Abstract: A polybrominated flame-retardant compound, a process for forming a flame-retardant material, and an article of manufacture are disclosed. The polybrominated flame-retardant compound includes a cyclododecane moiety, at least two bromo groups, and at least one substituent having a reactive functional group. The process includes forming a polybromocyclododecane (PBCD) compound having at least one reactive functional group and incorporating the PBCD compound into a polymer in a process that includes covalent binding of the PBCD compound. The article of manufacture includes a flame-retardant material that comprises a polymer with a covalently-bound PBCD compound.

Abstract: Acoustic dampeners, methods of making acoustic dampener, and uses thereof are described. The acoustic dampener includes a polymer foam article; and a metal-organic framework portion. The metal-organic framework portion comprises a metal-organic framework in a polymer matrix. The metal-organic framework portion is adhered to, or otherwise coupled to or included with, the polymer foam article. Such an acoustic dampener can be used in a computer equipment cabinet.

Abstract: A method for forming a photosensitizer product that is resistant to absorption by living tissue that may include binding a photosensitizer compound with an oxide-containing particle to provide the photosensitizer derivative having a microscale size, and mixing the photosensitizer derivative into a lotion. The microscale size of the photosensitizer derivative obstructs absorption by cell tissue.

Abstract: A flame-retardant compound, a process for forming a flame-retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture are disclosed. The flame-retardant compound includes at least one muconic acid moiety and at least one phosphorus-based moiety. The process for forming the flame-retardant polymer includes obtaining a muconic acid compound, obtaining a muconic acid compound, reacting the muconic acid compound with the phosphorus compound to form a flame-retardant compound, and incorporating the flame-retardant compound into a polymer. The article of manufacture comprises a material that contains a flame-retardant compound derived from muconic acid.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing stub-less printed circuit board (PCB) vias and custom interconnect through laser-excitation conductive track structures. Stub-less printed PCB vias are formed which terminate at desired signal layers by controlled laser excitation without stubs or the need to back-drill to remove such stubs.

Abstract: Fabrication of a reliable circuit board assembly with soldered, plated through-hole structures is facilitated by characterizing plating of a plated through-hole of the circuit board using time-domain reflectance to obtain a base reflectance measurement, and applying solder to the plated through-hole. Based on applying the solder, the plating of the plated through-hole of the circuit board is re-characterized using time-domain reflectance to obtain a new reflectance value. Based on a deviation between the new reflectance measurement and the base reflectance measurement exceeding a threshold, dissolution, at least in part, of the plating of the plated through-hole due to applying the solder is identified.

Abstract: A security matrix layer between a first and second conductive shorting layers are located within a printed circuit board (PCB). The security matrix layer includes at least two types of microcapsules with each type of microcapsule containing a different reactant. When the security matrix layer is accessed, drilled, or otherwise damaged, the microcapsules rupture and the reactants react to form at least an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material may contact and short the first and second conductive shorting layers.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition and a method of making a flame retardant composition is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes reacting a phosphazene material with an acrylamide monomer material to form a functionalized phosphazene material; initiating a polymerization reaction on a reaction mixture comprising a functionalized phosphazene material and one or more monomers to form a first impact-modified phosphazene material; and reacting the first impact-modified phosphazene material with a poly(dichlorophosphazene) monomer material, and a reactant selected from the group consisting of R1OH, HNR2R3, or a combination thereof, to form a second impact-modified phosphazene material.

Abstract: A limonene-based flame-retardant compound, a method of making a flame-retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material that includes a limonene-based flame-retardant compound are provided. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a limonene-based derivative; forming a phosphorus-based flame-retardant molecule; reacting the limonene-based derivative with the phosphorus-based flame-retardant molecule to form a limonene-based flame-retardant compound; and forming a flame-retardant polymer from the limonene-based flame-retardant compound. In some embodiments, the limonene-based flame-retardant compound has variable functionality including vinyl, epoxide, methylene bridges, and thioethers.

Abstract: A chain-reactive, heat-generating microcapsule comprises a first compartment including a first component and a second compartment including a second component. An isolating structure separates the first and second compartments. The isolating structure may rupture when heated above a normal ambient temperature and/or in response to a compressive force. The first component reacts with the second component to produce heat. The microcapsule may further incorporate a blowing agent that responds to heating. In some embodiments, a core within the first compartment comprises a blowing agent material that responds to the heat produced when the first and second components react. The microcapsules can be incorporated into a material comprising a heat-curable resin precursor such that heat generated by the microcapsules can be used to cure the resin precursor.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and article of manufacture for transferring fluid contained in a syringe. The apparatus includes an airlock component having a cylindrical body with a first end, a second end, and a hollow tube disposed between the first end and the second end. An annular opening is located at the first end of the cylindrical body. The hollow tube includes a gas inlet aperture and a gas outlet aperture. The hollow tube also includes an inwardly-facing airtight material coupled to the interior surface of the hollow tube, and a septum coupled to the second end of the cylindrical body. The method includes transferring fluid from one container to a second container using the apparatus. The article of manufacture includes the apparatus, a syringe, and a needle.

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) includes a laminate between a first core and a second core. The first core is located in a middle position of the multi-layer PCB and includes a resistive heating element directly upon a first core substrate. A portion of the resistive heating element protrudes from the multi-layer PCB perimeter. A laminator that fabricates the PCB includes a platen, a power supply, a processor, and memory that has program instructions embodied therewith which are readable by the processor to cause the laminator to position the platen against a surface of the multi-layer PCB and cure the laminate by heating the multi-layer PCB with the platen and cure the laminate by heating the multi-layer PCB with the resistive heating element.

Abstract: Circuit feature casting for manufacture observation is disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method includes applying a molding material to a feature of a circuit to substantially cover the feature with the molding material. The method also includes curing the molding material. Further, the method includes separating the molding material from the feature to reveal a cast of the feature of the circuit.

Abstract: An adhesive composition includes a photoinitiator and an acrylate-cyanoacrylate monomer. The acrylate-cyanoacrylate monomer includes at least one acrylate functional group to enable photo-curing of the adhesive composition and at least one cyanoacrylate functional group to enable latent curing of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: A process of forming a flame retardant material is disclosed. The process includes forming a functionalized polybrominated diphenyl-based flame retardant compound having the following structural formula: In the structural formula, X corresponds to a functional group. The process also includes forming a flame retardant material by covalently bonding the functionalized polybrominated diphenyl-based flame retardant compound into a material using the functional group.

Abstract: An impact resistant polyhexahydrotriazine polymer, processes of forming an impact resistant polyhexahydrotriazine polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising an impact resistant polyhexahydrotriazine polymer are disclosed. The impact resistant polyhexahydrotriazine polymer includes at least one hexahydrotriazine group and at least one chain comprising an allylic portion and a styrenic portion. Variations in the chain control properties of the impact resistant polymer. The process of forming the impact resistant polyhexahydrotriazine polymer includes reactions between formaldehyde and at least two classes of monomer that form hexahydrotriazine groups and impact resistant chains. Adjusting relative monomer concentrations controls properties of the impact resistant polyhexahydrotriazine polymer. The article of manufacture contains a material that has an impact resistant polymer.

Abstract: A microcapsule encapsulates a payload agent, the microcapsule having a microcapsule shell material that is rupturable (e.g., to release the encapsulated payload agent) via a retro-dimerization reaction.

Abstract: A flame retardant levulinic acid-based compound, a process for forming a levulinic acid-based flame retardant polymer, and an article of manufacture comprising a material that contains a flame retardant levulinic acid-based polymer are disclosed. The flame retardant levulinic acid-based compound has variable moieties, which include phenyl-substituted and/or R functionalized flame retardant groups. The process for forming the flame retardant polymer includes forming a phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule, forming a levulinic acid derivative, chemically reacting the phosphorus-based flame retardant molecule and the levulinic acid derivative to form a flame retardant levulinic acid-based compound, and incorporating the levulinic acid-based flame retardant compound into a polymer to form the flame retardant polymer.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a three-dimensional (3D) printed object for chemical reaction control. The 3D printed object includes a chemical reactant to be released to control a chemical reaction according to a chemical reactant release profile. The chemical reactant release profile is determined based on a shape of the 3D printed object.

Abstract: A process a process of forming a non-halogenated flame retardant (FR) hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) cross-linker is disclosed. The process includes forming a mixture that includes a first molecule having a hindered amine group. The first molecule corresponds to a functionalized 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) molecule. The process also includes forming the non-halogenated FR HALS cross-linker via a chemical reaction of the first molecule a second molecule. The second molecule includes a phosphoryl group, a chloride group, and at least one cross-linkable (CL) moiety.