Abstract: The present invention provides a countertop (10) comprising a backer sheet (16) of a relatively lightweight, rigid material; an outer layer (14) of agglomerated stone disposed on a top surface (16a) of the backer sheet (16) to create a central portion (14a) of the countertop; and an outer layer (14) of agglomerated stone disposed on a side surface (16c, 16d) of the backer sheet (16) to create an edge portion (14b, 14c) of the countertop (10); wherein the central portion (14a) and edge portion(s)(14b, 14c) form a one piece agglomerated stone layer (14). The present invention also provides a moulding process to manufacture the agglomerated stone countertop (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite material comprising a core comprising an organosilica such as a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and a functionalized elastomeric polymer such as poly(n-butyl acrylate) bonded onto said core. The elastomer is preferably functionalised with an amine moiety. The present invention also relates to a polymer comprising a resin such as Bisphenol A diglycidylether (DGEBA) and the aforementioned composite material, and a method for making the composite material. The composite material can improve both the material strength and material toughness of the polymer into which it is mixed.

Abstract: A conductive carbonaceous fiber is provided, comprising a carbonaceous material obtained from carbonizing an electrospun fiber wherein said fiber comprises at least one conductive metal precursor. The electrospun fibers can be formed into fibrous mats during spinning, stabilization and carbonization that are conductive materials which can be used to make stretchable conductors for flexible electronic devices. The invention relates also to the process for making the fibers, corresponding elastomeric fibrous mesh/polymer composites as well as use of these composites for making stretchable electrical conductors. The obtainable elastomeric composite films (with a thickness in the range of 0.8 to 1.5 mm) exhibit good electrical conductivity and excellent electromechanical stability under mechanical deformations (e.g. elongating, twisting and bending).

Abstract: The invention relates to lubricants for magnetic recording media, and in particular, to such lubricants containing cyclotriphosphazene. Methods for preparing the lubricants are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to lubricants for magnetic recording media, and in particular, to such lubricants containing cyclotriphosphazene. Methods for preparing the lubricants are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a nano-composite having individual nano-sized silica particles dispersed in a polymer matrix, the method comprises the step of curing a substantially homogeneous mixture of surface-functionalized nano-sized silica particles, a polymerizable resin and a curing agent, wherein said substantially homogeneous mixture is substantially free of alcoholic solvent to form the nano-composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to lubricants for magnetic recording media, and in particular, to such lubricants containing cyclotriphosphazene. Methods for preparing the lubricants are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to lubricants for magnetic recording media, and in particular, to such lubricants containing cyclotriphosphazene. Methods for preparing the lubricants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A copolymer for modifying rheology is formed of monomer units consisting essentially of at least one first monomer unit comprising a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane having an ethylenically unsaturated radical; at least one second monomer unit comprising an unsaturated oligo-poly(dimethyl siloxane)(meth)acrylate; and a sufficient amount of at least one unsaturated water-soluble monomer, such that the copolymer is soluble in water. A composition may comprise an electrolyte and the copolymer. The rheology of an environment comprising an electrolyte may be modified by adding the copolymer to the environment.

Abstract: A hard coating composition including at least the following components (A) to (E): Component (A): A poly(methyl)glycidyl ether compound derived from a chain aliphatic polyol or a chain aliphatic polyether polyol, which may or may not contain a hydroxyl group, Component (B): A silsesquioxane compound containing a cationic polymerizable group, Component (C): A silicate compound, Component (D): A silane compound containing a cationic polymerizable group, or a partial condensed compound thereof, or a mixture thereof, and Component (E): A cationic photopolymerization initiator, wherein the composition includes 5 to 40 parts by weight of the component (A), 60 to 95 parts by weight of the total of the components (B), (C) and (D), and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of the component (E), each based on 100 parts by weight of the total of the components (A) to (D).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laminate for making a molded article comprising at least one fiber reinforcement impregnated with a resin matrix as a first layer and a foam as a second layer. The foam can be laminated to the first layer using a nanocomposite adhesive. The laminates can be easily molded using bagging mold techniques. The resulting molded devices have uses in biomedical, health care and sport protective devices. Due to the improved strength of material, it is possible to drill holes into the device shell allowing for improved ventilation.

Abstract: Described herein are polymers comprising a polyester and at least one polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, wherein the polyester is capable of forming a stereocomplex with a polymer comprising a complimentary polyester and composites thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a layered silicate/polymer composite, the composite comprising individual exfoliated silicate layers separated in a continuous polymer matrix, wherein the polymer is a hydrophobic polymer, the method comprising: exfoliating sheet silicate in water to form a silicate suspension; replacing the water in the silicate suspension by an organic solvent to form a silicate/organic solvent suspension; contacting the silicate/organic solvent suspension with a solution of a hydrophobic polymer precursor in an organic solvent to form a silicate/polymer precursor suspension; coating the silicate/polymer precursor suspension on a substrate; removing the organic solvents; curing the hydrophobic polymer precursor of the coating of the silicate/polymer precursor; and annealing the cured coating to form the layered silicate/polymer composite on the substrate.

Abstract: There is presently provided a stimulus-responsive polymer comprising a biodegradable polymer backbone and a stimulus-responsive pendant group attached to the biodegradable polymer backbone, wherein the biodegradable polymer backbone comprises a poly(amino ester) or a poly(amido amine), the poly(amido amine) optionally comprising a disulfide linkage in the backbone.

Abstract: There is presently provided a stimulus-responsive polymer comprising a biodegradable polymer backbone and a stimulus-responsive pendant group attached to the biodegradable polymer backbone, wherein the biodegradable polymer backbone comprises a poly(amino ester) or a poly(amido amine), the poly(amido amine) optionally comprising a disulfide linkage in the backbone.

Abstract: A copolymer for modifying rheology is formed of monomer units consisting essentially of at least one first monomer unit comprising a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane having an ethylenically unsaturated radical; at least one second monomer unit comprising an unsaturated oligo-poly(dimethyl siloxane)(meth)acrylate; and a sufficient amount of at least one unsaturated water-soluble monomer, such that the copolymer is soluble in water. A composition may comprise an electrolyte and the copolymer. The rheology of an environment comprising an electrolyte may be modified by adding the copolymer to the environment.

Abstract: A process for forming a composite film on a substrate comprises providing a suspension comprising an ionised polymer and functionalised carbon nanotubes in a solvent, at least partially immersing the substrate and a counterelectrode in the suspension, and applying a voltage between the substrate and the counterelectrode so as to form the composite film on the substrate. Electrical charges on the polymer and on the nanotubes have the same sign and the voltage is applied such that the charge on the substrate has the opposite sign to the charge on the polymer and the nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a branched, a dendritic, or a hyperbranched poly(amino ester) having a polymer backbone comprising a plurality of branches, wherein the polymer backbone has at least one secondary and at least one tertiary amine linkage. Branched poly(amino ester)s are prepared via a Michael addition reaction of a tris(acrylate ester)monomer with a diamine monomer. In one aspect, the diamine monomer has a primary amino group and a secondary amino group. The poly(amino ester) compounds can be end-capped by reacting with a suitable agent. The present invention also provides applications including, but are not limited to, the delivery of bioactive agents, such as drugs, DNA or RNA; or biocompatible imaging.

Abstract: There is provided a barrier layer comprising silicate chemically coupled to a polymer matrix. There is also provided a process for making the barrier layer and uses thereof.

Abstract: A composition is provided, which comprises chains comprising a first graft copolymer of a first elastomer and a poly(L-lactic acid), and chains comprising a second graft copolymer of a second elastomer and a poly(D-lactic acid). At least some of the poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) crosslink the chains. Poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) may form stereocomplexes that crosslink the chains. The chains may be crosslinked by crystalline structures formed from at least some of the poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) in discrete regions. The crosslinked chains may form a matrix. In a method of forming the composition, the first and second graft copolymers are mixed, such as by melt blending or solution casting, to form the composition. The graft copolymers may be formed by a “grafting-though” or “grafting-from” process. The composition may be useful under a relatively wide range of temperatures.