Abstract: A processing system for producing starch based expanded products useful as packing material for shipping, packaging and insulating applications. Generally, two processing steps for forming materials are involved. In a first step, dense pellets or granules are formed from starch and a plasticizing agent, such as a plasticizing polymer, for example, polyvinyl alcohol. The starch in the pellets is generally formed, for example with an extruder, into a thermoplastic or thermosetting form for further processing. The pellets generally have an individual density of at least about 70 lbs./cubic foot and a small size for convenient delivery for the second processing step. The second process step is based on the expanding of the material from an extruder with water as the expansion agent in which the dwell time in the extruder is short. The process is designed such that a less expensive single screw extruder is suitable for extruding the expanded material.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions and methods for preparing nanocomposite compositions films are provided. The nanocomposite compositions include dendritic fibrous nanoparticles that have a diameter ranging from 50 to 500 nm, and a polymer matrix comprising poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), where dendritic fibrous nanoparticles are dispersed within the polymer matrix, and where the PMMA is bound to the surface of the dendritic fibrous nanoparticles. Methods of preparing nanocomposite compositions and nanocomposite films including the nanocomposite compositions may include introducing dendritic fibrous nanoparticles into a mixture with a poly(methyl methacrylate) in a solution to form a composite solution.

Abstract: Provided are a binder in the producing of a casting sand mold according to an ink jet type lamination shaping method in which a binder is printed with respect to sand, a method for producing the binder, and a method for producing a casting sand mold using the binder. Specifically, provided are a binder useful for a casting sand mold of an ink jet type, containing: a resol-type phenolic resin that is obtained by reacting aldehydes (A1), phenols (P1), and a compound (N) having two or more phenolic hydroxyl groups in one molecule or by reacting the aldehydes (A1) and a novolac-type phenolic resin (N1), in the presence of an alkali catalyst, and has a dispersion degree (Mw/Mn) of 1.0 to 3.5 and a phenolic monomer residue of 5% or less, a method for producing the binder, and a method for producing a casting sand mold.

Abstract: A non-woven carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite object is formed by the variable frequency microwave (VFM) irradiation of a mixed fiber sheet of thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers and wavy carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mixed fiber sheets are prepared from a slurry of the thermoplastic fibers, carbon fibers, and wavy CNTs such that the wavy CNTs contact the carbon fibers and thermoplastic fibers. Upon irradiation with VFM radiation, the wavy CNTs generate heat and transfer the heat to the thermoplastic fibers, causing melting of the thermoplastic to form the matrix of the CFRTP composite object. The mixed fiber sheets can be combined alone or with other sheets to form laminar composites that are molded into objects and heated by VFM irradiation.

Abstract: Composite material can include a matrix material, a fiber dispersed in the matrix material, and an ultraviolet (UV)-light sensitive mechanophore grafted to a surface of the fiber. A method for making a fiber-reinforced polymer composite can include contacting a fiber in a first solution, rinsing and then drying intermediate fiber, contacting dried fiber in a third solution, rinsing, and then drying the rinsed fiber thereby generating functionalized fiber that is sensitive to ultraviolet light. The functionalized fiber can be combined with a polymer matrix material, cured, and irradiated, thereby generating a fiber-reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: A composition for curable films, a curable film made thereof, and a cured product obtained by curing the curable film are disclosed. The curable film contains fused silica and/or hollow glass microspheres, a rubber composition containing at least one diene-based rubber, and a toluene soluble maleimide resin. The curable film is thin and has excellent processibilities. The cured product has desirable dielectric and thermomechanical characteristics that are suitable to be used as a dielectric material for printed circuit boards, especially for multilayer printed circuit boards and high-density interconnect printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A curable film and a cured product obtained by curing the curable film are disclosed. The curable film contains, as essential components, hollow glass microspheres and a rubber composition containing at least one diene-based rubber. The curable film is thin and has excellent processibilities. The cured product has desirable dielectric and thermomechanical characteristics that are suitable to be used as a dielectric material for printed circuit boards, especially for multilayer printed circuit boards and high-density interconnect printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A skin compatible component attachable to mammalian skin. The component is formed as a silicone matrix comprising a polyorganosiloxane derived silicone polymer and moisture control particulate distributed within the polymer network being configured to absorb moisture from the skin. The skin compatible component may be utilised as an ostomy wafer or flange to secure an ostomy appliance to the skin and in particular peri-skin.

Abstract: A silicon material can include a silicon aggregate comprising a plurality of porous silicon nanoparticles welded together. The silicon aggregate can optionally have a polyhedral morphology. A method can include: receiving a plurality of porous silicon nanoparticles and cold welding the plurality of porous silicon nanoparticles into an aggregated silicon particle.

Abstract: Vinyl ester/ethylene copolymer aqueous dispersions containing an anionic polyacrylamide, at least one polyvinyl alcohol, and optionally a non-ionic surfactant, are useful in cementitious compositions as polymer additives.

Abstract: A masterbatch (C) containing thermally expandable microcapsules (A) and a carrier resin composition (B) is provided. The carrier resin composition (B) contains a carrier resin (B1) and a plasticizer (B2), the carrier resin (B1) being an acrylic resin having a weight average molecular weight of 8,000 or more and 350,000 or less, and the plasticizer (B2) being an acrylic plasticizer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or more and 20,000 or less. The carrier resin composition (B) is substantially compatible with a polycarbonate resin and has a shear viscosity of 1.0 Pa·s or more and 1.5×106 Pa·s or less at 80° C. The occurrence of whitening is suppressed and a good appearance can be obtained in an injection molded foam made with the masterbatch. A polycarbonate resin composition, an injection molded foam, and a method for producing an injection molded foam are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are mycelium materials and methods for production thereof. In some embodiments, a mycelium material includes: a cultivated mycelium material including one or more masses of branching hyphae, wherein the one or more masses of branching hyphae may be disrupted or pressed and/or a bonding agent may be combined with the cultivated mycelium material. Methods of producing a mycelium material are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a clay/polymer composite may include choosing an intercalating agent from among organic constituents of a polymer matrix, forming a polymer-compatible organoclay by mixing and milling an intercalating agent with a clay, and adding a polymer-compatible organoclay to a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A polyacetal resin composition contains a polyacetal copolymer (A) in an amount of 100 parts by mass, the polyacetal copolymer resin having a hemiformal terminal group amount of 0.8 mmol/kg or less, an antioxidant (B) in an amount of 0.5 to 3.0 parts by mass, at least one of zinc oxide or magnesium oxide (C) having an average particle diameter of 5 ?m or less in an amount of more than 2.0 parts by mass and 12 parts by mass or less, carbon black (D) having a BET specific surface area of 300 to 400 m2/g in an amount of 5.0 to 16 parts by mass, and polyalkylene glycol (E) in an amount of 0.5 to 3.0 parts by mass.

Abstract: A diamond art kit includes a diamond art canvas which includes a substrate upon which an image is printed. A layer of adhesive is applied above the image, and a protective film (which can have perforated tear lines) releasably covers the adhesive. The substrate includes a textile layer that can be sealed by front and back sealing layers. A backing layer can be applied to the back sealing layer. The backing layer can be configured with fibers that are sufficiently flexible to allow the diamond art canvas to be rolled and placed within a tube for storage and shipping, but also has sufficient tensile strength to urge the diamond art canvas toward laying flat when unrolled.

Abstract: Lens materials and ophthalmic devices including lens materials that are oxygen permeable and resistant to oil absorption are described. In an embodiment, the lens material includes a copolymer composed of repeating units including: a fluorinated acrylate repeating unit; and a silicon-containing repeating unit, wherein a mass:mass ratio of the fluorinated acrylate repeating unit to the silicon-containing repeating unit is greater than or equal to 2:1.

Abstract: Melt emulsification may be employed to form elastomeric particulates in a narrow size range when nanoparticles are included as an emulsion stabilizer. Such processes may comprise combining a polyurethane polymer and nanoparticles with a carrier fluid at a heating temperature at or above a melting point or a softening temperature of the polyurethane polymer, applying sufficient shear to disperse the polyurethane polymer as liquefied droplets in the presence of the nanoparticles in the carrier fluid at the heating temperature, cooling the carrier fluid at least until elastomeric particulates in a solidified state form, and separating the elastomeric particulates from the carrier fluid. In the elastomeric particulates, the polyurethane polymer defines a core and an outer surface of the elastomeric particulates and the nanoparticles are associated with the outer surface. The elastomeric particulates may have a D50 of about 1 ?m to about 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: Antimicrobial bi-metallic polymeric composites are provided. The bi-metallic polymeric composites include a first metal, a second metal, and a polymeric material and demonstrate especially rapid clearance of a wide variety of bacterial species. Thus, the bi-metallic polymeric composites may be useful in forming or surface treating materials where anti-bacterial properties are desired, including but not limited to surfaces requiring regular sanitization, such as high-contact surfaces in public facilities, medical facilities, or for use in the home. The first metal and the second metal may be any metals affording an electromotive force and may be selected to provide a particular electromotive force.

Abstract: Provided is a hemp and PBAT based biopolymer substrate as a replacement composition to various synthetic, or synthetic containing compounds, plastics. The substrate requires no specialized knowledge as known in the art, utilizes existing manufacturing equipment and methods of processing and contains no synthetic polymers. The substrate is biodegradable and compostable, and produces no micro plastic waste when discarded or by degradation. By selectively adjusting the ranges of the biopolymer substrate, various products with attributes of a myriad of plastic products can be manufactured according to their existing methods. The substrate is comprised of compounds from renewable resources and contributes zero greenhouse gas emissions at the end of a products useful life.

Abstract: A concentrate carrier system for adding colorants and/or other additives to resin formulations over a broad range of processing temperatures is described. The carrier system includes at least 20 wt. % of a base acrylate copolymer, such as ethyl-methyl acrylate, provided in combination with less than 55 or less than 30 wt. % of a ring-opened cyclic ester or ether derivative, such as polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkonates, polyglycolide, polylactide, poly(butylene succinate), other aliphatic linear polyesters. The remainder, which may include an optional organic plasticizer such as epoxidized soybean oil, is dedicated to an additive package that may include colorants, property enhancers, and/or non-property fillers.