Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing a core-shell nanoparticle that includes the following steps: providing a polymeric seed (in a solvent) that includes a mono-vinyl monomer cross-linked with a cross-linking agent to form the core of the nanoparticle, the core has an average diameter of from about nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers, and the core has polymer chains with living ends; adding a stabilizer to stabilize the seed and prevent the seed from precipitating out of solution; and grafting a shell species onto the living ends of the core to form the shell of the nanoparticle. A core-first synthesized nanoparticle, along with a rubber composition and tire product are also provided.

Abstract: Polymeric particles having a size of about 0.1 to about 100 microns comprising at least two different phase separated polymers, at least one pigment, and at least one additive, where the pigment and additive are distributed within the phase separated polymers. Also disclosed are methods for preparing polymeric particles comprising phase separated polymers that comprise additives and pigments, wherein the methods involve molding.

Abstract: Micro-sized particles having a polymeric structure of cells are provided. Also provided is a method of producing micro-sized particles having a polymeric structure comprising: (1) forming a homogenous solution by heating a mixture of a high molecular weight polymer and a low molecular weight material, wherein said low molecular weight material makes up at least about 50% by weight of the homogenous solution, (2) forming a dispersed solution by dispersing the homogenous solution formed in step (1) into an inert material, (3) cooling the dispersed solution to cause the high molecular weight polymer to phase separate from the low molecular weight material, (4) forming solid particles comprised of said low molecular weight material trapped inside a structure of cells of said high molecular weight polymer, and (5) removing the solid particles from the dispersed solution.

Abstract: A system and tuning method to collaboratively calibrate high voltage DAC values and Photomultiplier Tube DAC values of photomultiplier tubes of a gamma camera so that the detector produces a valid energy spectrum over the entire detector surface. A method for tuning a gamma camera having a plurality of photosensors, exposes the photosensors to scintillation photons corresponding to nuclear radiation of known energy; measures an energy output corresponding to each specific photosensor; calculates an average enemy output of all photosensors in the camera; collaboratively adjusts a DAC value corresponding to a voltage applied to a specific photosensor and a DACHV value corresponding to a high voltage applied to the camera based on the calculated average energy, energy output of each photosensor, and a target energy value corresponding to said known energy; and repeats the calibration until convergence is achieved between the average energy, energy output, and target energy.

Abstract: A composition includes a diene rubber and a metal phosphate ester of the formula: M being a metal with an oxidation state of +3 or +4, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from any organic moiety including hydrogen, except R1 and R2 cannot both be hydrogen. In addition, a method of making a rubber composition includes combining a solvent and a phosphate ester and mixing these to foam a solution. A source of metal ions is then added to the solution. The metal in the source of metal ions is selected from the group consisting of metals with an oxidation state of +3 or +4. The product is then is combined with a diene rubber composition to form a useful article, such as the tread of a tire.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer nanoparticle comprising a core and a vulcanizable shell, wherein the core has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least about 150° C. Also provided is a method of preparing polymer nanoparticles with a core and a vulcanizable shell, comprising (a) in a liquid hydrocarbon medium, polymerizing conjugated diene monomers to produce a poly(conjugated diene) block and (b) copolymerizing the poly(conjugated diene) block with a mixture of mono-vinyl aromatic monomers and multiple-vinyl aromatic monomers to produce an aromatic block, wherein the core has a Tg of at least about 150° C. Also provided is a composition comprising (a) a rubber matrix; and (b) a polymer nanoparticle including a core and a vulcanizable shell; wherein the Tg of the core is at least about 150° C.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, wherein the at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to the diene block(s). The disclosure also relates to methods of making such block interpolymers. Also disclosed is a rubber composition comprising: (a) a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, and (b) a filler, wherein said at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to said diene block(s).

Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macro-molecule also are provided.

Abstract: A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

Abstract: A composition includes a vulcanizable diene rubber, a silica filler, and a metal-functionalized polyisobutylene succinic anhydride derivative. In one embodiment the composition has a reduced amount of oil and may include no oil. A tire tread composition includes, a silica filler, a metal-functionalized polyisobutylene succinic anhydride derivative, a rubber matrix, an optional oil, and one or more components selected from the group consisting of carbon black, vulcanizing agent, vulcanization accelerator, tackifier resin, antioxidant, wax, peptizer, vulcanization retarder, activator, processing additive, plasticizer, pigments, and antiozonant. A method for making the rubber composition and the tire tread is also provided.

Abstract: A polymeric nanoparticle composition is provided. The nanoparticle may be of a core/shell configuration with an interphase region connecting the core and the shell. The mean average diameter of the polymer nanoparticles may be less than about 250 nm. The size, composition, and/or configuration of the interphase region may be varied to achieve desired physical and/or chemical properties of the resulting polymeric nanoparticles, and of the compositions into which the nanoparticles are compounded.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, wherein the at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to the diene block(s). The disclosure also relates to methods of making such block interpolymers. Also disclosed is a rubber composition comprising: (a) a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, and (b) a filler, wherein said at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to said diene block(s).

Abstract: A fluorescent nanoparticle includes a core comprising an alkenylbenzene; an intermediate layer, an outer shell layer, and a fluorescent portion. The fluorescent portion includes a structure represented by the following formula: wherein L is a direct bond or a linker group, and F is any fluorescent moiety. The fluorescent portion is located in at least one of the following locations: the core, the intermediate layer, or the shell layer of the nanoparticle. Methods for making the fluorescent nanoparticle are also described.

Abstract: A composition includes a polymer matrix, a multiple-acid-derived metal soap, wherein the metal has an oxidation state of +3 or +4. An associated method for making a rubber composition includes the steps of: combining a solvent and a multiple carboxylic, phosphonic, phosphoric, sulfuric, or sulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, and mixing to form solution A; adding a source of metal ions to solution A and mixing to form a product A, the metal being selected from the metals having an oxidation state of +3 or +4, whereby product A includes a multiple-acid-derived metal soap; and combining the multiple-acid-derived metal soap with a diene rubber.

Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macro-molecule also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer/metal nano-composite. The nano-composite includes at least one copolymer chain having alkenyl monomer units and maleimide monomer units, and a nano-sized metal or inorganic crystal. It also provides a method of producing nano-sized metal/inorganic crystals in pure form. These nano-composites and nano-crystals can be useful as polymer fillers, tire rubber compounds, semiconductors, nano-magnets, catalysts, and quantum dots etc.

Abstract: Modified rubber compositions containing an elastomer component and a modifier comprising a steroid and/or a peptide and methods of their production. Such modified rubber compositions can have improved properties and can be useful in making various articles of manufacture, such as, for example, in the manufacture of tires.

Abstract: A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

Abstract: A composition includes a diene rubber and a metal phosphate ester of the formula: M being a metal with an oxidation state of +3 or +4, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from any organic moiety including hydrogen, except R1 and R2 cannot both be hydrogen. In addition, a method of making a rubber composition includes combining a solvent and a phosphate ester and mixing these to form a solution. A source of metal ions is then added to the solution. The metal in the source of metal ions is selected from the group consisting of metals with an oxidation state of +3 or +4. The product is then is combined with a diene rubber composition to form a useful article, such as the tread of a tire.

Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macromolecule also are provided.