Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention described herein comprise a composition of matter, and method for preparing the same, which provide the benefits of pre-reaction molecular configuration favoring high liquidity properties, and post-reaction configuration that favors mechanical strength, stiffness, and properties associated with high viscous and/or solid-state materials. In some embodiments, the composition of matter can comprise relaxing photo-isomerizable fragments, of which a fraction can be transformed from trans to cis configurations upon exposure to a photon source. In some embodiments, the composition of matter further comprises thermally reactive fragments, of which can enable thermal solidification of a mixture upon exposure to elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, a composition of matter can be combined with reinforcing additives to form a prepreg combination.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention described herein comprise a composition of matter, and method for preparing the same, which provide the benefits of pre-reaction molecular configuration favoring high liquidity properties, and post-reaction configuration that favors mechanical strength, stiffness, and properties associated with high viscous and/or solid-state materials. In some embodiments, the composition of matter can comprise relaxing photo-isomerizable fragments, of which a fraction can be transformed from trans to cis configurations upon exposure to a photon source. In some embodiments, the composition of matter further comprises thermally reactive fragments, of which can enable thermal solidification of a mixture upon exposure to elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, a composition of matter can be combined with reinforcing additives to form a prepreg combination.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention described herein comprise a composition of matter, and method for preparing the same, which provide the benefits of pre-reaction molecular configuration favoring high liquidity properties, and post-reaction configuration that favors mechanical strength, stiffness, and properties associated with high viscous and/or solid-state materials. In some embodiments, the composition of matter can comprise relaxing photo-isomerizable fragments, of which a fraction can be transformed from trans to cis configurations upon exposure to a photon source. In some embodiments, the composition of matter further comprises thermally reactive fragments, of which can enable thermal solidification of a mixture upon exposure to elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, a composition of matter can be combined with reinforcing additives to form a prepreg combination.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention described herein comprise a composition of matter, and method for preparing the same, which provide the benefits of pre-reaction molecular configuration favoring high liquidity properties, and post-reaction configuration that favors mechanical strength, stiffness, and properties associated with high viscous and/or solid-state materials. In some embodiments, the composition of matter can comprise relaxing photo-isomerizable fragments, of which a fraction can be transformed from trans to cis configurations upon exposure to a photon source. In some embodiments, the composition of matter further comprises thermally reactive fragments, of which can enable thermal solidification of a mixture upon exposure to elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, a composition of matter can be combined with reinforcing additives to form a prepreg combination.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: In various aspects, methods and apparatuses for liquid-liquid extraction are provided. In certain aspects, an emulsion can be formed by combining a feed stream, an extractant, and a surfactant. The feed stream comprises a plurality of distinct components including a first component to be removed therefrom. The feed stream may be selected from a group consisting of: a hydrocarbon feed stream and an azeotrope. Then, a portion of the first component is extracted from the feed stream (or emulsion) by contact with a superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter that facilitates passage of the first component and extractant through the superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter. A purified product is collected having the portion of the first component removed. Such methods are particularly useful for refining fuels and oils and separating azeotropes and other miscible component systems. Energy-efficient, continuous single unit operation apparatuses for conducting such separation techniques are also provided.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: A method of making natural polymer (nano)particles, comprises two immiscible phases and a surface active agent, wherein one phase includes a natural polymer source and ionic liquid; stirring the combined phases with surfactant to form a microemulsion; adjusting the ratios of ionic liquid, surfactant, and immiscible phase to determine a particular size of natural polymer nanoparticles; stirring antisolvent into the emulsion; diluting the emulsion; and washing and drying precipitated polymer (nano)particles from the emulsion. The immiscible phase comprises at least one of immiscible solvent, oil, or immiscible ionic liquid. The ionic liquid phase includes natural polymer dissolved in ionic solvent. The antisolvent is water, other protic solvent or additive. The emulsion is diluted with, more immiscible phase, 1-butanol, or a mutually miscible solvent, or oil. The emulsion is diluted with an excess of the volume of the emulsion.

Abstract: In various aspects, methods and apparatuses for liquid-liquid extraction are provided. In certain aspects, an emulsion can be formed by combining a feed stream, an extractant, and a surfactant. The feed stream comprises a plurality of distinct components including a first component to be removed therefrom. The feed stream may be selected from a group consisting of: a hydrocarbon feed stream and an azeotrope. Then, a portion of the first component is extracted from the feed stream (or emulsion) by contact with a superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter that facilitates passage of the first component and extractant through the superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter. A purified product is collected having the portion of the first component removed. Such methods are particularly useful for refining fuels and oils and separating azeotropes and other miscible component systems. Energy-efficient, continuous single unit operation apparatuses for conducting such separation techniques are also provided.

Abstract: In various aspects, methods and apparatuses for liquid-liquid extraction are provided. In certain aspects, an emulsion can be formed by combining a feed stream, an extractant, and a surfactant. The feed stream comprises a plurality of distinct components including a first component to be removed therefrom. The feed stream may be selected from a group consisting of: a hydrocarbon feed stream and an azeotrope. Then, a portion of the first component is extracted from the feed stream (or emulsion) by contact with a superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter that facilitates passage of the first component and extractant through the superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter. A purified product is collected having the portion of the first component removed. Such methods are particularly useful for refining fuels and oils and separating azeotropes and other miscible component systems. Energy-efficient, continuous single unit operation apparatuses for conducting such separation techniques are also provided.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: Treated, mesoporous aggregates comprising a plurality of coated particles that comprise an inorganic oxide core having a surface area of about 50 to about 500 square meters per gram and a shell or coating consisting of an array of fluoroalkyl molecular chains covalently bonded to the core at a density of at least one chain per square nanometer. The aggregates are formed by the chemical attachment of fluoroalkyl-alkylsilanes after exposure to an alkylamine and followed by an extraction to remove any unbound organic material. The dense packing of molecular chains in the fluoroalkyl shell combined with a mesoporous structure imparts a very low surface energy, a very high specific surface area, and surface texture over a wide range of length scales. Such features are highly desirable for the creation of, for example, superhydrophobic and superoleophobic surfaces, separation media, and release films.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.

Abstract: In various aspects, methods and apparatuses for liquid-liquid extraction are provided. In certain aspects, an emulsion can be formed by combining a feed stream, an extractant, and a surfactant. The feed stream comprises a plurality of distinct components including a first component to be removed therefrom. The feed stream may be selected from a group consisting of: a hydrocarbon feed stream and an azeotrope. Then, a portion of the first component is extracted from the feed stream (or emulsion) by contact with a superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter that facilitates passage of the first component and extractant through the superoleophobic and hygroscopic membrane filter. A purified product is collected having the portion of the first component removed. Such methods are particularly useful for refining fuels and oils and separating azeotropes and other miscible component systems. Energy-efficient, continuous single unit operation apparatuses for conducting such separation techniques are also provided.

Abstract: A thermosetting resin. The resin includes a silane and a co-reactant monomer. The silane includes a quaternary silicon atom with first and second non-hydrolyzable moieties chemically bonded thereto. Each of the first and second non-hydrolyzable moieties includes respective first and second reactive groups. The reactive groups include at least one aromatic or unsaturated group having a triple bond.

Abstract: A reactive, non-hydrolyzable silane. The silane comprises a quaternary silicon atom and first and second terminal groups. Each of the first and second terminal groups is chemically bonded to the quaternary silicon atom and is selected from a group consisting of cyanate ester, epoxide, episulfide, acrylate, alkene, styrenic, maleimide, phthalonitrile, acetylene, aryl ethynylene, benzoxazine, anthracene, aniline, trifluorovinyl ether, and perfluorocyclobutyl.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to self-release compositions and methods useful for the removal or prevention of mineral scaling and, more particularly, to surface coatings and surface treatments that resist, prevent, or aid in removal of mineral scaling. In some aspects, the self-release coating includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a thermoplastic or an additive.