Abstract: The disclosure relates to an article comprising a substrate and an antifog coating layer provided on at least one surface of the substrate. The antifog coating layer comprises a sulfonated styrenic block copolymer (SSBC) having a block A, a block B, and a block D. Block A is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and derived from a para-substituted styrene monomer, block B is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation and derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer, and block D is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and derived from a conjugated diene monomer. The antifog coating layer provides long-term antifog as well as anti-microbial protection properties. The selection of a specific solvent system can modify the SSBC film morphology leading to enhanced antifog property. The antifog coating layer adheres well to targeted substrates and has abrasion resistance property.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte composition is disclosed comprising (a) a polyionic multiblock polymer (PILSBC) comprising a styrenic block copolymer (SBC) precursor having at least a quaternary ammonium salt; (b) a cross-linking agent comprising a compound having at least two amino groups; (c) a lithium salt; and (d) an ionic liquid. The SBC precursor comprises at least a block D derived from a substituted vinyl aromatic monomer; a block A derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer; and optionally a block B derived from a conjugated diene monomer. The polyelectrolyte composition has a mol ratio of the ionic liquid to the quaternary ammonium salt of 0.1:1-1:1. The polyelectrolyte composition provides improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties, and can be used in batteries, e.g., a Li-ion battery.

Abstract: An air-cooling system includes an evaporator adapted to cool an air and a reservoir for storing a liquid and providing the liquid to the evaporator. The air-cooling system also includes a pressure reducer system fluidly coupled to the evaporator and adapted to create a relatively low pressure inside the evaporator to facilitate a conversion of the liquid flowing through the evaporator into vapors. The pressure reducer system includes a liquid ejector having an inlet portion adapted to receive the liquid from the reservoir, a throat portion arranged downstream of the inlet portion and fluidly coupled to the evaporator and an outlet portion disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase a pressure inside the liquid ejector. The pressure reducer system also includes a pump fluidly connected to the liquid ejector and the reservoir to supply the liquid from the reservoir to the liquid ejector.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly and a selectively permeable barrier layer comprising sulfonated polymer is disclosed. The selectively permeable barrier layer is arranged facing at least one electrocatalyst layer, e.g., anode or cathode. The sulfonated polymer layer aids in controlling the movement of fluids and/or their constituents into and out of the electrochemical cell assembly for separation or capture for subsequent use.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydrogenated styrene-based multiblock copolymer composition, having selectively quaternized midblock, for forming anion-exchange membranes (AEMs). The quaternized hydrogenated styrene-based multiblock copolymer is characterized as having a high glass transition temperature from the hydrophobic end-blocks, low vinyl (rubber) content, and quaternized mid-block. AEMs made from the composition have improved thermal and dimensional stability in electrolyzer operations.

Abstract: An antimicrobial spray composition is disclosed, forming a protective film on surfaces when dried. The protective film provides antimicrobial protection by killing at least 95% of microorganisms in <30 minutes of exposure. The spray composition comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A self-sterilizing wound dressing is disclosed. The wound dressing comprises a substrate having a first surface facing at least a portion of a wound or a surgical site and a second surface facing opposite to the first surface. At least one surface of the substrate comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 90% of microbes in less than 120 minutes of coming into contact with the wound dressing.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed. The face mask includes a mask pad adapted to cover a nose and a mouth of a wearer and allows a passage of air therethrough to the wearer and restricts a passage of microbes. The mask pad has at least a surface protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer for killing at least 90% microbes within 120 minutes of contact with at least a surface of the face mask. The sulfonated polymeric layer consists essentially of a sulfonated polymer, the sulfonated polymer being selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A frequently-touched surface for use by multiple users includes a surface protected by a laminate structure. The laminate structure includes a self-sterilizing sulfonated polymeric outer layer, sulfonated to a certain % to kill at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The self-sterilizing sulfonated polymer layer can be applied to the frequently touched surface by any of coating, lamination, and spraying. The sulfonated polymer in embodiment is selected from perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%.

Abstract: A dehumidification system for removing water vapors from an air is disclosed. The system includes a dehumidification core defining an air channel and at least one vapor channel separated from the air channel by a membrane to facilitate a removal of moisture from the air flowing through the air channel and is selectively permeable to water and water vapor and impermeable to air. The dehumidification system further includes a water ejector having a throat portion fluidly coupled to the vapor channels and adapted to create a relatively lower pressure of water vapor within the vapor channels than in the air channel The water ejector also includes an outlet portion disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase the pressure of water to facilitate a condensation of the water vapors received from the vapor channels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to laminate structures to cover or protect substrates or surfaces. The laminate structure comprises a support layer and a self-sterilizing/antimicrobial layer comprising a sulfonated polymer, capable of killing microbes within minutes and for an extended period of time. The sulfonated polymer has 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 one month. The laminate structure is particularly suitable for protecting high-touch surfaces such as door knobs, touch-screens, tables, as well as for use with facemasks, face shields, or as self-sterilizing wraps for surgical instruments and supplies. The laminates can also be used as garments or to cover/protect personnel having contagious diseases, etc., to decrease the transmission of microbes.

Abstract: An antimicrobial paint is disclosed. The antimicrobial paint comprises a carrier fluid, a binder, a sulfonated polymer and optionally at least an additive. The sulfonated polymer is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones such as polyether sulfone, sulfonated polyketones such as polyether ketone, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes in less than 30 minutes, or in less than 5 minutes of coming into contact with a substrate coated in the antimicrobial paint composition.

Abstract: An air filter device. The air filter device comprises: a filter medium having an inlet surface for taking in air, and a discharge surface for filtered air. The filter medium having a plurality of air passages for the air to flow therethrough. At least a portion of the inlet surface of the filter medium comprises a sulfonated polymer for killing at least 90% microbes in the air within 120 minutes of contact with the surface of the air passages. The sulfonated polymer is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%.

Abstract: An article with self-disinfecting and anti-fog properties. In embodiments, the article is a face shield having a transparent substrate configured to extend facing at least a portion of a face of a wearer, and has a first surface adapted to be disposed facing the face of the wearer and second surface disposed opposite to the first surface. The face panel is protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer on the second surface, for killing at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The sulfonated polymeric is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes within 5 minutes of coming into contact with the face panel. The sulfonated polymeric layer has a Tfog of >15 minutes.

Abstract: An air conditioning (AC) system is provided, employing a sulfonated copolymer (SC) layer as a selectively permeable and ion exchanging membrane. The sulfonated block copolymer has an IEC greater than 0.5 meq/g. In embodiments, the sulfonated block copolymer is used to form the membrane itself, or bonded/coated onto a membrane or a foam. In embodiments, the AC employs a membrane electrode assembly, i.e., using electric field across a membrane in a dehumidifier to transport moisture generating a dry air stream, along with an evaporative cooler for latent heat removal via evaporation induced cooling of the dry air stream from the dehumidifier. The system operates as a closed loop wherein the room air after cooling is recycled or loop back to the dehumidifying membrane electrode assembly to generate dry air for the evaporative cooler, generating conditioned air.

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.