborate anions capped with dibasic acid residues, preferably oxalato or malonato acid residues. The conductivity of these polymers is found to be high relative to that of most conventional salt-in-polymer electrolytes. The conductivity at high temperatures and wide electrochemical window make these materials especially suitable as electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries.

Abstract: The application provides a method of producing a comb polymer comprising the steps of: (a) Providing: (i) a plurality of monomers which are linear, branched or star-shaped, substituted or non-substituted, and have an olefinically unsaturated moiety, the olefinically unsaturated moiety being capable of undergoing addition polymerisation; (ii) an initiator compound; the initiator compound comprising a homolytically cleavable bond. (iii) a catalyst capable of catalysing the polymerisation of the monomer; and (b) Causing the catalyst to catalyse, in combination with the initiator, the polymerisation of a plurality of the monomers to produce the comb polymer. Catalysts and polymers obtainable by the process are also provided. Preferably, the comb polymer is capable of binding proteins and may be produced from monomers which are alkoxy polyethers, such as poly(alkyleneglycol) or polytetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A description is given of an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising A) a polymer dispersion produced by free-radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, B) stabilizers suitable for carrying out the free-radical polymerization, and also C) 0.01 to 20 000 ppm by weight, based on the mass of the total dispersion, of at least one compound of the formula Ia and/or Ib where R1, R2, R13 and R14 independently of one another are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, carboxyl, nitrile, isonitrile, cyano or halogen, R3 to R12 and R15 to R24 independently of one another are hydrogen and selected organic radicals, and at least one of the substituents R3 to R12, or R15 to R24, being hydroxyl and/or alkoxy and/or alkanoyloxy. The aqueous polymer dispersion may be used for coating foods, as color, or as adhesive, and the resultant films are distinguished by high fungicidal resistance.

Abstract: Pigmented polymer compositions and processes for preparing melt-processible polymer compositions contain a melt-processible polymer, surface treated organic pigment, typically titanium dioxide, and a polymer processing aid are described. The pigment is surface treated by contact with a silicon-containing compound, such as octyltriethoxysilane followed by contact with an organic compound such as isostearic acid or ethoxylated silicone. The pigmented polymer composition containing a polymer processing aid facilitates production of shaped articles with low melt fracture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prevention of scorching before crosslinking of a thermoplastic and/or elastomeric composition with peroxides or azo compounds. This is achieved by using a nitroxide in combination with at least one crosslinking promoter (promoter) chosen from group (P) consisting of compounds containing at least one double bond, which may be difunctional or polyfunctional.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I or II where R is an aryl moiety, such as phenyl, naphthyl or biphenylyl, or is phenyl substituted by one or more trifluoromethyl, bromo or cyano, and E1 and E2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl and the like are prepared by reaction of a benzotriazole substituted on the 5-position of the benzo ring by a halogen atom with a arylboronic acid or ester in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, such as palladium (II) diacetate. The benzotriazole compounds of formula I are particularly efficacious as stabilizers for automotive coatings and candle wax.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: Methods of forming crosslinked polymer particles in situ from polymer precursors such as monomers or oligomers, comprising exposing a composition comprising at least one polymer precursor, a solvent or solvent mixture, and an antisolvent or antisolvent mixture to photoradiation under conditions whereby particles are formed are provided. The polymer precursor may be photosensitive, or a separate polymerization initiator may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer precursor is insoluble in the antisolvent or antisolvent mixture and the solvent or solvent mixture is soluble in the antisolvent or antisolvent mixture at the concentrations used. Crosslinked polymer particles and crosslinked polymer particles comprising a polymer and a bioactive material are also provided. The polymer may be erodable, and the polymer particles formed may be used in a variety of applications, including controlled release of bioactive materials such as drugs.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive composition having an element with a positive stress optical coefficient for a polarizing film and a polarizing film using the same.

Abstract: A transparent, flame retardant polycarbonate composition consisting essentially of an aromatic polycarbonate resin and a flame-retarding amount of a guanidine salt or derivatives thereof, wherein the amount of guanidine salt or derivatives thereof is about 1 wt. % or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanocapsules with a size ranging between 50 nm and 10 &mgr;m diameter whose envelope layer consists of at least two different, cross-linked polymers P1 and P2. Optionally, a lipid layer may be present underneath said envelope layer. The inventive nanocapsules are produced by covalently cross-linking at least two different water-soluble polymers P1 and P2 on the surface of liposomes. Optionally, the liposomes are dissolved once the polymers are cross-linked. The inventive nanocapsules can carry biologically active compounds.

Abstract: An &agr;-cyanoacrylate adhesive system, having an excellent fast setting property in the adhesion of hardly adhering materials and porous materials; having an excellent storage stability, even when a plastic material is used for at least a part of container for the adhesive composition, nozzle, cap and tube; using an &agr;-cyanoacrylate adhesive composition comprising an &agr;-cyanoacrylate and 0.05 to 5.0% by weight, based on said &agr;-cyanoacrylate, of 12-crown-4-ether; and using a container for containing the adhesive composition, a nozzle and a cap, and optionally a tube for sending the adhesive composition to the nozzle, at least a part of said container, nozzle, cap and tube being made of a plastic material is provided.

Abstract: A yellow colorant comprising a chromophore having at least one poly(oxy-C2-C4-alkylene) chain attached to an aromatic methine backbone having at least one cyanoester moiety attached thereto is provided. The ester portion must include a C1-C8 (such as ethyl, butyl, hexyl, or ethyl-hexyl) pendant group and the poly(oxyalkylene) chain must be at most 10 monomers and at least 3 monomers, with ethylene oxide as the capping group. Such a specific group of coloring agents provides the best overall yellow colorations or effects (either alone or in blends with other coloring agents, particularly at low color loadings) as well as the best overall low extraction levels when present within clear polyester (such as polyethylene terephthalate, for example), when compared to all other known polymeric yellow colorants for the same end-use. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as well as methods for producing such inventive colorants.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: To offer a resin material in which various properties such as excellent appearance and rigidity inherent to a polyacetal resin are maintained and a weather (light) resistance is improved. That is, a branched polyacetal resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a branched polyacetal copolymer (A) having an oxymethylene group as the main repeating unit and having a branching unit represented by the following formula (I), 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a weather (light) resistant stabilizer (B) and 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a hindered amine substance (C): wherein m and n each is an integer of 0 to 5; the sum of m+n is 1 to 5; and R is a monovalent organic group having a molecular weight of 40 to 1000.

Abstract: A yellow colorant comprising a chromophore having at least one poly(oxy-C2-C4-alkylene) chain attached to an aromatic methine backbone having at least one cyanoester moiety attached thereto is provided. The ester portion must include a C1-C8 (such as ethyl, butyl, hexyl, or ethyl-hexyl) pendant group and the poly(oxyalkylene) chain must be at most 10 monomers and at least 3 monomers, with ethylene oxide as the capping group. Such a specific group of coloring agents provides the best overall yellow colorations or effects (either alone or in blends with other coloring agents, particularly at low color loadings) as well as the best overall low extraction levels when present within clear polyester (such as polyethylene terephthalate, for example), when compared to all other known polymeric yellow colorants for the same end-use. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as well as methods for producing such inventive colorants.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: Cyanoacrylate composition, having a cure indicator within the composition, is disclosed herein. The cyanoacrylate composition is “self-indicating” with respect to its ability to allow the end user to visually inspect the composition to determine whether, and the extent to which, cure has occurred. The composition includes a cyanoacrylate component, and a dye dissolved in the cyanoacrylate component. The cyanoacrylate composition has an initial color, oftentimes colorless or substantially so to the naked eye, and when cured, the cured cyanoacrylate composition has a different or second color. Observation of the second or different color is indicative that cure has occurred and the extent of the color change can be used to determine the degree of cure that has occurred.

Abstract: A water based coating composition which does not require a primer for application over wood, masonry, metal, vinyl siding and previously painted surfaces and can be applied over these surfaces in a single coat to provide the tannin blocking, hiding, corrosion resistance and durability of a conventional primer plus two coats of latex paint.

Abstract: A transparent, flame retardant polycarbonate composition consisting essentially of an aromatic polycarbonate resin and a flame-retarding amount of a guanidine salt or derivatives thereof, wherein the amount of guanidine salt or derivatives thereof is about 1 wt. % or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of copolymers consisting essentially of

Abstract: The present invention relates to organic anti-reflective coating polymers and preparation methods therefor. Anti-reflective coatings are used in a semiconductor device during photolithography processes to prevent the reflection of light from lower layers of the device, or resulting from changes in the thickness of the photoresist layer, and to eliminate the standing wave effect when ArF light is used. The present invention also relates to anti-reflective compositions and coatings containing these organic anti-reflective coating polymers, alone or in combination with certain light-absorbing compounds, and preparation methods therefor.

Abstract: A room-temperature curable silicone rubber composition that excels in bonding durability. comprises. The present invention is a room-temperature curable composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of a polydiorganosiloxane comprising (A-1) 20 to 100 parts by weight of a first polydiorganosiloxane, (A-2) 0 to 80 parts by weight of a second polydiorganosiloxane; (B) 1 to 20 parts by weight of an alkoxysilane or an alkoxysilane partial hydrolysis condensate; (C) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of an organo-titanium compound; (D) 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of an additive selected from light stabilizers and UV absorbers.

Abstract: A water based coating composition which does not require a primer for application over wood, masonry, metal, vinyl siding and previously painted surfaces and can be applied over these surfaces in a single coat to provide the tannin blocking, hiding, corrosion resistance and durability of a conventional primer plus two coats of latex paint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sol-gel composition which comprises a mixture of a polyalkylene glycol-substituted trialkoxysilane (PAGTAS), a polyalkylene glycol and/or alkyl ether, a tetraalkoxysilane (TAOS), a hydrochloric acid, at least one organic solvent and/or a lithium salt, which mixture is optionally concentrated; a polymeric ion conductive film obtained by coating said compositions with a conventional solution processing method and solid electrochemical elements using the same. According to the present invention, a polymeric ion conductive film having no phase separation, strong adhesiveness for electrode, and ion conductivity of at least 1×10−4 S/cm at room temperature is provided.

Abstract: A material of general formula I: ##STR1## where E=0 indicates a non-cyclic system, and E=1 indicates a cyclic system;G is R.sub.3 SiR.sub.1 R.sub.2 (O).sub.kR.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are independently selected from C.sub.1-16 alkyl which may be partly or fully halogenated, H and formula IA: ##STR2## wherein Y is a propylene group which may be partially halogenated with fluorine or chlorine and Y.sub.1 is independently selected from COO, OCO, O, S, CHOH, CHF, CO or CH.sub.2 ;Q and Q.sub.1 are independently selected from (CH.sub.2).sub.n wherein one or more non-adjacent methylenes may be replaced by O andn=0-20;Z and Z.sub.1 are independently selected from O, S, single covalent bond, COO or OCO; ##STR3## represents a mesogenic group and is given by the general structure II ##STR4## A, B, D are selected from the following rings: ##STR5## the above rings may be substituted with one or more of the following substituents in at least one of the available substitution positions: F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of a porous polymer comprising the steps of: i) forming a mixture comprising a polymerizable component and an organic solvent wherein the polymerizable component comprises at least one macromonomer having at least one perfluoropolyether unit; ii) polymerizing said mixture wherein immediately after the polymerization of said mixture at least a substantial proportion of said organic solvent is in the form of a discrete phase and wherein said discrete organic solvent phase forms an interpenetrating network throughout the mixture or is dispersed throughout the mixture; and iii) removing the discrete organic solvent phase.