Abstract: A lubricant composition is disclosed that includes (a) a machining oil and (b) an exfoliated graphite nanoparticle (EGN) material stably dispersed in the machining oil. The lubricant composition is a stable suspension and is suitable for use as a liquid lubricant in a Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) process. In the MQL process, the lubricant composition is applied/transferred to a worksite in the form of a mist. The presence of the EGN material in the lubricant composition provides high-temperature stability and lubricity under MQL conditions. A very small amount is transferred especially at high cutting speeds where the mist of the machining oil evaporates, but the EGN material remains on the surface to provide lubricity. Any operation involving machining can benefit from this lubricant composition. The method provides important benefits of reducing chipping on cutting tools and providing the additional lubricity especially when the cutting become very hot and thus extending tool life.

Abstract: Fabrication techniques are disclosed for the formation of electrically conductive, optically transparent films of exfoliated graphite nanoparticles (EGN). The techniques allow the controlled deposition of EGN nanoplatelets (graphene sheets) and other nanoparticles (e.g., metals, metal oxides) in compact monolayer or multilayer film structures. The compact films have high electrical conductivities and optical transparencies in the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. A first method relates to the deposition of nanoparticles onto a substrate from a bulk suspension using a convective assembly technique. A second method relates to the suspension deposition of EGN nanoplatelets from a from a liquid-liquid interface onto a substrate. Both methods can be used to form EGN film-coated substrates. The second method also can be used to form multilayer, free-standing, defect-free EGN films.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.

Abstract: Low resistivity graphite coated particles having exfoliated and pulverized graphite platelets coated on an outer surface of high resistivity particles are provided. Various methods are also provided for surface coating of the graphite platelets onto the particles to increase particle conductivity. The graphite coated particles can be used to produce reinforced composite materials. Reinforced composite materials incorporating the graphite coated particles can be electrostatically painted without using a conductive primer on the composite.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer composition reinforced with fibers such as cellulose or other fillers, particularly from natural sources, and a process for manufacturing the composition are disclosed. The polymer is extruded with a salt which reduces the melting point and pelletized. The pellets are then extruded again with the filler. The composition with the filler can then be melted at the reduced melting temperature to manufacture an article.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of natural fiber and polymer composites is described. Thermoplastically processed plasticized soy flour based plastics are used with thermoplastic polymers. Polymers of soy flour and an in situ polymerized polyvinyl polymer which links proteins and carbohydrates in the flour to form the polymer are used. The composites are useful in engineering materials.

Abstract: Graphite nanoplatelets of expanded graphite and composites and products produced therefrom are described. The preferred method of expanding the graphite is by microwaves or other radiofrequency wave treatment of intercalated graphite. The expanded graphite is preferably then crushed to nanometer (substantially all 200 microns or less). The expanded graphite is used in polymer composites. The expanded graphite is particularly useful for batteries, anodes and fuel cells.

Abstract: Low resistivity graphite coated fibers having exfoliated and pulverized graphite platelets coated on an outer surface of electrically insulating fibers are provided. Various methods are also provided for surface coating of the graphite platelets onto the insulating fibers which are provided to increase the glass fiber surface conductivity. The graphite coated glass fibers can be used to produce reinforced composite materials. Reinforced composite materials incorporating the graphite coated fibers can be electrostatically painted without using a conductive primer.

Abstract: A graphite coated tow of fibers having exfoliated and pulverized graphite platelets coated on an outer surface of the fibers are provided. A process is provided for surface coating of the graphite platelets onto the fibers. The graphite coated tow of fibers are used to produce a reinforced composite material. Reinforced composite materials incorporating the graphite coated fibers can be electrostatically painted without using a conductive primer on a surface to be painted.

Abstract: Composite materials with a polymer matrix, low resistivity graphite coated fillers having exfoliated and pulverized graphite platelets coated on an outer surface of high resistivity fillers, are provided. The fillers can be fibers or particles. The composite materials incorporating the graphite coated fillers as reinforcements can be electrostatically painted without using a conductive primer on the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Polymeric materials and products, including sheet flooring materials prepared from the polymeric materials, and processes for preparing the polymeric materials, are disclosed. The polymeric materials include a polylactic acid-based polymer in combination with plasticizer and a compatibilizer, and optionally include a filler. The polymeric material can include between about 30 to about 50 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolide, ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or polyolefins modified with polar groups, for example, ionomers. The plasticizer is typically an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil and is typically present in an amount of between about 10 and about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the compatibilizer is a polyolefin modified with one or more polar functional groups, and is typically present in an amount of between about 5 and about 10% by weight.

Abstract: Polymeric materials and products, including sheet flooring materials prepared from the polymeric materials, and processes for preparing the polymeric materials, are disclosed. The polymeric materials include a polylactic acid-based polymer in combination with plasticizer and a compatibilizer, and optionally include a filler. The polymeric material can include between about 30 to about 50 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolide, ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or polyolefins modified with polar groups, for example, ionomers. The plasticizer is typically an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil and is typically present in an amount of between about 10 and about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the compatibilizer is a polyolefin modified with one or more polar functional groups, and is typically present in an amount of between about 5 and about 10% by weight.

Abstract: A polymer composition of cellulose esters, plasticizer, a cellulose linked anhydride as a compatibilizer and organically modified clay. The composites have superior tensile and flexural strengths, modulus, dimensional stability and heat deflection temperature (HDT).

Abstract: A Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) as prepregs and cured compositions with naturally derived fibers which have been dried for at least three hours is described. The SMC process combines polyester polymer or resin with the fibers preferably continuously. The molded products are useful for a variety a purposes where glass fiber filled polyester polymers are conventionally used.

Abstract: A solvent-free process for making a polyol fatty acid polyester composition useful for preparation of polyurethanes is described. These compositions are preferably made by reaction of a natural oil (from plant or animal) with a multi-functional hydroxyl compound derived from a natural source, such as sorbitol, in presence of an alkali metal salt or base such as potassium hydroxide as a catalyst which also acts to saponify the reaction mixture. The hydroxyl content of the prepared composition depends on the amount of the multi-functional hydroxyl compound used in the preparation. In another embodiment, the hydroxyl groups of these compositions are reacted with an isocyanate, such as the polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (also known as 4,4?-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, or MDI) to form polyurethanes in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A method using irradiation with optical light in the presence of a chemical dissolved in a solvent which chemical reacts with the surface in the presence of the irradiation to modify the surface (12A, 104A, 202A, 304A, 402A, 502A) of a substrate (12, 104, 202, 304, 402, 502) is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The method is significantly enhanced by the presence of water (14, 124, 204, 308, 410, 508) as the solvent containing the dissolved chemical on the surface. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable.

Abstract: Polymeric materials and products, including sheet flooring materials prepared from the polymeric materials, and processes for preparing the polymeric materials, are disclosed. The polymeric materials include a polylactic acid-based polymer in combination with plasticizer and a compatibilizer, and optionally include a filler. The polymeric material can include between about 30 to about 50 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolide, ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or polyolefins modified with polar groups, for example, ionomers. The plasticizer is typically an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil and is typically present in an amount of between about 10 and about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the compatibilizer is a polyolefin modified with one or more polar functional groups, and is typically present in an amount of between about 5 and about 10% by weight.

Abstract: A solvent-free process for making a polyol fatty acid polyester composition useful for preparation of polyurethanes is described. These compositions are preferably made by reaction of a natural oil (from plant or animal) with a multi-functional hydroxyl compound derived from a natural source, such as sorbitol, in presence of an alkali metal salt or base such as potassium hydroxide as a catalyst which also acts to saponify the reaction mixture. The hydroxyl content of the prepared composition depends on the amount of the multi-functional hydroxyl compound used in the preparation. In another embodiment, the hydroxyl groups of these compositions are reacted with an isocyanate, such as the polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (also known as 4,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, or MDI) to form polyurethanes in a conventional manner.

Abstract: Graphite nanoplatelets of expanded graphite and composites and products produced therefrom are described. The preferred method of expanding the graphite is by microwaves or other radiofrequency wave treatment of intercalated graphite. The expanded graphite is preferably then crushed to nanometer (substantially all 200 microns or less). The expanded graphite is used in polymer composites. The expanded graphite is particularly useful for batteries, anodes and fuel cells.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer composition reinforced with fibers such as cellulose or other fillers, particularly from natural sources, and a process for manufacturing the composition are disclosed. The preferred process for making the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer composition comprises melting a high melting temperature thermoplastic polymer, mixing the melted thermoplastic polymer with an organic or inorganic salt to reduce the melting temperature of the melted thermoplastic polymer to a melting temperature which does not degrade the fibers, and then adding the fibers to the reduced melting temperature thermoplastic polymer-salt mixture to produce the natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer composition. The natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer composition can then be melted at the reduced melting temperature to manufacture a plurality of articles.