Abstract: The invention relates generally to compatible polymer blends that can be extruded or injection molded into films or other objects that will generate and release a gas such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, or chlorine dioxide upon contact with moisture.

Abstract: A composition for energy-controlled generation and release of at least one gas, which includes an energy-activated catalyst capable of being activated by electromagnetic energy, and a solid or a liquid containing anions capable of being oxidized by the activated catalyst or reacted with species generated during activation of the catalyst to generate at least one gas. The composition, when exposed to electromagnetic energy, is capable of generating and releasing the gas after activation of the catalyst and oxidation or reaction of the anions.

Abstract: Novel platform mesogens, intermediates, and polymerizable mesogens made therefrom.

Abstract: A method for making platform molecules comprising: reacting 4-alkoxy benzoyl chloride with R2-hydroquinone under first conditions effective to produce bis 1,4[4-alkoxy-benzoyloxy]-R2-phenylene comprising bis terminal alkoxy groups wherein R2 is a bulky organic group; and, subjecting the bis 1,4[4-alkoxy-benzoyloxy]-R2-phenylene to second conditions effective to selectively cleave the bis terminal alkoxy groups to produce a solution comprising complexes comprising diphenolic platform molecules comprising bis terminal hydroxyl groups, the second conditions also being effective to precipitate the complexes out of the solution.

Abstract: A method for producing a blend comprising randomly substituted mesogens comprising: providing one or more platform molecules have the following general structure: wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of X and Y comprises one or more spacer groups; R2 is a bulky organic group whereby, when both X and Y are reacted with polymerizable groups to produce polymerizable mesogens, R2 provides sufficient steric hindrance to achieve a nematic state at room temperature while suppressing crystallinity of the polymerizable mesogens at room temperature; and, R1 and R3 are selected from groups less bulky than R2; and independently substituting at least one member selected from the group consisting of X and Y with a polymerizable group, thereby producing a blend of randomly substituted mesogens.

Abstract: New, efficient methods for making novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens are provided, as well as the novel mesogens and methods of using same.

Abstract: A resin blend and method of producing the resin blend, the resin blend comprising one or more first liquid crystal monomer at a ratio to one or more secondary monomer, said secondary monomer and said ratio being adapted to maintain said resin blend in a nematic liquid crystalline state after addition of an inorganic filler at a temperature of 20° C. for about 30 minutes or more, the resin blend having a polymerization shrinkage of 3 vol. % or less.

Abstract: A method for producing platform molecules comprising: forming a mixture comprising first and second phenylene rings comprising halogenated carboxylic groups, and a third phenylene ring comprising a desired substituent and a first functionality at a para-position to a second funcitonality; and exposing the mixture to conditions effective to react the first halogenated carboxylic group with the first functionality to produce a first ester bond, and the second halogenated carboxylic group with the second functionality to produce a second ester bond; producing platform molecules comprising terminal groups comprising the first functional group at a position para to first ester bond and the second functional group at a position para to the second ester bond.

Abstract: Metal oxide nanoparticles having at least some surface acid sites functionalized with an adhesion promoter and at least some surface acid sites functionalized with a coupling agent. The nanoparticles are useful in forming composites comprising photopolymerizable matrix monomers, and are primarily suitable for dental and medical restoration. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxide comprises zirconium, and the coupling agent is a zirconate.

Abstract: Mesogens having the following general formula: 1

Abstract: Selective ether cleavage for making platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: New, efficient methods for making novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens are provided, as well as the novel mesogens and methods of using same.

Abstract: A particle including anions dispersed throughout an amorohous, paracrystalline or crystalline solid solution, the anions being capable of reacting with hydronioum ions to generated a gas. The particle can be incorporated into a power capable of generating and releasing a gas after hydrolysis of an acid releasing agent.

Abstract: Novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens made therefrom; novel synthetic pathways for making such platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens.

Abstract: Novel methods and blends for controlling rheology and transition temperature of photocurable mesogens while maintaining low polymerization shrinkage and without adversely affecting mechanical strength and stability of the cured resins.

Abstract: Novel platform mesogens, intermediates, and polymerizable mesogens made therefrom.

Abstract: Metal oxide and metal oxide-silica nanoparticles are disclosed wherein the surfaces thereof are complexed with a polymerizable, biocompatible, heterocyclic base. Polymerizable compositions are prepared by loading such nanoparticles into acrylate based monomer matrices, which compositions can then be photocured into X-ray opaque, transparent or translucent solids. Methods are disclosed for forming such complexed nanoparticles and compositions and for using such compositions as medical or dental restoratives.