Abstract: Functionalized polymer matrix and/or reinforcement materials that are capable of a thermoreversible Diels-Alder reaction are useful for making composite materials. Also disclosed is a composite material which includes one or both of functionalized reinforcement materials and functionalized polymer matrix materials, as well as a method for repairing a composite material including the step of thermally treating the composite material at a temperature sufficient to react a functionality on one of the reinforcement material and the polymer matrix material with another functionality via a Diels-Alder reaction. A method of making a composite material including functionalizing one or both of a reinforcing material and a polymer matrix material with a first reactive group, providing a second reactive group capable of undergoing a Diels-Alder reaction with the first reactive group and reacting the first and second reactive groups to form a composite material, is also described.

Abstract: An article is provided that includes a polymeric fiber that has an excess number of surface active reactive moieties relative to the number of surface reactive moieties found on the fiber in a native state. A particle is bonded covalently to the fiber through an intermediate coupling agent. Multiple particles can be covalently bonded to the fiber, the multiple particles can be bonded uniformly or asymmetrically around the fiber diameter. A process for modifying a fiber includes creating surface activated reactive moieties thereon. The activated fiber is then exposed to a liquid solution containing a coupling agent to form a covalent bond. The coupling agent is also reacted with a particle in a liquid solution to form a covalent bond between the coupling agent and the particle. The coupling agent is covalently bonded to either a particle and then bonded to the fiber, or vice versa.

Abstract: An article is provided that includes a polymeric fiber that has an excess number of surface active reactive moieties relative to the number of surface reactive moieties found on the fiber in a native state. A particle is bonded covalently to the fiber through an intermediate coupling agent. Multiple particles can be covalently bonded to the fiber, the multiple particles can be bonded uniformly or asymmetrically around the fiber diameter. A process for modifying a fiber includes creating surface activated reactive moieties thereon. The activated fiber is then exposed to a liquid solution containing a coupling agent to form a covalent bond. The coupling agent is also reacted with a particle in a liquid solution to form a covalent bond between the coupling agent and the particle. The coupling agent is covalently bonded to either a particle and then bonded to the fiber, or vice versa.

Abstract: Functionalized polymer matrix and/or reinforcement materials that are capable of a thermoreversible Diels-Alder reaction are useful for making composite materials. Also disclosed is a composite material which includes one or both of functionalized reinforcement materials and functionalized polymer matrix materials, as well as a method for repairing a composite material including the step of thermally treating the composite material at a temperature sufficient to react a functionality on one of the reinforcement material and the polymer matrix material with another functionality via a Diels-Alder reaction. A method of making a composite material including functionalizing one or both of a reinforcing material and a polymer matrix material with a first reactive group, providing a second reactive group capable of undergoing a Diels-Alder reaction with the first reactive group and reacting the first and second reactive groups to form a composite material, is also described.

Abstract: An article is provided that includes a polymeric fiber that has an excess number of surface active reactive moieties relative to the number of surface reactive moieties found on the fiber in a native state. A particle is bonded covalently to the fiber through an intermediate coupling agent. Multiple particles can be covalently bonded to the fiber, the multiple particles can be bonded uniformly or asymmetrically around the fiber diameter. A process for modifying a fiber includes creating surface activated reactive moieties thereon. The activated fiber is then exposed to a liquid solution containing a coupling agent to form a covalent bond. The coupling agent is also reacted with a particle in a liquid solution to form a covalent bond between the coupling agent and the particle. The coupling agent is covalently bonded to either a particle and then bonded to the fiber, or vice versa.

Abstract: A reversible viscosity reducing polymer is provided that has a crosslinkage between subunits inclusive of a single Diels-Alder Such a reversible viscosity reducing polymer is particularly well suited as a matrix material for a heterogeneous propellant. A process for forming a reversible viscosity reducing polymer inclusive of a single Diels-Alder linkage includes reacting a native crosslinkable moiety with a crosslinker moiety having a Diels-Alder reactive moiety of a diene or dienophile to form a Diels-Alder reactive moiety capped polymer subunit. The Diels-Alder reactive moiety capped polymer subunit is then exposed to a Diels-Alder reactant inclusive of a complementary Diels-Alder reactive moiety where the reactant also includes at least one conventional crosslinkable moiety to form a crosslinkable moiety capped polymer subunit. Reaction of the crosslinkable moiety capped polymer subunit is then reacted with a conventional multifunctional crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A reversible viscosity reducing polymer is provided that has a crosslinkage between subunits inclusive of a single Diels-Alder Such a reversible viscosity reducing polymer is particularly well suited as a matrix material for a heterogeneous propellant. A process for forming a reversible viscosity reducing polymer inclusive of a single Diels-Alder linkage includes reacting a native crosslinkable moiety with a crosslinker moiety having a Diels-Alder reactive moiety of a diene or dienophile to form a Diels-Alder reactive moiety capped polymer subunit. The Diels-Alder reactive moiety capped polymer subunit is then exposed to a Diels-Alder reactant inclusive of a complementary Diels-Alder reactive moiety where the reactant also includes at least one conventional crosslinkable moiety to form a crosslinkable moiety capped polymer subunit. Reaction of the crosslinkable moiety capped polymer subunit is then reacted with a conventional multifunctional crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a polymer are disclosed herein. A matrix is generally provided having a surface thereof, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of hyperbranched polymers. The plurality of hyperbranched polymers can be chemically bound to a plurality of surfactants or order to modify the surface and produce a polymeric material thereof. The surface is tailored with a plurality of functional groups that self-assemble and are deliverable to the surface of the solution, including interfaces thereof, thereby permitting a high-density assembly of functional groups to operate in concert with one another in order to generate a modified surface thereof. The polymeric material produced thereof can be reversibly adaptable to environmental conditions through a blooming of varying surface functional group to the surface of the solution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a polymer are disclosed herein. A solution is generally provided having a surface thereof, wherein the solution comprises a plurality of highly branched polymers. The plurality of highly branched polymers can be chemically bound to a plurality of surfactants or order to modify the surface and produce a polymeric material thereof. The surface is tailored with a plurality of functional groups that self-assemble and are deliverable to the surface of the solution, including interfaces thereof, thereby permitting a high-density assembly of functional groups to operate in concert with one another in order to generate a modified surface thereof. The polymeric material produced thereof can be reversibly adaptable to environmental conditions through a blooming of varying surface functional group to the surface of the solution.

Abstract: A hygroscopic-fertilizer-pellet applicator of the type having a fan blowing air through small tubes to propel the pellets to tube outlets for underground placement. The tendency of the hygroscopic fertilizer to absorb moisture, and to clog the small tubes, is relieved herein by heating the air which then dries the fertilizer. The source of heat is to have the fan pulling ambient air through a heat exchange, which latter is heated by hydraulic fluid flowing through it from a hydraulic motor operating the fan. The compression of the air by the fan further heats the air.