Devices for radiative cooling and optical waveguiding are provided, wherein the devices comprise a fabric including one or more fibers extending for a length in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of void structures positioned within each of the one or more fibers and extended over the length of each of the one or more fibers. Each of the plurality of void structures is configured to scatter at least a portion of an electromagnetic radiation received thereon to thereby radiatively cool the object.

VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000,000 g/mol and a melt temperature less than about 240° C. The VDF copolymer contains at least about 50 mol % VDF monomer and may include an amount of at least one other monomer. The VDF copolymer may be used to form a membrane that has a node and fibril structure. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%. A VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymer membrane may be formed by lubricating the VDF copolymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the VDF copolymer to form a preform material, and expanding the preform material at a temperature below the melting temperature of the VDF copolymer. Dense VDF copolymer articles, filled VDF copolymer membranes, and VDF copolymer fibers are also provided.

VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000,000 g/mol and a melt temperature less than about 240° C. The VDF copolymer contains at least about 50 mol % VDF monomer and may include an amount of at least one other monomer. The VDF copolymer may be used to form a membrane that has a node and fibril structure. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%. A VDF-co-(TFE or TrFE) polymer membrane may be formed by lubricating the VDF copolymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the VDF copolymer to form a preform material, and expanding the preform material at a temperature below the melting temperature of the VDF copolymer. Dense VDF copolymer articles, filled VDF copolymer membranes, and VDF copolymer fibers are also provided.

A process for the preparation of plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of polymer. The process includes the steps of generating a spin fluid containing (a) 5 to 30 wt. % containing one or more polymer types, (b) a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, and (c) a co-spin agent comprising 1H,6H-perfluorohexane or 1H-perfluorohexane or 1H-perfluoroheptane. The spin fluid is flash-spun at a pressure that is greater than the autogenous pressure of the spin fluid into a region of lower pressure to form plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of the polymer. The co-spin agent is present in the spin fluid in an amount sufficient to form an azeotrope-like composition with the primary spin agent in the presence of the one or more polymer types. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene-1, polymethylpentene, polyvinylidene fluoride, poly (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), and blends of the foregoing.

A process for the preparation of plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of polymer. The process includes the steps of generating a spin fluid containing (a) 5 to 30 wt. % containing one or more polymer types, (b) a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, and (c) a co-spin agent comprising 1H,6H-perfluorohexane or 1H-perfluorohexane or 1H-perfluoroheptane. The spin fluid is flash-spun at a pressure that is greater than the autogenous pressure of the spin fluid into a region of lower pressure to form plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of the polymer. The co-spin agent is present in the spin fluid in an amount sufficient to form an azeotrope-like composition with the primary spin agent in the presence of the one or more polymer types. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene-1, polymethylpentene, polyvinylidene fluoride, poly (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), and blends of the foregoing.

The invention relates to lithium ion batteries and, more particularly, to lithium ion conducting composite polymer electrolyte separators. The separators include a nanofiber mat composed of electrospun nanofibers. The nanofibers include a polymer having one or more polar halogen groups, a lithium-containing solid or liquid electrolyte and nanoparticle filler. The polymer, electrolyte and filler are combined to form a solution that is subjected to the electro-spinning process to produce electrospun nanofibers in the form of the mat.

The present invention is directed to stretched filaments based on fluoropolymers, where the filaments were stretched at a temperature between 70° C. and the Vicat temperature and where the filaments are cooled under full tensile load to room temperature.

Disclosed are a method for a preparing fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin, a single-side or double-side filled composite film prepared using the fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin, and a method for preparing the film. The fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer single-side or double-side filled composite film comprises a microporous film skeleton and the fluorine- and a chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin. The composite film is mechanically stronger, more waterproof, more impervious to water and toxic and harmful chemicals, and more moisture permeability. When applied to biochemical protective clothing, it can greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of the soldiers because it is light and more impervious to water and toxic and harmful chemicals, brings about comfort, and keeps the soldiers warm. When applied to fuel cells, it can provide better electrical properties due to its high conductivity and can allow the fuel, such as hydrogen or alcohol, to burn more completely.

Devices for radiative cooling and optical waveguiding are provided, wherein the devices comprise a fabric including one or more fibers extending for a length in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of void structures positioned within each of the one or more fibers and extended over the length of each of the one or more fibers. Each of the plurality of void structures is configured to scatter at least a portion of an electromagnetic radiation received thereon to thereby radiatively cool the object.

Disclosed are a method for a preparing fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin, a single-side or double-side filled composite film prepared using the fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin, and a method for preparing the film. The fluorine- and chlorine-containing conductive polymer single-side or double-side filled composite film comprises a microporous film skeleton and the fluorine- and a chlorine-containing conductive polymer resin. The composite film is mechanically stronger, more waterproof, more impervious to water and toxic and harmful chemicals, and more moisture permeability. When applied to biochemical protective clothing, it can greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of the soldiers because it is light and more impervious to water and toxic and harmful chemicals, brings about comfort, and keeps the soldiers warm. When applied to fuel cells, it can provide better electrical properties due to its high conductivity and can allow the fuel, such as hydrogen or alcohol, to burn more completely.