Abstract: Polythioaminal polymers are made from hexahydrotriazine precursors and dithiol precursors. The precursors are blended together and subjected to mild heating to make the polymers. The polymers have the general structure wherein each R1 is independently an organic or hetero-organic group, each R2 is independently a substituent having molecular weight no more than about 120 Daltons, X and Z are each a sulfur-bonded species, at least one of X and Z is not hydrogen, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. X and Z may be hydrogen or a functional group, such as a thiol-reactive group. The reactive thiol groups of the polythioaminal may be used to attach thiol-reactive end capping species. By using water soluble or water degradable dithiols, such as polyether dithiols, water soluble polythioaminals may be made. Some such polymers may be used to deliver therapeutics with non-toxic aqueous degradation products.

Abstract: A polymer is described herein that includes a plurality of N-J-N or N—C—S repeating units, wherein each J is independently a carbon atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; a plurality of hydrophilic groups bonded with the repeating units; and a plurality of hydrophobic groups bonded with the hydrophilic groups and the repeating units. Such polymers may be made into hydrogels by exposure to water, and the hydrogels may be used as delivery vehicles for various payloads.

Abstract: In an embodiment is provided a polymer that includes a plurality of N-J-N or N—C—S repeating units, wherein each J is independently a carbon atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; a plurality of hydrophilic groups bonded with the repeating units; and a plurality of hydrophobic groups bonded with the hydrophilic groups and the repeating units. In another embodiment is provided hydrogels of such polymers. The hydrogels may be used as delivery vehicles for various payloads. In another embodiment is provided methods of forming such polymers.

Abstract: Polymeric coatings and methods of forming polymeric coatings are described. In a method of forming a polymeric coating a first layer is deposited on a substrate. The first layer includes at least one highly soluble diamine component. A second layer is formed on the substrate to contact the first layer. The second layer includes paraformaldehyde and an aromatic diamine including two primary amine groups. Once formed, the first and second layers are heated. Heating causes the components of the first and second layers to cure. For example, the paraformaldehyde from the second layer diffuses into the first layer and reacts via hemiaminal-type chemistry with the high soluble diamine component. The coatings may be substantially homogenous or comprise a compositional gradient in thickness or along the substrate plane depending on deposition methods and other processing parameters.

Abstract: Described are embodiments to calibrate read sensors, which in turn may ensure that the equipment utilized to detect antigens is reliable and accurate. If it is determined that a read sensor is degraded a method of calibrating a read sensor of a read head may be used.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing a payload-containing microcapsule with walls that have hexahydrotriazine (HT) and/or hemiaminal (HA) structures are disclosed. To an HT small molecule or a HA small molecule, or a combination thereof, in a solvent is added a cross-linking agent, NH4Cl, and a copolymer. The solution is acidified, and a payload agent is added. The HT small molecule and HA small molecule may have orthogonal functionality.

Abstract: Materials which react with (“scavenge”) sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, are useful for limiting sulfur-induced corrosion. Surface-modified particles incorporating a hexahydrotriazine moiety are disclosed and used as sulfur scavengers. These surface-modified particles are used a filter media in fixed filter systems and as additives to fluids including sulfur compounds. The hexahydrotriazine moiety can react with sulfur compounds in such a manner as to bind sulfur atoms to the surface-modified particles, thus allowing removal of the sulfur atoms from fluids such as crude oil, natural gas, hydrocarbon combustion exhaust gases, sulfur polluted air and water. The surface-modified particles may, in general, be sized to allow separation of the particles from the process fluid by sedimentation, size-exclusion filtration or the like.

Abstract: A carbene-coated metal foil is produced by applying an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compound to one or more surfaces of a metal foil (e.g., an electrodeposited copper foil having a surface that is smooth and non-oxidized). The NHC compound contains a matrix-reactive pendant group that includes at least one of a vinyl-, allyl-, acrylic-, methacrylic-, styrenic-, amine-, amide- and epoxy-containing moiety capable of reacting with a base polymer (e.g., a vinyl-containing resin such as a polyphenylene oxide/triallyl-isocyanurate (PPO/TAIC) composition). The NHC compound may be synthesized by, for example, reacting a halogenated imidazolium salt (e.g., 1,3-bis(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride) and an organostannane having a vinyl-containing moiety (e.g., tributyl(vinyl)stannane) in the presence of a palladium catalyst.

Abstract: A renewable material for releasing a self-healing agent includes a renewable polymeric substrate with capsules and a reactant dispersed in the renewable polymeric substrate. The capsules may be formed from a first renewable shell polymer and may enclose the renewable self-healing agent. The reactant may be suitable for reacting with the renewable self-healing agent to form a polymer.

Abstract: A renewable material for releasing a self-healing agent includes a renewable polymeric substrate with capsules and a reactant dispersed in the renewable polymeric substrate. The capsules may be formed from a first renewable shell polymer and may enclose the renewable self-healing agent. The reactant may be suitable for reacting with the renewable self-healing agent to form a polymer.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes inserting a data storage cartridge into an opening in a housing, the housing having a retention tab in the housing for engaging with a notch of the data storage cartridge for retaining the data storage cartridge in the housing. The retention tab has a texture. The texture of the retention tab is configured to reduce a force necessary for removing the data storage cartridge from the housing.

Abstract: A carbene-coated metal foil is produced by applying an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compound to one or more surfaces of a metal foil (e.g., an electrodeposited copper foil having a surface that is smooth and non-oxidized). The NHC compound contains a matrix-reactive pendant group that includes at least one of a vinyl-, allyl-, acrylic-, methacrylic-, styrenic-, amine-, amide- and epoxy-containing moiety capable of reacting with a base polymer (e.g., a vinyl-containing resin such as a polyphenylene oxide/triallyl-isocyanurate (PPO/TAIC) composition). The NHC compound may be synthesized by, for example, reacting a halogenated imidazolium salt (e.g., 1,3-bis(4-bromo-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride) and an organostannane having a vinyl-containing moiety (e.g., tributyl(vinyl)stannane) in the presence of a palladium catalyst.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing a payload-containing microcapsule with walls that have hexahydrotriazine (HT) and/or hemiaminal (HA) structures are disclosed. To an HT small molecule or a HA small molecule, or a combination thereof, in a solvent is added a cross-linking agent, NH4Cl, and a copolymer. The solution is acidified, and a payload agent is added. The HT small molecule and HA small molecule may have orthogonal functionality.

Abstract: A porous material includes a resin material based on a trifunctional ethynyl monomer. Pores in the porous material can be of various sizes including nanoscale sizes. The porous material may be used in a variety of applications, such as those requiring materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio. The porous material can include a filler material dispersed therein. The filler material can be, for example, a particle, a fiber, a fabric, or the like. In some examples, the filler material can be a carbon fiber or a carbon nanotube. A method of making a porous material includes forming a resin including a trifunctional ethynyl monomer component and a polythioaminal component. The resin can be heated to promote segregation of the components into different phases with predominately one or the other component in each phase. Processing of the resin after phase segregation to decompose the polythioaminal component can form pores in the resin.

Abstract: Methods of forming nanoporous materials are described herein that include forming a polymer network with a chemically removable portion. The chemically removable portion may be polycarbonate polymer that is removable on application of heat or exposure to a base, or a polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) or polyhemiaminal (PHA) polymer that is removable on exposure to an acid. The method generally includes forming a reaction mixture comprising a formaldehyde, a solvent, a primary aromatic diamine, and a diamine having a primary amino group and a secondary amino group, the secondary amino group having a base-reactive substituent, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of between about 50 degC. and about 150 degC. to form a polymer. Removing any portion of the polymer results in formation of nanoscopic pores as polymer chains are decomposed, leaving pores in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling metals in a liquid are described. The liquid is contacted with a hexahydrotriazine and/or a hemiaminal material, and metal is adsorbed from the liquid onto the material. The hexahydrotriazine and/or hemiaminal material may be made from a diamine and an aldehyde.

Abstract: An enhanced substrate includes a carbine-coated metal foil laminated to a substrate that includes glass fiber impregnated with a base polymer. The carbine-coated foil metal includes a conductive surface treated with an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) compound containing a matrix-reactive pendant group that includes at least one of a vinyl-, allyl-, acrylic-, methacrylic-, styrenic-, amine-, amide- and epoxy-containing moiety capable of reacting with the base polymer.

Abstract: A functionalized nanomaterial, such as a nanoparticle, can include a polythioaminal functionalized surface. The polythioaminal linked to the surface of the nanomaterial can be bonded to a compound such as therapeutic and/or diagnostic materials. The thiol-based linkages can be used to bond the polythioaminal to both the nanomaterial and the therapeutic and/or diagnostic materials. Polythioaminals can be prepared via reactions of triazine and dithiols. Polythioaminals thus prepared can be further modified to provide linkages to the nanomaterial and other compounds such as medicinal compound, peptides, and dyes. Nanomaterials including such compounds linked thereto via the polythioaminal can be supplied for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes to biological target regions.

Abstract: A method for producing an apparatus includes covering an electronic component with a conformal coating that includes a polymer and metal nanoparticles blended with the polymer. The electronic component is mounted on a substrate and electrically connected by metal conductors. The conformal coating overlies the metal conductors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polythioaminals with applications as carriers or delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents or other small molecule cargo. Polythioaminal block copolymer coupled to a therapeutic agent is a polymer-therapeutic conjugate that exhibits higher stability and longer life time in aqueous environments. The polythioaminal block copolymer coupled to a therapeutic agent can be synthesized by reacting hexahydrotriazines with a hydrophobic block precursor, a hydrophilic block precursor, a particle stabilizing segment precursor, and a cargo, such as a therapeutic agent, in a one pot synthesis. The ease of synthesizing the resulting polythioaminal block copolymer coupled to the therapeutic agent while offering the extended stability and polymer life time in aqueous environments make the polythioaminal block copolymer particularly attractive for therapeutic carriers.