Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising: (i) providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate-containing compound; (ii) providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol, where the B-side reactant stream includes a blowing agent that includes a pentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter (8t) that is greater than 17 MPa°?5; and (iii) mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of constructing a roof assembly, the method comprising (i) mechanically affixing a construction board to a roof deck; (ii) providing a composite insulation board including (a) at least one vacuum-insulated capsule; (b) a foam body that encases said at least one vacuum-insulated capsule, said foam body having first and second opposed planar surfaces; (c) a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed, either directly or indirectly, on one of said first and second opposed planar surfaces; and (d) a release liner removably attached to the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive; (iii) removing the release liner from the composite insulation board; (iv) mating the composite insulation board to the construction board that is mechanically affixed to the roof deck; and (v) installing a membrane system over the composite insulation board.

Abstract: A construction board includes a foam body having first and second planar surfaces, said foam body including a polyisocyanurate foam matrix defining a plurality of closed cells, said closed cells being at least substantially devoid of hydrocarbon blowing agents, and said foam body being characterized by a density, pursuant to ASTM C303, of at least 2.5 lbs/ft3; and a facer disposed on a planar surface of said foam body, said facer including a glass substrate having an internal planar surface proximate to said foam body and an external planar surface opposite said foam body, a first coating disposed on said external surface, and a second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface, where said first coating disposed on said external surface includes an inert filler, and where said second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface includes intumescent material.

Abstract: A construction board comprising (i) a foam body having a generally planar shape with first and second planar surfaces, where said foam body is a closed-cell foam body including pentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter that is greater than 17 MPa?0.5 contained within the foam body; and (ii) first and second facers attached to said first and second planar surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A construction board comprising (i) a foam body having a generally planar shape with first and second planar surfaces, where said foam body is a closed-cell foam body including pentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter that is greater than 17 MPa?0.5 contained within the foam body; and (ii) first and second facers attached to said first and second planar surfaces, respectively.

Abstract: A construction board comprising (i) a foam layer; (ii) a facer substrate; and (iii) a fire-resistant interfacial layer disposed between said facer substrate and said foam layer.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising (i) providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate containing compound; (ii) providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol and a physical blowing agent, where the physical blowing agent includes pentane, butane, and optionally a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter (?t) that is greater than 17 MPa?0.5; and (iii) mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising: providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate-containing compound; providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol, wherein the B-side reactant stream includes a blowing agent mixture including isopentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter (?t) that is greater than 15 MPa0.5; and mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A composite insulation board comprising of a vacuum-insulated capsule; a foam body that encases said capsule, said foam body having first and second opposed planar surfaces; and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed, either directly or indirectly, on one of said first and second opposed planar surfaces.

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators that operate in a vertical contact separation mode and methods for fabricating the triboelectric generators are provided. Also provided are methods for using the triboelectric nanogenerators to harvest mechanical energy and convert it into electric energy. In the TENGs, one or both of the triboelectrically active layers comprises a cellulose that has been chemically treated to alter its electron affinity.

Abstract: An aromatic polyester polyol having a nominal functionality of at least about 2 is produced from the esterification reaction of a phthalate-based composition containing less than 50 mol % of ortho-phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride, with a hydroxyl material containing at least 20 mol % of at least one branched aliphatic diol, and optionally transesterified with at least one hydrophobic material. The polyester polyol has improved shelf-life stability as demonstrated by the polyester polyol remaining clear and homogeneous for at least 6 months when stored at room temperature. The polyester polyol, when incorporated into a polyol foam-forming resin composition in an amount of at least 40 wt %, results in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams that exhibit low smoke and weight loss upon burning conditions.

Abstract: A construction board comprising a foam layer; and at least one facer, wherein the at least one facer includes a substrate and a coating, wherein said facer includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface, and where said first planar surface is in contact with said foam layer and where said coating is disposed on said second planar surface, where the coating includes expandable graphite.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising: (i) providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate-containing compound; (ii) providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol, where the B-side reactant stream includes a blowing agent that includes a pentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter (8t) that is greater than 17 MPa°?5; and (iii) mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A construction board comprising a foam body having first and second planar surfaces, said foam body including a polyisocyanurate foam matrix defining a plurality of closed cells, said closed cells being at least substantially devoid of hydrocarbon blowing agents, and said foam body being characterized by a density, pursuant to ASTM C303, of at least 2.5 lbs/ft3; and a facer disposed on a planar surface of said foam body, said facer including a glass substrate having an internal planar surface proximate to said foam body and an external planar surface opposite said foam body, a first coating disposed on said external surface, and a second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface, where said first coating disposed on said external surface includes an inert filler, and where said second coating disposed on or proximate to said internal surface includes intumescent material.

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators that operate in a vertical contact separation mode and methods for fabricating the triboelectric generators are provided. Also provided are methods for using the triboelectric nanogenerators to harvest mechanical energy and convert it into electric energy. In the TENGs, one or both of the triboelectrically active layers comprises a cellulose that has been chemically treated to alter its electron affinity.

Abstract: An insulation device comprising a first plurality of vacuum-insulated capsules connected along a first plane, where each vacuum-insulated capsule within said first plurality has a common first geometric shape extending from the first plane and a second plurality of vacuum-insulated capsules connected along a second plane, where each vacuum-insulated capsule within said second plurality has a common second geometric shape extending from the second plane, where said first and said second geometric shapes are complementary, and where said first plurality of vacuum-insulated capsules are intermeshed within said second plurality of vacuum-insulated capsules to form the insulation device.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising of providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate-containing compound; providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol, where the B-side reactant steam includes at least 0.5 parts by weight water per 100 parts by weight polyol within the B-side stream; and mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

Abstract: Photocatalytic structures having a capillary-force based electrolyte delivery system are provided. Also provided are photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic cells incorporating the structures and methods for using the cells to generate hydrogen and/or oxygen from water. The photocatalytic structures use an electrolyte-transporting strip comprising a porous network of cellulose nanofibers to transport electrolyte from a body of the electrolyte to a porous photoelectrode or a porous photocatalytic substrate via capillary force.

Abstract: Polyester polyols containing adducts formed from Diels-Alder and Ene reactions are disclosed. Processes for making the polyester polyols and uses of the polyester polyols as polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols contain biorenewable adducts based on maleic anhydride and farnesene and have particular application in making rigid and flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: There are provided aromatic polyester polyol compositions comprising: (i) at least one aromatic acid component; (ii) at least one hydroxylated component; (iii) at least one functionalized natural oil component; and (iv) optionally at least one catalyst component for use in preparing foams. The aromatic polyester polyol compositions can be formed by esterification and/or transesterification. The present technology also provides a polyol blend for use in preparing foams wherein the polyol blend comprises (a) an aromatic polyester polyol formed by an interesterification reaction between (i) a phthalic acid based material; (ii) a hydroxylated material; and (iii) a hydrophobic material, wherein the hydrophobic material is present in an amount of from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the aromatic polyester polyol; and (b) a natural oil based polyol, wherein the hydrophobic material in the aromatic polyester polyol compatibilizes the natural oil based polyol to form a phase stable polyol blend.