Abstract: A self-supporting multifunctional film is provided based on natural poly-phenols such as tannic acid. The self-supporting film composition of the invention contains a tannic acid derivative in which 12% to 24% of hydroxyl groups in tannic acid are bonded via urethane bonds that are formed by way of reactions with cyanate groups. Preferably, the film composition further includes a precursor polymer and 45 to 65% by mass of tannic acid and 55 to 35% by mass of the precursor polymer. Preferably, the precursor polymer has a second linear hydrocarbon compound urethane-bonded to both ends of a first linear hydrocarbon compound, and more preferably a diisocyanate group having an oligoethyene glycol as a spacer. Preferably, the ratio of the urethane bonds contained in the precursor polymer to the hydroxyl groups contained in the tannic acid is (12:88) to (24:76) inclusive in terms of molar ratio.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing bio-oil polyols, alkoxylating bio-oil polyols to provide polyols, and for employing the alkoxylated bio-oil polyols for making polymers or copolymers of polyesters or polyurethanes.

Abstract: A foam includes a cellular structure and having a density of at most 0.50 g/cm3, where the cellular structure is provided by a solid material that includes humins. Such a foam is prepared in a process, which includes: providing a starting material containing humins; and heating the starting material to a temperature in the range of 150 to 450° C. The foam can be used in articles for a variety of applications such as substrate for plant growth, as adsorbent for treating waste water or waste gases, as support for solid catalysts, as insulation material, or packaging material.

Abstract: Reinforced, laminated, impregnated, and materials with composite properties as cross linked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel structures in bulk or cellular matrix forms that can take essentially any physical shape, or can have essentially any size, degree of porosity and surface texture. They have a wide range of physical properties, unusual and unique combinations of physical properties and unique responses to stress fields, which allows for their use in many end use applications.

Abstract: A method includes mixing a filler including silica and a bio-based oil including a soy polyol to form a filler mixture, and mixing the filler mixture with an elastomer to form an elastomeric composition. The weight ratio of silica to the soy polyol is 1.5 to 2.5. The elastomer is present in an amount less than 25 weight percent of the elastomeric composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a body, particularly a molded body made of polystyrene, particularly polystyrene particle foam or polystyrene hard foam, wherein the polystyrene, particularly the polystyrene particle foam or the polystyrene hard foam, comprises petroleum coke, particularly petroleum coke particles.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a filler composition includes a filler including silica; and a bio-based oil contacting the filler and including at least one soy polyol, wherein an elastomer, if present, is less than 25 weight percent of the total weight of the filler composition. The filler composition does not contain appreciable amount of petroleum oil, which if present, is less than 25 weight percent of the filler composition. The filler composition does not contain appreciable amount of epoxidized oil which, if present, is less than 25 weight percent of the total weight of the filler composition. The soy polyol may include a hydroxyl number of from 10 to 350 KOH/g. The bio-based oil may further include soy oil.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thermoplastic auxetic foams comprising the steps of: a) taking conventional thermoplastic foam; b) subjecting said foam to at least one process cycle wherein the foam is biaxially compressed and heated; c) optionally subjecting the foam to at least one process cycle wherein the biaxial compression is removed and the foam mechanically agitated prior to reapplying biaxial compression and heating; d) cooling said foam to a temperature below the softening temperature of said foam; and e) removing said compression and heat.

Abstract: The invention provides B-sides of urethane formulations, wherein the B-sides comprise both alcohol and epoxy moieties. Also provided are urethane formulations comprising the B-side of the invention, as well as A-sides comprising isocyanate molecules.

Abstract: Superabsorbent foam comprising superabsorbent fiber and/or fruit fiber, processes for producing superabsorbent foam having improved wet strength by foaming a crosslinkable aqueous mixture comprising at least 50 mol % neutralized acid-functional monoethylenically unsaturated monomer or at least one basic polymer, crosslinker, superabsorbent synthetic fiber and/or fruit fiber and at least one surfactant and subsequently polymerizing the monomer in the foamed mixture or crosslinking the basic polymer to form a hydrogel foam and use of the thus obtainable foam in hygiene articles to absorb body fluids, in dressing material to cover wounds, as a sealing material, as a packaging material, as a soil improver, as a soil substitute, to dewater sludges, to thicken waterborne paints or coatings in the course of disposing of residual quantities thereof, to dewater water-containing oils or hydrocarbons or as a material for filters in ventilation systems.

Abstract: A method of making foam imparts antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities to the foam. Green tea powder is added to the polyol raw materials for making memory foam. The green tea memory foam is used to make pillows, cushions and mattresses. Green tea foam in the top layer of a mattress acts as an antiodorant such that less of the chemical smell of the memory foam is perceived by the user. In addition, the bacteria and mold that would otherwise develop in the moist warmer sleeping environment on memory foam are killed by the green tea additive to the foam. Measurable antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities in the green tea foam are achievable by adding green tea powder constituting less than 2% of the weight of the resulting green tea foam.

Abstract: A material comprising the reaction product of an A-side having an isocyanate and a B-side having a cross-linker comprising a multifunctional alcohol, a vegetable oil, preferably a blown/oxidized vegetable oil, most preferably a blown/oxidized soybean oil, and a catalyst, wherein the vegetable oil and the cross-linking agent are substantially non-esterified prior to reacting/combining the A-side with the B-side and the method of producing the same.

Abstract: A material comprising the reaction product of an A-side having a prepolymer isocyanate, preferably a prepolymer diisocyanate and a B-side having a cross-linker comprising a multifunction alcohol, a first vegetable oil, preferably a blown/oxidized vegetable oil, most preferably a blown/oxidized soybean oil, and a catalyst, wherein the first vegetable oil and the cross-linking agent are substantially non-esterfied prior to combining the A-side with the B-side and the method of producing the same.

Abstract: An improved material comprising the reaction product of an A-side having a prepolymer isocyanate and a B-side having a cross-linker comprising a multifunctional alcohol, a first vegetable oil, preferably a blown/oxidized vegetable oil, most preferably a blown/oxidized soybean oil, and a catalyst and the method of producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for molding complex and intricately shaped high density monolithic carbon, carbon-carbon, graphite, and thermoplastic composites using gelcasting technology. The method comprising a polymeric carbon precursor, a solvent, a dispersant, an anti-foaming agent, a monomer system, and an initiator system. The components are combined to form a suspension which is poured into a mold and heat-treated to form a thermoplastic part. The thermoplastic part can then be further densified and heat-treated to produce a high density carbon or graphite composite. The present invention also discloses the products derived from this method.

Abstract: Rigid, closed-cell polyurethane foams are produced by a RIM process by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive mixture in which a significant amount of a bio-based polyol is present. The foams produced by this process are characterized by improved heat sag and heat distortion temperature.

Abstract: An improved material comprising the reaction product of an A-side having an isocyanate and a B-side having a cross-linker comprising a multifunctional alcohol, a vegetable oil, preferably a blown/oxidized vegetable oil, most preferably a blown/oxidized soybean oil, and a catalyst and the method of producing the same.

Abstract: Biological oils, conjugated biological oils, and metathesized or cometathesized biological oils are polymerized or co-polymerized faith divinylbenzene, norboradiene and dicyclopentadiene using a BF3.OEt2 initiator to provide plastics from renewable resources. The products are thermosetting polymers having highly crosslinked structures, room temperature modulus of about 109 Pa, and excellent thermal stability, making the products useful for applications where current biodegradable plastics are not useable.

Abstract: An improved cellular plastic material comprises a urethane foam that is the reaction product of soy oil, an isocyanate, and a cross linker. The soy oil replaces the polyol typically generally required in the production of urethanes. Because the replaced polyol is a petrochemical, use of a renewable and environmentally friendly material such as soy oil is most advantageous. Further, plastic materials of many final qualities may be formed using a single vegetable oil. In addition to cellular foams, solid plastic elastomers may be formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable thermoplastic composition made of soy protein, a plasticizing agent, a foaming agent, and water, that can be molded into biodegradable articles that have a foamed structure and are water-resistant with a high level of physical strength and/or thermal insulating properties.

Abstract: A process of foaming asphalt comprises mixing sodium hydrogen carbonate with asphalt melted to a liquid state. The mixing yields carbon dioxide and water. The carbon dioxide gas foams the molten asphalt, and the foaming is enhanced by the boiling of the water. The rate of addition of the sodium hydrogen carbonate, and the temperature of the asphalt, are controlled in accordance with the desired specific gravity of the resultant foamed asphalt. The sodium hydrogen carbonate is added at a rate in a range of from about 2.0% by weight to about 6.0% by weight. The asphalt is melted at a temperature in a range from about 212.degree. F. to about 500.degree. F. The foamed asphalt is used, inter alia, by depositing the foamed asphalt on a substrate.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions are provided which contain high molecular weight water-insoluble humic acid humates. The compositions show improved bloom resistance in both the uncured and the vulcanized or otherwise cured state. Methods to make sponge rubber are also disclosed in which the humic acid humate is the gas producing agent. A predominantly humic acid humate containing composition maintains a clean mold, and curing an uncured article coated with the humate at elevated temperature will clean metal molds which have dirty surfaces, particularly when green coated articles are vulcanized in contact with the mold's surfaces.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions are provided which contain high molecular weight water-insoluble humic acid humates. The compositions show improved bloom resistance in both the uncured and the vulcanized or otherwise cured state. Methods to make sponge rubber are also disclosed in which the humic acid humate is the gas producing agent. A predominantly humic acid humate containing composition maintains a clean mold, and curing an uncured article coated with the humate at elevated temperature will clean metal molds which have dirty surfaces, particularly when green coated articles are vulcanized in contact with the mold's surfaces.

Abstract: An alkali metal broken-down plant silicate polymer is reacted with a Lewis acid and an epoxide compound to produce a polyhydroxy lignin-cellulose polymer which may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethane silicate foam and be used for insulation.

Abstract: An alkali metal broken-down plant silicate polymer is reacted with a Lewis acid and an epoxide compound to produce a polyhydroxy lignin-cellulose polymer which may be reacted with polyisocyanates to prodice polyurethane silicate foam and be used for insulation.

Abstract: An alkali metal broken-down plant silicate polymer is reacted with a Lewis acid and an epoxide compound to produce a polyhydroxy lignin-cellulose polymer which may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethane silicate foam and be used for insulation.

Abstract: Alkali metal aldehyde lignin-cellulose silicate polymers are reacted chemically with an epihalohydrin compound to produce a polyepoxy silicate resin; the polyepoxy silicate resin may be cured by a catalyst, e.g., an amine or Lewis acid, to produce a cured epoxy resin, solid or cellular solid product which may be used as an adhesive, as construction sheets, etc.

Abstract: Polyester resins are produced by chemically reacting a broken-down alkali metal lignin-cellulose polymer, a substituted organic hydroxy compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound and/or a polycarboxylic acid anhydride. Polyester resins may be used as molding powder, as coating agents and to produce polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having a framework with a plurality of openings therein is fitted with an elastic body of a bitumen-containing urethane foam over the rearside of the framework to absorb the acoustic energy transmitted rearwardly from the speaker.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use as a binder for shredded, flexible polyurethane foams to make articles such as carpet or rug underlay comprises a polyalkylene ether polyol having from 2-4 hydroxyl groups, a minor amount by weight of a rubber extender oil, a stoichiometric excess of a certain diisocyanate and a minor amount by weight of a finely divided, solid soybean derivative.