Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for elastomeric compounds for tyres, in particular for tyre treads, comprising particular reversible cross-linking agents, tyre components and tyres for vehicle wheels which comprise them. The present elastomeric compounds, due to their particular hysteretic behaviour, allow manufacturing tyres characterised by a lower rolling resistance during moderate driving and at the same time greater resistance to tearing and road grip during sports driving.

Abstract: A method for separating gaseous carbon dioxide from a gas mixture, preferably from at least one of ambient atmospheric air (1), flue gas and biogas, by cyclic adsorption/desorption using a sorbent material (3), wherein the method comprises at least the following sequential and in this sequence repeating steps (a)-(e): (a) contacting said gas mixture (1) with the sorbent material (3) to allow gaseous carbon dioxide to adsorb; (b) isolating said sorbent material (3) from said flow-through; (c) inducing an increase of the temperature of the sorbent material (3); (d) extracting at least the desorbed gaseous carbon dioxide from the unit (8) and separating gaseous carbon dioxide from steam in or downstream of the unit (8); (e) bringing the sorbent material (3) to ambient atmospheric conditions; wherein said sorbent material (3) comprises primary and/or secondary amine moieties immobilized on a solid support, wherein the amine moieties, in the ?-carbon position, are substituted by one hydrogen and one non-hydrog

Abstract: Shape memory polymers allow the fabrication of objects that have a permanent (first) shape, and which can be programmed to adopt a temporary (second) shape, and are able to largely recover their original (first) shape by applying an appropriate stimulus. Materials that permit the fabrication of objects and devices that can (i) be provided in their permanent shape, (ii) be heated to a switching temperature above physiological temperature, at which the material becomes shapeable, (iii) be inserted into the body or placed in contact with the body and be deformed or shaped”to assume a desired temporary shape, (iv) be fixed in the desired temporary shape by keeping the material/device/object at body temperature (about 37° C.) for a convenient period of time, (v) largely retain this temporary shape if removed from the body, and (vi) return largely to their original shape when heated again above the switching temperature.

Abstract: An illustrative earpiece for a hearing device includes a first part comprising a first material wherein the first part is a hollow shapeable part adapted to be inserted into an ear of a user, and a second part comprising a second material, the second part arranged on an end of the first part or at least partially embedded therein.

Abstract: Shape memory polymers allow the fabrication of objects that have a permanent (first) shape, and which can be programmed to adopt a temporary (second) shape, and are able to largely recover their original (first) shape by applying an appropriate stimulus. Materials that permit the fabrication of objects and devices that can (i) be provided in their permanent shape, (ii) be heated to a switching temperature above physiological temperature, at which the material becomes shapeable, (iii) be inserted into the body or placed in contact with the body and be deformed or shaped”to assume a desired temporary shape, (iv) be fixed in the desired temporary shape by keeping the material/device/object at body temperature (about 37° C.) for a convenient period of time, (v) largely retain this temporary shape if removed from the body, and (vi) return largely to their original shape when heated again above the switching temperature.

Abstract: A method of customizing a component of a hearing device to the ear of a hearing device user. The method includes the steps of providing the hearing device component as a pre-form including a shape-memory material, heating the hearing device component, and bringing the hearing device component in contact with at least a portion of the ear after reaching a pre-set contact temperature such that the hearing device component conforms to the individual shape of the at least a portion of ear. The shape of the hearing device component is fixed by attending a hardening time of the shape-memory material. Therefore, the hearing device component perfectly fits to the geometry of the user's ear canal.

Abstract: A method of customizing a component of a hearing device to the ear of a hearing device user. The method includes the steps of providing the hearing device component as a pre-form including a shape-memory material, heating the hearing device component, and bringing the hearing device component in contact with at least a portion of the ear after reaching a pre-set contact temperature such that the hearing device component conforms to the individual shape of the at least a portion of ear. The shape of the hearing device component is fixed by attending a hardening time of the shape-memory material. Therefore, the hearing device component perfectly fits to the geometry of the user's ear canal.

Abstract: Optically upconverting liquid-filled polymeric materials that are made by curing a curable composition. The materials include a substantially liquid phase that serves to dissolve upconverting chromophores, optionally surfactants and an optionally cross-linked polymer matrix that retains or houses the liquid phase, provides mechanical stability, and offers some protection from oxygen. The optically upconverting liquid-filled polymeric materials have a phase-separated morphology. In preferred embodiments, the domains formed by the two phases are so small that light scattering is largely suppressed, which renders the upconverting liquid-filled polymeric materials largely transparent. The liquid phase provides a high mobility of the dissolved chromophores and the photophysical properties, such as the high upconversion quantum efficiency and the low excitation intensity threshold required to achieve upconversion, are thus more reminiscent of conventional or oxygen-free solutions than polymeric solids.

Abstract: Physiologically responsive mechanically adaptive optical fibers that are suitable for optical interfacing with living organisms. The optical fibers are particularly suited for applications in optogenetics. Dry, stiff fibers display a desirable tensile storage modulus and can be readily inserted into biological and in particular cortical tissue. Exposure to conditions encountered in vivo results in reduction, often a drastic reduction in modulus. When coupled with a suitable light source, the construction can be utilized to stimulate neurons in vivo. Methods for producing and utilizing the optical fibers and devices including the optical fibers are disclosed.

Abstract: Supramolecular polymers or materials that exhibit high stiffness and can efficiently be healed. The supramolecular materials polymer is based on monomers having three or more same or different binding sites that permit non-covalent, directional interactions between multiple monomer molecules. The properties of the supramolecular networks formed from the monomers are governed by cross-linked architecture and the large weight-fraction of the binding motif. The material in one embodiment forms a disordered glass, which in spite of the low-molecular weight of the building block, displays typical polymeric behavior. The material exhibits high stiffness and offers excellent coating and adhesive properties. On account of reversible dissociation and the formation of a low-viscosity liquid upon application of an optical stimulus or thermal stimulus or both, rapid healing as well as (de)bonding are possible.

Abstract: Optically upconverting liquid-filled polymeric materials that are made by curing a curable composition. The materials include a substantially liquid phase that serves to dissolve upconverting chromophores, optionally surfactants and an optionally cross-linked polymer matrix that retains or houses the liquid phase, provides mechanical stability, and offers some protection from oxygen. The optically upconverting liquid-filled polymeric materials have a phase-separated morphology. In preferred embodiments, the domains formed by the two phases are so small that light scattering is largely suppressed, which renders the upconverting liquid-filled polymeric materials largely transparent. The liquid phase provides a high mobility of the dissolved chromophores and the photophysical properties, such as the high upconversion quantum efficiency and the low excitation intensity threshold required to achieve upconversion, are thus more reminiscent of conventional or oxygen-free solutions than polymeric solids.

Abstract: An optical information storage medium includes a multilayer film that includes a plurality of extruded alternating active data storage layers and buffer layers, which separate the active data storage layers. The active data storage layers and buffer layers have thicknesses that allow the active data storage layers to be writable by non-linear or threshold writing processes to define data voxels within the active data storage layers that are readable by an optical reading device.

Abstract: An optical information storage medium includes a multilayer film that includes a plurality of extruded alternating active data storage layers and buffer layers, which separate the active data storage layers. The active data storage layers and buffer layers have thicknesses that allow the active data storage layers to be writable by non-linear or threshold writing processes to define data voxels within the active data storage layers that are readable by an optical reading device.

Abstract: Supramolecular polymers or materials that exhibit high stiffness and can efficiently be healed. The supramolecular materials polymer is based on monomers having three or more same or different binding sites that permit non-covalent, directional interactions between multiple monomer molecules. The properties of the supramolecular networks formed from the monomers are governed by cross-linked architecture and the large weight-fraction of the binding motif. The material in one embodiment forms a disordered glass, which in spite of the low-molecular weight of the building block, displays typical polymeric behavior. The material exhibits high stiffness and offers excellent coating and adhesive properties. On account of reversible dissociation and the formation of a low-viscosity liquid upon application of an optical stimulus or thermal stimulus or both, rapid healing as well as (de)bonding are possible.

Abstract: Physiologically responsive mechanically adaptive optical fibers that are suitable for optical interfacing with living organisms. The optical fibers are particularly suited for applications in optogenetics. Dry, stiff fibers display a desirable tensile storage modulus and can be readily inserted into biological and in particular cortical tissue. Exposure to conditions encountered in vivo results in reduction, often a drastic reduction in modulus. When coupled with a suitable light source, the construction can be utilized to stimulate neurons in vivo. Methods for producing and utilizing the optical fibers and devices including the optical fibers are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental restorative material which comprises a thermolabile compound of Formula I: [(Z1)m-Q1-X)]k-T-[Y-Q2-(Z2)n]l??Formula I, in which T represents a thermolabile unit which contains at least one thermolabile group based on non-covalent interactions, Z1 and Z2 in each case independently represent a polymerizable group selected from vinyl groups, CH2?CR1—CO—O— and CH2?CR1—CO—NR2— or an adhesive group selected from —Si(OR)3, —COOH, —O—PO(OH)2, —PO(OH)2, —SO2OH and —SH, Q1 in each case independently is missing or represents an (m+1)-valent linear or branched aliphatic C1-C20 radical which can be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, Q2 in each case independently is missing or represents an (n+1)-valent linear or branched aliphatic C1-C20 radical which can be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, X and Y in each case independently are missing or represent —O—, —

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental restorative material which comprises a thermolabile compound of Formula I: [(Z1)m-Q1-X)]k-T-[Y-Q2-(Z2)n]l??Formula I, in which T represents a thermolabile unit which contains at least one thermolabile group based on non-covalent interactions, Z1 and Z2 in each case independently represent a polymerizable group selected from vinyl groups, CH2?CR1—CO—O— and CH2?CR1—CO—NR2— or an adhesive group selected from —Si(OR)3, —COOH, —O—PO(OH)2, —PO(OH)2, —SO2OH and —SH, Q1 in each case independently is missing or represents an (m+1)-valent linear or branched aliphatic C1-C20 radical which can be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, Q2 in each case independently is missing or represents an (n+1)-valent linear or branched aliphatic C1-C20 radical which can be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, X and Y in each case independently are missing or represent —O—,

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator Is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.