Abstract: Disclosed are conductive polymer inks and methods for forming the inks. The disclosed inks include a dispersion of conductive core/shell nanoparticles. The core/shell nanoparticles include a polymeric core and a shell formed of a conducting polymer. The inks can include a dispersion of the core/shell nanoparticles in a liquid carrier, such as an alcohol. The disclosed inks can be formulated to high viscosities and can be utilized in high-speed printing processes including rotogravure and flexographic printing processes. Products encompassed by the disclosure include polymer devices such as sensors, OFETs, RFID tags, printed circuit board, electrochromic devices, non-volatile memory devices, photovoltaics, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to surface modified colloidal particles. The invention further relates to methods of preparing and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochromic inks and devices incorporating the inks as well as methods for forming the inks and the devices. The disclosed inks include a dispersion of colloidal nanocomposite particles in a liquid carrier. The colloidal nanocomposites of the disclosed inks include nanoparticle templates, e.g., silica nanoparticles, and an intrinsically conductive polymer polymerized at the template nanoparticles. The inks can include a dispersion of the colloidal nanocomposites in a liquid carrier such as an aprotic polar organic solvent. The disclosed inks can be formulated to be utilized in any desired printing process such as inkjet printing processes. Products encompassed by the invention include all-polymer electronic, optic, photonic, electro-optic, and energy devices such as sensors, OFETs, RFID tags, printed circuit board, electrochromic devices, non-volatile memory devices, photovoltaics, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite having tunable radiation diffracting properties which includes a flexible, water-free polymeric matrix and a crystalline colloidal array of particles having a lattice spacing, the array being embedded in the polymeric matrix and the lattice spacing changing responsive to stress applied to the polymeric matrix, thereby causing the radiation diffracting properties to change, wherein the polymeric matrix, the lattice spacing and the radiation diffracting properties all return to their original state essentially immediately upon removal of the stress. The present inventive composite is preferably made by a process, which involves forming a preliminary hydrogel polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA), dehydrating the PCCA, and then forming a final, encapsulating polymeric matrix.

Abstract: An electrical power cable with a foamed, compressible, semiconductive insulation shield which serves as both a cushioning layer and an electrical shield.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite having tunable radiation diffracting properties which includes a flexible, water-free polymeric matrix and a crystalline colloidal array of particles having a lattice spacing, the array being embedded in the polymeric matrix and the lattice spacing changing responsive to stress applied to the polymeric matrix, thereby causing the radiation diffracting properties to change, wherein the polymeric matrix, the lattice spacing and the radiation diffracting properties all return to their original state essentially immediately upon removal of the stress. The present inventive composite is preferably made by a process, which involves forming a preliminary hydrogel polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA), dehydrating the PCCA, and then forming a final, encapsulating polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Crystalline colloidal arrays (CCA) which have been encapsulated in a polymer matrix to produce more robust polymerized crystalline colloidal arrays (PCCA) are provided. The PCCA's of the present invention can be in the form of a hydrogel which can be compatible for use with a biological system. The polymer matrix of the PCCA is formed of polymerized poly(ethylene glycol) based monomer units which can provide a desired functionality to the PCCA. The PCCA can be formed to exhibit a photonic bandgap at a certain wavelength. The photonic bandgap can be capable of shifting upon some form of environmental stimulation rendering the PCCA suitable for many optical applications, including active photonic switching and sensory applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite having tunable radiation diffracting properties which includes a flexible, water-free polymeric matrix and a crystalline colloidal array of particles having a lattice spacing, the array being embedded in the polymeric matrix and the lattice spacing changing responsive to stress applied to the polymeric matrix, thereby causing the radiation diffracting properties to change, wherein the polymeric matrix, the lattice spacing and the radiation diffracting properties all return to their original state essentially immediately upon removal of the stress. The present inventive composite is preferably made by a process, which involves forming a preliminary hydrogel polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA), dehydrating the PCCA, and then forming a final, encapsulating polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A conducting polymer composite that is crosslinked comprising a semicrystalline polymer minor phase with conducting filler material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase, and which is mixed with major phase polymers, the materials being selected such that the minor phase and major phases will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility. The minor phase being dispersed in the major phase in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the composite material. The composite material is crosslinked by physical or chemical means. The crosslinked conducting polymer composite having a reduced amount of conducting filler while supporting a continuous conductive network in the crosslinked polymer composite.

Abstract: A semiconductive jacket material for jacketing a cable comprising a minor phase material which is a semicrystalline polymer; a conductive filler material dispersed in the minor phase material in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase material; and a major phase material which is a polymer which when mixed with the minor phase material will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility. The major phase material has the minor phase material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in the major phase material, forming a semiconductive jacket material of a ternary composite having distinct co-continuous phases.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composite material for semiconductive jackets for cables which has a significant reduction in conductive filler content while maintaining the required conductivity and mechanical properties specified by industry. Materials and processing approaches are selected to reduce the percolation threshold of the conductive filler in the composite, while balancing the material selection with the industry-required mechanical properties of the semiconductive jacket. The semiconductive jacket material comprises a minor phase material which is a semicrystalline polymer; a conductive filler material dispersed in the minor phase material in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase material; and a major phase material which is a polymer which when mixed with the minor phase material will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility.

Abstract: Crystalline colloidal arrays (CCA) which have been encapsulated in a polymer matrix to produce more robust polymerized crystalline colloidal arrays (PCCA) are provided. The PCCA's of the present invention can be in the form of a hydrogel which can be compatible for use with a biological system. The polymer matrix of the PCCA is formed of polymerized poly(ethylene glycol) based monomer units which can provide a desired functionality to the PCCA. The PCCA can be formed to exhibit a photonic bandgap at a certain wavelength. The photonic bandgap can be capable of shifting upon some form of environmental stimulation rendering the PCCA suitable for many optical applications, including active photonic switching and sensory applications.

Abstract: A conducting polymer composite that is crosslinked comprising a semicrystalline polymer minor phase with conducting filler material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase, and which is mixed with major phase polymers, the materials being selected such that the minor phase and major phases will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility. The minor phase being dispersed in the major phase in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the composite material. The composite material is crosslinked by physical or chemical means. The crosslinked conducting polymer composite having a reduced amount of conducting filler while supporting a continuous conductive network in the crosslinked polymer composite.

Abstract: A conducting polymer composite that is crosslinked comprising a semicrystalline polymer minor phase with conducting filler material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase, and which is mixed with major phase polymers, the materials being selected such that the minor phase and major phases will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility. The minor phase being dispersed in the major phase in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the composite material. The composite material is crosslinked by physical or chemical means. The crosslinked conducting polymer composite having a reduced amount of conducting filler while supporting a continuous conductive network in the crosslinked polymer composite.

Abstract: A strand filling compound for electrical cables, and cables including such a compound, which prevents migration of water lengthwise of the stranded wires of the conductor of the cable. The strand filling compound has a low conductive filler content without reducing the level of conductivity of the compound and is readily pumpable at temperatures above about 100° C. The strand filling compound is provided by employing an immiscible polymer blend containing conductive filler located primarily in one phase, the immiscible polymer blend being comprised of a low molecular weight polymer and a second polymer, preferably an adhesive EVA. Preferably an adhesive extender which is miscible with the low molecular weight polymer, and fine particles of a material admixed with the filling compound and/or provided as a thin layer of fine particles of a material applied over the filling compound which swells when it absorbs water are also included in the filling compound.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor which is tailored for sensitivity to specific chemical analytes by selecting proper constituents. The electrochemical sensor is comprised of an immiscible polymer blend of at least two polymers in which a conductive filler is dispersed in one of the polymers of the blend through a multiple percolation approach to compounding. When in the presence of a chemical analyte which is in either a liquid or vapor phase, one phase of the dual immiscible polymer blend swells, effecting a decrease in the conductivity, or increase in resistivity, of the polymer blend. The electrochemical sensor is reversible in that when the chemical analyte evaporates or is removed, the polymer blend returns to its original conductivity.

Abstract: An optical fiber or electrical power cable with at least one electrochemical chemical analyte sensor which includes a conductive polymer which extends longitudinally along the length of the cable. The polymer has electrical properties which undergo a reversible change when in contact with a chemical analyte. The conductive polymer can be a conductive polymer composite including an immiscible polymer blend of at least two polymers and a conductive filler which is dispersed in one of the polymers of the blend through a multiple percolation process.

Abstract: A conducting polymer composite that is crosslinked comprising a semicrystalline polymer minor phase with conducting filler material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the minor phase, and which is mixed with major phase polymers, the materials being selected such that the minor phase and major phases will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility. The minor phase being dispersed in the major phase in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in the composite material. The composite material is crosslinked by physical or chemical means. The crosslinked conducting polymer composite having a reduced amount of conducting filler while supporting a continuous conductive network in the crosslinked polymer composite.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composite material comprises: a minor phase material comprising a semicrystalline polymer; a conductive filler material dispersed in said minor phase material in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in said minor phase material; and a major phase material, said major phase material being a polymer which when mixed with said minor phase material will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility, said major phase material having said minor phase material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in said major phase material, forming a (semi)conductive ternary composite having distinct co-continuous phases.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composite material comprises: a minor phase material comprising a semicrystalline polymer; a conductive filler material dispersed in said minor phase material in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in said minor phase material; and a major phase material, said major phase material being a polymer which when mixed with said minor phase material will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility, said major phase material having said minor phase material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in said major phase material, forming a (semi)conductive ternary composite having distinct co-continuous phases.