Abstract: An ionic nanocomposite comprising a nanomaterial comprising charged groups disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the nanomaterial and a polymer material comprising charged pendant group and/or end functionalized charged groups, where the charged groups of the nanomaterial and the charged pendant groups of the polymer material have opposite charges and the nanomaterial and polymer material are connected by one or more ionic bonds. A nanomaterial can be nanoparticles comprising sulfate groups disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticles. The polymer material can be a polymer with pendant imidazolium groups. An ionic nanocomposite can be present as a film (e.g., a thin film). An ionic nanocomposite can be used in devices. A nanocomposite can be used in various coating application.

Abstract: An ionic nanocomposite comprising a nanomaterial comprising charged groups disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the nanomaterial and a polymer material comprising charged pendant group and/or end functionalized charged groups, where the charged groups of the nanomaterial and the charged pendant groups of the polymer material have opposite charges and the nanomaterial and polymer material are connected by one or more ionic bonds. A nanomaterial can be nanoparticles comprising sulfate groups disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticles. The polymer material can be a polymer with pendant imidazolium groups. An ionic nanocomposite can be present as a film (e.g., a thin film). An ionic nanocomposite can be used in devices. A nanocomposite can be used in various coating application.

Abstract: The process of obtaining a polylactide-urethane copolymer is described which includes contacting an ?, ? dihydroxyl polylactide prepolymer of general formula I wherein X is NH or O, R is an alkyl or an aryl group, n and n? are integer numbers which are substantially the same and are in the range from 20 to 140, with a diisocyanate compound of general formula II O?C?N—R?—N?C?O wherein R? is an alkyl or an aryl group and with an amine or an alcohol of general formula III R?X?]2 wherein R? is an alkyl or an aryl group and X? is NH2 or OH, and with the proviso that at least one of R or R? is an aryl group.

Abstract: A starch-polyester graft copolymer and chemically modified starch-polyester graft copolymer composition comprising a chemically modified starch or chemically modified starch-nanoclay product is described. The composition can be produced continuously in a twin-screw co-rotating extruder. The starch-polyester graft copolymer can be solvent cast, melt cast and blown into clear transparent film particularly for use in single use disposable applications and can be biodegradable.

Abstract: A surgical needle has shape memory. An endoscope tool controls the temperature of a foreign body or surgical instrument such as an endoscopic needle.

Abstract: A starch-polyester graft copolymer and chemically modified starch-polyester graft copolymer composition comprising a chemically modified starch or chemically modified starch-nanoclay product is described. The composition can be produced continuously in a twin-screw co-rotating extruder. The starch-polyester graft copolymer can be solvent cast, melt cast and blown into clear transparent film particularly for use in single use disposable applications and can be biodegradable.

Abstract: A process for producing polylactide-urethane copolymers, which comprises the step of contacting a polylactide having terminal hydroxyl groups, produced by contacting at least one lactide monomer with a diol or diamine, with a diisocyanate compound optionally in the presence of a second diol or diamine in the presence of a catalytic system under polymerisation conditions characterised in that the polylactide and the polylactide-urethane copolymers are produced by reactive extrusion.

Abstract: A polylactide-urethane copolymer obtainable by a process, which comprises the step of contacting: an ?, ? dihydroxyl polylactide prepolymer of general formula I wherein: X is NH or O, R is an alkyl or an aryl group, n and n? are integer numbers which are substantially the same and which are comprised in the range from 20 to 140, a diisocyanate compound of general formula II O?C?N—R?—N?C?O wherein: R? is an alkyl or an aryl group and an amine or an alcohol of general formula III R??[X?]2 wherein: R? is an alkyl or an aryl group and X? is NH2 or OH with the proviso that at least one of R or R? is an aryl group

Abstract: A starch-polyester graft copolymer and chemically modified starch-polyester graft copolymer composition comprising a chemically modified starch or chemically modified starch-nanoclay product is described. The composition can be produced continuously in a twin-screw co-rotating extruder. The starch-polyester graft copolymer can be solvent cast, melt cast and blown into clear transparent film particularly for use in single use disposable applications and can be biodegradable.

Abstract: A polymerization process to derive a thermal-stabilized poly(1,4-dioxan-2-one) and cyclic ester monomer copolymer using a coordination-insertion catalyst/initiator. 1,4-dioxan-2-one and cyclic ester monomer, each containing less than 100-ppm water and having an acid value less than 0.5 mg KOH/g, and preferably less than 0.2 mg KOH/g, are copolymerized. Preferably the cyclic ester monomer is ?-caprolactone and the reaction is in an extruder.

Abstract: High-performance inorganic filled thermoplastic polyester composites are provided, and the process for preparing thereof. Biodegradable inorganic filled thermoplastic polyester composites are provided by reactive melt-blending of biodegradable thermoplastic polyesters with inorganic fillers using a reactive extrusion processing.

Abstract: A chemically modified plasticized starch (CMPS) is prepared by reacting starch with an organic dibasic acid or an anhydride of the acid in the presence of a plasticizer using optional free radical initiators, and optionally with the incorporation of nano clays in the reactive extrusion process. The starch is thermoplastic and has a lower viscosity than the traditional thermoplastic starch. The CMPS is useful in preparing starch polymer compositions which are at least partially biodegradable.

Abstract: A chemically modified plasticized starch (CMPS) is prepared by reacting starch with an organic dibasic acid or an anhydride of the acid in the presence of a plasticizer using optional free radical initiators, and optionally with the incorporation of nano clays in the reactive extrusion process. The starch is thermoplastic and has a lower viscosity than the traditional thermoplastic starch. The CMPS is useful in preparing starch polymer compositions which are at least partially biodegradable.

Abstract: A starch-polyester graft copolymer and chemically modified starch-polyester graft copolymer composition comprising a chemically modified starch or chemically modified starch-nanoclay product is described. The composition can be produced continuously in a twin-screw co-rotating extruder. The starch-polyester graft copolymer can be solvent cast, melt cast and blown into clear transparent film particularly for use in single use disposable applications and can be biodegradable.

Abstract: A polymerization process to derive a thermal-stabilized poly(1,4-dioxan-2-one) and cyclic ester monomer copolymer using a coordination-insertion catalyst/initiator. 1,4-dioxan-2-one and cyclic ester monomer, each containing less than 100-ppm water and having an acid value less than 0.5 mg KOH/g, and preferably less than 0.2 mg KOH/g, are copolymerized. Preferably the cyclic ester monomer is ?-caprolactone and the reaction is in an extruder.