Abstract: A device for converting solar radiation is described wherein the device comprises an inorganic luminescent material comprising a host material doped with Mn5+ ions for converting radiation of the UV and/or visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum into radiation of the near-infrared radiation part of the electromagnetic spectrum, preferably the infrared part between 1150 nm and 1250 nm, preferably around 1190 nm (the infrared emission peak of Mn5+); or, an amorphous host material doped with Sm2+ or Tm2+ ions, the amorphous host material including the elements Al, Si, O and N (SiAlON) for converting radiation of the UV and/or visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum into radiation of a longer wavelength, preferably a longer wavelength between 650 nm and 800 nm or a longer wavelength of around 1140 nm; and, at least one photovoltaic device for converting at least part of the converted radiation into electrical power.

Abstract: A device for converting solar radiation is described wherein the device comprises an inorganic luminescent material comprising a host material doped with Mn5+ ions for converting radiation of the UV and/or visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum into radiation of the near-infrared radiation part of the electromagnetic spectrum, preferably the infrared part between 1150 nm and 1250 nm, preferably around 1190 nm (the infrared emission peak of Mn5+); or, an amorphous host material doped with Sm2+ or Tm2+ ions, the amorphous host material including the elements Al, Si, O and N (SiAION) for converting radiation of the UV and/or visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum into radiation of a longer wavelength, preferably a longer wavelength between 650 n and 800 nm or a longer wavelength of around 1140 n; and, at least one photovoltaic device for converting at least part of the converted radiation into electrical power.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel. The dry silicone gel comprises a base polymer having a vinyl-silicone group and a crosslinker having thiol groups. The dry silicone gel may be made without the use of a catalyst by reacting the base polymer and crosslinker in the presence of a photo or thermal initiator. In some embodiments, the gel also comprises a chain extender having thiol groups. In certain embodiments, the dry silicone gel may comprise: (1) a hardness between 100 g and 300 g, (2) a stress relaxation between 30% and 60% when subjected to a deformation of 50% of the original size of the gel, (3) a compression set between 4% and 20% after 50% strain has been applied to the gel for 1000 hours at 70° C., and/or (4) less than 10% oil bleed out under compression of 1.2 atm after 60 days at 60° C.

Abstract: A process For the production of a thermoplastic polymer including carbon and sulphur in an atomic ration of C:S of at least 4 and at most 36 using thiol-ene addition polymerization, preferably with feedstocks obtained from renewable resources such as fatty acids from vegetable origin. The product is preferably aliphatic, meaning that at most 70% of the protons are present as aromatic hydrogen atoms and, if oxygen atoms are present in ester functions, the atomic ratio of the oxygen atoms present in ester functions relative to the number of sulphur atoms in the polymer is less than 1.0. The polymer may be used to produce a shaped article.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel. The dry silicone gel comprises a base polymer having a vinyl-silicone group and a crosslinker having thiol groups. The dry silicone gel may be made without the use of a catalyst by reacting the base polymer and crosslinker in the presence of a photo or thermal initiator. In some embodiments, the gel also comprises a chain extender having thiol groups. In certain embodiments, the dry silicone gel may comprise: (1) a hardness between 100 g and 300 g, (2) a stress relaxation between 30% and 60% when subjected to a deformation of 50% of the original size of the gel, (3) a compression set between 4% and 20% after 50% strain has been applied to the gel for 1000 hours at 70° C., and/or (4) less than 10% oil bleed out under compression of 1.2 atm after 60 days at 60° C.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator Is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites, nanoparticle-containing organogels utilized in forming the polymer nanocomposites, and methods for forming the polymer nanocomposites and nanoparticle-containing organogels are disclosed. Relatively simple and versatile methods are utilized to form the polymer nanocomposites. The process is based on the format of a three-dimensional network of well-individualized nanoparticles, such nanofibers through gelation thereof with an appropriate non-polymeric solvent. The nanoparticle-containing organogel is subsequently filled with a solution of a desired matrix polymer, the composite is dried and compacted to create the polymer nanocomposite. Polymer nanocomposites can be prepared which exhibit dramatic changes in mechanical properties, such as increased shear modulus, when compared to the neat polymer.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites, nanoparticle-containing organogels utilized in forming the polymer nanocomposites, and methods for forming the polymer nanocomposites and nanoparticle-containing organogels are disclosed. Relatively simple and versatile methods are utilized to form the polymer nanocomposites. The process is based on the format of a three-dimensional network of well-individualized nanoparticles, such nanofibers through gelation thereof with an appropriate non-polymeric solvent. The nanoparticle-containing organogel is subsequently filled with a solution of a desired matrix polymer, the composite is dried and compacted to create the polymer nanocomposite. Polymer nanocomposites can be prepared which exhibit dramatic changes in mechanical properties, such as increased shear modulus, when compared to the neat polymer.