Abstract: Composite materials capable of absorbing and dissipating high energy forces such as ballistic impacts and explosive blasts. Composites of elastomers and reinforcing nanoparticle materials are configured to absorb and dissipates high energy forces. Composites can be configured as nonwoven webs, and can be layered. Methods of making a ballistic resistant composite material capable of absorbing and dissipating high energy forces.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions comprising acrylic multigraft copolymers are described. The multigraft copolymers comprise a rubbery polyacrylate backbone and a plurality of randomly spaced glassy polyacrylate side chains. The multigraft copolymers can be prepared using a facile grafting through method that can provide copolymers with enhanced purity. The acrylic multigraft copolymers exhibit microphase separated morphologies and “superelastomeric” properties, including an elongation at break, stress at break, and/or strain recovery behavior that exceeds that of conventional triblock copolymer polyacrylate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions comprising acrylic multigraft copolymers are described. The multigraft copolymers comprise a rubbery polyacrylate backbone and a plurality of randomly spaced glassy polyacrylate side chains. The multigraft copolymers can be prepared using a facile grafting through method that can provide copolymers with enhanced purity. The acrylic multigraft copolymers exhibit microphase separated morphologies and “superelastomeric” properties, including an elongation at break, strain at break, and/or strain recovery behavior that exceeds that of conventional triblock copolymer polyacrylate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: Methods of preparing macromonomers, e.g., single- or double-tailed macromonomers, using radical polymerization of a first monomer in solution or in an emulsion are described. Methods of using the macromonomers in the preparation of multigraft copolymers are also described. For instance, the macromonomer prepared by radical polymerization can be used in an emulsion copolymerization with a second monomer to form a random multigraft copolymer. The random multigraft co-polymers can be superelastomers.

Abstract: Multigraft copolymers having various structures, e.g., comb and centipede structures, can be prepared from emulsion copolymerization of monomers and macromonomers. The emulsion copolymerization can be initiated by a thermally activated radical initiator or a redox initiation system. The multigraft copolymers can have high molecular weight and/or a large number of branch points. Elastomer or adhesive compositions of the copolymers can be prepared. Also described are poly(n-alkyl acrylate-graft-styrene) multigraft copolymers.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions are described comprising multigraft copolymers. The multigraft copolymers can comprise a rubbery polymeric backbone and a plurality of glassy polymeric side chains, each attached at one of a plurality of branch points randomly spaced along the backbone. The copolymer materials have high tensile strength, high strain at break, and low residual strain after elongation. The compositions can be used as adhesives and in a wide variety of high tech, medical, and commodity applications.

Abstract: Multigraft copolymers having various structures, e.g., comb and centipede structures, can be prepared from emulsion copolymerization of monomers and macromonomers. The emulsion copolymerization can be initiated by a thermally activated radical initiator or a redox initiation system. The multigraft copolymers can have high molecular weight and/or a large number of branch points. Elastomer or adhesive compositions of the copolymers can be prepared. Also described are poly(n-alkyl acrylate-graft-styrene) multigraft copolymers.

Abstract: Composite materials capable of absorbing and dissipating high energy forces such as ballistic impacts and explosive blasts. Composites of elastomers and reinforcing nanoparticle materials are configured to absorb and dissipates high energy forces. Composites can be configured as nonwoven webs, and can be layered. Methods of making a ballistic resistant composite material capable of absorbing and dissipating high energy forces.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions are described comprising multigraft copolymers. The multigraft copolymers can comprise a rubbery polymeric backbone and a plurality of glassy polymeric side chains, each attached at one of a plurality of branch points randomly spaced along the backbone. The copolymer materials have high tensile strength, high strain at break, and low residual strain after elongation. The compositions can be used as adhesives and in a wide variety of high tech, medical, and commodity applications.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: Described herein are modified hyaluronans or the pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein the modified hyaluronan comprises at least one hydrophobic polypeptide covalently bonded to hyaluronan. The modified hyaluronans can be used as viscosupplements in a number of medical applications. The modified hyaluronans can also be used in several biological and medical applications. Methods for preparing the modified hyaluronans are also provided herein.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: Materials prepared from polydienes, such as poly(cyclohexadiene), and hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(alkylene oxide), are described. Methods of making the materials and their use in fuel cell membranes, batteries, breathable chemical-biological protective materials, and templates for sol-gel polymerization are also provided. The materials can be crosslinked and sulfonated, and can include copolymers and polymer blends.

Abstract: Materials prepared from polydienes, such as poly(cyclohexadiene), and hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(alkylene oxide), are described. Methods of making the materials and their use in fuel cell membranes, batteries, breathable chemical-biological protective materials, and templates for sol-gel polymerization are also provided. The materials can be crosslinked and sulfonated, and can include copolymers and polymer blends.

Abstract: Copolymers of fluorinated polydienes and sulfonated polystyrene and their use in fuel cell membranes, batteries, breathable chemical-biological protective materials, and templates for sol-gel polymerization.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: Copolymers of fluorinated polydienes and sulfonated polystyrene and their use in fuel cell membranes, batteries, breathable chemical-biological protective materials, and templates for sol-gel polymerization.

Abstract: Stable blend compositions composed of mixtures of polysiloxane(s) and organic polymer(s) are claimed. These polymer blends are white and opaque indicating the presence of phase separation on the micron scale. Such blends can be stored for long periods of time (years) without exhibiting evidence of macroscopic phase separation. These stable blends are achieved without substantial crosslinking as evidenced by the fact that the polymer blend is readily dissolved in a suitable organic solvent for molecular weight characterization. The stable blends of the present invention have particular utility as fouling release coatings for marine applications.

Abstract: A bone cement formulation stored as a solid component pack having 0.3 to 20 solid component pack weight percent of an elastomer and a polymer bead core having a polyacrylate terminated surface. The second component pack is a liquid component pack including an acrylate monomer. An alternate solid component pack includes 3 to 25 solid component pack weight percent of a polyacrylate and a rubber toughened polymethyl methacrylate. A cement mixing and delivering system according to the present invention includes a tube having an exit nozzle and an aperture. An end plate is adapted to seal against the interior of the tube aperture and the end plate has a plurality of needles protruding therefrom into the tube. A rotatable and slidable divider is received within the tube intermediate between the end plate and the exit nozzle. The divider includes at least two plates.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for polymerization in ionic medium liquid at room temperature provide the benefit of allowing polymerization reactions to be carried out cheaply, and relatively quickly. The replacement of VOCs by these environmentally benign solvents has the further advantage of increased safety for chemical workers.