Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shelf-stable, two-part formula for making an antimicrobial biphasic polymer. Some variations provide a two-part formula for fabricating a biphasic polymer, wherein the two-part formula consists essentially of (A) a first liquid volume, wherein the first liquid volume comprises: a structural phase containing a solid structural polymer; a transport phase containing a solid transport polymer; a chain extender; a curing catalyst; a first solvent; and (B) a second liquid volume that is volumetrically isolated from the first liquid volume, wherein the second liquid volume comprises: a crosslinker that is capable of crosslinking the solid structural polymer with the solid transport polymer; and a second solvent. An antimicrobial agent (e.g., quaternary ammoniums salts) may be contained in the first liquid volume or in the second liquid volume. Methods of making and using the antimicrobial biphasic polymer are described.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides improved thermoset vitrimers. It has been discovered that by incorporating adaptable dynamic groups along the polymer backbone, along with permanent, non-dynamic crosslinking points, an improved thermoset vitrimer is generated. In some variations, a thermoset vitrimer comprises: a linear polymer backbone containing associative dynamic covalently bonded species; a crosslinked network containing non-dynamic branch points; and non-dynamic species between non-dynamic branch points and terminal ends of the linear polymer backbone.

Abstract: Some variations provide an oligomer composition comprising: polarizable first thermotropic liquid-crystal oligomer molecules (preferably urethanes or ureas) containing first triggerable reactive end groups, wherein the first triggerable reactive end groups are selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, isocyanate, blocked isocyanate, acrylate, epoxide, amine, vinyl, ester, thiol, conjugated diene, substituted alkene, furan, maleimide, anthracene, and combinations thereof, and wherein the polarizable first thermotropic liquid-crystal oligomer molecules are characterized by a weight-average molecular weight from about 200 g/mol to about 10,000 g/mol; optionally, a plurality of polarizable second thermotropic liquid-crystal oligomer molecules containing second triggerable reactive end groups, wherein the second triggerable reactive end groups are capable of reacting with the first triggerable reactive end groups; and optionally, a reactive coupling agent capable of reacting with the first triggerable reacti

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shelf-stable, two-part formula for making an antimicrobial biphasic polymer. Some variations provide a two-part formula for fabricating a biphasic polymer, wherein the two-part formula consists essentially of (A) a first liquid volume, wherein the first liquid volume comprises: a structural phase containing a solid structural polymer; a transport phase containing a solid transport polymer; a chain extender; a curing catalyst; a first solvent; and (B) a second liquid volume that is volumetrically isolated from the first liquid volume, wherein the second liquid volume comprises: a crosslinker that is capable of crosslinking the solid structural polymer with the solid transport polymer; and a second solvent. An antimicrobial agent (e.g., quaternary ammoniums salts) may be contained in the first liquid volume or in the second liquid volume. Methods of making and using the antimicrobial biphasic polymer are described.

Abstract: Antimicrobial coatings that are transparent and not easily stained are disclosed. Some variations provide a transparent antimicrobial structure comprising: a discrete solid structural phase comprising a solid structural polymer with a glass-transition temperature from 25° C. to 300° C.; a continuous transport phase interspersed within the discrete solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the antimicrobial agent is dissolved in a fluid and/or in a solid solution with the continuous transport phase. The discrete solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length selected from 100 nanometers to 500 microns. This invention resolves the trade-off between antifouling and fluorinated material content. This invention also resolves the trade-off between transport of absorbed molecules and transparency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for curing a polymerizable material capable of cure through a redox reaction by electrically contacting the polymerizable material with an anode and a cathode to create a voltage bias that promotes curing of the polymerizable material.

Abstract: An airfoil is provided that includes an exterior substrate surface, and a coating layer adjacent to the exterior substrate surface. The coating layer has an icephobic coating composition that includes a first polymer, a second polymer that is a fluoropolymer, an isocyanate, and a curative. The coating layer is bonded to the airfoil via an intermediate adhesive layer. The coating layer has a bottom surface, and at least one of the exterior substrate surface and the bottom surface has an RMS surface roughness of at least about 1 micron or greater before the coating layer is bonded to the exterior substrate surface.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is disclosed that provides fast transport rates of biocides for better effectiveness to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses or bacteria on common surfaces. Some variations provide an antimicrobial structure comprising: a solid structural phase comprising a solid structural material; a continuous transport phase that is interspersed within the solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length from about 100 nanometers to about 500 microns. The antimicrobial structure is capable of destroying at least 99.99% of bacteria and/or viruses in 10 minutes of contact. Many options are disclosed for suitable materials to form the solid structural phase, the continuous transport phase, and the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is disclosed that provides fast transport rates of biocides for better effectiveness to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses or bacteria on common surfaces. Some variations provide an antimicrobial structure comprising: a solid structural phase comprising a solid structural material; a continuous transport phase that is interspersed within the solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length from about 100 nanometers to about 500 microns. The antimicrobial structure is capable of destroying at least 99.99 wt % of bacteria and/or viruses in 10 minutes of contact. Many options are disclosed for suitable materials to form the solid structural phase, the continuous transport phase, and the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is disclosed that provides fast transport rates of biocides for better effectiveness to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses or bacteria on common surfaces. Some variations provide an antimicrobial structure comprising: a solid structural phase comprising a solid structural material; a continuous transport phase that is interspersed within the solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length from about 100 nanometers to about 500 microns. The antimicrobial structure is capable of destroying at least 99.99 wt % of bacteria and/or viruses in 10 minutes of contact. Many options are disclosed for suitable materials to form the solid structural phase, the continuous transport phase, and the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: In an example, a method of forming a composite material includes embedding a plurality of conductive-magnetic particles in a matrix material. The method also includes applying, using a magnetic device, a magnetic field to the plurality of conductive-magnetic particles in the matrix material to move the plurality of conductive-magnetic particles into an alignment in which a longitudinal axis of each conductive-magnetic particle is parallel to a direction of the magnetic field. The method further includes, while applying the magnetic field, curing the matrix material to a hardened state in which the alignment of the plurality of conductive-magnetic particles is fixed in the matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oral compositions comprising an orally-acceptable carrier and a silica abrasive comprising a precipitated amorphous silica compound having an average particle size of from 5 ?m to 20 ?m, oil absorption of from 60 cc/100 g to 120 cc/100 g, and an Einlehner hardness of from 4 to 11, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes the modification of polyamine-based materials to form polyguanidine compounds that are useful for their antimicrobial, anticaries, and muccoadhesive properties. The present invention also relates to methods for preventing or treating periodontal disease and caries which include delivering a therapeutically effective amount of an oral composition containing a polyguanidine compound into an oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oral compositions comprising an orally-acceptable carrier and a silica abrasive comprising a precipitated amorphous silica compound having an average particle size of from 5 ?m to 20 ?m, oil absorption of from 60 cc/100 g to 120 cc/100 g, and an Einlehner hardness of from 4 to 11, and methods of use thereof

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the generation of polypeptides having varied material properties are disclosed herein. Methods include means for initiating the polymerization of aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomer by combining the monomer with an amido-containing metallacycle, for making self assembling amphiphilic block copolypeptides and related protocols for adding oligo(ethyleneglycol) functionalized aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) to polyaminoacid chains. Additional methods include means of adding an end group to the carboxy terminus of a polyaminoacid chain by reacting an alloc-protected amino acid amide with a transition metal-donor ligand complex to forming an amido-amidate metallacycle for use in further polymerization reactions. Novel compositions for use in peptide synthesis and design including five and six membered amido-containing metallacycles and block copolypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention describes the modification of polyamine-based materials to form polyguanidine compounds that are useful for their antimicrobial, anticaries, and muccoadhesive properties. The present invention also relates to methods for preventing or treating periodontal disease and caries which include delivering a therapeutically effective amount of an oral composition containing a polyguanidine compound into an oral cavity.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a dentifrice composition comprising an orally acceptable vehicle; a source of zinc ions; and a polysaccharide thickening agent, the polysaccharide thickening agent having at most 0.5 charged groups per sugar residue unit along the polysaccharide backbone such as xanthan gum and/or hydroxyethyl cellulose.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the generation of polypeptides having varied material properties are disclosed herein. Methods include means for initiating the polymerization of aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomer by combining the monomer with an amido-containing metallacycle, for making self assembling amphiphilic block copolypeptides and related protocols for adding oligo(ethyleneglycol) functionalized aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) to polyaminoacid chains. Additional methods include means of adding an end group to the carboxy terminus of a polyaminoacid chain by reacting an alloc-protected amino acid amide with a transition metal-donor ligand complex to forming an amido-amidate metallacycle for use in further polymerization reactions. Novel compositions for use in peptide synthesis and design including five and six membered amido-containing metallacycles and block copolypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the generation of polypeptides having varied material properties are disclosed herein. Methods include means for initiating the polymerization of aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomer by combining the monomer with an amido-containing metallacycle, for making self assembling amphiphilic block copolypeptides and related protocols for adding oligo(ethyleneglycol) functionalized aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) to polyaminoacid chains. Additional methods include means of adding an end group to the carboxy terminus of a polyaminoacid chain by reacting an alloc-protected amino acid amide with a transition metal-donor ligand complex to forming an amido-amidate metallacycle for use in further polymerization reactions. Novel compositions for use in peptide synthesis and design including five and six membered amido-containing metallacycles and block copolypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gift that includes simulated pharmaceutical packaging which presents a humorous or thoughtful interplay between the packaging and the surprise contents within the packaging. The packaging includes at least a container and a lid which are substantially opaque to at least partially obscure the contents of the container from plain view. The container is accompanied by written material, applied to the container and/or a bag in which the container may be placed, and the written material is used to set up the interplay with the surprise contents. The invention further includes a method of providing such a gift.