Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

William V Balsimo

Mark Kevitt Debe

Donald F Hagen

James Michael Larson

Craig G Markell

Andrew J Steinbach

Raymond J Ziegler

Robin Edgar Wright

Louis A Errede

Lloyd R White

Steven J St Mary

Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.

Membrane electrode assemblies

A composite article including a particle-loaded fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene web with a reinforcing screen or scrim partially embedded therein.

Reinforced particle-loaded fibrillated PTFE web

A separation-science disc dispenser (10) has a storage chamber (12) disposed normally to a base (20) that possesses a slot (24) into which a slidable member (26) resides. The storage chamber (12) contains disc units (14) that include a separation-science membrane (16) and a protective liner (18). Where the storage chamber (12) meets the base (20), there is an opening (30) in the storage chamber that allows disc units (14) to exit the storage chamber. The slidable member has a cavity (28) sized to receive a single disc unit (14) from the storage chamber (12) when the cavity (28) is in register with the opening (30). Drawing the slidable member (26) outward from slot (24) causes a single disc unit (14) to be discharged in a non-contaminated condition from the dispenser (10).

Separation-science membrane dispenser

A layered filter composite comprises a filter medium, and on the upstream surface thereof a homogeneous or graded layer of nonporous spherical glass microbeads as a filter aid. A method for filtering or prefiltering a liquid mixture is disclosed wherein a layer of glass microbeads is used as a filter or filter aid. The layered filter composite is useful in analytical applications as well as in large scale industrial and remedial (clean-up) applications.

Glass microbead filter and method of filtering

A composite article comprising a fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix, electrically conductive particles, and energy expandable, electrically nonconductive hollow polymeric particles, which composite is conductive and allows for the flow of electricity and which, upon attaining a temperature which causes expansion of the expandable polymeric particles, becomes insulating and causes the flow of electricity to cease. The articles are thin and can be used as electrical circuit breaking elements.

Temperature sensitive circuit breaking element

A composite article comprising, in the unexpanded form, a fibrillated PTFE matrix and a combination of energy expandable hollow polymeric particles and sorptive particles, which composite, on applying energy such as steam, heat, or laser energy, provides an expanded article having increased void volume and decreased density. The expanded articles are porous and efficient articles for separation and purification applications. In flat or rolled form, the composite article can be used in separation devices.

Article for separations and purifications and method of controlling

Method of controlling porosity in a composite article

An electrically nonconductive composite article comprising a fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix, electrically conductive particles, and electrically nonconductive, energy expanded polymeric particles, which composite upon application of pressure thereto becomes electrically conductive and allows for the flow of electricity through the article. The articles are thin and can be used as a pressure sensitive pad or an interconnect for an electronic component.

Pressure sensitive membrane and method therefor

A composite article having controlled void volume and mean pore size comprises:

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Afton, MN, United States of America

William V Balsimo