Abstract: A low viscosity polysulfide sealant composition. The composition comprises a curable polysulfide polymer; a crosslinking agent; and a plurality of core-shell particles. The core-shell particles comprise: a core comprising a ferromagnetic material; and a shell comprising silica treated with an organic sulfur containing compound. The shell is capable of bonding with the polysulfide polymer.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for modified silicone resins of Formula (I) are presented: The R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from a group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl; n ranges from 1 to 10; m ranges from 1 to 200; and p ranges from 2 to 1,000. The elastomeric materials prepared from modified silicone resins display robust mechanical properties following prolonged exposure to high temperatures (e.g., 316° C. or higher).

Abstract: This invention provides metal-foam electrodes for batteries and fuel cells. In some variations, an electrode includes a first metal layer disposed on a second metal layer, wherein the first metal layer comprises an electrically conductive, open-cell metal foam with an average cell diameter of about 25 ?m or less. The structure also includes smaller pores between the cells. The electrode forms a one piece monolithic structure and allows thicker electrodes than are possible with current electrode-fabrication techniques. These electrodes are formed from an all-fluidic plating solution. The disclosed structures increase energy density in batteries and power density in fuel cells.

Abstract: This disclosure provides coatings that eliminate the problem of persistent oil or grease smudges deposited on transparent coatings. Some variations provide an oil-smudge-resistant material comprising discrete inclusions dispersed within a continuous matrix, wherein one of the discrete inclusions and the continuous matrix is an oleophobic material, and the other is an oleophilic material. Specific embodiments incorporate segmented polyurethanes with oleophobic fluoropolymers and oleophilic hydrocarbons. Some embodiments utilize inorganic oleophilic particles in an oleophobic matrix. Some embodiments condense urethane-silane crosslinkers with other silanes to form discrete domains of oleophobic or oleophilic silanes within a continuous matrix of oleophilic or oleophobic polymer.

Abstract: Some variations provide a composition comprising: a first solid material and a second solid material that are chemically distinct and microphase-separated; and at least one liquid selectively absorbed into either of the first solid material or the second solid material. The first and second solid materials are preferably present as phase-separated regions of a copolymer, such as in a segmented copolymer (e.g., a urethane-urea copolymer). The liquid may be a freezing-point depressant for water. For example, the liquid may be selected from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or glycerol. The liquid may be a lubricant. For example, the liquid may be selected from fluorinated oils, siloxanes, petroleum-derived oils, mineral oil, or plant-derived oils. The liquid may consist of or include water. The liquid may be an electrolyte. For example, the liquid may be selected from poly(ethylene glycol), ionic liquids, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, or methyl ethyl dicarbonate.

Abstract: Transparent, impact-resistant, anti-icing coatings are disclosed. In some variations, a transparent anti-icing coating comprises: a continuous matrix of a hardened material; asymmetric templates that inhibit wetting of water, wherein the asymmetric templates have a length scale from about 10-300 nanometers; porous voids surrounding the asymmetric templates, wherein the porous voids have a length scale from about 15-500 nanometers; and nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water, wherein the nanoparticles have an average size from about 5-50 nanometers. Disclosed coatings have transparencies of 90% or higher light transmission. These coatings utilize lightweight and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly formed into coatings. A uniform distribution of particles and asymmetric templates throughout the coating allows it to be abraded, yet retain its anti-icing function as well as transparency.

Abstract: A low viscosity polysulfide sealant composition. The composition comprises a curable polysulfide polymer; a crosslinking agent; and a plurality of core-shell particles. The core-shell particles comprise: a core comprising a ferromagnetic material; and a shell comprising silica treated with an organic sulfur containing compound. The shell is capable of bonding with the polysulfide polymer.

Abstract: Transparent, impact-resistant, anti-icing coatings are disclosed. In some variations, a transparent anti-icing coating comprises: a continuous matrix of a hardened material; asymmetric templates that inhibit wetting of water, wherein the asymmetric templates have a length scale from about 10-300 nanometers; porous voids surrounding the asymmetric templates, wherein the porous voids have a length scale from about 15-500 nanometers; and nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water, wherein the nanoparticles have an average size from about 5-50 nanometers. Disclosed coatings have transparencies of 90% or higher light transmission. These coatings utilize lightweight and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly formed into coatings. A uniform distribution of particles and asymmetric templates throughout the coating allows it to be abraded, yet retain its anti-icing function as well as transparency.

Abstract: A method of making a composite part comprises covering a mold tool for a composite part with a parting film, the parting film comprising a polymer sheet and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The parting film is positioned so that the polymer sheet is between the mold tool and the pressure sensitive adhesive. At least one layer of pre-preg is layed up on the parting film covering the mold tool to form a layed-up composite part. The pre-preg comprises an adhesive. The layed-up composite part is removed from the parting film.

Abstract: Described is a micro-lattice damping material and a method for repeatable energy absorption. The micro-lattice damping material is a cellular material formed of a three-dimensional interconnected network of hollow tubes. This material is operable to provide high damping, specifically acoustic, vibration or shock damping, by utilizing the energy absorption mechanism of hollow tube buckling, which is rendered repeatable by the micro-lattice architecture.

Abstract: Some variations provide a low-adhesion coating comprising a continuous matrix containing a first component, a plurality of inclusions containing a second component, and a solid-state lubricant distributed within the coating, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other of the first component or the second component is a hygroscopic material. The solid-state lubricant may be selected from graphite, graphene, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, or poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or other fluoropolymers. The solid-state lubricant particles may be coated with a metal selected from cadmium, lead, tin, zinc, copper, nickel, or alloys containing one or more of these metals. The solid-state lubricant is typically characterized by an average particle size from about 0.1 ?m to about 500 ?m. The solid-state lubricant is preferably distributed throughout the coating.

Abstract: There is provided a method of synthesizing and using a segmented copolymer that includes mixing one or more ?,? (alpha, omega) amine or ?,? (alpha, omega) hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane first soft segments having an average molecular weight of between about 2500 grams per mole to about 10,000 grams per mole, and one or more diisocyanate species, together to form a first reaction product; mixing the first reaction product and one or more low molecular weight diol or diamine chain extenders each having an average molecular weight of less than 400 grams per mole, together in a solvent to form a segmented copolymer in solution; and applying the segmented copolymer in solution to one or more surfaces via spray coating directly from the solution with the segmented copolymer, wherein the segmented copolymer formed has a high flexibility at an environmental temperature of down to about ?100 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: This invention provides durable, low-ice-adhesion coatings with excellent performance in terms of ice-adhesion reduction. Some variations provide a low-ice-adhesion coating comprising a microstructure with a first-material phase and a second-material phase that are microphase-separated on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from 1 micron to 100 microns. Some variations provide a low-ice-adhesion material comprising a continuous matrix containing a first component; and a plurality of discrete inclusions containing a second component, wherein the inclusions are dispersed within the matrix to form a phase-separated microstructure that is inhomogeneous on an average length scale from 1 micron to 100 microns, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other is a hygroscopic material. The coatings are characterized by an AMIL Centrifuge Ice Adhesion Reduction Factor up to 100 or more.

Abstract: A coating includes at least one coating layer containing first particles, second particles, and third particles distributed throughout a cross-linked, continuous polymer matrix. An outer surface of the coating layer includes surfaces of at least first particles extending outward from a top periphery of the polymer matrix. The outer surface exhibits a property of delaying ice formation compared to the coating layer without the first particles. A method includes applying a coating composition in one application step. The one-step coating composition contains first particles, second particles, and third particles in a base containing a polymer. A coating composition includes first particles, second particles, and third particles distributed in a matrix precursor.

Abstract: Novel nanoparticle-coated multilayer shell microstructures are disclosed herein. Some variations of the invention provide a material comprising a plurality of hollow microstructures characterized by an average shortest diameter from about 5 microns to about 1 millimeter, wherein each of the microstructures comprises multiple shells, including at least an inner shell and an outmost shell, with a combined thickness that is less than one-tenth of the average shortest diameter. The inner shell and the outmost shell have different composition. The outmost shell comprises nanoparticles sized between about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers, and the nanoparticles each contain an oxide and/or are surrounded by an oxide layer having a layer thickness of at least 1 nanometer. Several microstructure configurations are illustrated in the drawings.

Abstract: A composition with latent adhesion, fuel cell stack with a bipolar plate assembly with latent adhesion and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack with a seal that has latent adhesion such that reactant or coolant leakage through the seal is reduced. Bipolar plates within the stack include reactant channels and coolant channels that are fluidly coupled to inlet and outlet flowpaths, all of which are formed within a coolant-engaging or reactant-engaging surface of the plate. One or more thin or low aspect-ratio seals are formed on a metal bead that is integrally-formed on a surface of the plate and is used to help reduce leakage by maintaining fluid isolation of the reactants and coolant as they flow through their respective channels and flowpaths that are defined between adjacently-placed plates.

Abstract: Thermal barrier materials are provided that possess low heat capacity and low thermal conductivity, while at the same time, high structural integrity and robustness. In some embodiments, the disclosed coating comprises metal-containing spheres that are sintered or glued together and/or embedded in a matrix. The coating has at least 60% void volume fraction and closed porosity. The coating thickness is from 50 microns to 500 microns, and the metal spheres have an average diameter that is from about 5% to about 30% of the coating thickness. In some embodiments, the metal spheres have an average diameter that is 4-10 times smaller than the coating thickness. Thermal barrier materials with these coatings can be beneficial in engine applications, for example.

Abstract: We have demonstrated reversibly reducing metal-ion crosslinkages in polymer systems, by harnessing light, creating a dynamic and reversible bond. The reduction induces chemical and physical changes in the polymer materials. Some variations provide a polymer composition comprising: a polymer matrix containing one or more ionic species; one or more photosensitizers; and one or more metal ions capable of reversibly changing from a first oxidation state to a second oxidation state when in the presence of the photosensitizers and light. Some embodiments employ urethane-based ionomers capable of changing their crosslinked state under the influence of a change in counterion valance, using light or chemical reducing agents. This invention provides films, coatings, or objects that are reversible, re-mendable, self-healing, mechanically adjustable, and/or thermoplastic/thermoset-switchable.

Abstract: An anti-fouling coating is provided, containing a continuous matrix comprising a first component; a plurality of inclusions comprising a second component, wherein the first component is a low-surface-energy polymer having a surface energy, and the second component is a hygroscopic material containing one or more ionic species. The low-surface-energy polymer and the hygroscopic material are chemically connected ionically or covalently, such as in a segmented copolymer composition comprising fluoropolymer soft segments and ionic species contained within the soft segments. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. Coefficient-of-friction experimental data is presented for various sample coatings. The incorporation of ionic species into the polymer chain backbone increases the hygroscopic behavior of the overall structure.

Abstract: A composition comprises a copolymer made from a thiol terminated hydrocarbon monomer and at least one additional monomer chosen from the compounds of i) a terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer, ii) an isocyanate functionalized hydrocarbon monomer and iii) a silane monomer substituted with two or more C2 to C8 terminally unsaturated alkenyl groups or C2 to C8 terminally unsaturated alkynyl groups. The composition also includes a particulate filler dispersed in the copolymer and a solvent. If the terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer is polybutadiene, the polybutadiene contains from about 0 mol % to about 30 mol % of polymer units in a cis-1,4-butadiene form. Composites made from the composition and methods for making composite panels are also disclosed.