Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a water absorbent resin, by which a surface-crosslinked water absorbent resin having excellent physical properties can be efficiently obtained at low cost, while assuring high productivity. When the production scale is increased to a continuous production on a huge scale (for example, 1 t/hr or more), the physical properties are improved and stabilized (for example, standard deviation of the physical properties is reduced) by a surface-crosslinking treatment, and the absorption against pressure (AAP) and liquid permeability (SFC) are further improved.

Abstract: Provided herein are conductive glass-metal compositions, as well as methods of making and using such compositions. In one example, the compositions include gold (Au) doped lithium-borate glasses shown to exhibit a transition from ionic to electronic conduction within the same sample. This is achieved via appropriate heat treatment, and particularly by heat treatment after annealing, wherein the post-annealing heat treatment is performed at temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg). The methods described herein are believed to introducing polarons formed from the trapping of electrons at partially ionized gold atoms. This unique electrical response provides new functionality to this class of nanocomposites. Additionally, increased thermal conductivity can be provided to an otherwise low conductive glass composition using the inventive methods and other subject matter provided herein.

Abstract: The objects are to provide a method for producing a durable organic photoelectric conversion device by a coating process or to produce an organic photoelectric conversion device superior in photoelectric conversion characteristics to the conventional devices. In the production method for an organic photoelectric conversion device including a substrate, a pair of electrodes which are formed on the substrate and at least one of which is transparent, and an active layer formed between the pair of electrodes, the active layer is formed by coating; and the active layer contains a pigment.

Abstract: This invention provides a lithium nickel manganese cobalt composite oxide having a composition of LiaNixMnyCozO2 (x+y+z=1, 1.05<a<1.3), wherein, in the data obtained by measuring a Raman spectrum of the composite oxide, the peak intensity of an Eg oscillation mode of a hexagonal crystal structure located at 480 to 495 cm?1 and the peak intensity of an F2g oscillation mode of a spinel structure located at 500 to 530 cm?1 in relation to the peak intensity of an A1g oscillation mode having a hexagonal crystal structure in which the main peak is located at 590 to 610 cm?1 are respectively 15% or higher and 40% or lower than the peak intensity of the A1g oscillation mode of a hexagonal crystal structure as the main peak. Thereby, the Raman spectrum can be used for the identification of the crystal structure to clarify the characteristics of a positive electrode precursor composed of lithium nickel manganese cobalt composite oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving the low temperature storage and performance properties of fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof, as well as compositions containing fatty acids and/or derivatives thereof having superior lower temperature storage and performance properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of polymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to the synthesis of heterobifunctional polymers and polymers with narrow and mono-disperse molecular weight distributions, and especially to the application of membranes to the synthesis of these polymers.

Abstract: A method is provided for making nanoparticles, including the steps of: combining a hydrocarbon solvent and an aprotic, polar co-solvent, a mono-vinyl aromatic monomer, polymerization initiator, a solution stabilizer, and a first charge of a cross-linking agent. Subsequently, a second charge of cross-linking agent is added. The nanoparticles have an average diameter of 5 nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers. Spherical nanoparticles are also provided that include a cross-linking agent comprising 30% to 60% by weight of the combined weight of a mono-vinyl aromatic species and the cross-linking agent. The spherical nanoparticles also meet the following equation: 0.90?(D1/D2)?1.1 wherein D1 is a first diameter of a nanoparticle and D2 is a second diameter of the nanoparticle, and D1 and D2 intersect at right angles.

Abstract: A water absorbing agent includes water absorbent resin particles which are obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomer and which internally include a cross-linked structure, wherein a pressurized void average radius index is 140 or more. As a result, it is possible to provide a water absorbing agent which essentially includes water absorbent resin particles and is suitable for use in a sanitary material. Specifically, it is possible to improve not only a performance for absorbing and retaining aqueous liquid without pressure or under pressure but also (i) a performance for quickly absorbing aqueous liquid with a great help of a performance of a fibrous material, (ii) a performance for dispersing the aqueous liquid after absorbing the aqueous liquid, and (iii) a performance for retaining the aqueous liquid after absorbing the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a transmission belt that can suppress lowering in transmission efficiency and has improved durability. A rubber layer adhered to core wires is formed to have a durometer hardness (shore A) of not less than 72 and not more than 85, or have a tensile stress of not less than 0.5 MPa and not more than 1.7 MPa when stretched 10% in the belt longitudinal direction at 25° C., and the rubber layer is formed to have a weight increase of 90% or less after immersed in light oil for 48 hours at 25° C. or have a weight increase of 80% or less after immersed in toluene for 48 hours at 25° C. Alternatively, the rubber layer adhered to the core wires is formed to have a storage modulus of not less than 10 MPa and not more than 50 MPa and a tan ? of not more than 0.15 as measured by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement under conditions at a static load of 3 kgf/cm2, a dynamic strain of 0.4%, a frequency of 10 Hz and a temperature of 25° C. in a tensile mode in a belt longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid indium alkoxide-containing composition comprising at least one indium alkoxide and at least three solvents L1, L2 and L3, in which the solvent L1 is selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, anisole, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, butyl acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate and ethyl benzoate, and the difference between the boiling points of the two solvents L2 and L3 under SATP conditions is at least 30° C., to processes for preparation thereof and to the use thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a spinel type lithium manganese oxide cathode active material, includes providing a number of manganese dioxide hollow spheres and a lithium source powder, mixing the manganese dioxide hollow spheres and the lithium source powder in a liquid medium to achieve a mixture, drying the mixture to remove the liquid medium to achieve a precursor, and sintering the precursor at a sintering temperature of about 600° C. to about 800° C. for about 3 hours to about 10 hours, to achieve a number of spinel type lithium manganese oxide hollow spheres.

Abstract: A tunable photonic crystal composition comprising: tunable photonic crystal particles having a polymer network with a periodic modulation of refractive indices, the polymer network having a reflectance wavelength, wherein the periodic modulation of refractive indices is responsive to an external stimulus and the reflectance wavelength is shifted in response to the external stimulus; and a carrier in which the particles are dispersed.

Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable polylactic acid suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, a polylactic acid is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polylactic acid having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified polylactic acid may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting polylactic acid. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.

Abstract: Conductive particles each includes a polymer base particle and a conductive layer coating the polymer base particle. Let the compressive elastic deformation characteristic KX of one conductive particle when the displacement of particle diameter of the conductive particles is X % be defined by the following formula: KX=(3/?2)·(SX?3/2)·(R?1/2)·FX. FX is the load (N) necessary for X % displacement of the conductive particles. SX is the compressive deformation amount (mm) upon X % displacement of the conductive particles. R is the particle radius (mm) of the conductive particles. The compressive elastic deformation characteristic K50 when the displacement of particle diameter of the conductive particles is 50% is 100 to 50000 N/mm2 at 20° C., and the recovery factor of particle diameter of the conductive particles when the displacement of particle diameter of the conductive particles is 50% is not less than 30% at 20° C.

Abstract: A process for producing solid nanocomposite particles for lithium metal or lithium ion battery electrode applications is provided. In one preferred embodiment, the process comprises: (A) Preparing an electrode active material in a form of fine particles, rods, wires, fibers, or tubes with a dimension smaller than 1 ?m; (B) Preparing separated or isolated nano graphene platelets with a thickness less than 50 nm; (C) Dispersing the nano graphene platelets and the electrode active material in a precursor fluid medium to form a suspension wherein the fluid medium contains a precursor matrix material dispersed or dissolved therein; and (D) Converting the suspension to the solid nanocomposite particles, wherein the precursor matrix material is converted into a protective matrix material reinforced by the nano graphene platelets and the electrode active material is substantially dispersed in the protective matrix material.

Abstract: Various compositions, including particularly solvent compositions, containing fluorinated olefins, including particularly tetra- and penta-fluorpropenes, in a variety of applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoelectric conversion material that exhibits a high thermoelectric conversion properties. The thermoelectric conversion material comprises zinc oxide and is represented by formula (I): Zn(1-x-y)AlxYyO??(I) wherein Zn represents zinc; Al represents aluminum; Y represents yttrium; and x>0, y>0, and x+y<0.1, and has a structure in which at least a part of aluminum and yttrium are present in crystal lattices of and/or interstitial site of crystal lattices of zinc oxide.

Abstract: A multi-phase liquid composition comprising a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid, said liquids being non miscible, wherein the conductive liquid comprises more than 90% up to 99.9% by weight of a first component having a surface tension above 45 mN/m and comprising water, salt and at least one freezing point lowering agent, and from 0.01% to less than 10% by weight of a second component having a surface tension below 30 mN/m and comprising at least one first compound, wherein said at least one first compound is a non ionic surfactant.

Abstract: Silica particles having 4-30% of an organopolysiloxane grafted to surfaces thereof are provided. A silicone composition loaded with such silica particles has high transparency, minimized permeability to corrosive gases, and improved encapsulation ability.

Abstract: A working substance pairing comprising a working substance and an ionic liquid, its use in absorption heat pumps, absorption refrigeration machines and heat transformers and also corresponding apparatuses.