Abstract: Processes for isolating, formulating, and shaping macrocyclic oligoesters were developed which allow efficient production of macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from solvent, which may include additives, fillers, and catalysts.

Abstract: An aliphatic polyester copolymer comprising an aliphatic carbonate unit (a) and an aliphatic polyester unit (b), and a molded body composed of said aliphatic polyester copolymer. The aliphatic polyester copolymer is excellent in heat resistance while having adequate mechanical properties and properties in the molten state.

Abstract: A process to remove metal contaminants from a hydrocarbon solution of polyethylene is disclosed. The process comprises adding a primary alcohol and a ?-diketone to a solution of polyethylene at a temperature within the range of 120° C. to 300° C. and contacting the solution with basic alumina. The process removes metal contaminants and minimizes degradation and condensation products, which can have a detrimental effect on polyethylene properties. The process provides polyethylene with low metal residues and good properties.

Abstract: The present contact lens treating systems and methods effectively remove extractable materials from contact lenses, for example, newly formed contact lenses, so that the lenses can be safely and conveniently worn, for example, for extended periods of time. Such treatment methods and the present extraction medium reprocessing methods allow lens treatment while reducing extraction medium losses, thereby reducing costs of these materials and the burden of such treatment on the environment. The present methods can also be useful for manufacturing a heat stabilized contact lens, for example, a water swelled contact lens including a Vitamin E component which is insoluble in the lens in a hydrated state.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: An agricultural irrigation assembly includes a water supply header and a plurality of drip tapes fluidly coupled with the supply header. Each drip tape consists essentially of a biodegradable plastic material. A catalyst dispenser is in fluid communication with the supply header. The catalyst dispenser contains a catalyst for initiating fast degradation of the biodegradable plastic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical unit for high-resolution applications all lenses in which are made of plastics. The optical unit includes lens (1) and (2). The lens (1) is a plastic lens having an Abbe number of 45-60. The lens (2) is a lens injection molded from a polycarbonate material comprising a structure derived from spirobiindan and having a glass transition temperature of 120-150° C.

Abstract: Process for the solvent treatment of a plastic, by dissolving the plastic with a solvent and with at least one phase separation agent compatible with the solvent to form a solution, precipitating the plastic by contacting the solution with at least one non-solvent so as to obtain a solvent/non solvent mixture containing precipitated plastic particles, and substantially eliminating the solvent from the mixture and recovering solid plastic particles. After dissolution but before substantially eliminating the solvent a stripping takes place during which at least a substantial portion of the PSA is removed from the solution or from the mixture using a stripping composition.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) may be fractionated into higher and lower molecular weight fractions by forming a mixture that includes a poly(arylene ether) starting material, a first solvent that is dichloromethane, bromochloromethane, dibromomethane, or a mixture thereof, and a second solvent different from the first solvent having a Hildebrand solubility parameter of about 16 to about 22 megapascal1/2. The mixture separates into fractions containing higher and lower molecular weight poly(arylene ether)s.

Abstract: A reactor and a process for solid phase continuous polymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in order to achieve an increase of the intrinsic viscosity (I.V.) of a low molecular weight PET pre-polymers flow. A plurality of fluidized stages in series (109; 309) are provided and said PET pre-polymers flow is fed into said fluidized stages in series (109; 309). An inert gas flow is fed either in cross-flow or in counter-current flow with respect to the PET pre-polymers flow.

Abstract: The present invention is to prevent the rapid viscosity rise generated at the time of dissolving or dispersing in a solvent a polymer obtained by reacting a material polymer having an acidic functional group and a hydroxyl group in the principal chain part with an isocyanate compound, in particular, a photo-curing polymer obtained by reaction with a radical polymerizable group-containing isocyanate compound. A highly stable polymer can be obtained by reacting a material polymer having a principal chain including at least a component unit having an acidic functional group and a component unit having a hydroxyl group with an isocyanate compound, and further reacting the same with an alcohol. Moreover, by producing a material polymer using a non-nitrile azo-based or peroxide-based polymerization initiator and/or introducing an isocyanate compound using a polymerization inhibitor selected from the compounds represented by the above-mentioned formulae (10) and (16), the transparency can be improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising contacting an polymerization reactor effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon and thereafter recovering olefin polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable polymer such as poly(hydroxystyrene) which comprises the decarboxylation of a corresponding phenolic in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst and a polar organic solvent, followed by the polymerization thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to alkanal derivatives of water-soluble polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol), their corresponding hydrates and acetals, and to methods for preparing and using such polymer alkanals. The polymer alkanals of the invention are prepared in high purity and exhibit storage stability.

Abstract: A method for treating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in its reactor latex form to produce a dry submicron PTFE powder that remains stable without rheology modifiers, surfactants, wetting agents, pH adjusters or other stabilizing additives. Reactor latex PTFE formed during an emulsion polymerization process can be irradiated, with an electron beam or gamma rays, during or after the polymerization to form a product where the dry submicron PTFE powder is free-flowing, tends not to self-agglomerate and tends not to dust into the air upon handling so that the PTFE is readily dispersible when placed in a desired application system or medium.

Abstract: Hematin, a hydroxyferriprotoporphyrin, is derivatized with one or more non-proteinaceous amphipathic groups. The derivatized hematin can serve as a mimic of horseradish peroxidase in polymerizing aromatic monomers, such as aromatic compounds. These derivatized hematins can also be used as catalysts in polymerizing aromatic monomers, and can exhibit significantly greater catalytic activity than underivatized hematin in acidic solutions. In one embodiment, polymerization is in the presence of a template, along which aromatic monomers align. An assembled hematin includes alternating layers of hematin and a polyelectrolyte, which are deposited on an electrically charged substrate. Assembled hematin can also be used to polymerize aromatic monomers.

Abstract: An process of forming a chiral conducting polymer, e.g., polyaniline, is provided including reacting a monomer, e.g., an aniline monomer, in the presence of a chiral dopant acid to produce a first reaction mixture by addition of a solution including a first portion of an oxidizing agent, the first portion of oxidizing agent characterized as insufficient to allow complete reaction of the monomer, and further reacting the first reaction mixture in the presence of the chiral dopant acid by addition of a solution including a second portion of the oxidizing agent, the second portion of oxidizing agent characterized as insufficient to allow complete reaction of the monomer, and repeating the reaction by addition of further portions of the oxidizing agent until the monomer reaction is complete to produce a chiral conducting polymer, e.g., polyaniline.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) produced by combining a poly(arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent at a shear rate of greater than 50,000 sec?1. The high shear mixing conditions produce a poly(arylene ether) dispersion in which the poly(arylene ether) solid contains reduced amounts of undesirably fine particles.

Abstract: A thienylene-arylene polymer comprised of a repeating segment containing at least one 2,5-thienylene unit selected from (I) and (II), and from about one to about three arylene units selected from (IIIa), (IIIb), and/or (IIIc) wherein R is an alkyl or an alkoxy; R? is halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy, and a and b represent the number of Rs.

Abstract: A method of deactivating a polymerization catalyst system comprising contacting the catalyst system with a catalyst deactivation agent wherein the catalyst system comprises an alkyl aluminum cocatalyst and the reaction of the catalyst system and catalyst deactivation agent produces reaction products that are noncorrosive, nongelatinous, or both. A method of inhibiting the polymerization of propylene comprising contacting a polymerization catalyst system with a catalyst deactivation agent wherein the catalyst system comprises an alkyl aluminum cocatalyst and the reaction of the cocatalyst and the catalyst deactivation agent produces reaction products that are noncorrosive, nongelatinous, or both. A method of deactivating a polymerization catalyst system having an alkyl aluminum cocatalyst, comprising contacting the catalyst system with an alcohol, a carboxylic acid, an alkylene glycol, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An analytical technique for the accurate and precise measurement of trace water in chemical reagents, comprising the steps of combining a chemical reagent comprising ?5 ppm water, with hexafluoroacetone (HFA), to form a sample mixture comprising at least the chemical reagent and a water derivative of hexafluoroacetone; and measuring the concentration of the water derivative of hexafluoroacetone by gas chromatography.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to increase the amount of polymer solute in a polymerization medium or effluent comprising introducing a fluorocarbon into the polymerization medium or effluent in an amount effective to increase the amount of polymer solute in the polymerization medium or effluent by at least 3% without causing precipitation of polymer solute from the polymerization medium or effluent, as compared to the same polymerization medium or effluent without the fluorocarbon present. This invention also relates to a process to reduce the viscosity of a polymerization medium or effluent comprising introducing a fluorocarbon into the polymerization medium or effluent in an amount effective to reduce the viscosity of the polymerization medium or effluent by at least 3% without causing precipitation of polymer solute from the polymerization medium or effluent, as compared to the same polymerization medium or effluent without the fluorocarbon present.

Abstract: Improved processes for extracting polyhydroxyalkanoate from a biomass containing the polyhydroxyalkanoate including the steps of: combining the biomass containing the polyhydroxyalkanoate with a solvent selected from lower chain ketones, and mixtures thereof to form a biomass liquor wherein the biomass liquor comprises less than about 25% water; mixing the biomass liquor for from about 10 to about 300 minutes at a temperature in the range of from about 70° C. to about 120° C.; separating the polyhydroxyalkanoate from the biomass liquor to form a PHA-enriched liquor, wherein the separating occurs at a temperature of at least about 40° C.; mixing the PHA-enriched liquor with water to form precipitated polyhydroxyalkanoate and an impure solvent liquor, wherein the water is mixed with the PHA-enriched liquor in the ratio of from at least about 0.4-1 parts of water to one part solvent; and recovering the precipitated polyhydroxyalkanoate from the impure solvent liquor.

Abstract: Substituted polyphenylenes and methods for producing such substituted polyphenylenes using supported transition metal catalysis are provided.

Abstract: Method for precipitating polyphenylene ether which decreases fine particles therein and reduces periodic fluctuations in particle size. Method provides homogeneous polyphenylene ether particles. Polyphenylene ether particles are precipitated using mixed solution comprising good solvent for polyphenylene ether and poor solvent for polyphenylene ether. Method employs precipitation tank equipped with draft tube, stirring blade, baffle(s), solution supply port, poor solvent supply port, and exhaust port. Polyphenylene ether particles and poor solvent are added to mixed solution comprising good solvent and circularly flowed by rotation of stirring blade, polyphenylene ether solution for solution supply port, and poor solvent for poor solvent supply port, thereby precipitating polyphenylene ether particles having desired properties.

Abstract: Impurities are removed from polythiophene by mixing a composition comprising polythiophene, water and an organic liquid at a temperature at which the organic liquid dissolves the polythiophene; allowing an aqueous phase to separate from an organic phase and recovering organic phase; adding water to recovered organic phase and mixing the resulting composition at a temperature at which the organic liquid dissolves the polythiophene; allowing an aqueous phase to separate from an organic phase and recovering organic phase; and allowing polythiophene solid to precipitate from recovered organic phase.

Abstract: The present contact lens treating systems and methods effectively remove extractable materials from contact lenses, for example, newly formed contact lenses, so that the lenses can be safely and conveniently worn, for example, for extended periods of time. Such treatment methods and the present extraction medium reprocessing methods allow lens treatment while reducing extraction medium losses, thereby reducing costs of these materials and the burden of such treatment on the environment. The present methods can also be useful for manufacturing a heat stabilized contact lens, for example, a water swelled contact lens including a Vitamin E component which is insoluble in the lens in a hydrated state.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the production of polyarylene sulfide based resin, wherein in washing a polyarylene sulfide based resin with a mixed solvent of an aprotic organic solvent and water in a softened or molten state, the polyarylene sulfide based resin partially dissolved in the washing liquid is recovered, to be specific, the polyarylene sulfide based resin dissolved in the washing liquid is precipitated, separated and recovered by cooling the washing liquid after washing and/or adding water to the washing liquid, and it is reused. According to the present invention, capable of being provided is a process for the production of polyarylene sulfide based resin in which the polyarylene sulfide based resin formed by polymerization is scarcely lost in washing the above resin with a solvent.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to processes for producing substantially free-flowing shapes of macrocyclic oligoester, wherein the freshly-shaped macrocyclic oligoester is maintained at elevated temperature for a sufficient time. In certain embodiments, the shapes are heated in water, thereby avoiding agglomeration during the heating process itself. In another aspect, the invention relates to processes for removing solvent from a solution of macrocyclic oligoester using elevated temperature, reduced pressure, or both, thereby obviating the need for an anti-solvent to precipitate the macrocyclic oligoester from the solution. Other aspects of the invention related to shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters are presented as well.

Abstract: A spin fluid for producing plexifilamentary products made of a polyolefin dissolved in a primary solvent of dicloromethane or 1,2-dichloroethylene with a straight chain hydrofluorocarbon co-solvent.

Abstract: Poly(aryleneethynylene) polymers, poly(ferrocenylaryleneethynylene) polymers and poly(ferrocenylethynylene) polymers having properties particularly useful for solubilizing nanomaterials and for effecting subsequent re-solubilization of a solid polymer-solubilized nanomaterial, and compositions and methods thereto are provided.

Abstract: Hematin, a hydroxyferriprotoporphyrin, is derivatized with one or more non-proteinaceous amphipathic groups. The derivatized hematin can serve as a mimic of horseradish peroxidase in polymerizing aromatic monomers, such as aromatic compounds. These derivatized hematins can also be used as catalysts in polymerizing aromatic monomers, and can exhibit significantly greater catalytic activity than underivatized hematin in acidic solutions. In one embodiment, polymerization is in the presence of a template, along which aromatic monomers align. An assembled hematin includes alternating layers of hematin and a polyelectrolyte, which are deposited on an electrically charged substrate. Assembled hematin can also be used to polymerize aromatic monomers.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyarylene oxide comprising a step of oxidative polymerization of a monomer represented by the general formula (1) in an organic solvent in the presence of a transition metal compound, wherein, Ar represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring, R1 represents a hydrocarbon group optionally substituted, a hydrocarbonoxy group optionally substituted, or a halogen atom; a represents an integer of 0 to 5, and when a is 2 or more, R1s may be the same or different, adjacent R1s may mutually bond to form a ring; R2 represents a single bond or an arylene group; R3 represents a hydrocarbon group optionally substituted or a trialkylsilyl group.

Abstract: Provided is a fluorine substituted oligomeric or polymeric ester including the reaction product of a fluorine substituted acrylate or a fluorine substituted methacrylate; an unsaturated anhydride; and an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate. Also provided is a method of making the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation-curable prepolymer. The radiation-curable prepolymer of the invention is prepared by reacting an isocyanate-capped polyurethane with an ethylenically unsaturated amine or an ethylenically unsaturated monohydroxy compound or a mixture thereof, wherein the isocyanate-capped polyurethane is a copolymerization production of: (a) at least one polyalkylene glycol; (b) at least one branching agent having at least three hydroxy groups; and (c) at least one di- or polyisocyanate. The radiation-curable prepolymer of the invention can find use in economically producing contact lenses which have durable, highly elastic soft contact lenses with desired physical properties. In addition, the present invention provides method for making a radiation-curable prepolymer of the invention and for making a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aspartates, their method of production and the use of these mono and polyaspartates as reactive components for polyisocyanates in two-component polyurethane coating compositions and for preparing polyurethane prepolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of low solvent sol-gel systems, comprising the following steps: (a) hydrolysis or condensation of a silane and/or an alkoxide and/or several alkoxides of Al, Ce, Ga, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb and Ta, (b) addition of water to the reaction mixture until phase separation sets in, and (c) separation of the condensate phase. The invention also relates to the sol-gel system thus obtained and to the use thereof.

Abstract: Polymer fractions such as polyethylene fractions can be produced that have a PDI less than about 2.3 and a Mw greater than about 1,000,000 g/mol, 3,000,000 g/mol, or 6,000,000 g/mol. Such polyethylene fractions are separated from a UHMWPE parent polymer by first dissolving the parent polymer in a relatively good solvent. The conditions employed for such dissolution are selected to reduce the degradation of the parent polymer. The resulting parent solution is transported into a fractionation column in which a support is disposed. The fractionation column is thereafter operated at conditions effective to form a precipitate on the support comprising the desired polyethylene fraction. The polyethylene fraction may then be recovered from the fractionation column by repeatedly displacing a solvent/non-solvent mixture into the column to dissolve the polyethylene fraction. The relative concentrations of the solvent and the non-solvent are based on a solvent gradient profile of the polyethylene parent polymer.

Abstract: A method is described for the manufacture of polyesters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids with aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic dials, in which an aromatic dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a monocarboxylic acid or a mixture of a monocarboxylic acid present in a saturated solution with water or another suitable solvent is converted with an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dial to a dicarboxylic acid alkanediolestercarboxylate and/or its oligomers, which are polycondensed in further process steps to the polyester.

Abstract: A solution of a polyketone as a copolymer of carbon monoxide and one or more olefins, wherein 90 wt % or more of said copolymer comprises carbon monoxide units and olefin units, and a solvent is an aqueous solution of at least one member selected from the group consisting of zinc salts, calcium salts, thiocyanates and iron salts.

Abstract: A polytrimethylene terephthalate resin comprising: 90 to 100 mole % of trimethylene terephthalate recurring units, and 0 to 10 mole % of at least one monomer unit obtained from a comonomer other than the monomers used for forming the recurring units and copolymerizable with at least one of the monomers used for forming the recurring units, which resin has the following characteristics: (A) an intrinsic viscosity [?] of from 0.8 to 4.0 dl/g; (B) an Mw/Mn of from 2.0 to 2.7; (C) a psychometric lightness L-value (L-1) of from 70 to 100 and a psychometric chroma b*-value (b*-1) of from ?5 to 25; and (D) a psychometric lightness L-value (L-2) of from 70 to 100 and a psychometric chroma b*-value (b*-2) of from ?5 to 25 as measured after heating the resin at 180° C. for 24 hours in air.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) polymer includes polymer repeat units of the following structure: —(O—Ar1—O—Ar2)m—(O—Ar3—O—Ar4)n— where Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, and Ar4 are identical or different aryl radicals, m is 0.05 to 0.95, n is 1-m, and at least one of the aryl radicals is grafted to at least one hydroxyalkyl group, such as 2-undecanol. The polymer is especially useful in electrically conductive adhesives.

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether) polymers are provided having polymer repeat units of the following structure: wherein Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, and Ar4 are identical or different aryl radicals, m is 0 to 1, n is 1-m, and at least one of G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7 and G8 is a hydroxyalkyl furan group. Thin films of the polymer and methods of making the polymer are also provided.

Abstract: A thienylene-arylene polymer comprised of a repeating segment containing at least one 2,5-thienylene unit selected from (I) and (II), and from about one to about three arylene units selected from (IIIa), (IIIb), and/or (IIIc) wherein R is an alkyl or an alkoxy; R? is halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy, and a and b represent the number of Rs.

Abstract: The method consists in hydrolysing an initial volume Vse of a precursor material comprising at least one polyalkoxysilane with a quantity of water such that x ? ? H 2 ? O x ? ? Si ? 10 , ? and where x H20 and x Si represent the number of moles of H20 and Si present, respectively, the concentration of the hydrolysate up to a volume substantially equal to the initial volume Vsi, leaving the concentrated hydrolysate until segregation into an aqueous phase and an organo-silicon phase, and recovery of the organo-silicon phase. A product can be obtained which comprises an organo-silicon sol comprising silicon species T1, T2, and T3, wherein the molar fraction of species T2 is equal or greater than 50%, comprising a condensation rate equal to or greater than 0.65, and further defined as lacking water, as determined by analyzing a sample of said organo-silicon sol by 1H NMR and observing the absence of peak corresponding to water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to alkanal derivatives of water-soluble polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol), their corresponding hydrates and acetals, and to methods for preparing and using such polymer alkanals. The polymer alkanals of the invention are prepared in high purity and exhibit storage stability.

Abstract: A method of precipitating a poly(arylene ether) includes combining a poly(arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent at a shear rate of greater than 50,000 sec?1. The high shear mixing conditions produce a poly(arylene ether) dispersion in which the poly(arylene ether) solid contains reduced amounts of undesirably fine particles.

Abstract: Polymers derived from various monomers are purified by fractionalization of the crude polymers in a solvent/non solvent system via reverse precipitation.