A method for preparing an unsintered PTFE film capable of being continuously formed and with uniform density distribution and high density. The method for preparing the unsintered PTFE film includes filling a mixture obtained by adding a forming aid to PTFE fine powder in an extrusion forming die, extruding the filled mixture from the extrusion forming die to produce an extrusion forming body, rolling the extrusion forming body with a roll to produce a forming aid-removed film without the forming aid, and pinching the forming aid-removed film into a pinch roll made of a rubber roll formed by coating rubber on a metal shaft core at room temperature and compressing the forming aid-removed film so that thickness of the forming aid-removed film is reduced and density thereof is above 2.0 g/cm.sup.3.

A polyimide film suitable for use in the fabrication of a graphite layer includes a polyimide derived from reaction of diamine monomers with dianhydride monomers, and a foaming agent incorporated in the polyimide. Moreover, a process of fabricating a graphite film includes providing a polyamic acid solution formed by reaction of diamine monomers with dianhydride monomers, incorporating a foaming agent into the polyamic acid solution, forming a polyimide film from the polyamic acid solution, applying a first thermal treatment so that the polyimide film is carbonized to form a carbon film, and applying a second thermal treatment so that the carbon film is converted to a graphite film.

A polyimide film suitable for use in the fabrication of a graphite layer includes a polyimide derived from reaction of diamine monomers with dianhydride monomers, and a foaming agent incorporated in the polyimide. Moreover, a process of fabricating a graphite film includes providing a polyamic acid solution formed by reaction of diamine monomers with dianhydride monomers, incorporating a foaming agent into the polyamic acid solution, forming a polyimide film from the polyamic acid solution, applying a first thermal treatment so that the polyimide film is carbonized to form a carbon film, and applying a second thermal treatment so that the carbon film is converted to a graphite film.

The invention provides systems and methods for substantially improving the compaction resistance of isoporous block copolymer (BCP) film by adding a high molecular weight hydrophilic additive in the casting dope formulation. Systems and methods disclosed also disclose several other multifunctional enhancements to film properties including: low fouling propensity, improved permeability, improved permeability retention upon drying, and ability to tune the substructure and pore size of these novel BCP films. These porous BCP films are useful in filtration and separations applications and are amenable to standard manufacturing practices.

The present invention discloses a versatile, macroporous, omniphilic polymeric sponges for absorption of organic liquids of varying polarity as well as water. Particularly, disclosed herein is an ice-templated macroporous omniphilic polymeric sponge as inexpensive versatile absorbents.

The present invention discloses a versatile, macroporous, omniphilic polymeric sponges for absorption of organic liquids of varying polarity as well as water. Particularly, disclosed herein is an ice-templated macroporous omniphilic polymeric sponge as inexpensive versatile absorbents.

Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

Devices and methods for making a polymer with a porous layer from a solid piece of polymer are disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes heating a surface of a solid piece of polymer to a processing temperature and holding the processing temperature while displacing a porogen layer through the surface of the polymer to create a matrix layer of the solid polymer body comprising the polymer and the porogen layer. In at least one embodiment, the method also includes removing at least a portion of the layer of porogen from the matrix layer to create a porous layer of the solid piece of polymer.

A resin microparticle production method includes a step of pulverizing resin particles having a thermoplastic resin as a forming material and having a BET specific surface area of equal to or more than 5 m.sup.2/g using an impact type pulverizer

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are materials exhibiting molecular recognition of a target molecule. MIPs are synthesized in the presence of an aflatoxin template, a mimic to the targeted molecule, used as an imprint that is further washed away with suitable solvent after completion of the polymerization process, leaving a cavity in the polymer of the same stereochemistry, functionality and morphology to the template. When the MIP encounters an aflatoxin, the molecule is bound in the cavity with a receptor-like affinity.