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: 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 method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A process for producing polyarylene sulfide includes: steps of reacting an aromatic dihalide compound and an alkaline metal compound in a polar organic solvent for polymerization under heating and cooling a system including the reaction mixture to recover particulate polyarylene sulfide (PAS). The system after the reaction is gradually cooled at an average cooling speed of 0.2 to 1.0 deg. C./min. selectively in a temperature range of from 1 deg. C. below to 1 deg. C. above a maximum system-viscosity temperature. As a result, the process can be operated at a relatively short polymerization cycle and yet provides the product PAS particles with a high and stable bulk density as to exhibit good processability in the transportation and storage, and excellent transportability in a hopper or a screw of an extruder or a molding machine.

Abstract: There are disclosed, a polyether ketone having a primary particle size of 50 ?m or less; and a method of producing a polyether ketone by a desalting polycondensation, which contains a step of conducting a polymerization reaction under a condition of deposition of the polymer. The polyether ketone obtained by the present invention has small particle size, high molecular weight and sufficiently small content of impurities such as alkali metal components.

Abstract: Energy savings are realized during the commercial production of polyethylene terephthalate by partially cooling polyethylene terephthalate pellets exiting a solid stating reactor by contact with water, and using the residual heat stored in the pellets to vaporize associated water to form dry pellets.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing a molten polyester polymer, such as a polyethylene terephthalate polymer, into a liquid medium at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer, such as at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 190° C., and allowing the molten polyester polymer to reside in the liquid medium for a time sufficient to crystallize the polymer under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium. A process flow, underwater cutting process, crystallization in a pipe, and a separator are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing non-pilling polyester fibres, whereby polyethylene terephthalate is produced in the presence of organosilicon compounds of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Preferably, tetrakistetrahydrofurfuryloxysilane or tris[tetrahydrofuryloxy]methylsilane is used.

Abstract: Method of purifying a polymeric material of a type which includes (A) phenyl moieties; (B) carbonyl and/or sulphone moieties; and; (C) ether and/or thioether moieties. The method includes contacting the polymeric material with a solvent formulation which is at a temperature of greater than 100° C. and a pressure above ambient pressure thereby to charge the solvent formulation with impurities derived from the polymeric material, and separating the charged solvent from the polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for easily obtaining a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate by a solvent extraction method. A method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal comprises mixing a solution of a polyhydroxyalkanoate in a good solvent with a poor solvent at 50 to 130° C. to precipitate a polyhydroxyalkanoate.

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.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of an ?-caprolactone polymer characterized by including heating an ?-caprolactone under reduced pressure or in an inert gas stream to volatilize the unreacted ?-caprolactone from the polymer and cooling the vapor phase part containing the matter volatilized to thereby recover the unreacted ?-caprolactone, wherein the amount of the ?-caprolactone to be recovered is regulated to larger than 5 times by weight the amount of caprolactone dimer.

Abstract: A thermosetting resin composition is produced by heat treating a mixture of a polyaddition thermosetting resin, a silicic compound of the formula wherein R is an organic group containing a functional group that causes an addition reaction with the curing agent and R5 and R6 are independently a methyl group or an ethyl group, and water and adding a curing agent of the polyaddition thermosetting resin to the mixture that has undergone heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for baking a food product utilizing a confectionery mould made from silicone. The confectionery mould is obtained by mixing and reacting a crosslinkable silicone, especially methyl-vinyl siloxane (VMQ), and a peroxide as a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently obtaining a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate by a solvent extraction method. A method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal comprises precipitating a polyhydroxyalkanoate crystal using a monohydric alcohol having 4 to 10 carbon atoms as a extraction solvent, keeping a polyhydroxyalkanoate solution containing 0.1 to 10% by weight of water relative to the total amount of the solution warm at 70° C. or higher, and cooling the solution to below 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention treats crushed pieces of a nonmetallic honeycomb panel together with a process water under high-temperature and high-pressure for a predetermined time so as to separate components. Water or alkali-added water is used as process water. The method comprises a first process for treating the crushed pieces for a predetermined time with the water heated and pressurized to a subcritical range to hydrolyze aromatic polyamide, and a second process for treating the same with the water heated and pressurized to a supercritical range, wherein the aromatic polyamide is hydrolyzed and separated in the first process, and dehalogenation is carried out in the second process.

Abstract: Described herein is a production method of sulfonated polyarylene that is safe and enables easy control of the amount and position of sulfonic groups introduced in the polymer. The sulfonated polyarylene is also disclosed. The invention further provides a polyarylene and an aromatic sulfonate derivative that are suitably employed in the above production method. Also provided are a macromolecular solid electrolyte that comprises the sulfonated polyarylene, and a proton conductive membrane. The aromatic sulfonate derivative has the following formula (1): wherein X is a halogen atom other than fluorine, a —OSO3CH3 group or a —OSO3CF3 group; Y is a divalent organic group; A is —(CH2)m— or —(CF2)m— (wherein m is an integer of 1 to 10); and R is a C4-20 hydrocarbon group. The production method of sulfonated polyarylene comprises coupling polymerization of an aromatic compound that includes at least the aromatic sulfonate derivative of the formula (1) and hydrolysis of the resultant polyarylene.

Abstract: This invention presents polymers and copolymers comprising repeating units of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene. Water-borne dispersions of such polymers and copolymers can be cast by conventional methods to provide uniform, thin films which possess utility in numerous electroactive applications including electrochromic displays, optically transparent electrodes and antistatic coatings. The compositions of this invention can be doped with conventional p-dopants or n-dopants. The invention also presents an aqueous process for preparing such compositions of matter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the caprolactam content of polyamide 6 obtained especially by hydrolytic polymerization of epsilon-caprolactam. The method is characterized by the use of an additive that forms isocyanuric acid under the influence of heat. The additive or the isocyanuric acid produced externally under the influence of heat is added (a) to the polymerization or (b) to a melt of polyamide 6. This enables the caprolactam content of the polyamide 6 to be reduced considerably compared to that of usual commercial polyamide 6. In particular, the resulting polyamide 6 shows good characteristics for reprocessing e.g. into fiber and molding masses by melt extension.

Abstract: Methods to prepare a poly(arylene ether) and poly(alkenyl aromatic) polymeric material having reduced levels of particulate impurities are described. The polymeric material prepared is suitable for use in data storage media applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring and/or controlling the temperature on the surface or inside of microchips are provided, including using thermally responsive polymers.

Abstract: A prosthetic device having a polyaryletherketone component with a wettable surface is disclosed. The surface of the polyaryletherketone component has a surface chemistry which enhances the ability of tissues to grow directly thereon. An associated method for enhancing the wettability of a prosthetic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for manufacturing polyamides. The polyamides are of the type obtained from diacids and diamines. The process comprises an operation of continuous mixing of a compound which is rich in amine end groups and a compound which is rich in acid end groups and a polycondensation operation using the mixture. The invention relates to the starting phase of such a process, during which an aqueous solution comprising a mixture of monomers in substantially stoichiometric proportions is used.

Abstract: A process for brominating a styrenic polymer in an organic solvent in the presence of an antimony trihalide catalyst such that a reaction mass containing brominated styrenic polymer in an organic phase is formed is improved by mixing hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid, or both, with said reaction mass at least once to extract antimony catalyst residues from said reaction mass as an acidic aqueous phase. Preferably, catalyst residues are recovered from the acidic aqueous phase and still more preferably, recovered antimony trihalide catalyst residues are recycled to constitute at least a portion of the antimony trihalide catalyst used in preparing the brominated styrenic polymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of highly reactive polyisobutenes is described, in which isobutene is polymerized in the presence of a complex of boron trifluoride and at least one cocatalyst in a liquid organic phase at a reaction temperature of from ?60 to ?4° C. and water is added in two stages to the organic phase for catalyst deactivation and catalyst extraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing the self-adhesiveness of polytrimethylene terephthalate pellets, which can be carried out in a continuous or batch manner comprising the steps of: a) introducing polytrimethylene terephthalate pellets having an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 0.4 dl/g into a conduit containing a liquid which is moving through the conduit, thereby causing the pellets to move through the conduit with the liquid; b) adjusting the temperature of the pellets and the liquid to a temperature of about 50 to about 95° C. for a time sufficient to induce a degree of crystallinity of at least about 35% in the pellets; and c) separating the pellets from the liquid.

Abstract: A covalently cross-linked polymer or polymer membrane consisting of one or more polymers, which can bear the following functional groups (M=Hal(F, Cl, Br, I), OR, NR2; R=alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryl; (Me=H, Li, Na, K, Cs, or other metal cations or ammonium ions): a) precursors of cation exchange groups: SO2M and/or POM2 and/or COM b) sulphinate groups SO2Me and which can be covalently cross-linked using the following organic compounds: a) di-, tri- or oligofunctional haloalkanes or haloaromatics, which have been reacted with sulphinate groups SO2Me, whereby the following cross-linking bridges are present in the polymer/in the polymer blend/in the polymer membrane: (Y=cross-linking bridges, X=Hal (F, Cl, Br, I), OR, (CH2)x—; -arylene-; —(CH2)x-arylene-; CH2arylene-CH2—, x=3-12): polymer-SO2Y—SO2-polymer and/or b) compounds containing the following groups: Hal-(CH2)x—NHR, one side of which (Hal-) has been reacted with sulphinate groups SO2ME and the other side (—NHR) with SO2M groups, whereby the following cross-l

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous method to prepare encapsulated cyclopropenes, a method to purify cyclopropene gas, and a method to prepare an ?-cyclodextrin/cyclopropene complex.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deactivating and recovering boron trifluoride when producing polyisobutenes by means of cationic polymerization of isobutene or hydrocarbon streams containing isobutene in the liquid phase in the presence of boron trifluoride or in the form of a boron trifluoride catalyst complex. The catalyst complex is separated, essentially in the liquid phase, from the reactor discharge. The method comprises the following steps: a) removing from the polymerization reactor at ?60 to 020 C., methanol, ethanol or a mixture of methanol and ethanol in such a quantity that an alcohol phase rich in boron trifluoride is formed; b) separating the alcohol phase according to (a) and, (c) optionally recycling the boron trifluoride of the alcohol phase obtained from (b) to the method in a suitable manner.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-soluble drag-reducing suspension is described, along with a process for manufacturing the drag-reducing suspension. The drag-reducing suspension is easily transportable, non-hazardous, easily handled, and provides a significant increase in drag-reducing capability over existing products. The drag-reducing suspension is manufactured by grinding an ultra-high molecular weight polymer in the presence of a grinding aid and mixing it with a suspending fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating polyorganosiloxanes from an aqueous dispersion, wherein the polyorganosiloxanes are separated from water in a dissolved form with the aid of an extraction agent.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising as upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for preparation of conducting polyaniline. More particularly the present invention relates to a simple process for preparation of conducting polyaniline in non acidic medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to remove impurities in polymeric materials in order to improve the opto-electronic characteristics of devices fabricated from these polymers. The polymers include but not limited to polyarylenes, polyarylenevinylenes, polyaryleneethylnylene, polyfluorenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polypyrroles, and any conjugated co-polymers. The methods involve the selection of a scavenger or chelating agent and use it to remove metallic impurities from the polymers. The methods involve dissolving the polymer in a suitable solvent, adding a scavenger, mixing to form a scavenger, containing phase, and finally separating the scavenger containing phase from the polymer phase. According to this invention, it is preferable for the selected scavengers to have functional groups which can chemically react with metallic species and form a coordination compound that is not soluble in a selected solvent.

Abstract: A melt processible Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) polymer with novel end-group structure is synthesized electrophilically using Methane Sulfonic Acid containing Methane Sulfonic Anhydride or Phosphorous Pentoxide. The product so obtained shows controlled structure with elimination of reactive end group like —COOH and is therefore melt processible by conventional techniques and exhibits high thermal and mechanical properties making it useful high temperature engineering and specialty plastics. It can be extruded into a rod, film and can also be molded into commercially useful products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a polyamide molding compound which includes the following method steps: addition and dissolving of m-xylylene diamine and dicarboxylic acids, which include adipic acid and aromatic dicarboxylic acids, with water and additives in a dissolving chamber and production of a mixture, the sum of the aromatic dicarboxylic acids added being 2 mol-percent to 15 mol-percent (in relation to the addition of dicarboxylic acids); transfer of the mixture into a reaction vessel and polycondensation of the mixture in this reaction vessel; granulation of the polycondensate; drying of the granulate. This method is distinguished in that the polycondensation is performed at a pressure of at most 10 bar and a temperature of 255° C. to 270° C., the pressure being built up while heating the reaction vessel to 255° C. to 270° C. and—immediately after the mixture has reached the maximum temperature—being reduced to atmospheric conditions while maintaining a temperature of 255° C. to 270° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel and inexpensive process for the nitration and amination of aryl polymers and also to their use as blend components for producing polymer blend membranes. Such polymer blend membranes are used in membrane processes, in particular as polymeric electrolyte in electromembranes, e.g. for electrodialysis and fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing low molecular weight impurities, namely caprolactam and its oligomers, from Nylon-6 pre-polymer during the preparation of Nylon-6 polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft contact lens, and provides a contact lens which shows small and stable contact angle to water at its surface in water as well as in air, little deposition in wearing, high oxygen permeability, no adhesion of lens to a cornea and superior extended-wearing characteristics. The present invention provides a hydrogel soft contact lens which has contact angle at a lens surface in a range of 10-50° by the captive bubble method in water and 30-90° by the sessile drop method in air, oxygen permeability of not less than 30 and water content of not less than 5%, and also a hydrogel soft contact lens consisting of a polymer comprising a hydrophilic siloxanyl monomer shown by a specified general formula.

Abstract: A brominated polyphenylene oxide having a molecular skeleton obtained by condensing tribromophenols and satisfying the requirements: (A) its 20 wt. % solution in chloroform has an absorbance at 600 nm of not larger than 0.6; (B) when 50 ml of ion-exchanged water is added to its 1.00 g/30 ml solution in dioxane, the resulting solution has an electroconductivity of not larger than 10 ?S/cm measured at 25° C.; and (C) when a mixture comprised of 20% by weight of the brominated polyphenylene oxide and 80% by weight of triphenyl phosphate is heated at 280° C. for 20 minutes, the halide ion increase therein is not larger than 10 ?mols per gram of the brominated polyphenylene oxide, is used as a flame retardant. When it is added to resin, the resin moldings are excellent in its flame retardancy, electric properties, physical properties, thermal stability and appearance (color hue), and they do not corrode molds.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyacetylene derivatives by which polyacetylene derivatives having an ability to discriminate asymmetry can be easily obtained in a few steps and in high yield and which is also advantageous in respects of economical efficiency, environmental problems, and so on. This process is characterized by polymerizing an acetylene derivative having a hydrophilic functional group in an aqueous solvent in the presence of a water-soluble transition metal complex catalyst and a base.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible, in order to form the fine powder of the water-absorbent resin into a water-absorbing material having particle diameters favorable for practical use, that a water-absorbing material which has high agglomeration strength and is excellent in the quality performances is obtained at a low cost with good efficiency without causing the problems of the adhesion to such as treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A process is provided that produces polyolefins.

Abstract: A melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer is melt kneaded with a kneader which has a residence time of at least 10 minutes, a usable volume ratio (usable space in a container/space in a container) of larger than 0.3, and a power factor K of less than 8000, the power factor K being represented by the formula: K=Pv/&mgr;/n2 in which Pv is a power requirement per unit volume (W/m3), &mgr; is a melt viscosity (Pa.s), and n is a rotation speed (rps), to effectively remove terminal groups and bonds in the backbones, which are unstable during melt kneading, from the melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer, and obtain a colorless fluorine-containing polymer.

Abstract: Aromatic polyethers are prepared by displacement polymerization reaction in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent with boiling point at atmospheric pressure of greater than 110° C. and a density ratio to water of greater than 1.1:1 at 20-25° C. The polyethers are purified by processes comprising aqueous extraction, or filtration, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of precipitating a poly(arylene ether) includes preparing a poly(arylene ether) solution comprising a poly(arylene ether) and a solvent, combining the poly (arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent to form a poly(arylene ether) dispersion comprising a poly(arylene ether) solid, separating the poly(arylene ether) solid from the poly(arylene ether) dispersion to form an isolated poly(arylene ether) solid, determining a particle size distribution of the poly(arylene ether) solid prior to separating the poly(arylene ether) solid from the poly(arylene ether) dispersion, and adjusting a precipitation parameter in response to the particle size distribution. Although the measured particle size distribution is very different from the particle size distribution of the solid poly(arylene ether) ultimately isolated, it is useful for controlling the process. The method may be automated to rapidly adjust precipitation conditions in response to the particle size distribution measurements.

Abstract: A modified silicone compound having a branch polymer comprising a hydrophilic group, this compound being synthesized by performing an addition reaction between an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and at least one compound chosen from an alkenylated polyoxyalkenylated compound, an alkenylated glycerine compound and an alkenylated sugar in the presence of a platinum catalyst or rhodium catalyst, and a cosmetic material containing this modified silicone compound.