Abstract: A series of resins were synthesized using a range of bio-based materials to control the molecular architecture, and therefore the properties, of the inventive resins. The utility of these resins was demonstrated in the formulation of powder coatings, such as ?-hydroxy amide crosslinked and hybrid types. Generally, the bio-based resins flowed out on heating faster than conventional petrochemically-based resins, allowing the use of lower temperatures in the curing oven than is typically possible and a more active catalyst system, especially in the carboxylic acid-epoxy crosslinked hybrid coatings formulations.

Abstract: The invention describes nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), methods of making the nanocomposites and devices using the nanocomposite materials. Combining CNTs with capacitor materials such as VN provides composite materials having unique supercapacitor properties.

Abstract: A series of resins were synthesized using a range of bio-based materials to control the molecular architecture, and therefore the properties, of the inventive resins. The resins were formulated into toner formulations such as those useful in printers and copiers.

Abstract: The invention provides for structural composites made from biomaterials such as wood products, plant fibers and the like; and/or a non-biomaterial having free —OH groups; a thermoplastic resin such as a polyolefin; coupling agents such as a thermosetting resin or a second thermoplastic resin; a blocked catalyst, a crosslinker and other functional additives may be used.

Abstract: An ionically conductive polymer is a copolymer including first and second polymer segments. The first polymer segments have a hydrophobic character and a high oxygen permeability. The second polymer segments have a hydrophilic character and a low oxygen permeability. The copolymer has an ionic conductivity of at least about 1×10?5 S/cm at any point within a temperature range of from 30° C. to 150° C. and a relative humidity range of from 20% to 100%. The ionically conductive polymer can be used in an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, for example, used as a binder in an electrode or used to produce a membrane.

Abstract: A series of resins were synthesized using a range of bio-based materials to control the molecular architecture, and therefore the properties, of the inventive resins. The resins were formulated into toner formulations such as those useful in printers and copiers.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed by reacting a protein meal base, a radical initiator and a polymerizable monomer. Optionally, a cross-linking agent and/or a radical accelerant, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), is also added to the mixture. Preferably, the radical initiator is ammonium persulfate (APS) or potassium persulfate (KPS), and the cross-linking agent is preferably trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or methylene bis acrylamide (MBA). The polymerizable monomer is preferably acrylic acid, or a combination of acrylic acid and acrylamide. The as-formed hydrogel is washed in order to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried. The resultant absorbent and superabsorbent hydrogels have high water uptake ratios, and can be utilized for a variety of applications.

Abstract: The invention provides for production of nanoparticles dispersed in polymers where the nanoparticles include metals and metal oxides/sulfides that provide enhanced properties (e.g. higher refractive index) to the material. The nanoparticles are typically formed in situ within the polymer. Typically the nanoparticles are in the form of nanocrystals.

Abstract: A fuel cell component is made with a composite including a proton conducting polymer, a water insoluble proton conducting inorganic material, and a heteropolyacid immobilized by chemically bonding to the inorganic material. In another embodiment, the fuel cell component is made with a composite including a non-proton conducting polymer, a water insoluble inorganic material, and a heteropolyacid immobilized by chemically bonding to the inorganic material, the heteropolyacid causing the composite to show proton conductivity. In a further embodiment, the fuel cell component is made with a composite comprising a proton conducting polymer, a water insoluble proton conducting inorganic material, and a heteropolyacid immobilized by chemically bonding to the inorganic material, the composite having substantially identical structure of the unmodified heteropolyacid.

Abstract: A proton conducting hydrocarbon-based polymer has acid groups on side chains attached to the main chain, where the acid groups are between 7 and 12 atoms away from the main chain. Another polymer includes a semi-fluorinated aromatic hydrocarbon main chain and side chains that include at least one —CF2— group and an acid group. Another polymer includes an aromatic hydrocarbon main chain and side chains that include at least one —CH2-CF2— group and an acid group. Another aromatic polymer includes acid groups attached to both the main chain and the side chains where less than about 65 weight percent of the acid groups are attached to the side chains. Another aromatic polymer includes side chains attached to the main chain that include at least one aryl ring, and acid groups attached to both the main chain and to the aryl groups. Another polymer includes an aliphatic hydrocarbon main chain, side chains that include at least one deactivating aryl ring, and acid groups attached to the deactivating aryl rings.

Abstract: Broadly the invention provides for a deinkable toner composition, an image made with the deinkable toner, and a method for making the toner including a coloring agent; a thermoplastic polymer; and a protein. In another embodiment the toner includes a coloring agent and a thermoplastic polymer where the protein has been incorporated into the polymer itself. In typical embodiments the protein is derived from soybeans but may be from other plant or animal sources. Typically the toner has a positive triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g, or a negative triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g.

Abstract: A lubricant from plant and/or animal oils and fats; a method for producing a lubricating oil, and the oil produced thereby. The lubricant comprises a diester produced by epoxidising an animal or plant fat or oil having an iodine number above about 7 and reacting the epoxidised oil or fat with a carboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a basic catalyst.

Abstract: Broadly the invention provides for a deinkable toner composition, an image made with the deinkable toner, and a method for making the toner including a coloring agent; a thermoplastic polymer; and a protein. In another embodiment the toner includes a coloring agent and a thermoplastic polymer where the protein has been incorporated into the polymer itself. In typical embodiments the protein is derived from soybeans but may be from other plant or animal sources. Typically the toner has a positive triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g, or a negative triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing carbon nanotube dispersions in organic solvents such as chloroform and methyl ethyl ketone. Structures resulting from organic dispersions are also disclosed. The dispersing agents used in this method comprise long chain hydrocarbons, halogen-substituted hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, or a mixture of hydrocarbons, halogen-substituted hydrocarbons, and fluorocarbons; wherein the hydrocarbons, halogen-substituted hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons have from 6 to 40 carbons in a chain, at least one alkene or alkyne moiety, and at least one pendant carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, and/or sulfonic acid group or an ester of these acids.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed from soy protein isolate. More specifically, an absorbent hydrogel is formed by contacting soy protein isolate with urea to produce solubilized soy protein isolate which is combined with 2-mercaptoethanol to form a first mixture. The first mixture is heated and combined with a polymerizable monomer and ammonium persulfate to form a second mixture. The second mixture is then heated, followed by removal of the hydrogel from the second mixture. Optionally, the as-formed hydrogel may be subjected to a washing process to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried.

Abstract: In this invention, processes which can be used to achieve stable doped carbon nanotubes are disclosed. Preferred CNT structures and morphologies for achieving maximum doping effects are also described. Dopant formulations and methods for achieving doping of a broad distribution of tube types are also described.

Abstract: An ionically conductive polymer has the chemical structure 1 as shown herein. Examples of the polymer include 4,4?-(4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)butane-2,2-diyl)diphenol, sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone) containing benzimidazole backbone, sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone) containing carboxylic acid backbone, and sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone) containing benzimidazole backbone from carboxylic acid containing sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone). The polymer has intrinsic ion conducting properties so that it is effectively conductive even under low water conditions. In one embodiment, the polymer has an ionic conductivity of at least 1×10?5 S/cm at a temperature of 120° C. when the polymer is substantially anhydrous.

Abstract: A series of resins were synthesized using a range of bio-based materials to control the molecular architecture, and therefore the properties, of the inventive resins. The utility of these resins was demonstrated in the formulation of powder coatings, such as ?-hydroxy amide crosslinked and hybrid types. Generally, the bio-based resins flowed out on heating faster than conventional petrochemically-based resins, allowing the use of lower temperatures in the curing oven than is typically possible and a more active catalyst system, especially in the carboxylic acid-epoxy crosslinked hybrid coatings formulations.

Abstract: An ionically conductive polymer is a copolymer including first and second polymer segments. The first polymer segments have a hydrophobic character and a high oxygen permeability. The second polymer segments have a hydrophilic character and a low oxygen permeability. The copolymer has an ionic conductivity of at least about 1×10?5 S/cm at any point within a temperature range of from 30° C. to 150° C. and a relative humidity range of from 20% to 100%. The ionically conductive polymer can be used in an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, for example, used as a binder in an electrode or used to produce a membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to components of electrochemical devices, and to methods of preparing the components. The components and methods include the use of a composition comprising an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, where the polymer and the solvent are selected based on the thermodynamics of the combination. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a component for an electrochemical device which is prepared from a composition comprising a true solution of an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, the polymer and the at least one solvent being selected such that |? solvent?? solute|<1, where ? solvent is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the at least one solvent and where ? solute is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer.