Abstract: Machine learning-based part selection in relation to one or more end use environmental conditions is provided. The process includes training a machine learning model to facilitate evaluation of a part for use in a product based on an environmental condition. Further, the process includes receiving measurement data for the part, and establishing a score for the part by comparing the measurement data for the part to a specification for the part. In addition, the method includes using the machine learning model and the established score for the part in determining whether to use the part in the product based on the environmental condition.

Abstract: Described are techniques for artificial intelligence (AI) assisted recommendations for component parts for end-products that reduce the occurrence of a product failures. The techniques include obtaining measurement data for groups of component parts configured to be assembled as part of an end-product. The techniques further include obtaining specification scores for the component parts included in the groups of component parts based on the measurement data. The techniques further include selecting a component part combination from the groups of component parts using artificial intelligence analysis of the specification scores to determine that the component part combination decreases a probability of a product failure as compared to historical occurrences of the product failure. The techniques further include outputting information for at least one component part included in the component part combination.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for updating a device is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes identifying that an update associated with the device is available. The computer-implemented method further includes determining whether the available update associated with the device is permitted. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, in response to the available update associated with the device being permitted, an optimal scheduled time for performing the update on the device. The computer-implemented method further performing the update on the device at the scheduled time.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for updating a device is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes identifying that an update associated with the device is available. The computer-implemented method further includes determining whether the available update associated with the device is permitted. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, in response to the available update associated with the device being permitted, an optimal scheduled time for performing the update on the device. The computer-implemented method further performing the update on the device at the scheduled time.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gel-free process for making functionalized polymers. When multi-alkali metal initiators are used to make these polymers anionically, the process comprises anionically polymerizing at least one monomer with a multi-alkali metal initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent, capping the polymer by adding to the polymer a capping agent that reacts with the ends of the polymer chains such that strongly associating chain ends are formed wherein a strongly associating gel is formed, and, finally, adding a trialkyl aluminum compound to the gel. The important characteristic of the capping agent herein is that it will cap the living polymer and will add a functional group to the polymer chain end which will be strongly associating in the hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making gel-free functionalized polymers. When multi-lithium initiators are used to make these polymers anionically, the process comprises anionically polymerizing at least one monomer with a multi-lithium initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent, functionalizing the polymer by adding to the polymer a capping agent that reacts with the ends of the polymer chains such that strongly-associating chain ends are formed wherein a polymer gel is formed, adding a trialkyl aluminum compound to the polymer gel, whereby the gel dissipates, adding a sufficient amount of a proton source to provide at least 1 mole of protons per mole of lithium ions and at least 2 moles of protons per mole of aluminum wherein the proton source is an organic acid with a pKa of 11 or less or a mixture of the organic acid and an alkanol, provided that sufficient organic acid is added to provide at least 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gel-free process for making hydrogenated functionalized polymers that mitigates the problem of ionic gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making functionalized polymers comprising the steps of (a) initiating polymerization of an unsaturated monomer with a lithium initiator having the structure R1R2R3Si—O—A—Li wherein A is a branched or straight chain bridging group having at least two carbon atoms, R1,R2, and R3 are alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, or alkaryl groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, thus producing a functionalized polymer which has a protecting silyl group at one end thereof; and (b) contacting the protected polymer with aqueous acid to remove residual lithium, and (c) contacting the protected polymer with from 1 to 10 equivalents of an organic or inorganic hydride; and (d) contacting the resulting solution with aqueous acid, and (e) recovering a linear or branched deprotected polymer having one or more terminal functional groups.

Abstract: The preparation of di- or polyfunctional polymers by anionic polymerization using functionalized initiators having the structure R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 Si--A--B, wherein each R is methyl and A is a hydrocarbon bridging group containing from 1 to 25 carbon atoms, and B is an alkali metal, is improved when polymerization occurs in the presence of a polymerization termination inhibitor which is a metal alkyl which has been added at a concentration to afford a molar ratio of the termination inhibitor to living polymer chain ends of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: A process for making hydrogenated polymers is presenting. Polymerization is initiated with a lithium initiator and one or more unsaturated monomers are polymerized to a polymer cement. The polymerization process is terminated and dry carbon dioxide is introduced to the polymer cement to make a CO.sub.2 -treated polymer cement. The CO.sub.2 -treated polymer cement is hydrogenated in the presence of a Ni/Al catalyst.

Abstract: A high yield of three armed radial anionic polymers is produced by the process of coupling metal terminated anionic polymers with a trialkoxysilane having a silicon-hydrogen bond, preferably trimethoxysilane. The metal terminated anionic polymer is preferably produced by initiating polymerization with a protected functional initiator which is readily converted to terminal hydroxyl groups or derivatives thereof for use in adhesives, sealants, and coatings.

Abstract: A laminating adhesive comprising an adhesive composition which comprises(a) An epoxidized block copolymer of the formula(A--B--A.sub.p).sub.n --Y.sub.r --(A.sub.q --B).sub.mwherein Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers, andwherein A and B are polymer blocks which may be homopolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers, copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers or copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers and monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers, andwherein the A blocks have a higher number of aliphatic double bonds between a tertiary carbon atom and either a primary, secondary, or tertiary carbon atom per unit of block mass than do the B blocks, andwherein the A blocks have a molecular weight from about 100 to about 3000 and the B blocks have a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 15,000, andwherein p and q are 0 or 1 and n>0, r is 0 or 1, m.gtoreq.