Abstract: Flexible receptacles and flexible conduits for bodily fluids are disclosed. The receptacles and conduits provide comfortable, user-friendly unisex flexible bodily waste collection systems that improve the accuracy and convenience when collecting urine streams from female users. One bodily waste collection system may include a cup, a bowl, a tube, a pipe, a fitting, a valve, or any combination thereof. A flexible receptacle or conduit includes an open top defined by a flexible annular rim, a base, and flexible sidewalls extending between the top and base. The flexible receptacle is a urine collection cup having an annular rim. The rim is deformable to an elliptical shape when pressure is applied there against (for example, by squeezing), thereby allowing the rim to fit between the labia majora and minora of the user.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric nanocomposite particle made by a method comprising: forming a polymer by polymerizing a reactive mixture comprising at least one of a monomer, an oligomer, or combinations thereof; said monomer and oligomer having two reactive functionalities, said polymerizing occurring in a medium also containing dispersed nanofiller particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction, wherein said nanofiller particles comprise at least one of dispersed fine particulate material, fibrous material, discoidal material, or combinations of such materials, whereby said nanofiller particles become incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacturing of durable thermoset in-mold finishing films (TIMFFs) combining in-mold decorating and in-mold durable exterior grade coating capabilities, to molded articles having TIMFFs adhering to their surfaces and both showing a decoration and providing protection, and to thermosetting resin formulations used in the manufacturing of TIMFFs. In some embodiments, the thermoset is prepared via polyurethane chemistry; the manufacturing process comprises reaction injection molding (RIM) with a specially designed mold; and articles having TIMFFs adhering to their surfaces include graphic panels for durable signage, structural graphics, molded flooring, prefabricated housing, aerospace structures and body panels, automotive structures and body panels, and marine structures and body panels.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacturing of durable thermoset in-mold finishing films (TIMFFs) combining in-mold decorating and in-mold durable exterior grade coating capabilities, to molded articles having TIMFFs adhering to their surfaces and both showing a decoration and providing protection, and to thermosetting resin formulations used in the manufacturing of TIMFFs. In some embodiments, the thermoset is prepared via polyurethane chemistry; the manufacturing process comprises reaction injection molding (RIM) with a specially designed mold; and articles having TIMFFs adhering to their surfaces include graphic panels for durable signage, structural graphics, molded flooring, prefabricated housing, aerospace structures and body panels, automotive structures and body panels, and marine structures and body panels.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric nanocomposite particle made by a method comprising: forming a polymer by polymerizing a reactive mixture comprising at least one of a monomer, an oligomer, or combinations thereof; said monomer and oligomer having two reactive functionalities, said polymerizing occurring in a medium also containing dispersed nanofiller particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction, wherein said nanofiller particles comprise at least one of dispersed fine particulate material, fibrous material, discoidal material, or combinations of such materials, whereby said nanofiller particles become incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric nanocomposite particle made by a method comprising: forming a polymer by polymerizing a reactive mixture comprising at least one of a monomer, an oligomer, or combinations thereof; said monomer and oligomer having two reactive functionalities, said polymerizing occurring in a medium also containing dispersed nanofiller particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction, wherein said nanofiller particles comprise at least one of dispersed fine particulate material, fibrous material, discoidal material, or combinations of such materials, whereby said nanofiller particles become incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric nanocomposite particle made by a method comprising: forming a polymer by polymerizing a reactive mixture comprising at least one of a monomer, an oligomer, or combinations thereof; said monomer and oligomer having two reactive functionalities, said polymerizing occurring in a medium also containing dispersed nanofiller particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction, wherein said nanofiller particles comprise at least one of dispersed fine particulate material, fibrous material, discoidal material, or combinations of such materials, whereby said nanofiller particles become incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for “tagging” proppants so that they can be tracked and monitored in a downhole environment, based on the use of composite proppant compositions containing dispersed fillers whose electromagnetic properties change at a detectable level under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. In another aspect, the invention relates to composite proppant compositions containing dispersed fillers whose electromagnetic properties change under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. The currently preferred embodiments use substantially spherical thermoset nanocomposite particles where the matrix comprises a terpolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene and divinylbenzene, a PZT alloy manifesting a strong piezoelectric effect or Terfenol-D manifesting giant magnetostrictive behavior is incorporated to provide the ability to track in a downhole environment, and carbon black particles possessing a length that is less than 0.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacturing of durable thermoset in-mold finishing films (TIMFFs) combining in-mold decorating and in-mold durable exterior grade coating capabilities, to molded articles having TIMFFs adhering to their surfaces and both showing a decoration and providing protection, and to thermosetting resin formulations used in the manufacturing of TIMFFs. In some embodiments, the thermoset is prepared via polyurethane chemistry; the manufacturing process comprises reaction injection molding (RIM) with a specially designed mold; and articles having TIMFFs adhering to their surfaces include graphic panels for durable signage, structural graphics, molded flooring, prefabricated housing, aerospace structures and body panels, automotive structures and body panels, and marine structures and body panels.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for “tagging” proppants so that they can be tracked and monitored in a downhole environment, based on the use of composite proppant compositions containing dispersed fillers whose electromagnetic properties change at a detectable level under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. In another aspect, the invention relates to composite proppant compositions containing dispersed fillers whose electromagnetic properties change under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. The currently preferred embodiments use substantially spherical thermoset nanocomposite particles where the matrix comprises a terpolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene and divinylbenzene, a PZT alloy manifesting a strong piezoelectric effect or Terfenol-D manifesting giant magnetostrictive behavior is incorporated to provide the ability to track in a downhole environment, and carbon black particles possessing a length that is less than 0.