Abstract: Aqueous mixtures can include cellulose nanocrystals and sulfonated polyester, where a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the sulfonated polyester is greater than 25° C. In some instances, exemplary aqueous mixtures also include one or more additives, such as pigment. Exemplary aqueous mixtures can be applied as a film that is typically hydrophobic and resilient against water at room temperature. Upon application of warm water, such as at temperatures of from about 30° C. to about 60° C., the film can be removed with no or limited abrasion and/or with no or little removal oils.

Abstract: Suspensions can include a polar solvent, sulfonated polyester material dispersed in the polar solvent, and cellulose nanofibril material dispersed in the polar solvent. Suspensions disclosed and contemplated herein leverage polyester that can be used to independently control film formation and rheology.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to bio-secure equipment for protecting surfaces prone to exposure to microbes. The bio-secure equipment is for the protection of surfaces, with a coating layer comprising a sulfonated polymer, having a sufficient degree of sulfonation to kill in less than 120 minutes at least 90% of microbes in contact with the surfaces, and for extended protection of the surfaces for at least a month. The coating material is particularly suitable to provide bio-secure protection for applications including but not limited to protective facemasks, surgical instruments and supplies, garments, surfaces frequently used by members of the public that may have contagious diseases, etc., to decrease the transmission of microbes.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers and films, which can be deformed at room temperature and exhibit thermally-actuated shape recovery properties and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

Abstract: An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

Abstract: Polymeric materials having a plurality of cells formed therein are described. The polymeric materials include a foamed layer comprising a plurality of uniform microcells, nanocells or combinations thereof in a closed cell network, a transition layer positioned adjacent to the foamed layer, and at least one unfoamed outer layer positioned adjacent to the transition layer. The foamed layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 80 to about 99 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, the transition layer may present in a volume ranging from about 0 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, and the at least one outer layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 0.01 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material. Methods of making such polymeric materials are also described, as are apparatus for providing foamed polymeric materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a mixture comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer with a blowing agent, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer has a higher percent crystallinity that the second thermoplastic polymer; and subjecting the mixture to conditions sufficient to create a thermodynamic instability in the blend foam the mixture, wherein the mixture comprising the first and second thermoplastic polymers has a percent crystallinity lower than the first thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Polymeric materials having a plurality of cells formed therein are described. The polymeric materials include a foamed layer comprising a plurality of uniform microcells, nanocells or combinations thereof in a closed cell network, a transition layer positioned adjacent to the foamed layer, and at least one unfoamed outer layer positioned adjacent to the transition layer. The foamed layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 80 to about 99 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, the transition layer may present in a volume ranging from about 0 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, and the at least one outer layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 0.01 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material. Methods of making such polymeric materials are also described, as are apparatus for providing foamed polymeric materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a material with a fluid mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant facilitates the dissolution of the carbon dioxide into the material and then foam the material in the fluid mixture.

Abstract: A method of recycling sodium-based salts used for digesting wood in a digester during the manufacture of pulp and paper. The method comprises collecting a black liquor from the digester, concentrating the black liquor, and adding a salt to the black liquor in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity thereof. Preferred salts are thiocyanate salts. The black liquor is then oxidized to produce a green liquor and a causticizer added to the green liquor to produce a white liquor containing the sodium-based salts to be recycled. The white liquor is then returned to the digester.

Abstract: A method of recycling sodium-based salts used for digesting wood in a digester during the manufacture of pulp and paper. The method comprises collecting a black liquor from the digester, concentrating the black liquor, and adding a salt to the black liquor in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity thereof. Preferred salts are thiocyanate salts. The black liquor is then oxidized to produce a green liquor and a causticizer added to the green liquor to produce a white liquor containing the sodium-based salts to be recycled. The white liquor is then returned to the digester.