Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective elements including a core and a plurality of glass or glass-ceramic beads adjacent to the core. The retroreflective elements further include a plurality of particles having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the glass or glass ceramic beads in the retroreflective elements. The present disclosure also generally relates to articles (including, for example, retroreflective roadway liquid pavement markings) including these retroreflective elements and methods of making and using these retroreflective elements.

Abstract: Nanoparticle composition comprising hydrophobic, non-aggregate nanoparticles, an aqueous liquid, and gas, wherein the weight ratio of the hydrophobic, non-aggregated nanoparticles to the aqueous liquid in the nanoparticle powder composition is in a range from 1:1 to 1:99. Nanoparticle powder compositions described herein are useful, for example, for generating foams, delivering water as a dry raw material, as a material that serves as a heat sink.

Abstract: A method of modifying a surface of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is disclosed. The method includes contacting the surface of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a fluorinated amine, and the surface of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation includes a carbonate. The method can typically include introducing a treatment composition comprising solvent and at least one of the fluorinated amine or a salt thereof into the carbonate hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to the method are also disclosed. Certain fluorinated amines useful for treating carbonate hydrocarbon-bearing formations and methods of making them are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a polymeric material, a filler material dispersed in the polymeric material, the filler material comprising inorganic particles and a discontinuous arrangement of conductive material wherein at least a portion of the conductive material is in durable electrical contact with the inorganic particles, and conductive material dispersed in the polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation by contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a fluid that includes at least one of a polyol or polyol ether, wherein the polyol and polyol ether independently have from 2 to 25 carbon atoms; and at least one of a monohydroxy alcohol, ether, or ketone, wherein the monohydroxy alcohol, ether, and ketone independently have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the at least one of a polyol or polyol ether is present in the fluid at at least 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of the fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a polymeric material, a filler material dispersed in the polymeric material, the filler material comprising inorganic particles and a discontinuous arrangement of conductive material wherein at least a portion of the conductive material is in durable electrical contact with the inorganic particles, and conductive material dispersed in the polymeric material.

Abstract: Composite particles and a method of forming composite particles are described. The composite particles comprise at least one inorganic nanoparticle covalently bound to at least one inorganic microparticle with a linking compound. Lubricant compositions and sprayable dispersion compositions comprising composite particles are also described.

Abstract: A dual part polymerizable composition is provided including a first part containing at least one triorganoborane-amine complex having the structure Z—NHR1—B(R2)3 wherein: Z is an organic group; R1 is H or an organic group; and each R2 is independently an organic group bound to the boron atom through a carbon atom. The composition also includes a second part containing a polymerizable component and acidified nanoparticles including acid groups, where each acidified nanoparticle includes an inorganic core and acid groups. The acid groups include acid stabilizers and/or acid groups covalently bound to the inorganic core through an organic group. Each inorganic core is typically an inorganic oxide core, e.g., silica, zirconia, or alumina.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and a method for forming such compositions. More specifically, inorganic microparticles and surface modified silica nanoparticles are mixed to form a composition. The surface modified silica nanoparticles are present in the composition in an amount sufficient to decrease the coefficient of friction relative to a comparable composition that is free of surface modified silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: Surface-modified nanoparticles wherein each nanoparticle includes an inorganic core and surface modifying groups, wherein the surface modifying groups include at least one triorganoborane-amine complex having the structure —Z—NHR1—B(R2)3 wherein: Z is a divalent organic group; R1 is H or an organic group; and each R2 is independently an organic group bound to the boron atom through a carbon atom. The inorganic core is typically an inorganic oxide core, e.g., silica, zirconia, or alumina.

Abstract: Fluorinated polymers having first divalent units independently represented by formula (I) or formula (II) and second divalent units containing quaternary ammonium groups. Compositions containing the fluorinated polymer and solvent, methods of treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations using these compositions, and articles treated with the fluorinated polymers are disclosed. A method of making a composition containing the fluorinated polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed comprising a plurality of conductive particles wherein each conductive particle comprises a plurality of surface-modified nanoparticles that are covalently bonded to the surface of the conductive particle. Compositions are also disclosed wherein the plurality of conductive particles comprising a plurality of surface-modified nanoparticles covalently bonded thereto, are provided in an organic vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include intumescent caulking compositions and methods related thereto. In an embodiment, an intumescent caulking composition is included having a nitrogen phosphorus component and an expandable graphite. The composition can exhibit a char expansion ratio of at least 8, a char strength of at least 8 N, and a caulk rate of greater than 100 gm/min after 1 day. In an embodiment, an intumescent caulking composition is included having at least about 5 wt. % ethylene diamine phosphate, at least about 5 wt. % expandable graphite, and at least about 30 wt. % of an elastomeric binder. In an embodiment, a method of making an intumescent caulking composition is included. In an embodiment, a method of using an intumescent caulking composition is included. In an embodiment, a method of enhancing the fire retardancy of a wall or floor is included. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Inorganic pigment compositions comprising surface-modified nanoparticles are described, along with methods of making such compositions. Such compositions may allow the inorganic pigment to be diluted to a significant extent with non-pigmented extenders, while preserving or enhancing the coloring power of the pigment.

Abstract: Method comprising contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a fluoropolyether compound. The fluoropolyether compound: is represented by formula Rf—[C(0)-NR1—X?—(Z)m]n; or comprises at least one first divalent unit represented by formula (I) and, at least one of, a second divalent unit comprising a pendant Z group; or a monovalent unit comprising a thioether linkage and at least one terminal Z group. Each Rf is independently a fluoropolyether group. Rf is a monovalent or divalent fluoropolyether group, and each Z group is independently —P(O)(OY)2 or —O—P(O)(OY)2. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a polymeric material, a filler material dispersed in the polymeric material, the filler material comprising inorganic particles and a discontinuous arrangement of conductive material wherein at least a portion of the conductive material is in durable electrical contact with the inorganic particles, and conductive material dispersed in the polymeric material.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a polymeric material, a filler material dispersed in the polymeric material, the filler material comprising inorganic particles and a discontinuous arrangement of conductive material wherein at least a portion of the conductive material is in durable electrical contact with the inorganic particles, and conductive material dispersed in the polymeric material.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a polymeric material, a filler material dispersed in the polymeric material, the filler material comprising inorganic particles and a discontinuous arrangement of conductive material wherein at least a portion of the conductive material is in durable electrical contact with the inorganic particles, and conductive material dispersed in the polymeric material.

Abstract: Method of modifying dissolution rate of a plurality of particles in an aqueous-based solvent by adding hydrophobic surface modified nanoparticles to the plurality of particles, and exposing the plurality of particles to the aqueous-based solvent.

Abstract: The disclosure includes: a coating composition, comprising a powdered cold-water-soluble gelling agent and surface-modified nanoparticles disposed in the powdered cold-water-soluble gelling agent; a coated film that includes a transparent film coated with the coating composition; and a device for growing microorganisms, including the coated film releasably attached to at least a portion of a body member that includes a self-supporting and water-proof substrate.