Abstract: A water soluble polymer blend composition includes at least one water soluble polymer and at least one immiscible polymer. The water soluble polymer and the immiscible polymer can be melt processed at a temperature above their respective melt processing temperatures and quenched to form the water soluble polymer blend composition in a non-equilibrium state, such that it can exhibit a non-equilibrium morphology. Non-equilibrium morphologies can include, e.g., a microfiber morphology or a co-continuous morphology.

Abstract: A conformable polymeric composition containing a polymeric material melt-blending from a composition containing (a) from about 50 to about 80 wt. % of at least one polyester thermoplastic polymer which is amorphous or becomes amorphous when melted, and (b) from about 20 to about 50 wt. % of at least one elastomeric polymer which has a flexural modulus of less than 700 MPa and a glass transition temperature less than 25° C., based on the combined weight of (a) and (b), wherein the composition is characterized by: a dead fold angle equal to or less than about 20°.

Abstract: A conformable polymeric composition containing a polymeric material melt-blending from a composition containing (a) from about 50 to about 80 wt. % of at least one polyester thermoplastic polymer which is amorphous or becomes amorphous when melted, and (b) from about 20 to about 50 wt. % of at least one elastomeric polymer which has a flexural modulus of less than 700 MPa and a glass transition temperature less than 25° C., based on the combined weight of (a) and (b), wherein the composition is characterized by: a dead fold angle equal to or less than about 20°.

Abstract: Materials and methods of making low-sintering-temperature glass waste forms that sequester radioactive iodine in a strong and durable structure. First, the iodine is captured by an adsorbant, which forms an iodine-loaded material, e.g., AgI, AgI-zeolite, AgI-mordenite, Ag-silica aerogel, ZnI2, CuI, or Bi5O7I. Next, particles of the iodine-loaded material are mixed with powdered frits of low-sintering-temperature glasses (comprising various oxides of Si, B, Bi, Pb, and Zn), and then sintered at a relatively low temperature, ranging from 425° C. to 550° C. The sintering converts the mixed powders into a solid block of a glassy waste form, having low iodine leaching rates. The vitrified glassy waste form can contain as much as 60 wt % AgI. A preferred glass, having a sintering temperature of 500° C. (below the silver iodide sublimation temperature of 500° C.) was identified that contains oxides of boron, bismuth, and zinc, while containing essentially no lead or silicon.