Abstract: An aqueous or water-borne precursor for forming an anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating is provided. The precursor includes a fluorine-containing polyol precursor having a functionality >about 2 that forms a branched fluorine-containing polymer component defining a continuous phase in the anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating. The precursor also includes a fluorine-free precursor that forms a fluorine-free component present as a plurality of domains each having an average size of ?about 100 nm to ?about 5,000 nm defining a discrete phase within the continuous phase in the anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating. A crosslinking agent and water are also present. An emulsifier may also be included. Methods of making anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coatings with such precursors are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for modified silicone resins of Formula (I) are presented: The R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from a group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl; n ranges from 1 to 10; m ranges from 1 to 200; and p ranges from 2 to 1,000. The elastomeric materials prepared from modified silicone resins display robust mechanical properties following prolonged exposure to high temperatures (e.g., 316° C. or higher).

Abstract: Transparent, impact-resistant, anti-icing coatings are disclosed. In some variations, a transparent anti-icing coating comprises: a continuous matrix of a hardened material; asymmetric templates that inhibit wetting of water, wherein the asymmetric templates have a length scale from about 10-300 nanometers; porous voids surrounding the asymmetric templates, wherein the porous voids have a length scale from about 15-500 nanometers; and nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water, wherein the nanoparticles have an average size from about 5-50 nanometers. Disclosed coatings have transparencies of 90% or higher light transmission. These coatings utilize lightweight and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly formed into coatings. A uniform distribution of particles and asymmetric templates throughout the coating allows it to be abraded, yet retain its anti-icing function as well as transparency.

Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.

Abstract: A composition for forming a microlattice structure includes a photopolymerizable compound and a flame retardant material. A microlattice structure includes a plurality of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes, the struts including: a copolymer including a reaction product of a photopolymerizable compound and a flame retardant material. A microlattice structure includes a plurality of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes, the struts including: a polymer including a reaction product of a photopolymerizable compound; and a flame retardant material.

Abstract: Magnetic nanocomposites are disclosed with aligned, rod-shaped, rare-earth-free and Pt-free metal domains in a rigid, non-metallic matrix. In some variations, the invention provides a magnetic nanocomposite comprising metallic nanorods dispersed within a continuous and rigid non-metallic matrix. The nanorods have an average nanorod length-to-width ratio of at least 2. The nanorods are alignable and may be aligned in one axial direction with magnetic or mechanical forces. Some variations provide a method of forming a magnetic nanocomposite, comprising: dispersing metal oxide nanorods into a hardenable non-metallic material; thermally or chemically reducing the metal oxide nanorods to form magnetic metallic nanorods; aligning nanorods in one axial direction within the hardenable non-metallic material; and hardening the non-metallic material to form a continuous and rigid non-metallic matrix containing the metallic nanorods.

Abstract: This disclosure provides coatings that eliminate the problem of persistent oil or grease smudges deposited on transparent coatings. Some variations provide an oil-smudge-resistant material comprising discrete inclusions dispersed within a continuous matrix, wherein one of the discrete inclusions and the continuous matrix is an oleophobic material, and the other is an oleophilic material. Specific embodiments incorporate segmented polyurethanes with oleophobic fluoropolymers and oleophilic hydrocarbons. Some embodiments utilize inorganic oleophilic particles in an oleophobic matrix. Some embodiments condense urethane-silane crosslinkers with other silanes to form discrete domains of oleophobic or oleophilic silanes within a continuous matrix of oleophilic or oleophobic polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of making a composite part. The method comprises covering a mold tool for a composite part with a parting film. The method further comprises laying up at least one layer of pre-preg on the parting film covering the mold tool to form a layed-up composite part and removing the layed-up composite part from the parting film. The parting film comprises a polymer sheet having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a first adhesive disposed on the first major surface of the polymer sheet, the first adhesive adhering the polymer sheet to the mold tool.

Abstract: A novel copolymer is made from a thiol terminated hydrocarbon monomer and at least one additional monomer chosen from the compounds of i) a terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer, ii) an isocyanate functionalized hydrocarbon monomer and iii) a silane monomer substituted with two or more C2 to C8 terminally unsaturated alkenyl groups or C2 to C8 terminally unsaturated alkynyl groups, wherein the copolymer is a linear polymer, branched polymer or crosslinked polymer network, with the following provisos: if the at least one additional monomer is either a) a terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer that is not a polymer having 12 carbon atoms or more, or b) a silane monomer, then the thiol terminated hydrocarbon monomer includes a saturated hydrocarbon ring with two or more terminal thiol groups attached to the hydrocarbon ring; if the terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer is polybutadiene, the polybutadiene contains from about 0 mol % to about 30 mol % of polymer units in the cis-1,4-butadiene form; a

Abstract: A composition for forming a microlattice structure includes a photopolymerizable compound and a flame retardant material. A microlattice structure includes a plurality of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes, the struts including: a copolymer including a reaction product of a photopolymerizable compound and a flame retardant material. A microlattice structure includes a plurality of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes, the struts including: a polymer including a reaction product of a photopolymerizable compound; and a flame retardant material.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials that possess both low adhesion and the ability to absorb water. The material passively absorbs water from the atmosphere and then expels this water upon impact with debris, to create a self-cleaning layer. The lubrication reduces friction and surface adhesion of the debris (such as an insect), which may then slide off the surface. The invention provides a material comprising a continuous matrix including a polymer having a low surface energy (less than 50 mJ/m2) and a plurality of inclusions, dispersed within the matrix, each comprising a hygroscopic material. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. The material optionally contains porous nanostructures that inject water back onto the surface after an impact, absorbing water under pressure and then releasing water when the pressure is removed. The material may be a coating or a surface, for example.

Abstract: This invention provides multifunctional coatings containing multiple components that usually do not associate with one another, from deposition of waterborne precursor compositions. Some variations provide a multiphase waterborne composition comprising a first-material phase containing a first material and a second-material phase containing a second material that is chemically different than, but covalently bonded to, the first material, wherein the first material and/or the second material contains ionic species. The first-material phase and the second-material phase are microphase-separated on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from about 0.1 microns to about 100 microns. The first and second materials may be selected from hydrophobic materials, hydrophilic materials, hygroscopic materials, oleophobic materials, and/or oleophilic materials, for example.

Abstract: A composition with latent adhesion, fuel cell stack with a bipolar plate assembly with latent adhesion and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack with a seal that has latent adhesion such that reactant or coolant leakage through the seal is reduced. Bipolar plates within the stack include reactant channels and coolant channels that are fluidly coupled to inlet and outlet flowpaths, all of which are formed within a coolant-engaging or reactant-engaging surface of the plate. One or more thin or low aspect-ratio seals are formed on a metal bead that is integrally formed on a surface of the plate and is used to help reduce leakage by maintaining fluid isolation of the reactants and coolant as they flow through their respective channels and flowpaths that are defined between adjacently placed plates.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials that possess both low adhesion and the ability to absorb water. The material passively absorbs water from the atmosphere and then expels this water upon impact with debris, to create a self-cleaning layer. The lubrication reduces friction and surface adhesion of the debris (such as an insect), which may then slide off the surface. The invention provides a material comprising a continuous matrix including a polymer having a low surface energy (less than 50 mJ/m2) and a plurality of inclusions, dispersed within the matrix, each comprising a hygroscopic material. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. The material optionally contains porous nanostructures that inject water back onto the surface after an impact, absorbing water under pressure and then releasing water when the pressure is removed. The material may be a coating or a surface, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed are conductive composites comprising a polymer, a conductor selected from metals and metal alloys, and a thickening agent.

Abstract: Some variations provide a method of forming a transparent icephobic coating, comprising: obtaining a hardenable precursor comprising a first component and a plurality of inclusions containing a second component, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other is a hygroscopic material; applying mechanical shear and/or sonication to the hardenable precursor; disposing the hardenable precursor onto a substrate; and curing the hardenable precursor to form a transparent icephobic coating. The coating contains a hardened continuous matrix containing regions of the first component separated from regions of the second component on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from 10 nanometers to 10 microns, such as less than 1 micron, or less than 100 nanometers. The transparent icephobic coating may be characterized by a light transmittance of at least 50% at wavelengths from 400 nm to 800 nm, through a 100-micron coating.

Abstract: An anti-fouling coating is provided, containing a continuous matrix comprising a first component; a plurality of inclusions comprising a second component, wherein the first component is a low-surface-energy polymer having a surface energy, and the second component is a hygroscopic material containing one or more ionic species. The low-surface-energy polymer and the hygroscopic material are chemically connected ionically or covalently, such as in a segmented copolymer composition comprising fluoropolymer soft segments and ionic species contained within the soft segments. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. Coefficient-of-friction experimental data is presented for various sample coatings. The incorporation of ionic species into the polymer chain backbone increases the hygroscopic behavior of the overall structure.

Abstract: A method of making a composite part comprises covering a mold tool for a composite part with a parting film, the parting film comprising a polymer sheet and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The parting film is positioned so that the polymer sheet is between the mold tool and the pressure sensitive adhesive. At least one layer of pre-preg is layed up on the parting film covering the mold tool to form a layed-up composite part. The pre-preg comprises an adhesive. The layed-up composite part is removed from the parting film.

Abstract: We have demonstrated reversibly reducing metal-ion crosslinkages in polymer systems, by harnessing light, creating a dynamic and reversible bond. The reduction induces chemical and physical changes in the polymer materials. Some variations provide a polymer composition comprising: a polymer matrix containing one or more ionic species; one or more photosensitizers; and one or more metal ions capable of reversibly changing from a first oxidation state to a second oxidation state when in the presence of the photosensitizers and light. Some embodiments employ urethane-based ionomers capable of changing their crosslinked state under the influence of a change in counterion valance, using light or chemical reducing agents. This invention provides films, coatings, or objects that are reversible, re-mendable, self-healing, mechanically adjustable, and/or thermoplastic/thermoset-switchable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming a fluoropolymer coated component, such as a metal component, comprising applying an adhesion promoter onto a surface of the component; applying an organic material onto the adhesion promoter; and applying a mixture comprising a fluoropolymer and a solvent selected from a furan or a fluorinated solvent onto the organic material. Aspects of the present disclosure further provide fluoropolymer coatings having a thickness of from about 5 mil to about 80 mil on a component, an average porosity of from about 20% to about 70% based on the total volume of the layer, and a void density of from about 1011 to about 1013 voids per cm3.