Abstract: According to one aspect, a glass-free pre-impregnated material includes a polybenzimidazole (PBI) sheet and a partially cured resin encapsulating the PBI sheet. According to another aspect, a process of forming a glass-free pre-impregnated material includes encapsulating a PBI sheet within a resin and partially curing the resin to form the glass-free pre-impregnated material. According to yet another aspect, a printed circuit board comprises a glass-free dielectric layer that includes a PBI sheet encapsulated within a cured resin.

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: 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: In an embodiment, a method of forming a stub-less via is provided. The method includes depositing a plurality of microcapsules containing a metal material in a via of a printed circuit board (PCB); rupturing the microcapsules and releasing the metal material; and sintering the metal material. In another embodiment, a method of forming a stub-less via is provided. The method includes forming a via in a printed circuit board (PCB); installing a plug in a portion of the via; depositing in the via a plurality of nanoparticles containing a metal material; and sintering the metal material.

Abstract: In an example, a thermal interface material includes a polymeric phase-change material.

Abstract: A method, device, and article of manufacture for detecting airborne sulfur, the method including obtaining a gel solution; applying the gel solution onto film; exposing a frame of the film on the film reel to surrounding air, where the surrounding air contains a concentration of airborne sulfur; and detecting a color change in the gel solution, where the color change is a response to a reaction between the amount of airborne sulfur and at least one component of the gel solution. The device may include a detector; a film; and a gel solution applied to a film. The article of manufacture may include a film; and a gel solution applied to a film.

Abstract: A process of forming a flame retardant polylactide includes forming a flame retardant lactide monomer. The process also includes forming a lactide feedstock that includes at least the flame retardant lactide monomer. The process further includes polymerizing the lactide feedstock to form a flame retardant polylactide.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including a cap configured to at least partially seal a container, and a plunger mechanism configured to form a passageway for air to flow from the container into a detection area. A sensor may be attached to the cap and positioned proximate the detection area. The sensor may be configured to detect data relating to a VOC and to generate a signal. A processor may be configured to receive the signal and to determine a result relating to the VOC.

Abstract: A material, a process for forming a biocidal material, and an article of manufacture. The material includes a particle and first and second functionalities bound to first and second faces of the particle. At least one of the first and second functionalities are biocides. The process includes forming colloidosomes having particles with exposed first faces partially embedded in a wax droplet. The process also includes selecting first and second functionalities, wherein at least one of the first and second functionalities are biocides, and binding the first functionalities to the first faces of the particles. Further, the process includes removing the particles from the colloidosome, and binding the second functionalities to the second faces. The article of manufacture includes a polymer matrix, particles, first functionalities bound to first faces of the particles, and second functionalities bound to second faces of the particles.

Abstract: A flame-retardant sugar derivative, a process for forming a flame-retardant sugar derivative, and an article of manufacture comprising a flame-retardant sugar derivative are disclosed. The flame-retardant sugar derivative can be synthesized from sorbitol, gluconic acid, or glucaric acid obtained from a bio-based source, and can have at least one phosphoryl or phosphonyl moiety. The process for forming the flame-retardant sugar derivative can include reacting sorbitol, gluconic acid, or glucaric acid and a flame-retardant phosphorus-based molecule to form the flame-retardant sugar derivative.

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: In an embodiment, a plug formulation includes a mixture of a first part of a two-part epoxy system and artificial platelets formed from a polymeric material that expands upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, moisture, or heat, wherein a portion of the first part of the two-part epoxy system is covalently bonded to a portion of the artificial platelets. In another embodiment, a plug formulation includes a mixture of a first part of a two-part epoxy system, an acrylate monomer, and artificial platelets formed from a polymeric material that expands upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, moisture, or heat, wherein a portion of the first part of the two-part epoxy system is covalently bonded to a portion of the artificial platelets.

Abstract: A repatternable nanoimprint lithography stamp includes a magnetic substrate and magnetic core nanoparticles. The magnetic substrate includes a magnet and a magnetic mask, and the magnetic core nanoparticles are arranged in a pattern on a surface of the magnetic substrate. The pattern is defined by selective application of a magnetic field to the magnetic substrate using the magnet and the magnetic mask.

Abstract: A process of improving resistance to conductive anodic filament (CAF) formation is disclosed. The process includes dissolving a base resin material, a lubricant material, and a coupling agent in a solvent to form a functionalized sizing agent solution. The process also includes applying the functionalized sizing agent solution to individual glass fibers following a glass fiber formation process. The process further includes removing the solvent via a thermal process that partially converts the base resin material. The thermal process results in formation of coated glass fibers having a flowable resin coating that is compatible with a pre-impregnated (prepreg) matrix material utilized to form a prepreg material for manufacturing a printed circuit board. During one or more printed circuit board manufacturing operations, the flowable resin coating flows to fill voids between the individual glass fibers that represent CAF formation pathways.

Abstract: A process of curing a photo-curable material includes dispersing a microcapsule in a material that includes a photo-initiator and a photo-curable material. The process also includes applying a stimulus to the microcapsule to trigger a chemiluminescent reaction within the microcapsule. The chemiluminescent reaction generating a photon having a wavelength within a particular emission range that is consistent with an absorption range of the photo-initiator. The photon exits the microcapsule to trigger the photo-initiator to initiate or catalyze curing of the photo-curable material.

Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing transient electronic circuits for security applications, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Silver nanowire traces are fabricated forming a protection circuit in a soluble material. A frangible material is provided separating the soluble material from a solvent layer proximately located. During a tampering event the frangible material is ruptured releasing the solvent which contacts and dissolves the soluble material and disperses the silver nanowire traces creating an electrical open in the protection circuit. The electrical open enables enhanced tampering detection.

Abstract: A secured device includes an electronic component and a protective cover surrounding the electronic component. The secured device also includes one or more chemiluminescent reactant layers and a light sensor that is electrically connected to the electronic component. The one or more chemiluminescent reactant layers are disposed between the protective cover and the electronic component and include multiple reactants that undergo a chemiluminescent reaction. The light sensor is configured to trigger one or more tamper response operations responsive to detection of a photon generated by the chemiluminescent reaction.

Abstract: A process of forming a functionalized polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material includes forming a saturated PHA material via a bacterial fermentation process. The process further includes performing an oxide elimination reaction on the saturated PHA material to form an unsaturated PHA material having a carbon-carbon double bond in a polymer backbone. The process also includes utilizing the unsaturated PHA material to form an epoxidized PHA material. The process further includes utilizing the epoxidized PHA material to form a functionalized PHA material. The functionalized PHA material has one or more cross-linkable functional groups bonded to a polymer backbone of the functionalized PHA material.

Abstract: A flame-retardant compound, a process for forming a flame-retardant compound, and an article of manufacture comprising a material containing a flame-retardant polyetheretherketone based polymer are disclosed. The flame-retardant compound includes two or more polyetheretherketone polymer chains and at least one flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linker moiety, wherein the flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linker moiety contains at least one flame-retardant functional group. The process includes selecting a flame-retardant aryl diamine, wherein the flame-retardant aryl diamine contains at least one flame-retardant functional group, selecting a polyetheretherketone polymer, and reacting the flame-retardant aryl diamine with the polyetheretherketone polymer to form a flame-retardant polyetheretherketone based polymer having flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linkers, wherein the flame-retardant aryl diamine cross-linkers contain the at least one flame-retardant functional group.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting environmental contaminants is described. In an embodiment, a method includes macerating and extracting a sample; reacting a first polymerizable compound with the sample to form a second mixture comprising a second polymerizable compound; adding an initiator to the second mixture comprising the second polymerizable compound; performing a polymerization reaction on the second mixture comprising the second polymerizable compound to form a third mixture comprising a precipitate; and performing a turbidimetric analysis on the third mixture comprising the precipitate. In another embodiment, a method includes macerating and extracting a sample; reacting a first mixture comprising the functionalized polythiophene compound and the sample to form a second mixture comprising a second functionalized polythiophene compound; performing a colorimetric analysis on the second mixture comprising the second functionalized polythiophene compound.