Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for improving the impact properties of polymer-matrix composites and to improving the adhesion of resin compositions to substrate materials. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for improving the impact properties of ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) polymer-matrix composites and to improving the adhesion of ROMP compositions to substrate materials using adhesion promoters containing at least two isocyanate groups and functional elastomers comprising a maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene hydrogenated copolymer in a resin composition. The polymer products produced via ROMP reactions of the invention may be utilized for a wide range of materials and composite applications. The invention has utility in the fields of polymer and materials chemistry and manufacture.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for improving the impact properties of polymer-matrix composites and to improving the adhesion of resin compositions to substrate materials. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for improving the impact properties of ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) polymer-matrix composites and to improving the adhesion of ROMP compositions to substrate materials using adhesion promoters containing at least two isocyanate groups and functional elastomers comprising a maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene hydrogenated copolymer in a resin composition. The polymer products produced via ROMP reactions of the invention may be utilized for a wide range of materials and composite applications. The invention has utility in the fields of polymer and materials chemistry and manufacture.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first alignment state indication at a portable handheld tool from an alignment tool. The first alignment state indication indicating an alignment state of a workpiece relative to a reference that is independent and distinct from the portable handheld tool. The method also includes, based on the first alignment state indication, enabling a first selectable drive state of a drive system of the portable handheld tool. The method further includes actuating the drive system responsive to user input, where the drive system is limited based, on the first selectable drive state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for olefin metathesis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions and the manufacture of polymer articles and/or polymer composite articles via ROMP Polymer products produced via the metathesis reactions of the invention may be utilized in a wide range of materials and composite applications. The invention has utility in the fields of polymer and materials chemistry and manufacture.

Abstract: A system and method for compressively sintering a material is described. The method comprises the steps of loading a material to be sintered into a die cavity of a die set and placing the die set into a vacuum chamber of a sintering apparatus, which further comprises a temperature measurement device configured to determine the temperature of material in the die cavity during sintering. The apparatus further comprises a control system configured to move the temperature measurement device during sintering in order to maintain its relative positioning to a target location of the die cavity. The present invention further relates to a sintering apparatus capable of performing this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for olefin metathesis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions and the manufacture of polymer articles and/or polymer composite articles via ROMP Polymer products produced via the metathesis reactions of the invention may be utilized in a wide range of materials and composite applications. The invention has utility in the fields of polymer and materials chemistry and manufacture.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first alignment state indication at a portable handheld tool from an alignment tool. The first alignment state indication indicating an alignment state of a workpiece relative to a reference that is independent and distinct from the portable handheld tool. The method also includes, based on the first alignment state indication, enabling a first selectable drive state of a drive system of the portable handheld tool. The method further includes actuating the drive system responsive to user input, where the drive system is limited based, on the first selectable drive state.

Abstract: A livestock feeding station includes an entrance raceway, an exit raceway arranged at an angle relative to the entrance raceway, and a feeder located at an intersection between the entrance and exit raceways. A feed dispensing mechanism selectively dispenses an allotted amount of feed into the feeder. A scale assembly having a platform located in the entrance raceway is used to individually weigh animals within the feeding station. The scale assembly includes a hinged scale platform to allow for easy cleaning, and a cantilevered scale platform extension that extends past an end of the entrance raceway and the feeder to provide a weighing platform assembly that continues to hold an entire animal during normal feeding functions. The scale assembly also includes a basket assembly construction to ensure that an accurate weight measurement can be made even if an animal is leaning against a back or front side of the station.

Abstract: An aerial work platform assembly includes: a) a platform shaft retaining assembly; b) a mounting bracket connected to the platform shaft retaining assembly; and c) a platform connected to the mounting bracket. The platform shaft retaining assembly includes two concentric apertures for installation of a pivot shaft therein; the mounting bracket having an upper gusset member and a center gusset member that are bonded together and that include horizontal portions to which the pivot shaft is bonded; upper and lower platform pins; a valve bracket; a platform bracket; and upper platform pins that provide for pivoting on a lower platform pin and tilting down of the platform thereby. At least one of the platform shaft retaining assembly, the mounting bracket, the platform, the upper and lower platform pins, and the valve bracket are molded from at least one monomer having at least one norbornene functionality, such as polydicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: A livestock feeding station includes an entrance raceway, an exit raceway arranged at an angle relative to the entrance raceway, and a feeder located at an intersection between the entrance and exit raceways. A feed dispensing mechanism selectively dispenses an allotted amount of feed into the feeder. A scale assembly having a platform located in the entrance raceway is used to individually weigh animals within the feeding station. The scale assembly includes a hinged scale platform to allow for easy cleaning, and a cantilevered scale platform extension that extends past an end of the entrance raceway and the feeder to provide a weighing platform assembly that continues to hold an entire animal during normal feeding functions. The scale assembly also includes a basket assembly construction to ensure that an accurate weight measurement can be made even if an animal is leaning against a back or front side of the station.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for converting a less active or slower to initiate system to a higher activity system so that at the end of a polymerization the most active species is present in the system. The invention generally relates to a process for converting a less active or slower to initiate catalyst system to a higher activity catalyst system wherein the process comprises contacting a protected N-heterocyclic carbene with a metathesis catalyst and an olefin in the presence of energy. One of the benefits of the invention is that the amount of catalyst required is less than or lowered in the presence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene as compared to the amount of catalyst required in the absence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene. The protected N-heterocyclic carbene can be unsaturated or saturated. In addition, the invention describes novel ruthenium initiators and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hexacoordinated metathesis catalysts and to methods for making and using the same. The inventive catalysts are of the formula wherein: M is ruthenium or osmium; X and X1 are the same or different and are each independently an anionic ligand; L, L1′ and L2 are the same or different and are each independently a neutral electron donor ligand; and, R and R1 are each independently hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, aryl, C1-C20 carboxylate, C1-C20 alkoxy, C2-C20 alkenyloxy, C2-C20 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, C2-C20 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C20 alkylthio, C1-C20 alkylsulfonyl and C1-C20 alkylsulfinyl and silyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hexacoordinated metathesis catalysts and to methods for making and using the same. The inventive catalysts are of the formula wherein: M is ruthenium or osmium; X and X1 are the same or different and are each independently an anionic ligand; L, L1′ and L2 are the same or different and are each independently a neutral electron donor ligand, wherein at least one L, L1′ and L2 is an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand; and, R and R1 are each independently hydrogen or a substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, aryl, C1-C20 carboxylate, C1-C20 alkoxy, C2-C20 alkenyloxy, C2-C20 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, C2-C20 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C20 alkylthio, C1-C20 alkylsulfonyl and C1-C20 alkylsulfinyl.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the in-situ generation of a metathesis active catalyst of the formula: comprising contacting an NHC carbene with a dimer of the formula [(arene)MX1X]2 and an alkyne of the formula RC≡CR1 or wherein M is ruthenium or osmium; X and X1 are the same or different and are each independently an anionic ligand; NHC is any N-heterocyclic carbene ligand; R, R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, aryl, C1-C20 carboxylate, C1-C20 alkoxy, C2-C20 alkenyloxy, C2-C20 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, C2-C20 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C20 alkylthio, C1-C20 alkylsulfonyl and C1-C20 alkylsulfinyl; and R3 is OH. Preferably, the NHC is an s-IMES or IMES carbene ligand; the arene is preferably p-cymene and the alkyne is preferably acetylene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for converting a less active or slower to initiate system to a higher activity system so that at the end of a polymerization the most active species is present in the system. The invention generally relates to a process for converting a less active or slower to initiate catalyst system to a higher activity catalyst system wherein the process comprises contacting a protected N-heterocyclic carbene with a metathesis catalyst and an olefin in the presence of energy. One of the benefits of the invention is that the amount of catalyst required is less than or lowered in the presence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene as compared to the amount of catalyst required in the absence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene. The protected N-heterocyclic carbene can be unsaturated or saturated. In addition, the invention describes novel ruthenium initiators and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for converting a less active or slower to initiate system to a higher activity system so that at the end of a polymerization the most active species is present in the system. The invention generally relates to a process for converting a less active or slower to initiate catalyst system to a higher activity catalyst system wherein the process comprises contacting a protected N-heterocyclic carbene with a metathesis catalyst and an olefin in the presence of energy. One of the benefits of the invention is that the amount of catalyst required is less than or lowered in the presence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene as compared to the amount of catalyst required in the absence of the protected N-heterocyclic carbene. The protected N-heterocyclic carbene can be unsaturated or saturated. In addition, the invention describes novel ruthenium initiators and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hexacoordinated metathesis catalysts and to methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hexacoordinated metathesis catalysts and to methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the in-situ generation of a metathesis active catalyst of the formula: 1