Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a thermoplastic copolymer comprising: a plurality of difunctional triketone species; (b) a plurality of a first diamine species, wherein the first diamine species contains one or more primary amine groups and/or one or more secondary amine groups, and wherein the first diamine species does not contain a tertiary amine group; a plurality of a second diamine species, wherein the second diamine species contains one or more primary amine groups and/or one or more secondary amine groups, wherein the second diamine species does not contain a tertiary amine group, and wherein the second diamine species is different than the first diamine species; and optionally, a plurality of monofunctional amine-reactive groups. Some embodiments provide segmented thermoplastic copolymers. Methods of making and using the thermoplastic copolymer are also described, including depolymerizing the thermoplastic copolymer to form recycled monomers.

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: The disclosed technology provides a vitrimeric poly(diketoenamine) network comprising: a plurality of multifunctional triketone dimers; a plurality of multifunctional amine species containing primary or secondary amine groups, but no tertiary amine groups; and optionally, one or more amine-reactive groups. The disclosed technology also provides a method of making a vitrimeric polymer network, comprising: obtaining multifunctional triketone dimers; obtaining a multifunctional imine compound, with imine groups blocking amine groups; mixing the multifunctional triketone dimers with the multifunctional imine compound, thereby forming a polymer precursor mixture; applying the polymer precursor mixture onto a substrate; and allowing the multifunctional imine compound to undergo hydrolysis with water, unblocking the amine functional groups and generating a multifunctional amine compound. The multifunctional amine compound reacts with the multifunctional triketone dimers to form a vitrimeric polymer network.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a thermoplastic copolymer comprising: a plurality of difunctional triketone species; (b) a plurality of a first diamine species, wherein the first diamine species contains one or more primary amine groups and/or one or more secondary amine groups, and wherein the first diamine species does not contain a tertiary amine group; a plurality of a second diamine species, wherein the second diamine species contains one or more primary amine groups and/or one or more secondary amine groups, wherein the second diamine species does not contain a tertiary amine group, and wherein the second diamine species is different than the first diamine species; and optionally, a plurality of monofunctional amine-reactive groups. Some embodiments provide segmented thermoplastic copolymers. Methods of making and using the thermoplastic copolymer are also described, including depolymerizing the thermoplastic copolymer to form recycled monomers.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a vitrimeric poly(diketoenamine) network comprising: a plurality of multifunctional triketone dimers; a plurality of multifunctional amine species containing primary or secondary amine groups, but no tertiary amine groups; and optionally, one or more amine-reactive groups. The disclosed technology also provides a method of making a vitrimeric polymer network, comprising: obtaining multifunctional triketone dimers; obtaining a multifunctional imine compound, with imine groups blocking amine groups; mixing the multifunctional triketone dimers with the multifunctional imine compound, thereby forming a polymer precursor mixture; applying the polymer precursor mixture onto a substrate; and allowing the multifunctional imine compound to undergo hydrolysis with water, unblocking the amine functional groups and generating a multifunctional amine compound. The multifunctional amine compound reacts with the multifunctional triketone dimers to form a vitrimeric polymer network.

Abstract: An anti-icing coating having a continuous phase and a discrete phase. The continuous phase includes a fluorine-containing polymer formed from a fluorine-containing precursor having a functionality of greater than 2. The discrete phase includes a plurality of domains having a fluorine-free hygroscopic and/or hydrophilic material. The plurality of domains are dispersed within the continuous phase and are immersible with the continuous phase. At least a portion of the fluorine-free material is bonded to the fluorine-containing polymer with an isocyanate-containing moiety. The fluorine-containing polymer is crosslinked with a crosslinking molecule having at least 4 functional groups. The fluorine-free material is a poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: Some variations provide a polyoxalamide polymer comprising: one or more first segments containing at least one repeat unit that includes (i) a branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon species and (ii) first amide groups at internal ends of the repeat unit, wherein the first amide groups are part of oxalamide groups; one or more polymer end groups containing second amide groups that are each covalently bonded directly to one of the first amide groups, wherein the second amide groups are also part of the oxalamide groups, and wherein the oxalamide groups contain —N—C(?O)—C(?O)—N— sequences; and a reacted form of one or more multifunctional amine chain extenders or crosslinkers with an amine functionality of 3 or greater. The polyoxalamide polymer may be present in a lens, a window, a coating, or a film, for example. The polyoxalamide polymer may have UV transparency, visual transparency, NIR transparency, MWIR transparency, and/or LWIR transparency.

Abstract: Some variations provide a polyoxalamide polymer comprising: one or more first segments containing at least one repeat unit that includes (i) a branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon species and (ii) first amide groups at internal ends of the repeat unit, wherein the first amide groups are part of oxalamide groups; one or more polymer end groups containing second amide groups that are each covalently bonded directly to one of the first amide groups, wherein the second amide groups are also part of the oxalamide groups, and wherein the oxalamide groups contain —N—C(?O)—C(—O)—N-sequences; and a reacted form of one or more multifunctional amine chain extenders or crosslinkers with an amine functionality of 3 or greater. The polyoxalamide polymer may be present in a lens, a window, a coating, or a film, for example. The polyoxalamide polymer may have UV transparency, visual transparency, NIR transparency, MWIR transparency, and/or LWIR transparency.

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: Some variations provide an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition comprising a plurality of polarizable, thermotropic main-chain liquid-crystal polymer molecules with crystalline domains. The liquid-crystal polymer molecules are in a nematic phase or a smectic phase, and at least 80% of the crystalline domains are aligned along a crystal axis. A method of making an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition comprises: synthesizing or obtaining a polymer containing polarizable domains; heating the polymer to form a polymer melt; cooling the polymer melt to form a thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer; exposing the thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer to an electrical field, thereby aligning the polarizable domains along a crystal axis; and recovering the thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer as an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam and a method of forming a polyurethan foam. The polyurethane foam including the reaction product of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. The method includes mixing polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. Vehicle components are formed from the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam and a method of forming a polyurethan foam. The polyurethane foam including the reaction product of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. The method includes mixing polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. Vehicle components are formed from the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: Some variations provide an optic (such as an optical lens or an optical window) comprising at least 1 wt % of a polyoxalamide, wherein the optic is characterized by at least 40% average transmission of infrared radiation, and wherein the polyoxalamide comprises: first segments containing at least one repeat unit that includes (i) a branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon species and (ii) first amide groups at internal ends of the repeat unit, wherein the first amide groups are part of oxalamide groups; polymer end groups containing second amide groups that are each covalently bonded directly to one of the first amide groups, wherein the second amide groups are also part of the oxalamide groups, and wherein the oxalamide groups contain —N—C(?O)—C(?O)—N— sequences; and a reacted form of multifunctional amine chain extenders or crosslinkers with an amine functionality of 3 or greater. Methods of making and using the optic are described.

Abstract: A method for forming an electromagnetic shielding material includes causing a first portion of a matrix material to enter a target region of a magnetic field, thereby causing first ferromagnetic particles within the first portion of the matrix material to move such that first longitudinal axes of the first ferromagnetic particles become more aligned with the magnetic field. The method also includes curing the first portion of the matrix material within the target region of the magnetic field and thereafter causing a second portion of the matrix material to enter the target region of the magnetic field, thereby causing second ferromagnetic particles within the second portion of the matrix material to move such that second longitudinal axes of the second ferromagnetic particles become more aligned with the magnetic field. The method also includes curing the second portion of the matrix material within the target region of the magnetic field.

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: Some variations provide a thermoformable and thermosettable bismaleimide-thiol-epoxy resin composition comprising: a thiol-endcapped bismaleimide monomer or oligomer; a thiol-containing species; an epoxy species; a curing catalyst; and optional additives. Other variations provide a method of making a bismaleimide-thiol-epoxy resin composition, comprising: providing a starting bismaleimide, a starting multifunctional amine, a starting multifunctional thiol, an acid catalyst, and a solvent to form a starting reaction mixture; reacting the bismaleimide, the multifunctional amine, and the multifunctional thiol to form a thiol-endcapped bismaleimide monomer or oligomer; providing a thiol-containing species; providing at least one epoxy species; providing a curing catalyst; and combining the thiol-endcapped bismaleimide monomer or oligomer, the thiol-containing species, the epoxy species, and the curing catalyst, to form a bismaleimide-thiol-epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: Some variations provide an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition comprising a plurality of polarizable, thermotropic main-chain liquid-crystal polymer molecules with crystalline domains. The liquid-crystal polymer molecules are in a nematic phase or a smectic phase, and at least 80% of the crystalline domains are aligned along a crystal axis. A method of making an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition comprises: synthesizing or obtaining a polymer containing polarizable domains; heating the polymer to form a polymer melt; cooling the polymer melt to form a thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer; exposing the thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer to an electrical field, thereby aligning the polarizable domains along a crystal axis; and recovering the thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer as an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition.

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 anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition comprising a plurality of polarizable, thermotropic main-chain liquid-crystal polymer molecules with crystalline domains. The liquid-crystal polymer molecules are in a nematic phase or a smectic phase, and at least 80% of the crystalline domains are aligned along a crystal axis. A method of making an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition comprises: synthesizing or obtaining a polymer containing polarizable domains; heating the polymer to form a polymer melt; cooling the polymer melt to form a thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer; exposing the thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer to an electrical field, thereby aligning the polarizable domains along a crystal axis; and recovering the thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer as an anisotropic thermally conductive polymer composition.

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