Abstract: Provided herein are polymers derived from levoglucosan, methods of preparing said polymers, and methods of modifying said polymers.

Abstract: Polymers, including homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, comprising poly(pentadecyl caprolactone), methods of making the polymers, and pressure sensitive adhesives including the polymers.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for polymer-based extrusion. Some non-limiting embodiments provide for extrusion of a liquid photopolymerizable monomer in a channel/die with the aid of a lubricating component, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide) grafted copolymer (PDMS-PEO), and driven by fluid pressure (e.g., a fluid pump). Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to growing soft robots. Some non-limiting embodiments provide a novel class of robots which grow in an environment by growing at their tip (or robot head) by using the self-lubricated photopolymerization extrusion techniques of the present disclosure. Emulating biological tip growth, this process is facilitated by converting an internal monomer fluid into the solid body of the growing robot through polymerization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for reprocessing polyurethane compositions such as polyurethane foams. The method comprises introducing a polyurethane composition into a compounding device, heating the polyurethane composition to an effective bond-exchange temperature, and compounding the polyurethane composition for an effective bond-exchange time.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a polymer. The polymer is heated to a first predetermined temperature so as to liquefy the polymer. The liquefied polymer is formed into a polymer fiber. The polymer fiber is cross-linked to form a cross-linked polymer fiber comprising a polymer network by at least one of cooling the polymer fiber to a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature or exposing the polymer fiber to a cross-linking stimulus, the cross-linked polymer fiber capable of being decross-linked by heating to a third predetermined temperature above a characteristic decross-linking temperature of the polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode including an active material and a reduced graphene oxide-polymer aerogel. The present disclosure further relates to electrochemical devices, such as batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, and pseudocapacitance ultracapacitors containing such electrodes. The disclosure further relates to methods of forming and using the aerogels, electrodes, and electrochemical devices.

Abstract: The present invention includes a diblock copolymer system that self-assembles at very low molecular weights to form very small features. In one embodiment, one polymer in the block copolymer contains silicon, and the other polymer is a polylactide. In one embodiment, the block copolymer is synthesized by a combination of anionic and ring opening polymerization reactions. In one embodiment, the purpose of this block copolymer is to form nanoporous materials that can be used as etch masks in lithographic patterning.

Abstract: Using a broadband light source and a photomask, surface energy gradients can be directly transferred into polymer films. The Marangoni effect causes high surface energy regions to rise upon heating the film. This leads to the formation of three-dimensional topography that can be locked in by quenching the polymer by cooling.

Abstract: Described are compositions that comprise one or more layers of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Each of the one or more layers can have an average thickness, for example, of 1000 nanometers (nm) or less. The layer(s) can, in some examples, have an oxygen permeability of 1×10?3 barrer or less. In some examples, the layer(s) can be substantially impermeable to gas diffusion. Also disclosed herein are methods of using compositions disclosed herein, for example as gas barriers and in food packaging materials.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a compound and/or method of making a compound includes the modification of rheological properties of thermotropic main chain liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) by melt state reactive processing. The modified liquid crystalline polymer may have an increased viscosity while retaining its liquid crystal properties.

Abstract: Fibers can be formed from monomers derived from a biorenewable source. In an embodiment, a fiber forming composition that includes a monomer or mixture of monomers with at least one monomer being derived from a biorenewable source in placed in a fiber producing device. At least a portion of the fiber forming composition is ejected through an opening of the fiber forming device. The ejected fiber forming composition is subjected to light at wavelengths sufficient to activate a reaction which causes solidification of the fiber as the fibers are ejected from the fiber producing device.

Abstract: The present invention includes a diblock copolymer system that self-assembles at very low molecular weights to form very small features. In one embodiment, one polymer in the block copolymer contains silicon, and the other polymer is a polylactide. In one embodiment, the block copolymer is synthesized by a combination of anionic and ring opening polymerization reactions. In one embodiment, the purpose of this block copolymer is to form nanoporous materials that can be used as etch masks in lithographic patterning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method the synthesis and utilization of random, cross-linked, substituted polystyrene copolymers as polymeric cross-linked surface treatments (PXSTs) to control the orientation of physical features of a block copolymer deposited over the first copolymer. Such methods have many uses including multiple applications in the semi-conductor industry including production of templates for nanoimprint lithography.

Abstract: Fibers can be formed from monomers derived from a biorenewable source. In an embodiment, a fiber forming composition that includes a monomer or mixture of monomers with at least one monomer being derived from a biorenewable source in placed in a fiber producing device. At least a portion of the fiber forming composition is ejected through an opening of the fiber forming device. The ejected fiber forming composition is subjected to light at wavelengths sufficient to activate a reaction which causes solidification of the fiber as the fibers are ejected from the fiber producing device.

Abstract: Using a broadband light source and a photomask, surface energy gradients can be directly transferred into polymer films. The Marangoni effect causes high surface energy regions to rise upon heating the film. This leads to the formation of three-dimensional topography that can be locked in by quenching the polymer by cooling.

Abstract: Aspects according to the present invention provide a method and implant suitable for implantation inside a human body that includes a power consuming means responsive to a physiological requirement of the human body, a power source and a power storage device. The power source comprises a piezoelectric assembly that is configured to generate an electrical current when flexed by the tissue of the body and communicate the generated current to the power storage device, which is electrically coupled to the power source and to the power consuming means.

Abstract: The separation of hydrocarbon mixtures comprising a polymerizable vinyl containing polyester of the formula I: Each R and R2 is independently a C6-C20 aromatic residue or a C1-C20 aliphatic residue. Each R1 is independently hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl; “j” is an integer in the range of 1-1000. Z is a heteroatom or two hydrogen atoms. The invention is also directed to the method of preparing the separation membrane.