Abstract: In various aspects, a cured polymer glass may be provided. The cured polymer glass may include a polymer glass component (such as an epoxide component and an amine component), and an azobenzene photo-responsive modifying agent. The modifying agent may cause a reversible transition in the cured polymer glass from a first state to a second state when the modifying agent is exposed to a light condition (such as specific wavelengths of light). The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured polymer glass may be at least 100° C. The first state may have at least one different mechanical property than the second state. The reversible transition may be configured to occur when the cured polymer glass is at a first temperature below a Tg of the cured polymer glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving interfacial adhesion of an adhesive to unprimed substrates and an improved adhesive composition, involving admixing an adhesive with an adhesive modifier, where the modifier is at least partially soluble in the at least one adhesive and includes either a non-aromatic polyol or a molecule having at least one ortho-hydroxyl substitution on a benzene ring.

Abstract: A composite material is provided comprising a porous polymeric matrix having metal-organic framework (MOF) domains dispersed within the porous polymeric matrix, each of said MOF domains in fluid communication with the external environment through the pores in the porous polymeric matrix. A process of using the composite material to chemically modify or detoxify a chemical warfare agent or a toxic industrial chemical is also provided. The chemical warfare agent or the toxic industrial chemical is brought into contact with a MOF domain within the porous polymeric matrix so that the MOFs adsorb and chemically modify the chemical warfare agent or the toxic industrial chemical. A process for producing such a composite material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving interfacial adhesion of an adhesive to unprimed substrates and an improved adhesive composition, involving admixing an adhesive with an adhesive modifier, where the modifier is at least partially soluble in the at least one adhesive and includes either a non-aromatic polyol or a molecule having at least one ortho-hydroxyl substitution on a benzene ring.

Abstract: A multicomponent structure includes a substrate having a plurality of fiber-like reinforcement materials embedded in a matrix material. The reinforcement materials have a rectangular cross-section defined in part by the matrix material and extend a length of the multicomponent structure. In one embodiment, the multicomponent structure includes at least one recyclate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving interfacial adhesion of an adhesive to unprimed substrates and an improved adhesive composition, involving admixing an adhesive with an adhesive modifier, where the modifier is at least partially soluble in the at least one adhesive and includes either a non-aromatic polyol or a molecule having at least one ortho-hydroxyl substitution on a benzene ring.

Abstract: A composition of matter and method of forming the same includes a non-crosslinked polymer, and particulate material dispersed within the non-crosslinked polymer, wherein the composition of matter includes a viscoplastic property. The non-crosslinked polymer may include any of a silicon based polymer compound, an organo silicon polymer compound, at least one polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, and methyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The non-crosslinked polymer may include any of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, poly(ethylene-co-butadiene), poly(ethylene-co-propylene), and polyisobutylene. The particulate material may include any of fumed silica, monodisperse silica spheres, fumed alumina, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Toughened polymeric materials and methods of forming toughened polymeric materials are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming toughened polymeric materials may include preparing a branched polymeric additive; mixing the branched polymeric additive with a polymer to form a polymeric mixture, wherein the branched polymeric molecule either mixes and/or bonds with the polymer to reduce mobility in the polymer; and curing the polymeric mixture. In some embodiments, a toughened polymeric material comprises a polymer network; and a branched polymeric molecule bonded to the polymer network.

Abstract: Porous polymer composites and methods of preparing porous polymer composites are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for preparing porous polymer composites may include mixing a first polymer with a solvent and a particulate filler to form a first polymer composition, wherein the amount of particulate filler in the first polymer composition is below a mechanical percolation threshold; and removing the solvent from the first polymer composition to concentrate the first polymer and particulate filler into a second polymer composition having a porous structure, wherein the particulate filler concentration in the second polymer composition is increased above the mechanical percolation threshold during solvent removal.

Abstract: A method for producing a surfaced passivated, encapsulated surface III-V type II superlattice (T2SL) photodetector, more specifically a p-type heterojunction device by cleaning, etching and exposing the surface of a III/V material to solution mixtures which simultaneously removes oxides from the surface and encapsulates the surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving interfacial adhesion of an adhesive to unprimed substrates and an improved adhesive composition, involving admixing an adhesive with an adhesive modifier, where the modifier is at least partially soluble in the at least one adhesive and includes either a non-aromatic polyol or a molecule having at least one ortho-hydroxyl substitution on a benzene ring.

Abstract: A method for producing a surfaced passivated, encapsulated surface III-V type II superlattice (T2SL) photodetector, more specifically a p-type heterojunction device by cleaning, etching and exposing the surface of a III/V material to solution mixtures which simultaneously removes oxides from the surface and encapsulates the surfaces.

Abstract: Electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composites and methods of preparing same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for preparing an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite may include (1) mixing a polymer, a conductive particulate filler, and a solvent to form a non-conductive polymer solution or melt; (2) processing, the non-conductive polymer solution or melt to form a non-conductive polymer network composition; wherein the presence of solvent during three-dimensional network formation manipulates the polymer network structure; and (3) removing the solvent from the non-conductive polymer network composition to form an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite. The altered polymer chain structure present in the non-conductive polymer network composition is maintained in the composite, and offsets the impact of particulate filler addition including increased modulus, decreased elasticity, and decreased elongation at break.

Abstract: Methods of adjusting the mechanical properties of a polymeric material may include forming a polymer network having a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links, wherein the polymer network has a shear storage modulus of greater than about 4×104 Pa; and heating the polymer network using a heat source to dissociate the reversible cross-links, wherein heating the polymer network reduces the shear storage modulus to less than about 4×104 Pa. In some embodiments, a polymeric material may include a polymer network comprising a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links that are dissociable with the application of a stimulus and associable with the removal of the stimulus, wherein the shear storage modulus of the polymer network is less than about 4×104 Pa in the presence of the stimulus and greater than about 4×104 Pa in the absence of the stimulus.

Abstract: Toughened polymeric materials and methods of forming toughened polymeric materials are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming toughened polymeric materials may include preparing a branched polymeric additive; mixing the branched polymeric additive with a polymer to form a polymeric mixture, wherein the branched polymeric molecule either mixes and/or bonds with the polymer to reduce mobility in the polymer; and curing the polymeric mixture. In some embodiments, a toughened polymeric material comprises a polymer network; and a branched polymeric molecule bonded to the polymer network.

Abstract: Porous polymer composites and methods of preparing porous polymer composites are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for preparing porous polymer composites may include mixing a first polymer with a solvent and a particulate filler to form a first polymer composition, wherein the amount of particulate filler in the first polymer composition is below a mechanical percolation threshold; and removing the solvent from the first polymer composition to concentrate the first polymer and particulate filler into a second polymer composition having a porous structure, wherein the particulate filler concentration in the second polymer composition is increased above the mechanical percolation threshold during solvent removal.

Abstract: Methods of adjusting the mechanical properties of a polymeric material may include forming a polymer network having a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links, wherein the polymer network has a shear storage modulus of greater than about 4×104 Pa; and heating the polymer network using a heat source to dissociate the reversible cross-links, wherein heating the polymer network reduces the shear storage modulus to less than about 4×104 Pa. In some embodiments, a polymeric material may include a polymer network comprising a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links that are dissociable with the application of a stimulus and associable with the removal of the stimulus, wherein the shear storage modulus of the polymer network is less than about 4×104 Pa in the presence of the stimulus and greater than about 4×104 Pa in the absence of the stimulus.

Abstract: Toughened polymeric materials and methods of forming toughened polymeric materials are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming toughened polymeric materials may include preparing a branched polymeric additive; mixing the branched polymeric additive with a polymer to form a polymeric mixture, wherein the branched polymeric molecule either mixes and/or bonds with the polymer to reduce mobility in the polymer; and curing the polymeric mixture. In some embodiments, a toughened polymeric material comprises a polymer network; and a branched polymeric molecule bonded to the polymer network.

Abstract: Electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composites and methods of preparing same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for preparing an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite may include (1) mixing a polymer, a conductive particulate filler, and a solvent compatible with the polymer to form a non-conductive polymer solution or melt; (2) processing, the non-conductive polymer solution or melt to form a non-conductive polymer network composition; wherein the presence of solvent during three-dimensional network formation manipulates the polymer network structure; and (3) removing the solvent from the non-conductive polymer network composition to form an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite. The altered polymer chain structure present in the non-conductive polymer network composition is maintained in the composite, and offsets the impact of particulate filler addition including increased modulus, decreased elasticity, and decreased elongation at break.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the processing of a polymer composite are provided herein. in some embodiments, a method for enhancing the processing of a polymer composite may include masking a at least one functional group on a surface of a particle by using a at least one protective group; mixing the particles into a polymer to form a composite; processing the composite; and applying a at least one stimulus to the composite during the processing of the composite or after processing of the composite is complete in order to remove the at least one protective group from the functional group.