Abstract: Self-assembly is defined as the ability of an active ingredient (AI), when mixed with a polymer or polymers (solid or liquid state), to form either a complex or a strong attraction with the polymer/polymers, which influences the controlled release of the total system. This AI-polymer interaction or strong attraction can form in the solid state or in solution. The AI-polymer interaction also can form when applied to a filter paper, soil, seeds, or plant vegetation substrates, where the AI and polymer self-assembles into an AI-polymer-substrate matrix or complex that influences how the AI releases from the complex or matrix in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Light is transmitted from a light source through or from a separator of a battery cell and received by one or more light detectors. The light that is normally transmitted through the separator is scattered, absorbed, wavelength-shifted or otherwise distorted by an impending fault in the vicinity of or within the separator. The change in light due to the impending fault is measured by a detector and a signal from the detector is processed to identify the impending fault so that a warning can be generated indicative of the impending fault. In particular, the separator and a battery cell electrolyte can be selected to provide waveguide properties.

Abstract: Improved capacitors containing novel electrodes are described. One electrode composition comprises mixed metal oxides of the transition metals nickel and cobalt in a molar ratio of 0.5:1 or greater, and optionally containing a binder and carbon nanotubes. The resulting capacitors can be characterized by superior properties including higher specific capacitance values at higher voltage scan rates than the prior art. Methods of forming the electrodes that produce superior results are also described.

Abstract: Light is transmitted from a light source through or from a separator of a battery cell and received by one or more light detectors. The light that is normally transmitted through the separator is scattered, absorbed, wavelength-shifted or otherwise distorted by an impending fault in the vicinity of or within the separator. The change in light due to the impending fault is measured by a detector and a signal from the detector is processed to identify the impending fault so that a warning can be generated indicative of the impending fault. In particular, the separator and a battery cell electrolyte can be selected to provide waveguide properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for forming or treating reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO), microfiltration (MF), or nanofiltration (NF) membranes, which includes a stable liquid blend of two of the following polymers: an oxygen polymer, a nitrogen polymer, and a sulfur polymer, where each polymer in a blend have matched solubility parameters; provided, that a nitrogen polymer can be in the form of a powder; where the weight ratio of polymers in each blend can range from 1:99 to 99:1; where each polymer optionally can be halogenated; where any polymer can be dispersed in a solvent for forming the blend.

Abstract: Capacitors containing novel electrodes and electrolytes are described. One electrode composition comprises an oxide of Mn and Fe in a Mn:Fe molar ratio of 3:1 to 5:1. Another electrode composition comprises an oxide comprising Ni, Co, and Fe; wherein the Ni and Co are present in a Ni/Co molar ratio in the range of 0.5 to 2 and a Fe and Ni are present in a Ni/Fe molar ratio in the range of 1.0 to 10. The resulting capacitors can be characterized by superior properties. Methods of forming the electrodes from gels are also described. An electrolyte comprising a Li salt in a carbonate solution, wherein the carbonate solution comprises 10-30% ethylene carbonate and 70-90% propylene carbonate is also described.

Abstract: An electrochromic device that is capable of changing the transmission of either visible or infrared radiations as a function of the polarity of a voltage applied to the device.

Abstract: Self-assembly is defined as the ability of an active ingredient (AI), when mixed with a polymer or polymers (solid or liquid state), to form either a complex or a strong attraction with the polymer/polymers, which influences the controlled release of the total system. This AI-polymer interaction or strong attraction can form in the solid state or in solution. The AI-polymer interaction also can form when applied to a filter paper, soil, seeds, or plant vegetation substrates, where the AI and polymer self-assembles into an AI-polymer-substrate matrix or complex that influences how the AI releases from the complex or matrix in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An electrochromic device that is capable of changing the transmission of either visible or infrared radiations as a function of the polarity of a voltage applied to the device.

Abstract: Improved capacitors containing novel electrodes are described. One electrode composition comprises mixed metal oxides of the transition metals nickel and cobalt in a molar ratio of 0.5:1 or greater, and optionally containing a binder and carbon nanotubes. The resulting capacitors can be characterized by superior properties including higher specific capacitance values at higher voltage scan rates than the prior art. Methods of forming the electrodes that produce superior results are also described.

Abstract: Capacitors containing novel electrodes and electrolytes are described. One electrode composition comprises an oxide of Mn and Fe in a Mn:Fe molar ratio of 3:1 to 5:1. Another electrode composition comprises an oxide comprising Ni, Co, and Fe; wherein the Ni and Co are present in a Ni/Co molar ratio in the range of 0.5 to 2 and a Fe and Ni are present in a Ni/Fe molar ratio in the range of 1.0 to 10. The resulting capacitors can be characterized by superior properties. Methods of forming the electrodes from gels are also described. An electrolyte comprising a Li salt in a carbonate solution, wherein the carbonate solution comprises 10-30% ethylene carbonate and 70-90% propylene carbonate is also described.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed by reacting a protein meal base, a radical initiator and a polymerizable monomer. Optionally, a cross-linking agent and/or a radical accelerant, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), is also added to the mixture. Preferably, the radical initiator is ammonium persulfate (APS) or potassium persulfate (KPS), and the cross-linking agent is preferably trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or methylene bis acrylamide (MBA). The polymerizable monomer is preferably acrylic acid, or a combination of acrylic acid and acrylamide. The as-formed hydrogel is washed in order to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried. The resultant absorbent and superabsorbent hydrogels have high water uptake ratios, and can be utilized for a variety of applications.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a hyperpolarizable organic chromophore. The chromophore is a nonlinear optically active compound that includes a ?-donor conjugated to a ?-acceptor through a ?-electron conjugated bridge. In other aspects of the invention, donor structures and acceptor structures are provided. In another aspect of the invention, a chromophore-containing polymer is provided. In one embodiment, the chromophore is physically incorporated into the polymer to provide a composite. In another embodiment, the chromophore is covalently bonded to the polymer, either as a side chain polymer or through crosslinking into the polymer. In other aspects, the present invention also provides a method for making the chromophore, a method for making the chromophore-containing polymer, and methods for using the chromophore and chromophore-containing polymer.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed by reacting a protein meal base, a radical initiator and a polymerizable monomer. Optionally, a cross-linking agent and/or a radical accelerant, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), is also added to the mixture. Preferably, the radical initiator is ammonium persulfate (APS) or potassium persulfate (KPS), and the cross-linking agent is preferably trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or methylene bis acrylamide (MBA). The polymerizable monomer is preferably acrylic acid, or a combination of acrylic acid and acrylamide. The as-formed hydrogel is washed in order to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried. The resultant absorbent and superabsorbent hydrogels have high water uptake ratios, and can be utilized for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed from soy protein isolate. More specifically, an absorbent hydrogel is formed by contacting soy protein isolate with urea to produce solubilized soy protein isolate which is combined with 2-mercaptoethanol to form a first mixture. The first mixture is heated and combined with a polymerizable monomer and ammonium persulfate to form a second mixture. The second mixture is then heated, followed by removal of the hydrogel from the second mixture. Optionally, the as-formed hydrogel may be subjected to a washing process to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymers, especially low Tg, high tack, nonpolar and polar polymers useful in formulating PSA can be solubilized or dispersed in a supercritical fluid (SCF), such as liquid CO2 or supercritical CO2, using an organic cosolvent such as toluene. PSA polymers can be polymerized in SCF fluids to make unique adhesive products. Inclusion of a fluorinated reactant in the SCF polymerization process yields a PSA with improved resistance to mineral oil.