Abstract: A process for making down a powder is provided. The process comprises making down a powder comprising one or more acrylamide-based polymer(s) to form a made down powder solution, comprising blending a mixture of the powder and a solvent for no more than about 15 minutes to yield the made down powder solution, wherein the powder comprises particles having been dry-cut to a median particle size of from about 200 microns to about 10,000 microns.

Abstract: Formulations usable in repelling pests from objects are provided. The formulations contain a tacky polymeric composition and can be aqueous formulations and/or formulation that are devoid of an organic solvent. The formulations exhibit exceptional durability when applied to objects such as plants.

Abstract: A method for purifying a nonaqueous liquid substance includes: filling a cartridge container with a macroporous or porous type ion exchange resin in a water-wet state to obtain an ion exchange resin-filled cartridge filled with the macroporous or porous type ion exchange resin before water content reduction; reducing a water content of the macroporous or porous type ion exchange resin in the cartridge container until a water content (A) of the macroporous or porous type ion exchange resin after water content reduction becomes 90 to 97% of a water content (B) of the macroporous or porous type ion exchange resin in a saturated equilibrium state; an initial blowing step of allowing the nonaqueous liquid substance before being purified to pass inside the cartridge container filled with the macroporous or porous type ion exchange resin after water content reduction and discharging an initial blow effluent from inside the cartridge container; and purification.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a filtration process and apparatus for separating valuable or harmful process liquids from mixtures or slurries that contain such liquids and solid particles. In particular, the invention relates to a filtration process for separating Process Liquid from a feed slurry that comprises a mixture of the Process Liquid and solid particles, the process employing a Sweep Liquid that is less dense than the Process Liquid.

Abstract: Provided are a poly(alkylene carbonate) resin composition having improved mechanical properties, heat resistance, and processability, a preparation method of the poly(alkylene carbonate) resin composition, a molded article formed by using the composition, and a preparation method of the molded article, in which the poly(alkylene carbonate) resin composition includes poly(alkylene carbonate) having a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 g/mol to 500,000 g/mol and polyamide having a melting point of 180° C. to 194° C. at a weight ratio of 95:5 to 75:25.

Abstract: An organic electronic material containing a charge transport polymer for which, in a molecular weight distribution chart measured by GPC, the area ratio accounted for by components having a molecular weight of less than 20,000 is not more than 40%, and the area ratio accounted for by components having a molecular weight of 500 or less is not more than 1%.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions and methods of using the same for improving plants' defense by employing naturally-derived chemicals. In a specific embodiment, the composition is from Parthenium argentatum Gray, also known as the guayule plant. Preferred compositions can up-or downregulate growth genes responsible for the targeted plants' defense mechanisms in order to create physical and/or chemical barriers, and produce detouring exudates, antagonistic compounds, or fumigating compounds that prevent and treat damages from pests in agronomic or non-agronomic plants.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of imaging are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of imaging described herein comprises disposing a population of ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in a biological environment, the fluorophores having a switching threshold between an off state and an on state; exposing the biological environment to an ultrasound beam to create an activation region within the biological environment; switching at least one of the fluorophores within the activation region from the off state to the on state; exciting the at least one fluorophore with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detecting light emitted by the fluorophore. In some embodiments, the activation region has a maximum negative pressure and/or maximum temperature and the switching threshold of the at least one fluorophore is at least about 50 percent of the maximum negative pressure or at least about 50 percent of the maximum temperature of the activation region.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method to predict the solubility of a drug or other molecule in a solid polymer or other matrix at any temperature. The instant invention provides a method to determine the difference in specific enthalpy, specific entropy and specific Gibbs energy between a solid solution and the unmixed components, as well as a method to use those data to predict the solubility of a drug or other molecule in a solid polymer or other matrix. The method uses known thermodynamics equations and thermal analysis data, such as obtained from DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) at temperatures that are lower than the temperature at which the solubility is predicted. The method allows prediction of the drug-in-polymer solubilities without the use of elevated temperatures, but still avoids impractically long experiments.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method to predict the solubility of a drug or other molecule in a solid polymer or other matrix at any temperature. The instant invention provides a method to determine the difference in specific enthalpy, specific entropy and specific Gibbs energy between a solid solution and the unmixed components, as well as a method to use those data to predict the solubility of a drug or other molecule in a solid polymer or other matrix. The method uses known thermodynamics equations and thermal analysis data, such as obtained from DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) at temperatures that are lower than the temperature at which the solubility is predicted. The method allows prediction of the drug-in-polymer solubilities without the use of elevated temperatures, but still avoids impractically long experiments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a superabsorbent polymer, including a) drying and pulverizing a hydrogel polymer, and then classifying into a first fine powder having a particle size of less than 150 ?m and a base polymer having a particle size of 150 to 850 ?m; b) mixing a portion of the first fine powder, water and an additive, thus preparing a first fine-powder regranulate; c) passing the first fine-powder regranulate through a chopper and then performing drying and pulverizing; and d) classifying the pulverized first fine-powder regranulate into a superabsorbent polymer having a particle size of 150 to 850 ?m and a second fine powder having a particle size of less than 150 ?m, thus yielding the superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet of polymeric foam comprising chemically cross-linked, closed-cell, foam comprising at least one polyolefin; cork particles dispersed within said polymeric foam wherein said foam has a specific gravity of between 40-250 kg/m3 and is essentially free of visible perforations.

Abstract: A facile synthesis of amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers consisting of poly(amic acid) and polyimide was developed via “A2+B3” approach from difunctional anhydride and trifunctional hydrophilic poly(oxyalkylene)triamine. Various amphiphilic hyperbranched poly(amic acid)s (HBPAAs) with terminal amine functionalities and amic acid structures were prepared through ring-opening polyaddition at room temperature, followed by thermal imidization process for the formation of hyperbranched polyimides (HBPIs), accordingly. The resulting HBPIs were analyzed by GPC, indicating the molecule weights of 5000˜7000 g/mol with a distribution of polydispersity between 2.0 and 3.8. The amine titration for HBPIs indicated the peripheral total-amine contents to be 8.32˜18.32 mequiv/g dependent on compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying a resin for photolithography wherein, from an insufficiently purified resin (also referred to as “crude resin”), low molecular weight impurities such as an unreacted monomer and a polymerization initiator, which cause a development defect of a resist pattern or deterioration of the storage stability of the resin for photolithography can be removed more effectively. The method for purifying a resin for photolithography includes an operation (a) wherein a slurry in which a resin is dispersed in a solution containing a good solvent and a poor solvent is stirred, and then an operation (b) wherein, to said slurry, a poor solvent is added to lower the ratio of the good solvent to the poor solvent, and then, the resin is separated from the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing unreacted monomer in polymer using a SCC comprising a housing having a rotation axis; a supply part of at least one polymer formed inside of the housing; at least two spinning cones that are installed so as to have a constant gradient from the upper part to the lower part to the rotation axis, move polymer supplied through the polymer supply part, and rotate around the rotation axis; a fixed cone that is fixed and formed on the inner side of the housing, and provides a pathway for sequentially moving polymer from a spinning cone at the upper part to a spinning cone at the lower part; a product collection part for collecting polymer moved through the spinning cone and the fixed cone; and a driving part for rotating the spinning cone.

Abstract: A renewable chemical feedstock derived from the essential oils from herbs and other plants. In embodiments, trans-anethole are transformed into thermoset and thermoplastic compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing an ionic species contained in an aqueous phase. The method includes contacting an aqueous phase containing the ionic species with a sol gel-derived composite material, where the sol gel-derived composite material is a sol gel-derived composition having a porous matrix and containing a reactive metal incorporated into at least a portion of the porous matrix, under conditions sufficient to remove the ionic species contained in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyarylene sulfide resin, comprising: producing a slurry (I) containing a solid alkali metal sulfide by allowing a hydrous alkali metal sulfide, or a hydrous alkali metal hydrosulfide and an alkali metal hydroxide, and an aliphatic cyclic compound (c1) that can be ring-opened by hydrolysis to react with each other while conducting dehydration in the presence of a non-hydrolyzable organic solvent; adding an aprotic polar organic solvent after the production of the slurry (I) and distilling off water to conduct dehydration; and conducting polymerization by allowing a polyhaloaromatic compound (a), an alkali metal hydrosulfide (b), and an alkali metal salt (c2) of a hydrolysate of the compound (c1) to react with each other in the slurry (I) in a state where the amount of water existing in the reaction system is 0.02 moles or less relative to 1 mole of the aprotic polar organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for working up particulate crude polyoxymethylene, which comprises the following steps: (a) introduction of the particulate crude polyoxymethylene into an extraction column (13) operated at a pressure in the range from 1 to 6 bar, (b) introduction of a polar extractant into the extraction column (13) with a temperature in the range from 95 to 140° C. and a pressure in the range from 1 to 6 bar, wherein from 10 to 1000 ppm, based on the amount of polar extractant introduced, of a buffer substance which buffers in the pH range from 7.5 to 11.5 are introduced into the extraction column (13).

Abstract: A method for easily producing high-purity polydimethylsilane or polydiphenylsilane, where by-products such as alkali metal salt and alkaline earth metal salt can be efficiently removed, is provided. Dimethyldichlorosilane or diphenyldichlorosilane is reacted with an alkali metal such as metal sodium and metal magnesium and/or an alkaline earth metal in an organic solvent such as toluene to obtain crude polydimethylsilane or crude polydiphenylsilane, methanol having dissolved therein an ether ester-type nonionic surfactant or a surfactant such as alkylbenzenesulfonate is added to the crude polydimethylsilane or the crude polydiphenylsilane to deactivate the remaining alkali metal and alkaline earth metal, and the crude polydimethylsilane or the crude polydiphenylsilane is washed with water in the presence of a surfactant to efficiently remove an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal salt and the like, whereby high-purity polydimethylsilane or polydiphenylsilane is obtained.

Abstract: A film of a carboxylated polymer of formula (I): wherein the sum of x, y and z is an integer from 10 to 10,000 and degree of hydrolysis is 0.05 or greater provides gas separation materials in which the degree of hydrolysis may be used to tune the selectivity of the gases to an optimal required range. Such films may be prepared by casting a film of a polymer of formula (II): wherein n is an integer from 10 to 10,000, and hydrolyzing all or a portion of the —CN groups to form —COOH groups.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filtering a fluid containing nanoparticles. The systems and methods generally include introducing a stream of the nanoparticle-containing fluid into a holding vessel, and extracting at least a part of a nanoparticle-containing fluid accumulated in the holding vessel. The extracted nanoparticle-containing fluid is passed through a filtration module to separate a nanoparticle-containing retentate from a permeate, and the retentate is returned to the vessel. The filtration cycle can be repeated until a desired concentration of the nanoparticles is achieved in the holding vessel. In many embodiments, the generation of the nanoparticle-containing fluid and its filtration are performed concurrently.

Abstract: Provided are a recycling method for industrially, simply and effectively recycling a phenolic body from a phenolic antioxidant which is masked by an organoaluminum compound and contained in an olefin polymer obtained by supplying the masked phenolic antioxidant upon polymerization; and an olefin polymer obtained by this method. In a method for recycling a phenolic antioxidant wherein a phenolic antioxidant which is masked by an organoaluminum compound and contained in an olefin polymer obtained by supplying the masked phenolic antioxidant upon polymerization is recycled to a phenolic body, a nitrogen gas comprising water and/or a proton donor at a volume ratio of 1.0×10?6 to 2.5×10?2 with respect to 1 volume of nitrogen is brought into contact with the olefin polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes to prepare monocarboxylic acid esters (mono- and/or diesters) of polytrimethylene ether glycol that are substantially free of residues from the catalyst used to produce the polytrimethylene ether glycol esters, as well as methods for their preparation and end uses thereof. The esters, such as the bis-2-ethylhexanoate esters, have uses as functional fluids.

Abstract: It is aimed to provide a polyarylene sulfide film for an acoustic instrument vibrating plate excellent in heat resistance, molding processability, acoustic properties, and also heat moldability. Provided is a polyarylene sulfide film wherein the elongation at break in either a longitudinal direction or a width direction of the film is 100% or more and 250% or less, and the Young's modulus in either a longitudinal direction or a width direction of the film is 1.5 GPa or more and less than 4 GPa.

Abstract: The present application provides methods of producing polyanthracene including polymerization of anthracene monomers in the presence of oxidants and reaction solvents. The present application further provides polyanthracene produced by methods described herein that has higher solubility in organic solvents and better thermal stability and ablation resistance.

Abstract: A method of producing a structural component comprising manufacturing a structural component from a moisture absorbable material the toughness of which increases with increasing moisture absorption and subsequently subjecting the structural component to at least one of elevated temperature and humidity for a period of time such that the structural component attains a predetermined moisture content and distribution.

Abstract: A continuous process for the multistage drying and postcondensation of polyamide pellets in the solid phase comprises 1) carrying out the predrying process in a continuous drying apparatus which is operated in countercurrent mode or in crossflow mode with inert gas or steam, or with a mixture of inert gas and steam, using a pellet temperature in the range from 70 to 200° C., and 2) Carrying out the subsequent continuous postcondensation process in a separate vertical duct with moving bed at a pellet temperature in the range from 120 to 210° C., where the duct is operated in countercurrent mode with inert gas or steam, or with a mixture of inert gas and steam, the inert gas is introduced at least two sites along the duct, and from 15 to 90% of the inert gas is introduced at the base of the vertical duct and from 10 to 85% of the inert gas is introduced in the upper half below the surface of the pellets.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a method for producing a polyester with reduced CD content and elution amount, in which even after the production method, a reduction in physical properties of the polyester is small, and furthermore, a polyester having good moldability can be produced, and the present invention is concerned with a method for producing a polyester including an esterification reaction step of allowing an aliphatic diol and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to react with each other; a step of pelletizing a polyester obtained through the esterification reaction step; and a contact treatment step of bringing the obtained polyester pellets into contact with a mixed solution containing ethanol and water, wherein the mixed solution contains water in an amount of 10% by mass or more and not more than 99% by mass relative to the whole of the mixed solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a production process of a poly(arylene sulfide) which contains a step of polymerizing a sulfur source and a dihalo-aromatic compound in an organic amide solvent, said polymerization step containing a phase-separation polymerization step that the polymerization reaction is continued in the presence of a phase separation agent in a phase-separated state, wherein a monohalo-organic compound is added in a proportion of 0.005 to 20 mol per 100 mol of the charged sulfur source into the polymerization reaction system at the time a conversion of the dihalo-aromatic compound has reached 80 to 99% after initiation of the polymerization reaction and before the liquid phase becomes the phase-separated state to be reacted with a formed polymer, and the liquid phase within the polymerization reaction system is then converted to the phase-separated state to continue the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decomposing, in the presence of subcritical water, a thermosetting resin comprising a polyester moiety and a crosslinking moiety therewith to provide a compound comprising an acid residue derived from the polyester moiety and a residue derived from the crosslinking moiety, and collecting the compound in an efficient yield, specifically, which comprises steps of: (I) decomposing the thermosetting resin in the presence of subcritical water to provide a solid comprising a compound comprising an acid residue derived from the polyester moiety and a residue derived from the crosslinking moiety, (II) subjecting the solid to an organic solvent to dissolve the compound into the organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent has a higher solubility which can dissolve the compound than that of water, and (III) collecting, separating or isolating the compound from the organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides a production process of a granular poly(arylene sulfide) by polymerizing a sulfur source and a dihalo-aromatic compound in an organic amide solvent by a polymerization process containing a phase-separation polymerization step, wherein the production process contains a step I of adding an aromatic compound in a proportion of 0.01 to 20 mol per 100 mol of the organic amide solvent into the liquid phase containing the organic amide solvent and a formed polymer within the polymerization reaction system, said liquid phase being in the phase-separated state, after the phase-separation polymerization step; a step II of cooling the liquid phase within the polymerization reaction system; and a step III of collecting the formed polymer from the liquid phase.

Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.

Abstract: Process for the production of di- and poly(diamino diphenyl methane) comprising the steps of (a) reacting aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (b) neutralizing the reaction mixture containing di- and polyamines; (c) separating the neutralized reaction mixture into an organic phase containing di- and polyamines and an aqueous phase; (d) further treating the organic phase separated off in step (c) by (d1) washing with water followed by (d2) separating the washed mixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase and (d3) further fractionation of the organic phase to produce purified di- and polyamines on the one hand and aniline/water on the other hand; (e) further treating the aqueous phase separated off in step (c) by (e1) washing with aniline followed by (e2) separating the washed mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and (e3) further treatment of the aqueous phase to remove the aniline thereby leaving an efflu

Abstract: High molecular weight disulfide polymers are synthesized in aqueous media by exposing dithiol compounds to a mild oxidizing environment in the presence of a tertiary amine catalyst. The unique oxidizing system polymerizes monomers through the formation of sulfur-sulfur bonds between dithiol compounds. The same oxidizing system may be used to make disulfide-crosslinked gels from compounds containing multiple thiol groups. The oxidizing system is comprised of oxygen at atmospheric concentration and dilute hydrogen peroxide. A filler such as carbon black may be incorporated into the polymer or cross-linked gel during polymerization. A polydisulfide polymer is provided having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000 g/mol and a polydispersity index of about 2 or less. A tetrathiol composition results from a reaction of a diacrylate with a trithiol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of solubilizing expanded polystyrene (EPS), in which the EPS is brought into contact with at least one initial solvent, enabling the transition of the EPS from an expanded solid state to the gel state. The aforementioned gel is subsequently treated with at least one complementary solvent that is different from the initial solvent, enabling the solubilization thereof such as to produce a true solution. The invention also relates to the product thus obtained and to the use of said product.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filtering a fluid containing nanoparticles. The systems and methods generally include introducing a stream of the nanoparticle-containing fluid into a holding vessel, and extracting at least a part of a nanoparticle-containing fluid accumulated in the holding vessel. The extracted nanoparticle-containing fluid is passed through a filtration module to separate a nanoparticle-containing retentate from a permeate, and the retentate is returned to the vessel. The filtration cycle can be repeated until a desired concentration of the nanoparticles is achieved in the holding vessel. In many embodiments, the generation of the nanoparticle-containing fluid and its filtration are performed concurrently.

Abstract: A continuous process is disclosed for the extraction of monomeric caprolactam and its oligomers as the raw polymer product obtained in the polymerization of polyamide-6 in which no fresh water, but processing water or previously used extraction water is used for the granulation.

Abstract: Process for recovering a polymer by injection of steam, and optionally liquid water, into a solution of this polymer comprising a polar aprotic organic solvent (PAOS) that has an azeotrope with water and an apolar organic compound that is miscible with the PAOS and immiscible with water and that acts as a phase separation agent (PSA), the boiling point of which is below that of the water/PAOS azeotrope, the amount of steam injected being sufficient to give rise to the substantial removal of the PSA via stripping and that of the PAOS via azeotropic distillation, and the total amount of water being sufficient to give rise to the precipitation of the polymer, this process being characterized in that the polymer solution also comprises an alcohol, at least during the precipitation of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a silicone hydrogel having a high water content. The method comprises the following steps: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture to form the silicone hydrogel, wherein the monomer mixture comprises at least one silicon-containing monomer and at least one ionic monomer; and (b) placing the silicone hydrogel in an alkaline solution for at least 20 minutes, wherein the alkaline solution has a pH not less than 7.5 and the ionic monomer is present in an amount not less than 0.7 wt % based on the total dry weight of the silicone hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the content of a metal catalyst in a biodegradable and absorbable polymer that can be applied on an industrial scale and a method for producing a biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymer having a metal catalyst content of less than 1 ppm in terms of a metal. The method includes the steps of (1) copolymerizing lactide and ?-caprolactone at a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40 or 65/35 to 85/15 in the presence of the metal catalyst to produce a copolymer; and (2) washing the copolymer with a mixed solvent comprising acetic acid and isopropanol at a volume ratio ranging from 25/75 to 45/55 or 45/55 to 55/45 at less than 40° C., and drying the copolymer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery and purification of solid salt compositions from an organic liquid containing epoxy resin and at least one of epihalohydrin and solvent to obtain purified salt and/or brine compositions that may be useful in industrial processes.

Abstract: A method for producing an acid group-containing polyarylene sulfide of the present invention includes a reaction step of reacting a polyhaloaromatic compound (a), an alkali metal hydrosulfide (b), and an alkali metal carboxylate (c) in the presence of a solid alkali metal sulfide and a lithium ion.

Abstract: Embodiments of silicone hydrogels, ophthalmic lenses made therefrom, and methods of making the same are described. Fully hydrated silicone hydrogels have relatively high water content and oxygen permeability, along with relatively low modulus of elasticity. Embodiments of the silicone hydrogels in substantially dehydrated condition are adapted to lathe cutting at or above room temperature. Variations of the silicone hydrogels include silicon-containing monomers in an amount greater than 25% by weight, a hydrophilic substituted N-vinyl acetamide monomer in an amount greater than 30% by weight, and a hydrophilic non-acetamide monomer in an amount resulting in a hydrophilic substituted N-vinyl acetamide monomer to hydrophilic non-acetamide monomer weight to weight ratio of greater than 2.1 to 1.

Abstract: A method for producing an acid group-containing polyarylene sulfide of the present invention includes a reaction step of reacting a polyhaloaromatic compound (a), an alkali metal hydrosulfide (b), an alkali metal carboxylate (c), and an aromatic compound (d) having an elimination group and an acid group, which function in a nucleophilic reaction, in the presence of a solid alkali metal sulfide.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from infectious medical waste and manufacturing medical devices from reclaimed plastic are described. Medical devices made from plastic reclaimed from infectious medical waste are also described.

Abstract: Process for recycling a fiber reinforced polymer article, according to which the article, eventually cut in fragments, is dissolved in a solvent capable of dissolving the polymer but not the fibers and which is susceptible of forming an azeotrope with water, forming a solution; the fibers are recovered from the solution; the fibers are washed with solvent by putting them in the form of a slurry in the solvent and by agitating the slurry and/or by making the solvent circulate through it; the washed fibers are recovered from the slurry; and the recovered fibers are submitted to a stripping with steam in order to substantially remove the solvent.

Abstract: A method for removing residual styrene monomers from co-extrudates comprising polystyrene and water-insoluble, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, which comprises subjecting an aqueous suspension of the particulate solid co-extrudate to a heat treatment at temperatures of 60 to 99° C., the weight ratio of solid co-extrudate to water in the suspension being 1:1.5 to 1:20, and the concentration of the suspension being kept constant during the treatment.

Abstract: A method of degrading a water-soluble, synthetic polymeric film being at least partially covered with a paint material. The method includes placing the film in an extractor apparatus and separating the paint material from the film. The paint material is collected from a water-based solution with a filtration media. The film is degraded in the extractor apparatus.

Abstract: A process for recycling a coloured thermoplastic material comprising an absorbed disperse dye comprises contacting the optionally comminuted coloured thermoplastic material with a caustic wash and recovering an at least partly colour-modified thermoplastic composition from the caustic wash.