Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide smart alerts to users, e.g., alerts to users about diabetic states that are only provided when it makes sense to do so, e.g., when the system can predict or estimate that the user is not already cognitively aware of their current condition, e.g., particularly where the current condition is a diabetic state warranting attention. In this way, the alert or alarm is personalized and made particularly effective for that user. Such systems and methods still alert the user when action is necessary, e.g., a bolus or temporary basal rate change, or provide a response to a missed bolus or a need for correction, but do not alert when action is unnecessary, e.g., if the user is already estimated or predicted to be cognitively aware of the diabetic state warranting attention, or if corrective action was already taken.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a silicone grip, comprising coating a solution of a silicone composition onto a substrate surface to form a silicone layer, wherein the solution comprises: a catalyst that promotes cure of the silicone composition, a higher molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, a lower molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, and a solvent; and curing the silicone layer to form the silicone grip conformable with the substrate surface, wherein the cured silicone layer has a Shore A Durometer of less than or equal to about 60.

Abstract: A silicone grip comprising a cured silicone film layer with a Shore A Durometer of less than or equal to about 60 wherein the silicone film layer is formed from a curable silicone composition comprising a catalyst that promotes cure of the silicone composition, a higher molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, a lower molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, and an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule. The cured silicone layer is used in combination with an adhesive to provide a flexible and malleable grip, and/or in combination with a backing layer that can be solid or foamed.

Abstract: A polymer foam layer is disclosed, having a first surface and an opposite second surface; and a plurality of magnetic, electrically conductive, high aspect ratio particles aligned into mutually isolated columns that essentially continuously span the foam between the first surface and the opposite second surface of the polymer foam layer. Methods for the manufacture of the layers are also disclosed. The foams are useful as gaskets for electromagnetic shielding, grounding pads, battery contact conductive spring elements, and the like.

Abstract: An article comprises a flexible support layer having an exterior surface and an interior surface; and a silicone grip disposed on, conformable, and in contact with the exterior surface of the flexible support layer, wherein the silicone grip comprises: a cured silicone layer with a Shore A Durometer of less than or equal to about 60 and having an exterior surface and an opposite, interior surface, wherein the silicone layer is formed from a curable silicone composition comprising a catalyst that promotes cure of the silicone composition, a higher molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, a lower molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, and an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule.

Abstract: A mat comprises a backing layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; a silicone grip disposed on, conformable, and in contact with the top surface of the backing layer to form a topside of the mat, wherein the silicone grip comprises: a cured silicone layer with a Shore A Durometer of less than or equal to about 60 and having an exterior surface and an opposite, interior surface; and wherein the silicone layer is formed from a curable silicone composition comprising a catalyst that promotes cure of the silicone composition, a higher molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, a lower molecular weight organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule, and an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule.

Abstract: A foamed polymeric composition contains polypropylene and polyethylene components. The composition may have a gel content of about 10 to about 95 wt. %, per ASTM D 2765-01, method A, a density of about 16 kg/m3 to about 640 kg/m3 and a tensile elongation of at least about 200% at 150° C. per ASTM-1708-02a, speed D. Such a composition can be produced by adding an activatable foaming agent to a base resin that contains polypropylene and polyethylene components and silane functional groups, reacting the functional groups to cause cross-linking to a gel content of about 10% to about 95%, and foaming the cross-linked base resin. Alternatively, a composition may be made by adding an activatable foaming agent to the base resin, irradiating the base resin to cross-link to the stated gel content, and foaming the cross-linked base resin. Articles may be made by molding, shaping or forming such compositions.

Abstract: A method for producing a cured, low-density polyurethane foam, the method comprises frothing a reactive polyurethane-forming composition comprising an isocyanate-containing component, an active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the isocyanate-containing component, a blowing agent, a surfactant, and catalyst system, wherein the catalyst system provides for a delayed curing of the foam; casting the frothed reactive polyurethane-forming composition onto a first carrier; placing a second carrier on a side of the cast foam opposite the first carrier; blowing the froth with the second carrier in place; and curing the blown froth so as to provide a polyurethane foam layer having a density of about 50 to about 400 kg/m3 and a thickness of about 0.3 to about 13 mm. The foams are useful as sealing members.

Abstract: An adhesive dressing comprising a conformable, elastomeric backing layer comprising a first side and a second side, a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the first side, and a topcoat applied to the second side, wherein the topcoat comprises a friction-reducing surface finish, wherein the coefficient of function of the topcoat is equal to or less than 0.6 as measured by ASTM 1894-95.

Abstract: A thermoformable polyurethane foam having excellent compression set resistance, and a thermoformable polyurethane foam having excellent compression set resistance and shape retention under load. In another embodiment, at least one additional layer of a polyurethane foam is integrally bonded to the thermoformable foam. A moisture management system for polyurethane foams is also described. The foams have particular utility as shoe sole inserts.

Abstract: An open-celled polyurethane foam formed from a composition comprising an active hydrogen-containing component, an organic polyisocyanate component having an average isocyanate functionality of 2.00 to 2.25, a surfactant component, and a catalyst. The foam has a thickness of about 6 to about 20 mils; a density of about 10 to about 50 pcf; an average cell diameter of about 25 to about 80 microns; and cell openings having an average diameter of about 1 to about 25 microns, wherein the ratio of average cell diameter to average cell opening diameter is about 3 to about 10; a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 1000 grams per square meter per day, and which do not leak water or similar fluids. Such foams find particular utility as backings for bandages.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam or elastomer comprises an organic polyisocyanate component, an active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, wherein the viscosity of this component is less than about 500 cP at room temperature, a catalyst component, a surfactant, and a flame retarding composition. The components may be low VOC. A preferred flame retarding composition comprises an antimony-based compound, a halogenated, active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, and a halogenated flame-retarding agent. Such polyurethanes are useful as gaskets, seals, padding, in automotive applications, and the like.

Abstract: Integrally bonded composite polyurethane foams substantially free from coalescence and with no discernable bond or structural interface layer when viewed at 50× magnification can be formed by wet casting a second foamed polyurethane composition onto a first wet cast foamed polyurethane composition and simultaneously curing the cast foams. In a preferred embodiment, one curable polyurethane composition forms a slow recovery foam and the other curable polyurethane composition forms a resilient foam.

Abstract: Compositions for the formation of temperature resistant, tough, flame retardant polyurethane foams, comprising a low VOC polyisocyanate component wherein the isocyanate is a low functionality isocyanate; a low VOC active-hydrogen containing component substantially reactive with the low functionality isocyanate to form a polyurethane; a surfactant composition; and a catalyst component, wherein the total mass loss of the foam is less than 1% by weight as measured by ASTM E595. The foams are useful as gasketing materials, for example.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam or elastomer comprises an organic polyisocyanate component, an active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, wherein the viscosity of this component is less than about 500 cP at room temperature, a catalyst component, a surfactant, and a flame retardant composition. The components may be low VOC. A preferred flame retardant composition comprises an antimony-based compound, a halogenated, active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, and a halogenated flame-retarding agent. Such polyurethanes are useful as gaskets, seals, padding, in automotive applications, and the like.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam or elastomer comprises an organic polyisocyanate component, an active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, wherein the viscosity of this component is less than about 500 cP at room temperature, a catalyst component, a surfactant, and a flame retarding composition. The components may be low VOC. A preferred flame retarding composition comprises an antimony-based compound, a halogenated, active hydrogen-containing component reactive with the polyisocyanate component, and a halogenated flame-retarding agent. Such polyurethanes are useful as gaskets, seals, padding, in automotive applications, and the like.

Abstract: A thermoformable polyurethane elastomer having excellent compression set resistance, and a thermoformable polyurethane elastomer having excellent compression set resistance and shape retention under load. In another embodiment, at least one additional layer of a polyurethane elastomer is integrally bonded to the thermoformable elastomer. A moisture management system for polyurethane elastomers is also described. The elastomers have particular utility as shoe sole inserts.

Abstract: A thermoformable polyurethane foam having excellent compression set resistance, and a thermoformable polyurethane foam having excellent compression set resistance and shape retention under load. In another embodiment, at least one additional layer of a polyurethane foam is integrally bonded to the thermoformable foam. A moisture management system for polyurethane foams is also described. The foams have particular utility as shoe sole inserts.

Abstract: An open-celled polyurethane foam formed from a composition comprising an active hydrogen-containing component, an organic polyisocyanate component having an average isocyanate functionality of 2.00 to 2.25, a surfactant component, and a catalyst. The foam has a thickness of about 6 to about 20 mils; a density of about 10 to about 50 pcf; an average cell diameter of about 25 to about 80 microns; and cell openings having an average diameter of about 1 to about 25 microns, wherein the ratio of average cell diameter to average cell opening diameter is about 3 to about 10; a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 1000 grams per square meter per day, and which do not leak water or similar fluids. Such foams find particular utility as backings for bandages.

Abstract: Compositions for the formation of temperature resistant, tough, flame retardant polyurethane foams, comprising a low VOC polyisocyanate component wherein the isocyanate is a low functionality isocyanate; a low VOC active-hydrogen containing component substantially reactive with the low functionality isocyanate to form a polyurethane; a surfactant composition; and a catalyst component, wherein the total mass loss of the foam is less than 1% by weight as measured by ASTM E595. The foams are useful as gasketing materials, for example.