Abstract: Coupling agents useful for preparing vulcanized composition with filers such as silica and carbon black are provided. The coupling agents include fluorine substituted styrene compounds and styrene compounds containing a hydrocarbyloxysilane functional group. The coupling agents may be grafted onto polydiene polymers or added into a vulcanizable composition as an oligomer. The use of one or both of fluorine substituted styrene compounds and styrene compounds containing a hydrocarbyloxysilane functional group may improve the strength, rolling resistance, and/or cure rate of a vulcanized polymer compared to a vulcanized polymer without a coupling agent.

Abstract: Coupling agents useful for preparing vulcanized composition with filers such as silica and carbon black are provided. The coupling agents include fluorine substituted styrene compounds and styrene compounds containing a hydrocarbyloxysilane functional group. The coupling agents may be grafted onto polydiene polymers or added into a vulcanizable composition as an oligomer. The use of one or both of fluorine substituted styrene compounds and styrene compounds containing a hydrocarbyloxysilane functional group may improve the strength, rolling resistance, and/or cure rate of a vulcanized polymer compared to a vulcanized polymer without a coupling agent.

Abstract: A crystalline polyolefin blend comprising dispersed polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles has improved packing of chains, high draw-down ratios, as well as improved tensile and yield strength. The blend is made by melt blending the polyolefin with the POSS in the presence of a sorbitol nucleating agent and cooling the mixture so that the nucleating agent serves as a template for the in-situ self assembly of dispersed POSS nanoparticles and the formation of very small crystalline polyolefin sites.

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, also known as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, consist of a proton conducting membrane or a proton exchange membrane possessing adequate proton conducting properties typically contained between two platinum impregnated porous electrodes. PEM fuel cells are used in the transportation, stationary and portable applications and are currently used in the automobile industry as the fuel cell favored for replacement of the internal combustion engine. An opportunity exists for the development of lightweight and highly conductive polymer-based bipolar plates produced by standard mass production techniques, such as extrusion or compression and injection molding. The present invention capitalizes this opportunity and discloses method and compositions of matter for manufacturing of lightweight, low cost carbon-filled polymer composite bipolar plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of aerogel composites and utilizes shape-memory polyurethane cross-linkers as a method of improving the compressive and flexural load bearing capabilities of the aerogel composites. The shape memory polyurethane crosslinkers provide flexible connectors between the silica particle in the aerogel structure and can accept large compressive and flexural loads without breakage of the aerogel networks. In addition the shape memory properties of polyurethane cross-linkers offers additional advantages such as ease of storage in deformed state of the composites. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to shape memory polymer formulations that can be used specifically to obtain higher compressive and/or flexural strengths and smart material characteristics of crosslinked aerogel composites.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer composition useful as a prepreg comprises (a) melt-mixing at least one thermoplastic polymer above the glass transition temperature or melt temperature of the thermoplastic polymer with either (i) an uncured epoxy resin or (ii) an epoxy curing agent or a catalyst; (b) melt-mixing above the glass transition temperature or melt temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, the other of (i) an uncured epoxy resin or (ii) an epoxy curing agent or a catalyst to form a substantially uncured but essentially curable and/or polymerizable composition; (c) optionally forming a shaped product from the melt-mixed composition of (b); and (d) fast-curing and/or fast-polymerizing the optionally formed shaped product.

Abstract: A multi-layered article includes a first nonconductive layer containing a base polymer and, optionally, a nonconductive filler, and a second conductive layer, set forth so as to be a surface of the article and containing a base polymer and a conductive material and, optionally, a nonconductive filler, wherein the base polymers have essentially the same molecular structure of repeating units and wherein the mechanical properties of the first and second layers are essentially the same. Method for the production of such a multi-layered article including the steps of forming the layers using injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding techniques are also provided.

Abstract: A single extruder screw is presented which includes a plurality of equidistant undercut barriers disposed in a preselected pattern within the channel of an extrusion screw. The undercut barriers are disposed in the first metering stage and second metering stage and provide increased dispersive and distributed mixing for highly viscous difficult to blend materials. In another embodiment the single extruder includes a slotted blister ring, having slots and lands disposed thereon, positioned between the first metering stage and the vent zone to further increase the amount of mixing.