Abstract: A method for inhibiting scale comprises adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof which has a star structure and at least 5 arms. A star polymer comprising a core based on 2,2?-[Oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol] and 6 arms comprising linear polycarboxylic acids of degree of polymerization (DP) of the arm of at least 2 and in some embodiments up to 15 or more is useful in inhibiting scale formation.

Abstract: Iodine transfer radical polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an organoiodide, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 2 to 100 equivalents of acrylic acid and 2 to 100 equivalents of sodium acrylate, both dissolved in water to form a 15 to 50 weight percent solution, based on the total weight of the acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, and water; 0.05 to 1 equivalent of an azo polymerization initiator, 1 equivalent of an organoiodide; and 0 to 3 equivalents of an iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for inhibiting scale comprising adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid having a polymer backbone and a plurality of branches from the polymer backbone.

Abstract: Reverse iodine transfer polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an oxidant, an iodide salt, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 5 to 500 equivalents of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of 1 to 3 equivalents of the radical polymerization initiator, 0.2 to 1 equivalent of the oxidant, and 1 equivalent of the iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting scale comprising adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof which has a star structure and at least 5 arms. Also, disclosed is a specific star polymer useful in scale inhibition which comprises a core based on 2,2?-[Oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol] and 6 arms comprising linear polycarboxylic acids of degree of polymerization (DP) of the arm of at least 2 and in some embodiments up to 15 or more.

Abstract: Reverse iodine transfer polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an oxidant, an iodide salt, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 5 to 500 equivalents of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of 1 to 3 equivalents of the radical polymerization initiator, 0.2 to 1 equivalent of the oxidant, and 1 equivalent of the iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: Iodine transfer radical polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising (meth)acrylic acid, salt thereof, or combination thereof, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, an organoiodide, and a solvent, is a useful method for making (meth)acrylic acid polymers. The amounts of components utilized can be 2 to 100 equivalents of acrylic acid and 2 to 100 equivalents of sodium acrylate, both dissolved in water to form a 15 to 50 weight percent solution, based on the total weight of the acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, and water; 0.05 to 1 equivalent of an azo polymerization initiator, 1 equivalent of an organoiodide; and 0 to 3 equivalents of an iodide salt. (Meth)acrylic acid polymer solutions are made by these methods. The (meth)acrylic polymers are useful as dispersants.

Abstract: A branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, wherein the average number of branches is (2) to (100) and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (50), is an effective polymeric dispersant. More specifically, the polymeric dispersant is a branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, in which the branched polycarboxylic acid is derived from polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid; the average degree of polymerization is (10) to (150); the average number of branches is (2) to (20); and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (30). The branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof can be combined with a pigment to form an aqueous dispersion. An aqueous coating composition includes the aqueous dispersion; a polymeric binder; and a rheology modifier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for inhibiting scale comprising adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid having a polymer backbone and a plurality of branches from the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, wherein the average number of branches is (2) to (100) and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (50), is an effective polymeric dispersant. More specifically, the polymeric dispersant is a branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, in which the branched polycarboxylic acid is derived from polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid; the average degree of polymerization is (10) to (150); the average number of branches is (2) to (20); and the average degree of polymerization of the branches is (2) to (30). The branched polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof can be combined with a pigment to form an aqueous dispersion. An aqueous coating composition includes the aqueous dispersion; a polymeric binder; and a rheology modifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a colorimetric sensor comprising a substrate including an activated furan and configured to undergo a color change upon detecting an amine. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of using a colorimetric sensor comprising applying an activated furan to a substrate, providing the substrate to a medium, and detecting an amine in the medium via change in color of the substrate. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of detecting an amine comprising contacting furfural with a cyclic acceptor group to form an activated furan for detecting amines, and contacting the activated furan with an amine to produce a colored donor-acceptor Stenhouse adduct.

Abstract: A an organic material is shown including a conjugated core, one or more electron donating moieties, and a non-conjugated spacer coupled between the conjugated core and the electron donating moiety. Methods of forming the organic material include solution based processing. One example of an organic material includes a self-doping n-type organic material.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a read/write head having a tip connected to a resistive path locally exerting heat at the tip when an electrical current is applied; and a data storage medium from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith, the medium comprising: a substrate; and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location, characterized in that the polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a read/write head having a tip connected to a resistive path locally exerting heat at the tip when an electrical current is applied; and a data storage medium from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith, the medium comprising: a substrate; and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location, characterized in that the polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: A method reading, writing, and erasing data includes bringing a thermal-mechanical probe into proximity with a layer of cross-linked polymeric material to induce a deformed region at a point in the film, thereby writing information; bringing a thermal-mechanical probe into proximity with the deformed region, thereby reading information; and bringing a thermal-mechanical probe into proximity with the deformed region, further deforming it in such a way to eliminate the deformed region, thereby erasing the information; and repeating the storing, reading, and erasing steps at points in the film.

Abstract: A data storage medium is disclosed from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith. The medium includes a substrate and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location. The polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave preparation method for producing polymeric nanoparticles in which a mixture is made that contains a monomer, an optional functionalize co-monomer, a polymerization initiator that is activated by microwave irradiation, a cross-linker that preferentially creates intra-particle cross-links during polymerization, and a water-based solvent which is then irradiated with microwave radiation to facilitate polymerization of the nanoparticles into sub-50 nm size range nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for producing bi-continuous morphologies in polymer melts and solids, wherein two distinct domains or phases percolate and macroscopically connect throughout the composition. The process proceeds by simply mixing the components in a common solvent and casting a film by slow removal of the solvent. Bulk materials can be produced by mixing the components in an extruder, compounder, or other specialized equipment for processing molten polymers, and forming into a pellet, fiber, film, sheet, or molded part. The invention allows the production of materials with unique or unusual combinations of transparency, high electronic or ionic conductivity, high vapor transport rates, and/or high absorption rates of moisture or vapors . Particles used in the present invention are 5-10 nm to yield a scale of the bi-continuous structures of 10-50 nm. The materials can be produced in bulk form, or in films 1-100 microns thick.

Abstract: An encapsulant fluid is provided comprising a mixture of a diene-containing compound and a dienophilic compound. At least one of the diene-containing and the dienophilic compounds is protected so that the compounds do not substantially react with each other at room temperature. The diene-containing and the dienophilic compounds undergo a reversible Diels-Alder polymerization reaction at a polymerization temperature above room temperature to form a solid debondable polymeric encapsulant. Also provided are methods for forming slider assemblies and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.

Abstract: A slider assembly is provided comprising a plurality of sliders bonded by a debondable solid encapsulant. The solid encapsulant is comprised of a polymer prepared by polymerizing a mixture of first and second monomers in a nonstoichiometric ratio effective to render the encapsulant debondable. Each slider has a surface that is free from the encapsulant. The encapsulant-free surfaces are coplanar to each other. Also provided are methods for forming the assembly and methods for patterning a slider surface using the encapsulant.