3m Innovative Properties Company

Dyneon Gmbh

Attila A Molnar

Tatsuo Fukushi

Thomas J Blong

Denis Duchesne

Klaus Hintzer

Harald Kaspar

Steven R Parsons

Naiyong Jing

Robert E Kolb

Edward E Parsonage

Ludwig Mayer

Gernot L&ouml;hr

Lisa P Chen

Christopher A Haak

Friedrich Kloos

Mark W Muggli

Krzysztof A Lewinski

Kathryn M Spurgeon

Dylan T Cosgrove

Maria P Dillon

Gernot Loehr

Andrew M Hine

Sean M Luopa

Jiyoung Park

Susan S Woods

Craig R Hoff

Steven J Wellner

Kirsten J Fronek

Scott E Simons

Duane M Hart

David B Bilbrey

Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces, a thickness extending between the first and second major surfaces, and first, second, and third regions equally spaced across the thickness, wherein the first region is the closest region to the first major surface, wherein the second region is the closest region to the second major surface, wherein the third region is located between the first and second regions, wherein the first and third regions are each essentially free of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide, and wherein the second region comprises at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.

Water electrolyzers

A concentrating solar mirror panel assembly having a reflective sheet with a reflective major surface and an opposing major surface and a corrugated stiffener having ridges and troughs each having an outer surface with land areas, wherein the land areas of at least a portion of the ridges are joined to at least a portion of the opposing major surface of the reflective sheet. The concentrating solar mirror panel assembly is non-planar and substantially rigid. The concentrating solar mirror panel assembly is assembled such that a desired non-planar shape is maintained: either using a locking sheet or having the corrugated stiffener attached so that its principal axes of corrugation are substantially perpendicular to the axis of curvature of the assembly. Methods of making the concentrating solar mirror panel assembly are also disclosed. Concentrated solar power systems and solar collection devices are also disclosed.

Concentrating solar mirror panel assembly with corrugated stiffener

The invention provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a first substantially solid partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, and a second layer comprising a second substantially solid partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, the second layer bonded to the first layer, wherein the first polymer and the second polymer have different compositions. The invention also provides layered articles and processes for preparing layered articles.

Fluoropolymer articles

The invention provides a melt-processable conductive fluorothermoplastic composition comprising three components. The first component is at least one melt-processable, thermoplastic fluoropolymer component having its interpolymerized units derived from (i) at least 50 wt % of TFE, and (ii) one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers represented by the formulas (a) CF&#x2550;CF&#x2014;R, (b) CF&#x2550;CF&#x2014;O&#x2014;R', and (c) CH&#x2550;CR. The thermoplastic fluoropolymer component is substantially free of interpolymerized units derived from VDF. The second component is from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of a hydrocarbon polymer, and the third component is from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of conductive filler. The invention also provides a method for making fluorothermoplastic compositions and shaped articles comprising a conductive fluorothermoplastic composition.

Conductive fluoropolymers

Disclosed are various fluoropolymer blend combinations and multilayer articles comprising a blend in a first layer and a second layer comprising a polymer bonded to the first layer. The invention also provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a blend of two or more fluoropolymers, and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising a partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, a perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer, or a combination thereof. The invention also provides an article comprising a first layer comprising a blend of two or more fluoropolymers, at least one of which comprises a partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer, and optionally at least one perhalogenated polymer, and a second layer bonded to the first layer, the second layer comprising an at least partially-fluorinated thermoplastic polymer. The invention also provides processes for preparing blended fluoropolymers and multilayer articles comprising a fluoropolymer layer.

Fluoropolymer blends and multilayer articles

The invention provides a melt-processable conductive fluorothermoplastic composition comprising three components. The first component is at least one melt-processable, thermoplastic fluoropolymer component having its interpolymerized units derived from (i) at least 50 wt % of TFE, and (ii) one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers represented by the formulas (a) CF &boxH;CF&mdash;R , (b) CF &boxH;CF&mdash;O&mdash;R &prime;, and (c) CH &boxH;CR , wherein R is a perfluoroalkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R &prime; is R or a perfluoroalkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R is selected from H, F, Cl, or an aliphatic group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may have F or Cl substituents. The thermoplastic fluoropolymer component is substantially free of interpolymerized units derived from VDF. The second component is from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of a hydrocarbon polymer, and the third component is from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of conductive filler. The invention also provides a method for making fluorothermoplastic compositions and shaped articles comprising a conductive fluorothermoplastic composition.

A method for enhancing the bond strength between a VDF-containing fluoroplastic layer and an elastomer layer of a multi-layer article. A VDF-containing fluoroplastic composition is applied to the surface of a precursor article that includes a curable elastomer layer to form a fluoroplastic layer. Prior to application of the fluoroplastic composition, the curable elastomer layer is thermally insulated to prevent it from undergoing substantial heating. Following application, the fluoroplastic layer is heated and the curable elastomer layer is cured (e.g., thermally cured). Preferably, the elastomer cure occurs separately from and subsequent to heating the fluoroplastic layer. The combination of thermally insulating the curable elastomer layer prior to application of the fluoroplastic composition and heating the fluoroplastic layer following application of the fluoroplastic composition results in formation of a strong bond between the fluoroplastic and elastomer layers upon cure.

Process for preparing a multi-layer article having a fluoroplastic layer and an elastomer layer

A multi-layer article featuring a fluoroplastic layer bonded to a non-fluorinated polymer layer in which the fluoroplastic has a melting point of at least 200&deg; C. and contains interpolymerized units of at least TFE and VDF, the amount of VDF being at least 0.1% by weight, but less than than 20% by weight. Also useful are fluoroplastics containing at least TFE and VDF in which the amount of VDF units is between 0.1 and 15% by weight. Such polymers may optionally have melting points greater than 200&deg; C.

Multi-layer articles including a fluoroplastic layer

A fluoropolymer composition is provided. The polymer comprises interpolymerized units derived from (i) tetrafluoroethylene, (ii) vinylidene fluoride, (iii) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula CF &boxH;CFR where R is a perfluoroalkyl or a perfluoroalkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and (iv) a perfluorovinyl ether of the formula CF &boxH;CF&mdash;(OCF CF(R )) OR where R is as described in (iii), R is a perfluoroaliphatic, preferably a perfluoroalkyl or a perfluoroalkoxy, of 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 3, carbon atoms, and a has a value of 0 to 3.

Fluoropolymers with improved characteristics

A fluoropolymer composition is provided. The polymer comprises interpolymerized units derived from (i) tetrafluoroethylene, (ii) vinylidene fluoride, (iii) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula CF &boxH;CFR where R is a perfluoroalkyl or a perfluoroalkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and (iv) a perfluorovinyl ether of the formula CF &boxH;CF&mdash;(OCF CF(R )) OR&prime; where R is as described in (iii), R&prime; is a perfluoroaliphatic, preferably a perfluoroalkyl or a perfluoroalkoxy, of 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 3, carbon atoms, and a has a value of 0 to 3.

A composite article is provided which includes a fluoropolymer intimately bonded to a component including a substantially non-fluorinated thermoplastic having pendant phenolic groups in combination with a base. Increased adhesion is observed by a greater peel strength value between the fluoropolymer component and a non-fluorinated thermoplastic having pendant phenolic groups.

Composite articles including a fluoropolymer

A multimodal fluoroplastic terpolymer composition is provided. The terpolymer can be extruded at high extrusion speeds without having to reduce its molecular weight. The terpolymer is useful by itself; in combination with conductive fillers to provide an electrostatically dissipative composition; and as a polymer processing aid. The polymer has a low molecular weight component, a high molecular weight component and, optionally an ultra-high molecular weight component.

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Vadnais Heights, MN, United States of America

Attila A Molnar