Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a nanovoided article, a nanovoided coating, and a low refractive index coating is described. The process includes providing a first solution of a polymerizable material in a solvent; at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable material to form a composition that includes an insoluble polymer matrix and a second solution, wherein the insoluble polymer matrix includes a plurality of nanovoids that are filled with the second solution; and removing a major portion of the solvent from the second solution. An apparatus for the process is also described, and includes a webline, a coating section, a partial polymerization section, and a solvent removal section.

Abstract: A polymer foam having high bonding strength and improved compressive hardness characteristics is accomplished by the polymer foam comprising cavities formed by microballoons, and also 2 to 20 vol. %, based on the total volume of the polymer foam, of cavities surrounded by the polymer foam matrix.

Abstract: Sugar-acrylic monomers are synthesized to have a carbohydrate moiety linked to an acrylate group. The sugar-acrylic monomers may be polymerized to form polymers, adhesives, hydrogels, and the like. The sugar-acrylic monomers and polymers may be used in tissue engineering, adhesives and sealers, wound healing, and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a universal linker capable of synthesizing nucleic acid having a hydroxy group at the 3? terminal, a universal support carrying the linker, and a synthesis method of nucleic acid using the universal support. The linker contains a compound represented by the formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Hydrogels are described that expand volumetrically in response to a change in their environment and as well as their methods of manufacture and use.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer particles which are formed by contacting monomers with aqueous dispersions comprising monodisperse swellable seed polymers/oligomers, and initiating polymerization in the presence of a steric stabilizer. The resulting swollen seed particles are characterized by the particle mode diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particulate absorbent polymer material having: i) a maximum APCi×10 sec value ?1.6) for at least one number i selected from the group of integers from 2 to 12 (=APCmax); or ii) a value ?12 for the sum total of all APCi×10 sec values for all numbers i from the group of integers from 2 to 12 (=APCsum); wherein the APCi×10 sec value is: APCi×10 sec=QIi×10 secvalue2×PIi×10 secvalue where the QIi×10 sec value is the swell index and i×10 seconds after adding the 0.9% by weight NaCl solution, and the PIi×10 sec value is the permeability index and i×10 seconds after adding the 0.9% by weight NaCl solution.

Abstract: Techniques, mixtures and improved porous materials (interconnected porous constructs) that are capable of maintaining a sufficient porosity while conferring improved mechanical and physical strength to the final construct. A sacrificial construct (for example, a sacrificial material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) is used to obtain an inverse porosity of the construct it was molded into. The process provides a less porous end material that may be used as an arthroplasty device or surgical implant (for example, an interference screw of suture anchor) among many other applications. The process employs a sacrificial material to reduce the porosity of the final construct to about 35%.

Abstract: A porous polymer structure may be formed by cooling a substrate to a temperature at or below a freezing point of a monomer, wherein the monomer is capable of free-radical polymerization; exposing the substrate to an initiator and the monomer, each in a vapor phase, wherein a concentration of the monomer in the vapor phase is above a saturation pressure of the monomer; converting the initiator to a free radical; crystalizing and depositing the monomer on the substrate; and polymerizing at least some of the monomer on the substrate, thereby forming a porous polymer structure on the substrate.

Abstract: Use in hygiene articles of articles formed of water-absorbent, predominantly open-celled crosslinked acid-functional addition polymer foams Abstract The use of articles formed of water-absorbent open-celled crosslinked acid-functional addition polymer foams and containing finely divided silicon dioxide and/or at least one surfactant on their surface as an acquisition and/or distribution layer in hygiene articles.

Abstract: Porous polymeric resins, reaction mixtures and methods that can be used to prepare the porous polymeric resins, and uses of the porous polymeric resin are described. More specifically, the polymeric resins typically have a hierarchical porous structure plus reactive groups that can be used to interact with or react with a variety of different target compounds. The reactive groups can be selected from an acidic group or a salt thereof, an amino group or salt thereof, a hydroxyl group, an azlactone group, a glycidyl group, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Expandable composite resin particles for long-term storage, comprising 500 to 5000 ppm of water and 7.5 to 11.0% by weight of pentane in composite resin of polyolefin-based resin and polystyrene-based resin.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the preparation of acrylate, alkacrylate, allyl, and polycarbonate derivatives of hydroxy ketal esters, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a halogen-free retardant acrylic resin, including a copolymer of an acrylate monomer (I) and a phosphorus-containing monomer (II), wherein R1 is H or methyl; R2 is H, alkyl, ester, alkyl ester, aryl, or heteroaryl, and R3 is H or methyl, and X is (CH2)x, x being an integer of 1-11, (CH2CH2O)y, y being an integer of 1-5, or (CH2)zO, z being an integer of 2-10, and n is an integer or a non-integer of 1-2. A molded article of the halogen-free retardant acrylic resin is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for producing polymethacrylimide foams having reduced pore size. The inventive method allows production of a microporous foam with an especially homogeneous pore size distribution without having to use insoluble nucleation agents.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic composite molded product formed by molding a composite material of an organic resin and inorganic fine particles is provided, and in this molded product, the average primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is 1 to 30 nm, the concentration of the inorganic fine particles is 25 to 50 percent by volume, and the porosity is 20 to 55 percent by volume. Accordingly, an organic-inorganic composite molded product having a small content of the inorganic fine particles and a significantly low average coefficient of linear expansion of 20*10?6 to ?110*10?6/degree Celsius can be manufactured.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubbery or elastomeric polymer material taking up more than 5% by weight of water and at most 500% by weight of water after immersion in demineralized water at room temperature for a sufficient time to reach saturation, comprising: (a) repeating units from one or more hydrophobic organic monomers, and (b) repeating units from one or more monomers (a) being modified with one or more hydrophilic side groups. The rubbery or elastomeric polymer material may be in the form of a sheet, a foam, a coating adapted for adhesion to a substrate, or a fiber. This invention also relates to processes, polymerizable compositions, and foaming compositions for producing such rubbery or elastomeric polymer materials.

Abstract: Crosslinked organic porous particles are non-swellable in propyl acetate and have a crosslinked organic solid phase and discrete pores dispersed within the crosslinked organic solid phase, which discrete pores are isolated from each other. The discrete pores have an average size greater than or equal to 0.1 ?m and the crosslinked organic porous particles have a mode particle size of at least 3 ?m and up to and including 100 ?m. The discrete pores can contain a marker material.

Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an electrical insulation paper having a particle composite. The method involves mixing a dispersion of particles in platelet form, a carrier fluid and a functionalizing agent which is distributed in the carrier fluid and has a proportion by mass in the dispersion corresponding to a predetermined mass ratio based on the proportion by mass of the particles. The dispersion is sedimented, such that the particles in platelet form are arranged in essentially plane-parallel layers in the sediment. The carrier fluid is removed from the sediment. Energy is introduced into the sediment to overcome the activation energy of that chemical reaction of the functionalizing agent with the particles which forms the particle composite from the sediment with coupling of the particles via the functionalizing agent. The mass ratio is predetermined such that the particle composite has a porous structure. The insulation paper is thereby produced.

Abstract: A process For the production of a thermoplastic polymer including carbon and sulphur in an atomic ration of C:S of at least 4 and at most 36 using thiol-ene addition polymerization, preferably with feedstocks obtained from renewable resources such as fatty acids from vegetable origin. The product is preferably aliphatic, meaning that at most 70% of the protons are present as aromatic hydrogen atoms and, if oxygen atoms are present in ester functions, the atomic ratio of the oxygen atoms present in ester functions relative to the number of sulphur atoms in the polymer is less than 1.0. The polymer may be used to produce a shaped article.

Abstract: A fire-extinguishing and/or fire-retarding composition is based on swellable polymers. In the event of fires of lithium ion batteries, smoke gases containing fluorine and/or phosphorus are bound using alkaline earth metal ions, more particularly calcium ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam derived from natural oils, e.g. plant and animal oils. The oils are functionalized to allow for the preparation of foams with desired chemical and physical properties, such as density and robustness. The foam may contain a triglyceride having a first set of functional groups, and a second compound or chain extender (e.g., a second triglyceride, a fatty acid or polyethylene glycol) having a second set of functional groups capable of reacting with the first set of functional groups to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising antioxidants and stabilizers, such as, acid scavengers or organic phosphorus stabilizers, and optionally further comprising co-stabilizers. The disclosed compositions are useful as stabilizers for polyolefins and other polymeric materials. The disclosed compositions and methods generally provide longer shelf lifes and better oxidative resistance to materials than currently available antioxidants.

Abstract: A flame-retardant thermally-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet includes a flame-retardant thermally-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing at least: (a) an acrylic polymer prepared by copolymerizing a monomer component containing an alkyl(meth)acrylate as a main component, containing a polar group-containing monomer, and not substantially containing a carboxyl group-containing monomer and (b) a hydrated metal compound.

Abstract: This present invention is directed to the use of bio-based materials such as functionalized plant oils and natural fibers to provide substitutes for leather materials. The bio-based materials provide composites made with a range of natural fibers such as flax, cotton, jute and kenaf fibers, combined with natural plant oils (triglycerides) such as soy oil, linseed oil and their fatty acids. The natural fibers may be used in their as-delivered woven or nonwoven state and the triglycerides and fatty acids are chemically modified to allow them to react in a controlled manner giving predictable thermal and mechanical properties. The resulting material is a breathable, water resistant, leather-like material. This present invention is also directed to methods of making the substitutes for leather materials.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer resin comprising at least one copolymer with hydrolysable groups, a water-generating metal salt hydrate, and a catalyst that comprises a metal atom and at least two ligands taken from the set alkyloxy and carboxylate are used to form articles that moisture-cure through in-situ generation of water via dehydration of the metal hydrate. The compositions are melt mixed to promote the dehydration and start the cure process during the mixing step. The curing compositions are formed and allowed to harden.

Abstract: Provided is a resin foam which has satisfactory strain recovery, is particularly resistant to shrinkage of its cell structure caused by the resinous restitutive force at high temperatures, and exhibits superior high-temperature strain recovery. The resin foam according to the present invention is obtained from a resin composition including an elastomer and an active-energy-ray-curable compound. The resin composition gives an unfoamed measurement sample having a glass transition temperature of 30° C. or lower and a storage elastic modulus (E?) at 20° C. of 1.0×107 Pa or more, each determined by a dynamic viscoelastic measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material that comprises hygroscopic or deliquescent particles encapsulated in a transparent matrix which may or may not be on a support or substrate, the process for obtaining said material and the use thereof for the manufacturing of devices with controlled variable optical transmission.

Abstract: A process for preparing water-absorbing polymer beads by polymerizing droplets comprising at least one monomer in a gas phase surrounding the droplets, the droplets being obtained by enveloping a first monomer solution with a second monomer solution and polymerizing the second monomer solution and polymerizing to give a more highly crosslinked polymer than the first monomer solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal surface protective pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet comprising a substrate and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that comprises an acrylic polymer and a thermally expandable microsphere provided on at least one face of the substrate. The acrylic polymer is characterized by having a carboxylic acid equivalent weight of 0.0010 eq./g or less and an amine equivalent weight of 0.0050 eq./g to 0.0600 eq./g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing poly(meth)acrylimide foams and also blocks, sheets and the like composed of such poly(meth)acrylimide foams and also the intermediate articles formed from the copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylonitrile, which are all distinguished by a particularly low residual monomer content.

Abstract: Hydrogels are described that expand volumetrically in response to a change in their environment and as well as their methods of manufacture and use.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer including an acrylic polymer. This acrylic polymer contains, as monomer components, an acrylic monomer not containing a polar group (A) and a polar group-containing monomer (B). The 100% modulus of this pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 20 to 200 N/cm2.

Abstract: This invention relates to foam insulating products, particularly extruded polystyrene foam, with increasing the cell orientation and reducing cell anisotropic ratio, as well as the process method for making the products thereof for improving the insulating properties and for reducing the manufacturing cost of the foam products. Alternatively, foam insulating products having increased cell compressive strength may be made by decreasing the cell orientation and increasing the cell anisotropic ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of fabricating a cast foam product, an intermediate foam product, and a cast foam product. The process includes positioning an expandable component and alloying particles within a die and injecting steam into the die and expanding the expandable component to form an expanded component. The expandable component includes one or more of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate. The intermediate foam product includes the alloying particles, the expandable component, and the steam. The cast foam product includes a distribution of the alloying particles and the expanded component, with the alloying particles being physically bound by the expanded component.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous resin particles made of a polymer of a monomer mixture, wherein the monomer mixture contains, as monomers, at least methyl methacrylate and a (meth)acrylic-based cross-linkable monomer, a content of the methyl methacrylate in the monomer mixture is 1 to 50% by weight, a content of the (meth)acrylic-based cross-linkable monomer in the monomer mixture is 50 to 99% by weight, the porous resin particles have a specific surface area of 130 to 180 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.3 to 0.7 ml/g, and an average pore size of 13 to 16 nm, an amount of unreacted methyl methacrylate remaining in the porous resin particles is 20 ppm or less, and the porous resin particles have a thermal decomposition starting temperature of 260° C. or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric water repellent material including novel acrylamide polymer, which can be used in various field because it demonstrates controllable and excellent water repellency together with water adhesiveness. The polymeric water repellent material comprises an acrylamide polymer including at least one repeating unit.

Abstract: Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compositions for nail coatings, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to polymerizable compositions. The disclosure further relates to methods of making a polymerizable, protective and scratch resistant topcoat layer that can be easily removed.

Abstract: A method for making a surfactant-based monolithic column is provided. The method comprises providing a mixture comprising at least one surfactant monomer, at least one crosslinker, at least one initiator, and at least one porogen and polymerizing the mixture to form the surfactant-based monolithic column. The present disclosure also provides a surfactant-based monolithic column, a method for separating molecules, and a process for preparing a surfactant monomer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition is provided, which comprises A) from 30 to 90% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer, B) from 10 to 70% by weight of microcapsules with a capsule core made of latent-heat-accumulator material and a polymer as capsule wall, where the latent-heat-accumulator material has its solid/liquid phase transition in the temperature range from ?20° C. to 120° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a sheet for a sealing member of a solar cell, wherein the sheet has significantly low thermal shrinkage and high flexibility, and a superior capability of discharging bubbles during the manufacture of a solar cell module. The method for preparing a sheet for a sealing member of a solar cell according to the present invention comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a thermal adhesive resin having an olefin-based resin as a main component; (b) pulverizing the thermal adhesive resin and dispersing the resin powder; and (c) heating the thermal adhesive resin powder at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the resin powder so as to prepare a sheet having a plurality of voids.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a contaminant from a liquid includes a tension element extending along a length of the liquid and may be near a bottom of the liquid. A plurality of buoyant strips having a polymer defining an open-cell foam are attached to the tension element and extend to a surface of the liquid, with at least a portion of the strips floating on the surface. The polymer may include ethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer (e.g., 100% EMA copolymer).

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet for use as a packaging material having a low percentage thermal shrinkage, outstanding flexibility and outstanding properties as a packaging material for solar cells. The sheet for use as a packaging material for solar cells according to the present invention is a resin sheet having air spaces obtained by the hot-melt bonding of a portion of a dispersed hot-bonding resin powder, wherein the apparent density of the sheet is no less than 20(%) and no more than 70(%) of the net density of the hot-bonding resin, such that the sheet is adequately flexible.

Abstract: Solid phase fluorescent labeling reagents (SPR) are described that simultaneously capture and label analytes, and then efficiently release the labeled-analytes under mild conditions (SCaLER).

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Abstract: A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with high free swell rate and high permeability by polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution or suspension to give an aqueous polymer gel, wherein a thermal blowing agent essentially free of inorganic acid anions is mixed into the polymer gel, and subsequent thermal drying of the polymer gel.

Abstract: The invention provides a universal linker capable of synthesizing nucleic acid having a hydroxy group at the 3? terminal, a universal support carrying the linker, and a synthesis method of nucleic acid using the universal support.

Abstract: The disclosure provides anionic Gemini surfactants comprising at least two carbonyl moieties and at least two aliphatic moieties. In some aspects, at least two of the aliphatic moieties comprise at least seven carbon atoms and at least one pair of conjugated carbon-to-carbon double bonds. The anionic Gemini surfactants are polymerizable and may be used to prepare triply periodic multiply continuous lyotropic phase and polymers thereof that substantially retain triply periodic multiply continuous lyotropic phase structure.