Abstract: Described herein is a continuous process for modifying the properties of polyester and polyester based fibers, such as a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) fiber, comprising subjecting the PBT fiber to alkaline hydrolysis, and optionally further comprising functionalizing the PBT fiber by solution grafting such as fluorination. The alkaline hydrolysis and optionally subsequent functionalization such as fluorination process can be continuous, following the melt blowing/spinning or spun-bonding process. Also described is a nonwoven PBT fiber mat obtained by the surface modification process. Further described is a filtration device comprising the nonwoven PBT fiber mat.

Abstract: Described herein is a continuous process fear modifying the properties of polyester and polyester based fibers, such as a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) fiber, comprising subjecting the PBT fiber to alkaline hydrolysis, and optionally further comprising functionalizing the PBT fiber by solution grafting such as fluorination. The alkaline hydrolysis and optionally subsequent functionalization such as fluorination process can be continuous, following the melt blowing/spinning or spun-bonding process. Also described is a nonwoven PBT fiber mat obtained by the surface modification process. Further described is a filtration device comprising the nonwoven PBT fiber mat.

Abstract: Described herein is a continuous process for modifying the properties of polyester and polyester based fibers, such as a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) fiber, comprising subjecting the PBT fiber to alkaline hydrolysis, and optionally further comprising functionalizing the PBT fiber by solution grafting such as fluorination. The alkaline hydrolysis and optionally subsequent functionalization such as fluorination process can be continuous, following the melt blowing/spinning or spun-bonding process. Also described is a nonwoven PBT fiber mat obtained by the surface modification process. Further described is a filtration device comprising the nonwoven PBT fiber mat.

Abstract: Described herein is a continuous process for modifying the properties of polyester and polyester based fibers, such as a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) fiber, comprising subjecting the PBT fiber to alkaline hydrolysis, and optionally further comprising functionalizing the PBT fiber by solution grafting such as fluorination. The alkaline hydrolysis and optionally subsequent functionalization such as fluorination process can be continuous, following the melt blowing/spinning or spun-bonding process. Also described is a nonwoven PBT fiber mat obtained by the surface modification process. Further described is a filtration device comprising the nonwoven PBT fiber mat.

Abstract: The invention provides silicate prodrugs comprising a therapeutic agent linked to one or more groups of formula (I): —Si(OR)3 (I); wherein each R independently has any of the values defined herein, as well as nanoparticles comprising such compounds.

Abstract: Oligomer-grafted nanofiller compositions and composites including oligomer-grafted nanofillers are disclosed. An oligomer-grafted nanofiller composition for disposition in a polymer matrix, the polymeric matrix comprising polymers derived from a plurality of polymerizable units, can include a nanoparticle, one or more coupling groups bonded to the nanoparticle; and one or more oligomers bonded to the one or more coupling groups. In an embodiment the oligomer is derived from two or more polymerizable units, at least one polymerizable unit being at least substantially similar to at least one of the polymerizable units of the polymer matrix. In another embodiment the oligomer comprises two or more polymerizable units and improves dispersion, interfacial strength, or both dispersion and interfacial strength between the nano-particle and the polymer matrix. Composites and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for preparing composite non-woven fibers-in-fibers, otherwise referred to as composite polymeric fibers having an island-in-sea morphology, are described. The composite polymeric fibers may be prepared by a method that includes melt-blowing a blend of a first polymer and an immiscible second polymer to form the composite polymer fibers. The first polymer forms a matrix that surrounds the second polymer. Typically, the second polymer forms nanofibers within the matrix of the first polymer. The composite polymeric fiber may be treated with a solvent that selectively dissolves the matrix of the composite polymeric fiber and that does not dissolve the nanofibers of the composite polymeric fiber, and the nanofibers then may be collected for further treatment or use.

Abstract: The invention concerns nanofiller composition comprising (i) a nanoparticle; (ii) a plurality of coupling groups bonded to the nanoparticle; (iii) one or more (a) oligomers or (b) organic isocyanate residues bonded to the one or more coupling groups; and, optionally, (iv) one or more dispersing moieties that facilitate dispersion of the nanoparticle bonded to one or more of the coupling groups or organic isocyanate residues; as well as laminates comprising such nanoparticles in at least one layer.

Abstract: Oligomer-grafted nanofiller compositions and composites including oligomer-grafted nanofillers are disclosed. An oligomer-grafted nanofiller composition for disposition in a polymer matrix, the polymeric matrix comprising polymers derived from a plurality of polymerizable units, can include a nanoparticle, one or more coupling groups bonded to the nanoparticle; and one or more oligomers bonded to the one or more coupling groups. In an embodiment the oligomer is derived from two or more polymerizable units, at least one polymerizable unit being at least substantially similar to at least one of the polymerizable units of the polymer matrix. In another embodiment the oligomer comprises two or more polymerizable units and improves dispersion, interfacial strength, or both dispersion and interfacial strength between the nanoparticle and the polymer matrix. Composites and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides silicate prodrugs comprising a therapeutic agent linked to one or more groups of formula (I): —Si(OR)3 (I); wherein each R independently has any of the values defined herein, as well as nanoparticles comprising such compounds.

Abstract: A method of selecting a commercially viable chewing gum including testing a chewing gum using nonlinear rheology, compiling rheological data from the nonlinear rheology, and then comparing the rheological data obtained to rheological data ranges of commercially acceptable chewing gum. The nonlinear rheology can include large amplitude oscillatory shear test, start-up of steady uniaxial extension test, and uniaxial compression test (lubricated or unlubricated) and relaxation.

Abstract: A process is provided to prepare flexible composite polymer fibers by electrochemically forming a coating of a conductive organic polymer on the outer surface of a polymeric fiber.

Abstract: An extrusion die is described for extruding a polymer from a reactive precursor mixture without plugging of the die. The extrusion die includes a die inlet leading to at least one channel having dimensions which produce a wall shear stress value that exceeds the critical wall shear stress value for the particular reactive precursor mixture to prevent occlusion of the die. The preferred configuration of the die channels is a tree-like structure to obtain a coating width which is greater than the dimensions of the individual channels. Other features of the invention include a method for determining the critical wall shear stress value and a method for extruding reactive precursor mixtures.

Abstract: A mixhead for a reaction injection molding machine utilizing at least two liquid components supplied under pressure from a delivery system including a recirculation line. The mixhead comprises a housing having a longitudinal channel through the housing and a ram fit with a close slide fit in the channel. The ram is reciprocable from a first upstream position to a second downstream position. A first inlet port extends through the housing into the channel. A first exit port extends from the channel through the housing upstream from the inlet port and on the opposite side of the channel. At least one other similar inlet and outlet port is provided, each spaced peripherally around the channel from the first inlet and outlet ports. Spaced apart recirculation passages extend through the ram to connect the respective inlet and outlet ports when the ram is in its second downstream position.

Abstract: A machine for metering and mixing two or more liquids, which are rapidly reactive to form a solid polymer, immediately prior to the injection of the liquids into a molding machine. The machine is characterized by two or more metering cylinders into which the liquid reactants are introduced from supply sources and ejected in stoichiometric ratio into a mixing head for injection into a molding machine. The machine is capable of both incremental and continuous variation of stoichiometric ratio. The first is achieved by provision of removable cylindrical liner sleeves of varying inside diameter and corresponding pistons for the mixing cylinders. The latter is achieved through the use of a movable fulcrum lever arm to control the stroke of the piston of at least one of the metering cylinders. The mixer head is characterized by a mixing chamber, a plurality of impingement jet nozzles oppositely spaced and the flow from which is characterized by Reynolds numbers exceeding about 120.