Abstract: Provided is a method for polymerizing a polymer precursor, comprising: contacting a polymer precursor with a lithium carborane catalyst and an initiator under polymerizing conditions. A reaction solvent may be used, but is not necessary. Also provided is a method of preparing lithium carborane polymers, comprising: contacting a lithium carborane polymer precursor having a terminal alkenyl or alkynyl group with an initiator and an optional reaction solvent under polymerizing conditions. Functionalized carborane anions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating a substrate by means of a paint system, said system comprising at least two paint layers, which are applied in succession to the substrate. After said application, a paint enhancer or strengthener is applied to the surface of at least one of the two applied paint layers. The method permits a substrate to be coated in such a way that at least some sections of the paint system (where the paint intensifier has been applied) have an improved mechanical load-bearing capacity, in order to produce e.g. an adhesion point with an improved mechanical stability. The invention also relates to a substrate that is coated with the paint system, to joining methods for a paint system of this type, to joined connections, to the use of bonding mixtures and to multi-ply paint layers comprising areas that have been subsequently cured.

Abstract: In a component having vibration-damping properties, a mixture for manufacturing the component, and a method of manufacturing such a component, the component has granular and/or grain- and/or flake-shaped piezoelectric particles which are embedded in a polymer matrix in a proportion of at least 10 volume %. In order to improve the damping effect, at least some of the piezoelectric particles have a polarization which is different from zero.

Abstract: In a component having vibration-damping properties, a mixture for manufacturing the component, and a method of manufacturing such a component, the component has granular and/or grain- and/or flake-shaped piezoelectric particles which are embedded in a polymer matrix in a proportion of at least 10 volume %. In order to improve the damping effect, at least some of the piezoelectric particles have a polarization which is different from zero.

Abstract: In a component having vibration-damping properties, a mixture for manufacturing the component, and a method of manufacturing such a component, the component has granular and/or grain- and/or flake-shaped piezoelectric particles which are embedded in a polymer matrix in a proportion of at least 10 volume %. In order to improve the damping effect, at least some of the piezoelectric particles have a polarization which is different from zero.

Abstract: An ion conductor for electrochemical cells, comprising an alkali metal salt or a mixture of alkali metal salts, and mixed therewith on oligomer and/or polymer (hereinafter referred to simply as "polymers"), having at least one phosphazene base unit. The polymers are chemically stable with respect to the constituents of the ion conductor, and have an inorganic atom or an inorganic compound positioned at the phosphorous atom of at least one phosphazene base unit thereof. To form the ion conductor the alkali metal salts are heated to the melting temperature and the alkali metal salts, preferably fused to a low viscosity state, are admixed with the polymers which are dissolved in the alkali metal salt melt.