Abstract: An air-cooling system includes an evaporator adapted to cool an air and a reservoir for storing a liquid and providing the liquid to the evaporator. The air-cooling system also includes a pressure reducer system fluidly coupled to the evaporator and adapted to create a relatively low pressure inside the evaporator to facilitate a conversion of the liquid flowing through the evaporator into vapors. The pressure reducer system includes a liquid ejector having an inlet portion adapted to receive the liquid from the reservoir, a throat portion arranged downstream of the inlet portion and fluidly coupled to the evaporator and an outlet portion disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase a pressure inside the liquid ejector. The pressure reducer system also includes a pump fluidly connected to the liquid ejector and the reservoir to supply the liquid from the reservoir to the liquid ejector.

Abstract: An antimicrobial spray composition is disclosed, forming a protective film on surfaces when dried. The protective film provides antimicrobial protection by killing at least 95% of microorganisms in <30 minutes of exposure. The spray composition comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A self-sterilizing wound dressing is disclosed. The wound dressing comprises a substrate having a first surface facing at least a portion of a wound or a surgical site and a second surface facing opposite to the first surface. At least one surface of the substrate comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 90% of microbes in less than 120 minutes of coming into contact with the wound dressing.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed. The face mask includes a mask pad adapted to cover a nose and a mouth of a wearer and allows a passage of air therethrough to the wearer and restricts a passage of microbes. The mask pad has at least a surface protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer for killing at least 90% microbes within 120 minutes of contact with at least a surface of the face mask. The sulfonated polymeric layer consists essentially of a sulfonated polymer, the sulfonated polymer being selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A frequently-touched surface for use by multiple users includes a surface protected by a laminate structure. The laminate structure includes a self-sterilizing sulfonated polymeric outer layer, sulfonated to a certain % to kill at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The self-sterilizing sulfonated polymer layer can be applied to the frequently touched surface by any of coating, lamination, and spraying. The sulfonated polymer in embodiment is selected from perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%.

Abstract: A dehumidification system for removing water vapors from an air is disclosed. The system includes a dehumidification core defining an air channel and at least one vapor channel separated from the air channel by a membrane to facilitate a removal of moisture from the air flowing through the air channel and is selectively permeable to water and water vapor and impermeable to air. The dehumidification system further includes a water ejector having a throat portion fluidly coupled to the vapor channels and adapted to create a relatively lower pressure of water vapor within the vapor channels than in the air channel The water ejector also includes an outlet portion disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase the pressure of water to facilitate a condensation of the water vapors received from the vapor channels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to laminate structures to cover or protect substrates or surfaces. The laminate structure comprises a support layer and a self-sterilizing/antimicrobial layer comprising a sulfonated polymer, capable of killing microbes within minutes and for an extended period of time. The sulfonated polymer has a sufficient degree of sulfonation to kill in less than 120 minutes at least 90% of microbes in contact with the surfaces, and for extended protection of the surfaces for at least one month. The laminate structure is particularly suitable for protecting high-touch surfaces such as door knobs, touch-screens, tables, as well as for use with facemasks, face shields, or as self-sterilizing wraps for surgical instruments and supplies. The laminates can also be used as garments or to cover/protect personnel having contagious diseases, etc., to decrease the transmission of microbes.

Abstract: An air filter device. The air filter device comprises: a filter medium having an inlet surface for taking in air, and a discharge surface for filtered air. The filter medium having a plurality of air passages for the air to flow therethrough. At least a portion of the inlet surface of the filter medium comprises a sulfonated polymer for killing at least 90% microbes in the air within 120 minutes of contact with the surface of the air passages. The sulfonated polymer is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%.

Abstract: An antimicrobial paint is disclosed. The antimicrobial paint comprises a carrier fluid, a binder, a sulfonated polymer and optionally at least an additive. The sulfonated polymer is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones such as polyether sulfone, sulfonated polyketones such as polyether ketone, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes in less than 30 minutes, or in less than 5 minutes of coming into contact with a substrate coated in the antimicrobial paint composition.

Abstract: An article with self-disinfecting and anti-fog properties. In embodiments, the article is a face shield having a transparent substrate configured to extend facing at least a portion of a face of a wearer, and has a first surface adapted to be disposed facing the face of the wearer and second surface disposed opposite to the first surface. The face panel is protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer on the second surface, for killing at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The sulfonated polymeric is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes within 5 minutes of coming into contact with the face panel. The sulfonated polymeric layer has a Tfog of >15 minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising dimeric decarboxylated rosins (DDCRs), methods for making them, and applications thereof. DDCR of purity from 50-100 wt. % is obtained by decarboxylating a dimeric rosin acid or by dimerizing a decarboxylated rosin, in the presence of a catalyst, followed by one or more purification steps separation on differences in boiling point. The isolated DDCR fractions display unexpectedly high Tg/Mn ratios, softening points and viscosities, and low polydispersities. The DDCR product comprises 50 to 100 wt. % of polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds having one or more aliphatic, unsaturated or aromatic groups, and 34-80 carbon atoms, with a molecular weight Mn of 250-900 Da, and an oxygen to carbon ratio of <5%. The DDCR product has at least 50%, and up to 100% as dimeric species, with the remainder being trimeric and larger polymeric species.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising a star-branched copolymer having a plurality of arms is disclosed. Each polymer arm has a molecular weight Mp of from 1 kg/mol to 50 kg/mol and comprises polymerized units (i) derived from a first vinyl aromatic monomer comprising a radical-reactive group, wherein from greater than 10 mol % to 100 mol % of the units (i) are unhydrogenated; and optionally, polymerized units (ii) comprising hydrogenated and unhydrogenated forms of polymerized units derived from a high Tg monomer, and hydrogenated form of polymerized units (i) or hydrogenated form of polymerized styrene units; and optionally, polymerized units (iii) comprising (a) hydrogenated form of polymerized units derived from one or more acyclic conjugated dienes, and (b) polymerized units derived from one or more of a second vinyl aromatic monomer; wherein less than 10 wt. % of units (a) are unhydrogenated.

Abstract: A styrenic block copolymer having one or more polymer blocks A and one or more polymer blocks B is disclosed, where “A” is a poly(vinylaromatic) block having a molecular weight of greater than 5 kg/mol. The “B” block has a molecular weight of more than 15 kg/mol, and comprises polymerized 1,3-diene units and vinylaromatic units, wherein the polymerized vinylaromatic units represent 5-40 wt. % of the overall weight of the block “B”. The polymerized 1,3-diene units comprise more than 80 wt. % of polymerized isoprene units in which 45-80 mol % are 1,4-isoprene addition units. The blocks “A” and “B” represent from >5 to <40 wt. %, and >33 to <95 wt. %, respectively, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer. The polymers have physical properties that make them valuable, e.g., as vibration damping materials.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a biobased metal-working fluid (MWF) composition and method for making same, and more particularly metal-working fluid with biobased lubricants with improved emulsion stability. At least 50 wt. % of the base oil component in the MWF concentrate is a plant-derived liquid decarboxylated rosin acid oil (“DCR”). The DCR comprises 50 to 100 wt. % of tricyclic compounds having 18-20 carbon atoms, one or more C?C groups, and m/z (mass/charge) value of 220-280; an oxygen content of <5%; a density of 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm3 at 20° C.; and an acid value of <10 mg KOH/g. The resulting MWF is characterized as having comparable if not better performance compared to a MWF containing only mineral oil (e.g., Group I or Group II).

Abstract: Disclosed herein in is a medical tube comprising a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer having a formula A-B-A, (A-B-A)nX or (A-B)nX is disclosed, where n is an integer from 2 to 30, and X is residue of a coupling agent. Prior to hydrogenation, each A block is a monoalkenyl arene homopolymer block having a true peak molecular weight of 5 kg/mol to 15 kg/mol. Each B block is a controlled distribution copolymer block having a true peak molecular weight of 30 kg/mol to 200 kg/mol. The hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer has a midblock poly(monoalkenyl arene) content of 35 wt. % to 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the midblock, and physical properties that makes it useful for producing medical tubes having kink resistance.

Abstract: An air conditioning (AC) system is provided, employing a sulfonated copolymer (SC) layer as a selectively permeable and ion exchanging membrane. The sulfonated block copolymer has an IEC greater than 0.5 meq/g. In embodiments, the sulfonated block copolymer is used to form the membrane itself, or bonded/coated onto a membrane or a foam. In embodiments, the AC employs a membrane electrode assembly, i.e., using electric field across a membrane in a dehumidifier to transport moisture generating a dry air stream, along with an evaporative cooler for latent heat removal via evaporation induced cooling of the dry air stream from the dehumidifier. The system operates as a closed loop wherein the room air after cooling is recycled or loop back to the dehumidifying membrane electrode assembly to generate dry air for the evaporative cooler, generating conditioned air.

Abstract: An associative rheology modifier is obtained by coupling of a rheology modifier precursor with a coupling agent. The rheology modifier precursor is formed by reacting a rosin acid with a polyether at a mole ratio of the rosin acid to the polyether of >2:1, at a temperature from 180-350° C. and in the presence of an acid catalyst. The polyether has a molecular weight of 500-10,000 g/mol and the rheology modifier precursor has a water solubility of >10 wt. % concentration. The associative rheology modifier has a molecular weight (Mw) from 1500-25,000 g/mol. The associative rheology modifier shows a high shear thinning effect at low shear rate. A composition is also provided comprising the associative rheology modifier.

Abstract: A silane functionalized block copolymer (SiHSBC) is disclosed comprising: 80 to 99.90 wt. % of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) and 0.1 to 20 wt. % of a silane, based on the total weight of the SiHSBC. The HSBC is obtained by hydrogenation of a styrenic block copolymer (SBC) comprising at least one polymer block A derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, and at least one polymer block B derived from a conjugated diene monomer. The polymer block B has greater than 80 wt. % of a polymerized 1,3-butadiene monomer, based on the total weight of the polymerized conjugated diene monomer in the polymer block B. The SiHSBC as well as thermoplastic elastomer composition containing the SiHSBC show improved adhesion to polar and non-polar substrates without the need of an adhesive layer or primer layer.

Abstract: Articles having improved properties are disclosed. The articles are formed from a composition obtained by dry blending: a) 70-95 wt. % of a polyolefin polymer selected from polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers, polypropylene impact copolymers, and mixtures thereof; and b) 5 to 30 wt. % of a free-flowing styrenic block copolymer coated with a functional dusting agent having a maximum particle size of 100 microns. The free-flowing styrenic block copolymer requires less than 400 lbs/ft2 of force to break in a blocking test. The molded article has improved impact strength and haze.

Abstract: A oil gel composition, consisting essentially of: 65-80 wt. % of a mineral oil, 15-25 wt. % of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC), 1 to 15 wt. % of glass spheres having an average particle size of at least 15 microns, 1 at least 50 wt. % of a plasticizer selected from mineral oil, a paraffinic oil, an oil-enriched in paraffin, and mixtures thereof, and 0.25-5 wt. % of a tack reducing component selected from the group of steric acid, metal stearates, long chain fatty acids, fatty acid salts, fatty acid esters, amide waxes, ethylene-bis-stearamides, erucamide, polyester modified siloxanes, and mixtures thereof. The oil gel composition has an average peel strength of less than 0.3 lbf/in measured according to ASTM D 1876. Articles formed from the oil gel composition are characterized as being tack-free.