Abstract: The present invention relates to heterogeneous catalysts and methods of making and using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a hydrogenation catalyst including particulate nickel metal (Ni(0)). The method includes calcining first nickel(II)-containing particles in an atmosphere including oxidizing constituents to generate second nickel(II)-containing particles. The method also includes reducing the second nickel(II)-containing particles in a reducing atmosphere while rotating or turning the second nickel(II)-containing particles at about 275° C. to about 360° C. for a time sufficient to generate the particulate nickel metal (Ni(0)), wherein the particulate nickel metal (Ni(0)) is free flowing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flame-retardant polyamide compositions. In various aspects, the present invention provides a flame-retardant polyamide composition including a polyamide that is about 30 wt % to about 99 wt % of the composition. The polyamide has a relative viscosity (RV) of ?20 to ?33 as measured as an 8.4 wt % solution in 90% formic acid. The composition also includes one or more flame-retardant additives. Various aspects of the present invention provide compositions having enhanced flame-retardant properties as compared to corresponding compositions including the same or greater concentration of flame-retardant additive but using a polyamide that has an RV that is <20 or >33.

Abstract: Methods for production of automobile airbags with decreased air leakage and an increased duration of their inflated state, as well as airbags produced in accordance with these methods are provided.

Abstract: A hard tile product and system useful for covering floors, walls and other surfaces which are both easy to install and remove are provided.

Abstract: A two-layer flame resistant garment is disclosed having an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the outer layer has a flame resistant shell fabric laminated to a waterproof breathable layer. Also disclosed is a flame resistant garment having one layer fabric construction, wherein the one layer has a flame resistant outer shell, a waterproof breathable membrane, and a thermal management polymer coating.

Abstract: A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough (110) to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe (140) extending into the trough, and at least one aerator (150) located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.

Abstract: Nonnaturally occurring organisms exhibiting improved carbon utilization and methods for production and use of these nonnaturally occurring organisms in chemical production from carbon containing feedstocks are provided.

Abstract: A method of making a polyamide copolymer includes subjecting a reaction mixture to conditions sufficient to form the polyamide copolymer, the reaction mixture including adduct A and adduct B. Adduct A is a 1:1 adduct of a diamine having the structure H2N-R1-NH2, or a salt thereof and an aliphatic diacid having the structure HO—C(O)—R2-C(O)—OH, or a salt thereof. Adduct B is a 1:1 adduct of the diamine having the structure H2N-R1-NH2, or a salt thereof, and an aromatic diacid having the structure HO—C(O)—R3-C(O)—OH, or a salt thereof. At each occurrence, R1 and R2 can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C20)alkylene. At each occurrence, R3 can be independently a substituted or unsubstituted (C6-C20)arylene. The molar ratio of adduct A to adduct B in the reaction mixture can be about 61:39 to about 90:10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsion compositions of modified polyester polyols and a method of preparing such modified polyester polyol emulsions that are useful in the formulation of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate cellular polymers for use in making foam articles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a polyetheramine containing polyamide without excessive foaming in successive batches by providing a controlled heat input rate step for those batch runs that incorporate polyetheramine containing polyamide heel from previous runs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a preparation of polymer with improved color and properties. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the preparation of polyamide by introducing a polyetheramine additive during the polymer extrusion step. The extruded polymer is superior in appearance and spinnable in subsequent processing into yarn.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modified polyester polyol composition useful in the formulation of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate cellular polymers for use in making foam articles with hydrocarbon blowing agents. The modified polyester polyol composition comprises the reaction product of a polyol with an EO/PO block copolymer having a weight average molecular weight from 1,000 to 20,000 g/mol and has a viscosity in the range of 100 to 10,000 centipoise, as determined at 25° C. according to the ASTM D-4878 method.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing a difunctional product having an odd number of carbon atoms in vitro or in a recombinant host, or salts or derivatives thereof, by forming two terminal functional groups selected from carboxyl, amine, formyl, and hydroxyl groups in an aliphatic carbon chain backbone having an odd number of carbon atoms synthesized from (i) acetyl-CoA and propanedioyl-CoA via one or more cycles of methyl ester shielded carbon chain elongation or (ii) propanedioyl-[acp] via one or more cycles of methyl ester shielded carbon chain elongation. The biochemical pathways and metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on enzymes or homologs accepting methyl ester shielded aliphatic carbon chain backbones and maintaining the methyl ester shield for at least one further enzymatic step following one or more cycles of methyl ester shielded carbon chain elongation.

Abstract: Nylon staple fiber with additive exhibiting a break tenacity greater than 6.5 g/den are provided as well as yarns, fabrics and other articles of manufacture produced from the fiber. Methods for producing the nylon staple fiber with additive are also provided.

Abstract: A solvent is at least partially separated from a catalyst. The catalyst comprises nickel and a bidentate phosphorus-containing ligand. The method for separation involves distilling a catalyst solution. The ratio of 2-pentenenitrile to 3-pentenenitrile in distillation column bottoms is controlled to reduce the amount of 3-pentenenitrile which is isomerized to form 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile. Isomerization of 3-pentenenitrile to 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile and subsequent isomerization of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to 2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and/or hydrocyanation of 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile to methylglutaronitrile represents a loss in adiponitrile yield in a process for making adiponitrile.

Abstract: A multipolymer fiber comprising a polyester phase formed from at least one polyester resin, present at between about 50 to about 95 percent by weight and a polyamide phase formed from at least one polyamide resin, present at between about 5 to about 50 percent by weight, wherein the polyamide phase is distinct from the polyester phase and comprises a plurality of polyamide fibrils dispersed in the polyester phase, and wherein the polyamide fibrils are separately distinguishable from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods for the biosynthesis of di- or trifunctional C7 alkanes in the presence of isolated enzymes or in the presence of a recombinant host cell expressing those enzymes. The di- or trifunctional C7 alkanes are useful as intermediates in the production of nylon-7, nylon-7,x, nylon-x,7, and polyesters.

Abstract: Carpet with self-twisted loop piles that has an appearance and aesthetics similar to cut pile construction with improved durability and methods for making the same are provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for producing yarn having longitudinally variable dye uptake and well as yarns having longitudinally variable dye uptake and articles prepared from these yarns are provided.