Abstract: An extraction apparatus for a fermentation medium comprises an extraction chamber configured to receive a fermentation medium and comprising a lower portion and an upper portion above the lower portion, as well as a feed device configured to feed at least one gas and one liquid into the lower portion of the extraction chamber, as well as a discharge opening arranged in the upper portion of the extraction chamber and configured to drain a washout liquid, loaded with microorganisms, from the extraction chamber.

Abstract: A method, and product thereof, for modifying the surface of recycled sulfur-cured rubber via surface devulcanization that minimizes alteration of the network structure of the recycled sulfur-cured rubber, while generating strong tack between mixed recycled rubber and fresh rubber for optimal adhesion upon subsequent co-curing. In one embodiment, the surface of recycled rubber is devulcanized by treating recycled rubber with a thiol and a base dissolved in a solvent that does not effectively penetrate and only minimally swells vulcanized rubbers.

Abstract: A method, and product thereof, for modifying the surface of recycled sulfur-cured rubber via surface devulcanization that minimizes alteration of the network structure of the recycled sulfur-cured rubber, while generating strong tack between mixed recycled rubber and fresh rubber for optimal adhesion upon subsequent co-curing. In one embodiment, the surface of recycled rubber is devulcanized by treating recycled rubber with a thiol and a base dissolved in a solvent that does not effectively penetrate and only minimally swells vulcanized rubbers.

Abstract: A method of recycling rubber includes pre-treating vulcanized ground rubber to prevent the vulcanized ground rubber from encountering significant additional crosslinking during co-vulcanization with fresh rubber compound, and promoting better bonding between the vulcanized ground rubber and the fresh rubber compound. The ground vulcanized rubber can be coated with a layer of non-vulcanized rubber that includes cure inhibitors or other ingredients dispersed within the layer to aid in the coating process and/or co-vulcanization of the vulcanized ground rubber and fresh rubber compound. The vulcanized ground rubber can also be pre-treated with a mixture of at least one chemical curing agent inhibitor and a solvent capable of solubilizing the chemical curing agent inhibitor and dispersing the curing agent inhibitor within the vulcanized ground rubber.

Abstract: A method of recycling rubber includes pre-treating vulcanized ground rubber to prevent the vulcanized ground rubber from encountering significant additional crosslinking during co-vulcanization with fresh rubber compound, and promoting better bonding between the vulcanized ground rubber and the fresh rubber compound. The ground vulcanized rubber can be coated with a layer of non-vulcanized rubber that includes cure inhibitors or other ingredients dispersed within the layer to aid in the coating process and/or co-vulcanization of the vulcanized ground rubber and fresh rubber compound. The vulcanized ground rubber can also be pre-treated with a mixture of at least one chemical curing agent inhibitor and a solvent capable of solubilizing the chemical curing agent inhibitor and dispersing the curing agent inhibitor within the vulcanized ground rubber.

Abstract: A polymeric nanoparticle composition is provided. The nanoparticle may be of a core/shell configuration with an interphase region connecting the core and the shell. The mean average diameter of the polymer nanoparticles may be less than about 250 nm. The size, composition, and/or configuration of the interphase region may be varied to achieve desired physical and/or chemical properties of the resulting polymeric nanoparticles, and of the compositions into which the nanoparticles are compounded.

Abstract: A polymeric nanoparticle composition is provided. The nanoparticle may be of a core/shell configuration with an interphase region connecting the core and the shell. The mean average diameter of the polymer nanoparticles may be less than about 250 nm. The size, composition, and/or configuration of the interphase region may be varied to achieve desired physical and/or chemical properties of the resulting polymeric nanoparticles, and of the compositions into which the nanoparticles are compounded.

Abstract: A multi-functional polymer defined by the formula (Q-Rn-Z-P2—Y where (Q-R)n is a functionality cluster, Q is a functional group, R is a multi-valent organic group, P2 is a long-chain polymer, n is an integer from about 2 to about 10, Y is a proton, a weak functional group, or a selective functional group, and Z is a branch point where the functionality clusters join the long-chain polymer.

Abstract: Provided are enophile functionalized polymer particles, nano-sized inorganic metal particles such as Al(OH)3 particles, and preparations thereof. Also provided is a method of improving the properties of a rubber composition, such as a tire, by formulating the rubber to incorporate nano-sized inorganic metal particles such as Al(OH)3. The composition exhibits improved properties including bonding rubber, tensile strength, tear strength, and wet traction, among others. A novel rubber composition comprising nano-sized inorganic metal particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making solution masterbatches containing a diene elastomer in an organic solvent and a silica filler, having a first average particle size, that is ground in an organic solvent to form a silica having a reduced second average particle size. Grinding of the silica in the organic solvent, with or without other ingredients including the elastomer, produces a solution masterbatch in which the silica is mixed with and well dispersed in the elastomer. The use of such desolventized solution masterbatches in vulcanizable rubber compounds results in excellent processing characteristics allowing for the reduced use of processing aids such as oil. The compound also demonstrates improved properties, including reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: A method for forming a vulcanizable composition of matter, the method comprising providing a polymer cement or latex comprising at least one rubber, adding at least one processing aid to the cement or latex to form a modified rubber cement or latex, isolating the rubber and at least one processing aid to form a premix, and mixing the premix with carbon black.

Abstract: A polymer composition of low gas permeability. The composition includes an exfoliated organically-modified clay, butyl rubber, and a polymeric exfoliant. A method for producing the butyl composition by dry mixing the butyl rubber with the exfoliated clay is also provided.

Abstract: A polymer nano-particle composition is provided, wherein the nano-particle includes a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a surface layer including poly(conjugated diene). A method for self-assembly of the nano-particles is also provided. The polymer nano-particles are preferably less than about 100 nm in diameter.

Abstract: A polymer nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle includes an inner layer having alkenylbenzene monomer units. The nanoparticle further includes an outer layer having monomer units selected from conjugated dienes, alkylenes, alkenylbenzenes, and mixtures thereof. The nanoparticle has at least one functional group associated with the outer layer. The nanoparticle further has at least one metal complexed with said functional group. The nanoparticles can be used as a templates for preparation of nano-sized metal crystals and polymer-metal nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer/metal nano-composite. The nano-composite includes at least one copolymer chain having alkenyl monomer units and maleimide monomer units, and a nano-sized metal or inorganic crystal. It also provides a method of producing nano-sized metal/inorganic crystals in pure form. These nano-composites and nano-crystals can be useful as polymer fillers, tire rubber compounds, semiconductors, nano-magnets, catalysts, and quantum dots etc.

Abstract: A tire component including a tire tread that comprises a vulcanized rubber, a rubber filler, and a modified rubber, where the modified rubber i) contains pendent or functional groups that contain carboxylic acid or anhydride groups, ii) has pendently grafted thereto a polymerized metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, or iii) contains both i and ii. The use of such modified rubbers in tire components advantageously increases the G? of such components.

Abstract: A device for an injection molding machine for releasably fastening a tool member to a fixing plate. The device includes a profiled part provided either on the fixing plate or on the tool member and a fixing element attached to the other component and provided with engaging members adapted to be moved relative to the profiled part and be brought into engagement with it to fasten the tool member and fixing plate together. The engaging members are one or more elongated carrier members that are brought into engagement with a profile on the profiled part, and a locking component is provided, displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the carrier members to move the carrier members into engagement with the profiled part.

Abstract: An improved process for the continuous alkylation of phenol with olefins having 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the liquid phase and in the presence of strongly acid ion exchange resin catalysts mounted in a fixed bed. The phenol and olefins are passed in a first stage at temperatures from about 80.degree. to 120.degree. C. over an ion exchange resin catalyst having an exchange capacity of from 50 to 96 m Val per 100 ml of catalyst and then passed in a second stage at temperatures about 110.degree. to 130.degree. C. over another ion exchange resin catalyst having an exchange capacity of from 100 to 180 m Val per 100 ml of catalyst.

Abstract: Method for maintaining the temperature level of metal melts of specified compositions, comprising the steps of a/ excluding oxygen access to a melt contained in a furnace; b/ slowly displacing the atmospheric air from above the melt surface by introducing an inert protective gas, in laminar flow, without the generation of turbulence; and c/ thereafter maintaining above the melt surface a pure protective gas atmosphere, to meet a consumption of between 0.1 and 1% of the volumetric capacity of the furnace per minute, this permitting the melt to be cast in several pours or continuously without oxidaton of the alloying components and without increase in its gas content, even hours after having been melted down.