Abstract: The invention is directed to curable polyurethane coating compositions which may be used to form fouling release coatings, e.g., for use in protecting boat hulls. A curable coating composition of the invention comprises a) at least one amphiphilic additive; b) at least one polyisocyanate; c) at least one polyol; and d) optionally, at least one amphiphilic PEG-PDMS isocyanate prepolymer. Another curable coating composition of the invention comprises the at least one polyisocyanate, b), the at least one polyol, c), and the at least one amphiphilic PEG-PDMS isocyanate prepolymer, d). The invention further relates to methods for reducing or preventing biofouling of a surface exposed to an aqueous environment comprising the steps of coating the surface with the curable coating compositions of the invention to form a coated surface, and curing the coating composition on the coated surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curable coating composition comprising at least one glycidyl carbamate (GC) resin, at least one amphiphilic GC-functional prepolymer, and at least one curing agent. The invention also relates to a method of making the curable coating compositions. The invention also relates to an article of manufacture comprising the curable coating composition of the invention and a method of making such article. The invention also relates to a fouling-release (FR) coating system and an anti-coating system, each of which comprises the curable coating compositions of the invention, methods of applying the FR coating systems and anti-coating systems to substrates, and methods for reducing or preventing biofouling or icing of a surface exposed to an aqueous environment using the FR coating systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and method for bending wire. The apparatus includes a feeding system with at least one feed roller pair and a controllable feed motor, at least one control platform axis, and at least one bending unit. The method includes i) providing the apparatus of claim 1; ii) advancing a wire with the feeding system; iii) engaging the wire with the at least one bending unit; iv) bending the wire with the at least one bending unit; v) retracting the at least one bending unit; and optionally repeating steps ii-v to form a desired structure. Also provided herein are algorithms for feeding, engaging, and bending the wire.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes protein-based resin compositions. In particular, the compositions employ methacrylated or acrylated protein, a strengthening agent, a plasticizer, and an initiator. The protein-based resin compositions may be used for making solid articles that are biodegradable and possess a high degree of tensile strength and water resistance. Methods of preparing the biodegradable protein-based plastic articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to diols derived from 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, diformyl furan, or derivatives thereof. The invention further relates to diglycidyl ethers derived from the diols of the invention, curable coating compositions containing the diglycidyl ethers, and objects coated with the curable coating compositions. The invention also relates to composites, composites, adhesives, and films containing the diglycidyl ethers of the invention. The invention also relates to methods of making the diols, diglycidyl ethers, and curable coating compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device detecting volatile organic compounds, such as acetone, using nanostructured K2W7O22 crystals. Methods for detecting a subject in a state of ketosis, such as diabetes, using a volatile organic sensing device are disclosed. A method for synthesizing K2W7O22 nanostructured sensing crystals is further disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to curable non-isocyanate polyurethane coating compositions which is the reaction product of a polycarbamate resin and a dialdehyde. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the curable coating compositions of the invention. The invention also relates to objects coated with the curable coating composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to curable coating compositions containing at least one surface modifying amphiphilic additive; and at least one siloxane-polyurethane coating composition. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the curable coating compositions of the invention. The invention also relates to objects coated with the curable coating composition of the invention. The invention also relates to methods for reducing or preventing biofouling of a surface exposed to an aqueous environment comprising the steps of coating the surface with the curable coating composition of the invention to form a coated surface, and curing the coating composition on the coated surface. The invention also relates to a marine fouling-release coating containing the curable coating composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions useful for bone repair and methods of preparing the same. The invention is particularly suitable for bone repair of large bone defects. In an aspect of the invention, the compositions comprise a biocompatible polymer and a clay that form a scaffold. In a further aspect of the invention, the multiple scaffolds can be configured together to form scaffold blocks.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit is used in a solar array suitable for, e.g., roadside adjacent installation. The power conversion circuit includes an inverter with a first stage electrically coupled to one or more solar panels. A third stage of the circuit has a DC to AC converter that provides less than a 50 VAC load voltage to a load, and a second stage that is coupled between the first and third stages and provides an isolated electrical power coupling therebetween. A sync interface communicatively couples a controller to other controllers dedicated to one or more other respective inverters of the solar array via a sync signal. The controllers synchronize the third stages of the inverters via the sync signal. The third stages of the inverters are coupled in series to provide a load output voltage.

Abstract: Provided herein are a biofilm inhibiting composition, a biofilm inhibiting article, and a method of reducing planktonic growth or biofilm formation. The biofilm inhibiting composition includes a fluid and at least one biofilm inhibiting compound selected from the group consisting of acetoacetate (AAA) and ethyl acetoacetate (EAA). The biofilm inhibiting article includes a substrate and at least one biofilm inhibiting compound selected from the group consisting of acetoacetate (AAA) and ethyl acetoacetate (EAA). The method of reducing biofilm formation includes providing a biofilm inhibiting compound selected from the group consisting of acetoacetate (AAA) and ethyl acetoacetate (EAA), and contacting an article with the biofilm inhibiting compound.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for producing an inactivated virus including a) heating the virus to a temperature sufficient to disrupt the virus membrane; b) exposing the virus of step (a) to an RNA degrading enzyme; and c) cooling the virus to a temperature sufficient to reestablish the integrity of the virus membrane. Also provided herein is a vaccine produced using the instant method.

Abstract: Compounds derived from biomass, e.g., cellulose and lignins, methods of forming such compounds and polymers and products formed using such compounds.

Abstract: An aerogel hybrid and a method for preparing the aerogel hybrid. The aerogel hybrid includes a resin composition and a plurality of aerogel particles. The resin composition may fill the interstitial space between the plurality of aerogel particles. The aerogel hybrid may be produced by preparing the aerogel and preparing the resin composition, blending the aerogel and the resin composition together to form an aerogel hybrid and curing the aerogel hybrid for providing an aerogel hybrid containing resin mixture with the ability to fit large amounts of aerogel into the resin to enhance the aerogel's physical properties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to curable polyurethane coating compositions which may be used to form fouling release coatings, e.g., for use in protecting boat hulls. A curable coating composition of the invention comprises a) at least one amphiphilic additive; b) at least one polyisocyanate; c) at least one polyol; and d) optionally, at least one amphiphilic PEG-PDMS isocyanate prepolymer. Another curable coating composition of the invention comprises the at least one polyisocyanate, b), the at least one polyol, c), and the at least one amphiphilic PEG-PDMS isocyanate prepolymer, d). The invention further relates to methods for reducing or preventing biofouling of a surface exposed to an aqueous environment comprising the steps of coating the surface with the curable coating compositions of the invention to form a coated surface, and curing the coating composition on the coated surface.

Abstract: Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas CO2 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel encompassing a container which is either vertically positioned in an upright or an upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO2 coolant is then released into a capillary system or flow metering system to allow the CO2 to enter a second body to where the CO2 coolant properties may be leveraged. The second body includes, by way of example, a plate, a cushion, a spot treatment pad for a person's muscle, or a cooler. The temperature is controlled by a metering CO2 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering CO2 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid.

Abstract: Compounds derived from biomass, e.g., cellulose and lignins, methods of forming such compounds and polymers and products formed using such compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to acetoacetylated lignin resin compositions comprising the reaction product of lignin and an acetoacetate ester. The invention also relates to (meth)acrylated lignin resin compositions comprising the reaction product of lignin and a (meth)acrylic compound. The invention also relates to methods of making the acetoacetylated and (meth)acrylated lignin resin compositions. The invention also relates to curable coating compositions comprising the acetoacetylated and (meth)acrylated lignin resin compositions. The invention also relates to methods of making the curable coating compositions of the invention. The invention also relates to methods of applying curable coating compositions of the invention to substrates. The invention also relates to articles of manufacture comprising a curable coating composition of the invention and a method of making such article.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel hydrazide-based templates, methods of making the same, and methods of using the hydrazide-based templates as molecular scaffolds for asymmetric light driven transformations, light driven material synthesis, and biological applications. Furthermore, the present invention relates to photoinitiators, monomers, and polymers derived from biomass, together with methods and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides highly functional epoxy resins that may be used themselves in coating formulations and applications but which may be further functionalized via ring-opening reactions of the epoxy groups yielding derivative resins with other useful functionalities. The highly functional epoxy resins are synthesized from the epoxidation of vegetable or seed oil esters of polyols having 4 or more hydroxyl groups/molecule. In one embodiment, the polyol is sucrose and the vegetable or seed oil is selected from corn oil, castor oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, tall oil fatty acid, tung oil, vernonia oil, and mixtures thereof. Methods of making of the epoxy resin and each of its derivative resins are disclosed as are coating compositions and coated objects using each of the resins.