Abstract: Polymers, including homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, comprising poly(pentadecyl caprolactone), methods of making the polymers, and pressure sensitive adhesives including the polymers.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) that include co-continuous domains of a conductive phase and a crosslinked network phase. The conductive phase can include one or more polymers having glass transition temperatures below room temperature. The crosslinked network phase can be formed from at least one monofunctional monomer and at least one di- or greater functional monomer.

Abstract: A foam that includes a polylactide polymer in the form of a star polymer having at least three arms. The foam is an open cell foam having a density no greater than 0.1 g/cm3.

Abstract: Synthesizing an alkyl-caprolactone includes hydrogenating an alkyl-phenol to yield a first mixture comprising an alkyl-cyclohexanone and an alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the first mixture to yield a first portion of a purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the first portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a second mixture comprising an alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the second mixture to yield a third mixture comprising the alkyl-cyclohexanone and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; combining the third mixture and the first mixture in to yield a fourth mixture; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the fourth mixture to yield a second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a fifth mixture comprising the alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the

Abstract: An electrode and a method of making an electrode includes treating polymers that contain functional groups, which by surface functionalization, such as hydrolysis, ozone treatment or carbon-carbon double-bond oxidation to produce hydroxyl functional groups on the surface. Reacting methacryloyl chloride with the resulting hydroxyl functional groups thereby providing a reactive surface. Photopolymerizing or thermal polymerization of crosslinked acrylate or methacrylate polymers on the reactive surface to produce a membrane covalently bonded to the underlying substrate. In addition such an electrode can also be produced on a polystyrene substrate by reacting methacryloyl chloride with the polystyrene substrate and photopolymerizing or thermally polymerizing to produce crosslinked acrylate or methacrylate polymers on the reactive surface to produce a membrane covalently bonded to the underlying polystyrene substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymeric capsules and methods for solvent-free extractive separation of ions from mixed solutions using polymeric capsules. The capsules can comprise a polymeric shell encasing an inner chamber and a lipophilic ligand within the polymeric shell. Methods for making the polymeric capsules are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wastewater treatment systems for attracting and retaining anaerobic ammonia oxidizing (anammox) bacteria, methods of treating wastewater using such wastewater treatment systems, and the like.

Abstract: Catalytic hydroesterification of alkyl lactates give alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates, starting from alkyl lactate, carbon monoxide, ethylene gas, and a palladium catalyst. Pyrolysis of alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates gives acrylate esters.

Abstract: Synthesizing an alkyl-caprolactone includes hydrogenating an alkyl-phenol to yield a first mixture comprising an alkyl-cyclohexanone and an alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the first mixture to yield a first portion of a purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the first portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a second mixture comprising an alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the second mixture to yield a third mixture comprising the alkyl-cyclohexanone and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; combining the third mixture and the first mixture in to yield a fourth mixture; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the fourth mixture to yield a second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a fifth mixture comprising the alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the

Abstract: A process to produce a polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer comprising reacting alkyl-cis-cyclooctene, and optionally cis-cyclooctene, in the presence of a multifunctional chain transfer agent possessing two or more amino groups wherein the two or more amino groups are protected by one or more protecting groups under ring opening metathesis polymerization conditions to form a dicarbamate telechelic unsaturated polyolefin pre-polymer is provided.

Abstract: Gem-dialkyl cyclooctene monomers, telechelic prepolymers prepared by ring opening metathesis polymerization of the monomers, and polymers such as polyurethanes comprising the reaction product of the prepolymer and a co-monomer such as a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wastewater treatment systems for attracting and retaining anaerobic ammonia oxidizing (anammox) bacteria, methods of treating wastewater using such wastewater treatment systems, and the like.

Abstract: A foam that includes a polylactide polymer in the form of a star polymer having at least three arms. The foam is an open cell foam having a density no greater than 0.1 g/cm3.

Abstract: A graft copolymer can include, in its backbone, at least one segment having repeating units obtainable by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of an optionally substituted cycloalkene, and at least one segment comprising repeating units obtainable by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a (meth)acrylate. The corresponding graft copolymer is highly suitable for use as an oil additive in internal combustion engines, in particular, in combustion engines which are operated for longer periods of time at substantially constant operating temperatures.

Abstract: Catalytic hydroesterification of alkyl lactates give alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates, starting from alkyl lactate, carbon monoxide, ethylene gas, and a palladium catalyst. Pyrolysis of alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates gives acrylate esters.

Abstract: A graft copolymer can include, in its backbone, at least one segment having repeating units obtainable by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of an optionally substituted cycloalkene, and at least one segment comprising repeating units obtainable by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a (meth)acrylate. The corresponding graft copolymer is highly suitable for use as an oil additive in internal combustion engines, in particular, in combustion engines which are operated for longer periods of time at substantially constant operating temperatures.

Abstract: A process to produce an ionomer comprising reacting alkyl-cis-cyclooctene and cis-cyclooctene in a mole ratio from 1:0 to 0:1, in the presence of a difunctional chain transfer agent under ring opening metathesis polymerization conditions to form an unsaturated polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer; hydrogenating the unsaturated polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer to produce a hydrogenated polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer; reacting the hydrogenated polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer with at least one compound according to the formula aMx+b(R)y, wherein M is a metal, x is a charge of M, R is an alkyl, aryl, oxide, or fatty acid, y is a charge of R, a and b are integers of at least 1, and ax+by=0, to form an ionomer is provided. Further provided are ionomers produced thereby.

Abstract: Block copolymers include a poly ?-methyl-?-valerolactone (PMVL) block. The PMVL blocks can be formed from biosynthesized ?-methyl-?-valerolactone (MVL). The PMVL block may be formed from biosynthesized ?-methyl-?-valerolactone (MVL) with a 14C/12C ratio greater than zero. The block copolymers can include hard blocks. The block copolymers can be thermoplastic elastomers. The block copolymers may include a polylactic acid (PLA) block.

Abstract: Gem-dialkyl cyclooctene monomers, telechelic prepolymers prepared by ring opening metathesis polymerization of the monomers, and polymers such as polyurethanes comprising the reaction product of the prepolymer and a co-monomer such as a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A process to produce a polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer comprising reacting alkyl-cis-cyclooctene and optionally cis-cyclooctene, in the presence of a difunctional chain transfer agent under ring opening metathesis polymerization conditions to form an unsaturated polyolefin reactive telechelic pre-polymer is provided. Further provided are unsaturated and hydrogenated reactive pre-polymers, crosslinked elastomers and high molecular weight elastomers.