Abstract: The invention relates to foam derived from natural oils, e.g. plant and animal oils. The oils are functionalized to allow for the preparation of foams with desired chemical and physical properties, such as density and robustness. The foam may contain a triglyceride having a first set of functional groups, and a second compound or chain extender (e.g., a second triglyceride, a fatty acid or polyethylene glycol) having a second set of functional groups capable of reacting with the first set of functional groups to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam derived from natural oils, e.g. plant and animal oils. The oils are functionalized to allow for the preparation of foams with desired chemical and physical properties, such as density and robustness. The foam may contain a triglyceride having a first set of functional groups, and a second compound or chain extender (e.g., a second triglyceride, a fatty acid or polyethylene glycol) having a second set of functional groups capable of reacting with the first set of functional groups to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: A method for improving adhesion between two adjacent layers of a laminate membrane includes annealing the laminate membrane at a temperature between an ?-transition temperature and a ?-transition temperature of at least one polymeric component of at least one of two adjacent layers for a time sufficient for the at least one polymeric component of at least one of the adjacent layers to partially diffuse into the other adjacent layer. A sealed, inflated bladder of the invention prepared from the laminate membrane can experience high strains without layer separation or peeling of the laminate layers, even at a seam.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of a molded compound. The molded compound is made by the process which contains the steps of (1) mixing a. an unsaturated polymer resin which has been synthesized from a natural triglyceride oil containing an effective amount of acid groups in order to thicken with metal ions b. a polymerizable monomer, c. a thickening agent to form a polymerizable material, (2) polymerizing said polymerizable material in a mold to form a molded compound. The invention further relates to a molded compound.

Abstract: The development of low dielectric constant materials from renewable resources such as plant oils and feathers is described in this invention. Soybean resin such as but not limited to, acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and soybean oil pentaerythritol glyceride maleates (SOPERMA) is mixed with a reactive diluent such as but not limited to, styrene monomer. After that, various concentrations of chicken feather fibers or the fiber mats are mixed with the resin physically or using various process techniques such as resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The mixtures are then free radically copolymerized at various temperatures to produce rigid composites. Surprisingly, the dielectric constants of the chicken feather composites are sufficiently low for electronic applications and lower than that of conventional semiconductor material such as silicon dioxide.

Abstract: A Pressure Sensitive Adhesive composition having low volatile organics content and low odor that is suitable for forming pressure sensitive adhesives containing an aqueous dispersion containing a blended mixture of: (a) a polymer obtained by the polymerization of (i) an internally plasticizing and cross-linkable long chain methyl ester having at least one double bond in said methyl ester chain; and (ii) one or more unsaturated monomers copolymerizable therewith; and (b) a surface-active agent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of a molded compound.

Abstract: A method for improving adhesion between two adjacent layers of a laminate membrane includes annealing the laminate membrane at a temperature between an alpha-transition temperature and a beta-transition temperature of at least one polymeric component of at least one of two adjacent layers for a time sufficient for the at least one polymeric component of at least one of the adjacent layers to partially diffuse into the other adjacent layer. A sealed, inflated bladder of the invention prepared from the laminate membrane can experience high strains without layer separation or peeling of the laminate layers, even at a seam.

Abstract: A Pressure Sensitive Adhesive composition having low volatile organics content and low odor that is suitable for forming pressure sensitive adhesives containing an aqueous dispersion containing a blended mixture of:

Abstract: An injection moldable biodegradable plastic formed of corn starch and low-density polyethylene. Ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer can be included in proportions ranging from 0-10%, by weight, and sodium hydroxide can be utilized to neutralize the acidic portions of the ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer. When no ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer is utilized, glycerol is added. To improve injection molding characteristics, the ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer and polyethylene are premixed before the addition of corn starch.