The present invention provides a gel comprising a physical network formed of polymer chain crystallites interconnected by amorphous chain segments. Functionalization of the chain segments between the crystallites forms a blocky distribution of functionality along the chain whereby the functionalities are concentrated in groups consisting of one or more functionalities, separated by non-functionalized runs of crystallizable segments of the polymer. Removal of the solvent from the gels, without reducing the gel volume, forms an aerogel.

The present invention provides a gel comprising a physical network formed of polymer chain crystallites interconnected by amorphous chain segments. Functionalization of the chain segments between the crystallites forms a blocky distribution of functionality along the chain whereby the functionalities are concentrated in groups consisting of one or more functionalities, separated by non-functionalized runs of crystallizable segments of the polymer. Removal of the solvent from the gels, without reducing the gel volume, forms an aerogel.

The invention relates to a multi-layered structure intended for producing a packaging article for storage purposes and to a method for producing said structure. The essence of the invention is that a multi-layered composition based on foamed recycled polyethylene terephthalate comprises a printed layer, a layer of foamed recycled polyethylene terephthalate having a density of from 100 kg/m.sup.3 to 900 kg/m.sup.3 and an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.5 dl/g to 1.0 dl/g, and also a layer of polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer, or a polyethylene terephthalate copolymer. A method for producing a multi-layered composition consists in cleaning polyethylene terephthalate waste, then grinding same into fractions, followed by melting it and subsequently extruding the melt, then producing granulated polyethylene terephthalate, then extruding the granulated polyethylene terephthalate, foaming the melt, subsequently cooling the foamed recycled polyethylene terephthalate, calendering it to a thickness of from 200 μm to 1000 μm.

An embodiment provides a separator for a secondary battery, a manufacturing method therefor, and a lithium secondary battery comprising same, the separator including: a porous substrate; and a coating layer including a plurality of ring patterns on at least one surface of the porous substrate, wherein the ring patterns include a plurality of polymer particulates; the ring pattern is spaced apart from each other at regular intervals; a particle diameter of the ring pattern is 10 μm to 200 μm, and a ring of the ring pattern has a width (thickness of the ring) of 0.2 μm to 1.5 μm.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

An aqueous non-foamed functional composition formulation is disposed on a foamed opacifying layer in light-blocking, foamed opacifying elements. This non-foamed functional composition formulation has 0.5-15% solids and essential (i) and (iv) components and optional (ii), (v), (vi), and (vii) components. The components (i) untreated synthetic silica (fumed silica or precipitated silica) at 0.5-10 weight %; and a (iv) water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymeric binder having a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) below 25° C. The weight ratio of the (i) untreated synthetic silica to the (iv) water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymeric binder is 10:1 to 1:1. The optional components include: a (ii) solid or non-solid lubricant; a (v) crosslinking agent; a (vi) thickener; and a (vii) coating aid. Glass particles can also be present. The presence of the (i) untreated synthetic silica provides improved brightness, e.g. an L* value of at least 80, and uniform coatings in the resulting, foamed opacifying element.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a high-performance thin film composite (TFC) membrane through a solvent activation process. In the present invention, by using a mixed solvent of a good solvent and a poor solvent as an activating solvent, a conventional polysulfone-based support-based TFC membrane having high water permeance as well as excellent salt rejection may be manufactured.

As a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator having a transverse direction/machine direction crease recovery angle ratio of close to 1, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator is provided that includes a polyolefin porous film having a ratio of a 60-degree gloss in an machine direction to a 60-degree gloss in a transverse direction which ratio is not less than 1.00.

As a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator having a transverse direction/machine direction crease recovery angle ratio of close to 1, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator is provided that includes a polyolefin porous film having a ratio of a 60-degree gloss in an machine direction to a 60-degree gloss in a transverse direction which ratio is not less than 1.00.

Mechanically strong, biodegradable and reusable aerogels are disclosed, which can be made with a cross-linked cellulose ester, and which exhibit a low density and high porosity. The aerogels disclosed herein may be used as sorbent materials and can be modified with a hydrophobic and/or oleophilic agent.