Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2.3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.

Abstract: This invention provides a laminate for a luminescent element that can be used as a protecting material for the body of luminescent elements, for example, substrates and sealing vessels for luminescent elements such as organic EL elements, is transparent, and has both a gas barrier function and a deoxygenating function. There is also provided a luminescent element comprising this laminate for a luminescent element as a substrate and/or a sealing vessel. The laminate for a luminescent element is characterized by stacking an oxygen absorbing layer (3) containing a conjugated diene polymer cyclized product having a percentage unsaturated bond reduction of not less than 10% and a gas barrier layer (1).

Abstract: In an immersion lithography process, a pattern is formed by forming a photoresist layer on a wafer, forming a protective coating on the photoresist layer from an overlay material, exposing the layer structure to light in water, and developing. A water-insoluble, alkali-soluble material is used as the overlay material.

Abstract: Producing a printed circuit board, by coating a resin composition comprising an aromatic cyanate compound having two or more cyanato groups in a molecule and a radical-polymerizable resin on a circuit substrate, photo-curing the resin composition, and thermally curing the photo-cured resin composition to thereby form an insulation layer, affords an insulation layer with improved surface smoothness and excellent dielectric properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a water-absorbent polymer composite comprising the steps of contacting a droplet containing a solvent and said polymerizable monomer before polymerization and/or under polymerization with first fibers fed through a first supply port of said reactor in a gas phase, proceeding with polymerization of said polymerizable monomer, contacting the resultant droplet containing said solvent, the polymerizable monomer under polymerization and said first fibers with second fibers fed through a second supply port of said reactor in a gas phase, and proceeding with further polymerization of said polymerizable monomer to form said water-absorbent polymer composite.

Abstract: A binder for an electric double layer capacitor electrode, which includes a copolymer (A) including monomer units derived from at least one compound (a) represented by the following general formula (1): CH2?CR1—COOR2 ??(1) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group, the glass transition temperature obtained by homopolymerizing the compound (a) being less than 0° C., and monomer units derived from at least one compound (b) selected from acrylic acid alkyl esters, methacrylic acid alkyl esters, aromatic vinyl compounds, and ?,?-unsaturated nitrile compounds, the glass transition temperature obtained by homopolymerizing the compound (b) being 0° C. or higher, wherein the total content of the monomer units derived from the compound (a) and those derived from the compound (b) is 90% or more by weight per 100% of the whole copolymer (A), and the glass transition temperature of the copolymer (A) is 10° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers that are useful in negative resist compositions. Polymers of the present invention comprise (1) a first monomer having a polar functional group; (2) a second monomer; and optionally, (3) a third monomer that imparts at least one characteristic selected from crosslinkable functionality, etch resistance, and solubility modulation. The first monomer provides an acid catalyzed polarity switch upon elimination of the polar functional group, whereas, the second monomer provides aqueous dissolution. The polymers of the present invention may be incorporated into negative resist compositions, which may also include photoacid generators, crosslinking agents, basic compounds, solvents, dissolution accelerators, photobase generators, latent basic compounds, surfactants, adhesion promoters, and anti-foaming agents.

Abstract: A polymer comprises at least two types of monomer units selected from: (1) diethynyl benzene units, (2) triethynyl benzene units, and (3) ester units. After curing, the polymer may form a condensed polyaromatic dielectric having a dielectric constant of at most 2.0 at 1 MHz, an elastic modulus of at least 7.7 GPa, and a hardness of at least 2.0 GPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst component suitable for olefin (co)polymerization, which comprises an aluminoxane supported on magnesium halide and contains more than 5% by weight of aluminum. The catalyst component according to the present invention is obtained by contacting an aluminoxane compound and a magnesium compound in the presence of a multifunctional organic compound. The catalyst comprising said component and metallocene shows good activity and consumes less amount of aluminoxane in the process of olefin polymerization. The polymer prepared by using said catalyst has an improved particle morphology and a narrow particle distribution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer microsphere comprising at least one polymer and at least one bound latent colorant, wherein the microsphere is stabilized by at least one stabilizing polymer. The invention also includes a method of preparing polymer microspheres comprising combining latent colorant, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, stabilizing polymer, and an initiator in solvent and initiating polymerization to form a polymeric microsphere stabilized by a stabilizing polymer bound to the surface of the polymeric microsphere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluorinated bridged carbocyclic compound that can be polymerized by itself or with at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer to provide a polymer. The polymer may be used, for example, within a sub-300 nm photoresist composition. Also disclosed is a method to make the bridged carbocyclic compound.

Abstract: Processes for the living polymerization of olefin monomers with terminal carbon-carbon double bonds are disclosed. The processes employ initiators that include a metal atom and a ligand having two group 15 atoms and a group 16 atom or three group 15 atoms. The ligand is bonded to the metal atom through two anionic or covalent bonds and a dative bond. The initiators are particularly stable under reaction conditions in the absence of olefin monomer. The processes provide polymers having low polydispersities, especially block copolymers having low polydispersities. It is an additional advantage of these processes that, during block copolymer synthesis, a relatively small amount of homopolymer is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing an EP(D)M elastomer, which includes pre-cooling a reactive solvent to ?80 to ?100° C.; and polymerizing ethylene, at least one higher ?-olefin having 3 to 18 carbons, and selectively, at least one conjugated or non-conjugated diene having 5 to 15 carbons, in the presence of the reactive solvent. According to the method of the current invention, the yield of the EP(D)M elastomer is drastically increased even though a conventional preparation device is used unchanged. Further, methods of controlling the yield of the EP(D)M elastomer and of recovering the EP(D)M elastomer are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process by which a water-absorbent resin of excellent quality can be obtained at a low cost by reasonable steps in aqueous solution polymerization. The process for producing a water-absorbent resin comprises the step of polymerizing an aqueous solution of water-absorbent resin-forming monomers including acrylic acid and/or its sodium salt as major components, wherein: (1) the aqueous solution has a monomer component concentration of not less than 45 weight %; (2) the polymerization is carried out while water is evaporated so that the ratio (concentration ratio) between a solid component concentration in a hydropolymer as formed by the polymerization and a solid component concentration in the aqueous monomer solution will not be less than 1.10; and (3) the solid component concentration in the hydropolymer as formed by the polymerization is not more than 80 weight %.

Abstract: Die attach adhesives and methods for their use, along with the devices that are obtained by the use of the methods. Using semiconductor chips as an example, the adhesives and the method for using them provides an interface between a chip (die) and the chip support. The method includes creating a space between the chip and the chip support of a given sized opening.

Abstract: The device of the present invention delivers reactants to a reaction zone in a plug flow reactor. The feedblock encircles the reaction zone. Reactants enter the feedblock through an inlet port leading to a manifold for the delivery of reactants into a plurality of feed ports that are in connection with the reaction zone of a plug flow reactor. The invention additionally encompasses plug flow reactors including one or more feedblocks and the method of utilizing the feedblock for the reduction of radial variation in concentration upon entry of a reactant into the reaction zone.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive obtainable by free-radical polymerization, characterized in that at least 65% by weight of the adhesive is based on at least one acrylic monomer from the group of the compounds of the following general formula: where R1=H or CH3 and the radical R2=H or CH3 or is selected from the group consisting of branched or unbranched saturated alkyl groups having 2–20 carbon atoms, the average molecular weight of the adhesive is at least 65,000, applied to a carrier, the adhesive possesses a preferential direction, where the refractive index measured in the preferential direction nMD is greater than the refractive index measured in a direction perpendicular to the preferential direction nCD, the difference ?n=nMD?nCD being at least 1·10?5.

Abstract: Photoresist polymers and photoresist compositions containing the same are disclosed that comprise a chain linking compound including an alcohol group and a boron compound represented by Formula 1 as a moiety. As a result, the photoresist polymer and the photoresist composition containing the same have excellent transmissivity, etching resistance, thermal resistance and adhesive property, low light absorbance and high affinity to an developing solution at a wavelength of 13 nm as well as 248 nm and 157 nm, thereby reducing line edge roughness (LER). wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A metal compound obtained by a process comprising the step of contacting, in a specific ratio, a compound represented by the formula BiL1r, a compound represented by the formula R1s-1TH, and a compound represented by the formula R23-nJ(OH)n; a catalyst component for addition polymerization comprising the metal compound; a catalyst for addition polymerization using the catalyst component; and a process for producing an addition polymer using the catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to prepare a supported catalyst system comprising preparing a combination comprising 1) a first supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound, and 2) a second supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound and thereafter spray-drying the combination.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process of fractionating ferroelectric, preferably vinylidene fluoride polymers using a solvent having at least one polarizable functional group, and a precipitant. The composition of the fractionated ferroelectric polymers is selected so as to adjust the properties of a ferroelectric film made from the polymers. Films formed using the fractionated vinylidene fluoride polymers have improved properties, particularly with respect to roughness and crystal domain size, and suitability for use in data processing devices.

Abstract: The device of the present invention delivers reactants to a reaction zone in a plug flow reactor. The feedblock encircles the reaction zone. Reactants enter the feedblock through an inlet port leading to a manifold for the delivery of reactants into a plurality of feed ports that are in connection with the reaction zone of a plug flow reactor. The invention additionally encompasses plug flow reactors including one or more feedblocks and the method of utilizing the feedblock for the reduction of radial variation in concentration upon entry of a reactant into the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating (or cracking) the ester to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound including at least one diacid group. The ester can be dissociated using heat. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group, or a solid support to which at least one cyclic anhydride group is covalently tethered. Preferably, the cyclic anhydride is regenerated from the diacid formed in the synthesis of the ester by heating the diacid to dehydrate the diacid. The temperature required to dehydrate diacid groups is preferably higher than the temperature use to dissociate the ester.

Abstract: A composition, comprising, in an appropriate medium, at least one polymer with a highly specific ordered structure is disclosed. These compositions find a specific application in the field of make-up and are capable of being applied to keratinous fibers, in particular to the nails, eyelashes, eyebrows and hair. In particular, these compositions can make it possible to obtain a film which exhibits good resistance to chipping, to impacts, to rubbing movements, to scratches and/or to pressing actions.

Abstract: Olefin polymers with a broad molecular weight distribution can be obtained while maintaining the high stereoregularity of the polymers by polymerizing olefins using a catalyst comprising (A) a solid catalyst component prepared by contacting (a) a dialkoxymagnesium, (b) a tetravalent titanium halide compound, and (c) an electron donor compound one another, (B) an organoaluminum compound of the formula R1pAlQ3-p, and (C) an aminosilane compound of the formula R2R3Si(OR4)2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer microsphere comprising at least one polymer and at least one bound latent colorant, wherein the microsphere is stabilized by at least one stabilizing polymer. The invention also includes a method of preparing polymer microspheres comprising combining latent colorant, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, stabilizing polymer, and an initiator in solvent and initiating polymerization to form a polymeric microsphere stabilized by a stabilizing polymer bound to the surface of the polymeric microsphere.

Abstract: A novel fluoropolymer which can be an optical resin material having a low refractive index and excellent heat resistance, and a novel fluorinated diene compound having two unsaturated bonds, capable of presenting such a fluoropolymer, are presented. Further, by virtue of the low refractive index and excellent heat resistance, the polymer presents a high performance optical transmitter and a plastic optical fiber. A fluorinated diene compound represented by CF2?CFCF(ORf)CF2OCF?CF2 (wherein Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group such as a trifluoromethyl group), and a fluoropolymer thereof. Further, an optical transmitter made by using such a fluoropolymer, and a plastic optical fiber having a core comprising such a fluoropolymer and a fluorinated low molecular weight compound contained therein as a refractive index-increasing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber coated with a water blocking material that includes an essentially water free dispersion comprising a superabsorbent polymer and a dispersing medium. The fibers made according to this invention may be used, for example, as fiber reinforcing material used in the manufacture of cables, and in particular in yarns for fiber optical cables that use optical light wave guides for optical communication transmissions.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel thermoprecipitating polymers of formula 1 containing novel enzyme sensitive ligands of the formula 4, processes for the preparation thereof respectively, and to the use thereof for the separation of enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an elastomeric ethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer with excellent vulcanization properties, which comprises emulsion polymerizing ethylene, hexafluoropropylene and when in demand, a monomer copolymerizable therewith in a aqueous medium at a low temperature of ?20° C. to 40° C. using a radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: The device of the present invention delivers reactants to a reaction zone in a plug flow reactor. The feedblock encircles the reaction zone. Reactants enter the feedblock through an inlet port leading to a manifold for the delivery of reactants into a plurality of feed ports that are in connection with the reaction zone of a plug flow reactor. The invention additionally encompasses plug flow reactors including one or more feedblocks and the method of utilizing the feedblock for the reduction of radial variation in concentration upon entry of a reactant into the reaction zone.

Abstract: There are disclosed an ethylenic copolymer comprising ethylene and an &agr;-olefin in which diad chain distribution [EA] of ethylene [E] and &agr;-olefin [A] as determined by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum method (13C-NMR method) and ethylene content &agr; (mol %) as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum satisfy the following relational expressions (1) and (2): 0.7−2.8(0.5−&agr;/100)2−|0.25(0.5−&agr;/100)|≦[EA]≦2&agr;/100  (1) (| | represents the absolute value) 10≦&agr;≦90  (2) and in which the &agr;-olefin has 3 to 20 carbon atoms; a process for producing the ethylenic copolymer and a lubricating oil composition comprising the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for polymerising vinyl monomers and/or oligomers comprising at least a vinyl radical, which consists in mixing the vinyl monomer or the oligomer comprising at least a vinyl radical with: at least dioxygen supplying agent, at least a aldehyde representing for example between 1% and 15% of the weight of the mixture, at least an accelerator which may for example of consist in a metallic salt.

Abstract: A metal compound obtained by a process comprising the step of contacting, in a specific ratio, a compound represented by the formula BiL1r, a compound represented by the formula R1s-1TH, and a compound represented by the formula R23-nJ(OH)n; a catalyst component for addition polymerization comprising the metal compound; a catalyst for addition polymerization using the catalyst component; and a process for producing an addition polymer using the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for making an absorbent material involves flash-drying a superabsorbent polymer precursor composition. The process may be used to make a superabsorbent-fiber material without the necessity of mixing conventional superabsorbent solid particles with pulp fluff is provided. The synthesis (i.e., polymerization) of the superabsorbent is completely integrated into the process for forming the absorbent material. One or more streams of superabsorbent polymer precursor composition are provided, to which a plurality of individual fibers may be added. The resulting in-situ polymerized superabsorbent-fiber material is then flash-dried and can subsequently be formed into a superabsorbent-fiber composite. The flash-drying is relatively inexpensive and requires little drying time compared to conventional drying methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of polymers containing self-complementary quadruple hydrogen groups by copolymerizing monomers containing a quadruple hydrogen bonding group with one or more monomers of choice. The resulting polymers show unique new characteristics due to the presence of additional physical interactions between the polymer chains that are based on multiple hydrogen bonding interactions (supramolecular interactions).

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process wherein monomer, diluent and catalyst are circulated in a continuous loop reactor and product slurry is recovered by means of a continuous product take off. The continuous product allows operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating slurry. In a preferred embodiment, the slurry is heated in a flash line heater and passed to a high pressure flash where a majority of the diluent is separated and thereafter condensed by simple heat exchange, without compression, and thereafter recycled. Also an olefin polymerization process operating at higher reactor solids by virtue of more aggressive circulation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process of fractionating ferroelectric, preferably vinylidene fluoride polymers using a solvent having at least one polarizable functional group, and a precipitant. The composition of the fractionated ferroelectric polymers is selected so as to adjust the properties of a ferroelectric film made from the polymers. Films formed using the fractionated vinylidene fluoride polymers have improved properties, particularly with respect to roughness and crystal domain size, and suitability for use in data processing devices.

Abstract: A silicone hyper-branched polymer surfactant is included in a rinsing solution which may be used to remove photoresist residues. The silicone hyper-branched polymer surfactant is prepared by polymerizing a monomer represented by the following chemical formula (1), where R1 denotes a vinyl group and R2 denotes hydrogen, and includes both a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group.

Abstract: Solving problems in the prior art, provided are a resist polymer which is small in lot-to-lot, reactor-to-reactor and scale-to-scale variations, and contains no high polymer, is excellent in solubility and storage stability, and is suitable for fine pattern formation, and a method for production thereof. The present invention provides the resist polymer at least having a repeating unit having a structure which is decomposed by an acid to become soluble in an alkali developer and a repeating unit having a polar group to enhance adhesion to a substrate, characterized in that a peak area of a high molecular weight component (high polymer) with molecular weight of 100,000 or more is 0.1% or less based on an entire peak area in a molecular weight distribution determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

Abstract: A particulate, modified chromium oxide catalyst for the polymerisation of ethylene or ethylene with &agr;-olefins, comprising: a) a chromium-oxide catalyst, b) a transition metal compound, and c) a catalyst activator. A method for the preparation of the catalyst comprises the steps of: a) subjecting a chromium oxide catalyst precursor, which comprises a chromium oxide compound combined with an inorganic support, to a temperature in the range of from 400 to 950° C.

Abstract: An adhesive paste comprising liquid adhesive resin is partially curable to a tacky state at a temperature below the final cure temperature, and fully curable to a solid state at a temperature higher than used to reach the tacky state. In its tacky state, the adhesive paste will have sufficient strength to bond a silicon chip to a substrate with less than one kg force at room temperature. This ability is critical for thinner dies that may break with the use of greater force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of water-soluble polymers containing polyalkylene glycol ether side chains and having molecular weights of from 15,000 to 65,000 by solution polymerization of esters of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and polyalkylene glycols which are masked on the end groups at one end, if desired together with another monomer in at least one hydrocarbon at monomer concentrations of from 70 to 95% by weight in the presence of free-radical-forming polymerization initiators and, if desired, polymerization regulators at temperatures of up to 200° C., removal of the solvent used in the solution polymerization, and dissolution of the polymers in water to give from 50 to 80% strength by weight solutions, with polymers containing acid groups being neutralized if desired.

Abstract: A novel polymer useful as an optical resin material excellent in heat resistance, a novel monomer for obtaining the polymer, etc., are provided. A fluorinated diene represented by CF2═CF(CF2)nC(CF3)ROCF═CF2 (wherein R is a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group, and n is an integer of from 1 to 3), and a polymer thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer for data storage that is sensitive to a light source, a data storage media coated by the same, and a data storage device and method using the data storage media. In particular, the present invention relates to a polymer for data storage comprising two of the functional group of disperse red 1, which is a photoresponsive organic dye, bonded to a branched chain per every repeat unit, a data storage media coated by the same, a reversible and optical data storage device containing a thin film, and a data storage method using the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic styrenic resin composition comprises a styrenic copolymer comprising 15-100 parts by weight of a unit derived from a styrenic monomer (i-1), 0-45 parts by weight of a unit derived from a vinyl cyanide monomer (i-2), 0-40 parts by weight of a unit derived from a copolymerizable vinyl monomer (i-3) other than the above monomers, and 0.0005-1.0 parts by weight of a unit derived from a polyfunctional maleimide monomer, all based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of (i-1) to (i-3). The thermoplastic styrenic resin composition manufactured in the present invention is excellent in processability. The rubber modified thermoplastic styrenic resin composition of the present invention gives a good heat stability, impact strength, fluidity and other mechanical properties. In addition, it also gives a uniform wall thickness, and the gloss on the surface of injected products after painting process is excellent.

Abstract: It is to provide a process for producing an olefin/aromatic vinyl compound copolymer which is excellent in transparency and which satisfies flexibility and heat resistance simultaneously, with a practically high productivity.

Abstract: A process for preparing highly branched ethylene polymers comprises polymerizing ethylene over a catalyst system comprising a compound of the formula Ia or Ib 1