Abstract: The invention provides for production of nanoparticles dispersed in polymers where the nanoparticles include metals and metal oxides/sulfides that provide enhanced properties (e.g. higher refractive index) to the material. The nanoparticles are typically formed in situ within the polymer. Typically the nanoparticles are in the form of nanocrystals.

Abstract: An electrically conductive coating composition is provided for use on aircraft and other substrate surfaces to prevent the formation of ice or to melt ice. The conductive coating composition may include a nanomaterial such as carbon nanotubes dispersed in a solvent which may be applied to a substrate surface to form a thin film which is resistively heatable. The conductive coating may also comprise a nanomaterial formed from carbon nanotubes or fullerenes grafted to a polymer containing an active functional group which renders a substrate surface icephobic and is also resistively heatable.

Abstract: Broadly the invention provides for a deinkable toner composition, an image made with the deinkable toner, and a method for making the toner including a coloring agent; a thermoplastic polymer; and a protein. In another embodiment the toner includes a coloring agent and a thermoplastic polymer where the protein has been incorporated into the polymer itself. In typical embodiments the protein is derived from soybeans but may be from other plant or animal sources. Typically the toner has a positive triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g, or a negative triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g.

Abstract: Broadly the invention provides for a deinkable toner composition, an image made with the deinkable toner, and a method for making the toner including a coloring agent; a thermoplastic polymer; and a protein. In another embodiment the toner includes a coloring agent and a thermoplastic polymer where the protein has been incorporated into the polymer itself. In typical embodiments the protein is derived from soybeans but may be from other plant or animal sources. Typically the toner has a positive triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g, or a negative triboelectric charge of between about 10 to about 40 microCoulomb/g.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing carbon nanotube dispersions in organic solvents such as chloroform and methyl ethyl ketone. Structures resulting from organic dispersions are also disclosed. The dispersing agents used in this method comprise long chain hydrocarbons, halogen-substituted hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, or a mixture of hydrocarbons, halogen-substituted hydrocarbons, and fluorocarbons; wherein the hydrocarbons, halogen-substituted hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons have from 6 to 40 carbons in a chain, at least one alkene or alkyne moiety, and at least one pendant carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, and/or sulfonic acid group or an ester of these acids.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation sensitive mask materials are provided. The mask materials are chosen such a first percentage of electromagnetic radiation at a first wavelength is transmitted through the mask material prior to the exposure of the mask material to electromagnetic radiation at a second wavelength and a second percentage of electromagnetic radiation at the first wavelength is transmitted through at least a portion of the mask material after the at least a portion of the mask material is exposed to electromagnetic radiation at the second wavelength. Methods of patterning substrates using electromagnetic radiation sensitive mask materials are also provided. Compositions for producing masks are provided, and systems are provided.

Abstract: In this invention, processes which can be used to achieve stable doped carbon nanotubes are disclosed. Preferred CNT structures and morphologies for achieving maximum doping effects are also described. Dopant formulations and methods for achieving doping of a broad distribution of tube types are also described.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation sensitive mask materials are provided. The mask materials are chosen such a first percentage of electromagnetic radiation at a first wavelength is transmitted through the mask material prior to the exposure of the mask material to electromagnetic radiation at a second wavelength and a second percentage of electromagnetic radiation at the first wavelength is transmitted through at least a portion of the mask material after the at least a portion of the mask material is exposed to electromagnetic radiation at the second wavelength. Methods of patterning substrates using electromagnetic radiation sensitive mask materials are also provided. Compositions for producing masks are provided, and systems are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for plasticizing polyvinyl chloride polymers where the plasticizers contain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and the fatty acids are substantially fully esterified with an alcohol (monool or polyol), the fatty acids having unsaturated bonds that are substantially fully epoxidized, and wherein the fatty acids are added substantially randomly to one or more hydroxyl sites on the alcohol. The plasticizers may be added in amounts between about 10 to 230 pph of PVC resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object, which, in its outer surface contains a color-forming composition which comprises a solvent-absorbing material that is generally a polymer; a color-former compounded with the solvent-absorbing material, where the color-former functions as a metal chelating agent; and metal ions capable of forming a chelate complex with the color-former as the solvent-absorbing material absorbs a solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the composition. The present invention also provides a method for indicating exposure of the color-forming composition to a solvent, wherein the color-forming composition is to be used on the outside surface of objects.

Abstract: Color-forming compositions comprising (i) a solvent absorbing material such as a polymer; (ii) a color-former or chelating agent compounded with the solvent absorbing material; and (iii) a source of metal ions, whereby the metal ions complex with the color former as the solvent absorbing material absorbs the solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the solvent absorbing material. Both reversible and irreversible versions of these color-forming compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object, which, in its outer surface contains a color-forming composition which comprises a solvent-absorbing material that is generally a polymer; a color-former compounded with the solvent-absorbing material, where the color-former functions as a metal chelating agent; and metal ions capable of forming a chelate complex with the color-former as the solvent-absorbing material absorbs a solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the composition. The present invention also provides a method for indicating exposure of the color-forming composition to a solvent, wherein the color-forming composition is to be used on the outside surface of objects.

Abstract: Color-forming compositions comprising (i) a solvent absorbing material such as a polymer; (ii) a color-former or chelating agent compounded with the solvent absorbing material; and (iii) a source of metal ions, whereby the metal ions complex with the color former as the solvent absorbing material absorbs the solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the solvent absorbing material. Both reversible and irreversible versions of these color-forming compositions are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for plasticizing polyvinyl chloride polymers where the plasticizers contain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and the fatty acids are substantially fully esterified with an alcohol (monool or polyol), the fatty acids having unsaturated bonds that are substantially fully epoxidized, and wherein the fatty acids are added substantially randomly to one or more hydroxyl sites on the alcohol. The plasticizers may be added in amounts between about 10 to 230 pph of PVC resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object, which, in its outer surface contains a color-forming composition which comprises a solvent-absorbing material that is generally a polymer; a color-former compounded with the solvent-absorbing material, where the color-former functions as a metal chelating agent; and metal ions capable of forming a chelate complex with the color-former as the solvent-absorbing material absorbs a solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the composition. The present invention also provides a method for indicating exposure of the color-forming composition to a solvent, wherein the color-forming composition is to be used on the outside surface of objects.

Abstract: Thermally-reversible polymer compositions are obtained by reacting compounds with isocyanate and labile-hydrogen functionality. Aromatic polyimide, aromatic polycarbonate, polyarylsulfide, aromatic polyester with liquid crystal property, and polyarylimidazolidine oligomers are incorporated into the isocyanate or labile hydrogen compounds to give high-performance characteristics. Such thermally-reversible isocyanate-based polymer compositions with high-performance characteristics are useful, among other things, as finish surface coatings on composite materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. Novel phenolic-hydroxyl terminated polyarylsulfide and polyarylimidazolidine oligomers and their preparation are also described.

Abstract: Thermally-reversible polymer compositions are obtained by reacting compounds with isocyanate and labile-hydrogen functionality. High-performance characteristics are incorporated into the polymer by using aromatic polycarbonate, aromatic polyester, polyarylsulfide, and polyarylimidazolidine oligomers. The compositions are useful as hot-melt adhesives, coatings and especially finish surface coatings on composite materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, moldings and in injection reaction molding applications and composite and laminate fabrication.