Abstract: Process for preparing polymer-reinforced silica aerogels which comprises a one-pot reaction of at least one alkoxy silane in the presence of effective amounts of a polymer precursor to obtain a silica reaction product, the reaction product is gelled and subsequently subjected to conditions that promotes polymerization of the precursor and then supercritically dried to obtain the polymer-reinforced monolithic silica aerogels.

Abstract: A method and system to predict a design of an article of manufacture, which can include the steps of introducing a biological organism into a test environment to activate at least one molecular component of the biological organism representing at least one set of genetic characters of the biological organism; monitoring for change in at least one expression phenomenon pattern in response to the test environment; translating the monitored change in the at least one expression phenomenon pattern into a molecular data profile; interrogating the molecular data profile against a stored database to generate an information pattern of a phenotype correlated to the molecular data profile; and translating the information pattern of the phenotype into a correlated design component of the article of manufacture.

Abstract: A chiral inorganic mesoporous material characterized by having a chiral twisted structure and being mesoporous; a process for producing the material; and a method of using the material. The process for inorganic mesoporous material production is a method in which one or more polymerizable inorganic monomers selected from the group consisting of polymerizable inorganic monomers and polymerizable inorganic monomers having a functional group capable of having a charge are polymerized in the presence of a solvent using as a template a self-assembly of a chiral surfactant such as an N-(higher alkanoyl)amino acid salt. Examples of the use of the inorganic mesoporous material include the separation of racemates and reaction fields for asymmetric syntheses.

Abstract: The present specification discloses porous materials, methods of forming such porous materials, biocompatible implantable devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such biocompatible implantable devices.

Abstract: An expandable polyurethane composition contains (A) a polyisocyanate, (B) an active hydrogen containing compound containing (B1) a polyol and (B2) water, and (C) a cross-linking agent composition. The cross-linking agent composition (C) contains a cross-linking agent (C1) and a carboxylic acid (C2). The cross-linking agent (C1) can be selected from an alkanolamine (a) represented by an expression: HxR1yN((R2O)nH)3-x-y, and an aminosilane (b) represented by an expression: (R3O)qR43-qSi—R5—(NHCH2CH2)pNR6R7. A content of the cross-linking agent composition (C) is 0.1 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the active hydrogen containing compound (B), and the containing number of moles of the cross-linking agent (C1) is larger than that of the carboxylic acid (C2).

Abstract: Provided according to some embodiments of the invention are hydrophobic and/or oleophobic silica-based coatings. In some embodiments of the invention, coatings may include a silica matrix having hydrophobic and/or oleophobic functionalized pores encapsulated therein. Also provided according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of forming a coating according to an embodiment described herein. In some embodiments, methods include (a) combining at least one silane and/or alkoxysilane and at least one fluoroalkylsilane and/or fluoroalkoxysilane with an alcohol, water and an acid to form a sol mixture; (b) adding a surfactant to the sol mixture to form a surfactant sol mixture; (c) depositing the surfactant sol mixture onto a substrate; and (d) curing the surfactant sol mixture to form a silica coating. Methods of preventing adhesion are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel contact lens having improved wettability, and particularly to a hydrogel contact lens of a complex membrane having an IPN (interpenetrating polymer network) intra structure, which is prepared by crosslinking composition for a contact lens comprising, as a main ingredient, an acryl monomer and an oligosaccharide and optionally a silicone compound. Due to the presence of an oligosaccharide in a contact lens herein, tensile strength and wettability can be maximized to provide a superior wearing feeling and maintain wettability even after a long-term storage in a care solution such as a washing solution, a storage solution and a protein-removing solution.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an analyte detection system is provided that includes a nanochannel, an electrode arrangement, and a plurality of nanoFET devices disposed in the nanochannel. A plurality of nucleic acid base detection components can be used that include a plurality of nanopores, a plurality of nanochannels, a plurality of hybridization probes, combinations thereof, and the like. According to other embodiments of the present teachings, different coded molecules are hybridized to a target DNA molecule and used to detect the presence of various sequences along the target molecule. A kit including mixtures of coded molecules is also provided. In some embodiments, devices including nanochannels, nanopores, and the like, are used for manipulating movement of DNA molecules, for example, in preparation for a DNA sequencing detection. Nanopore structures and methods of making the same are also provided as are methods of nucleic acid sequencing using the nanopore structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foamable mixture which contains at least one alkoxysilane-terminated prepolymer and which can be produced of a) at least one alkoxysilane that was functionalized with isocyanate groups and that can be produced of at least one hydroxyfunctional and/or aminofunctional alkoxysilane and at least one diisocyanate or polyisocyanate, and b) at least one compound that contains at least one OH group, and at least one blowing agent, characterized in that the foamable mixture has a dynamic viscosity of 100 to 25,000 mPas, preferably 500 to 10,000 mPas, at 23° C. The invention further relates to a method for producing said foamable mixture. The foamable mixtures according to the invention are suitable for sealing, insulating and mounting joints, roof surfaces, windows and doors or for filling hollow spaces.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training that include materials that better mimic natural human tissue are disclosed. In one aspect a polysiloxane mixture for simulating human biological tissue, especially human breast tissue, is disclosed. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a biological tissue phantom is disclosed. In another aspect, a human breast tissue models are disclosed. In one instances, the human breast tissue model comprises a simulated breast tissue comprising a mixture of a silicone foam and a silicone oil and a simulated skin layer covering the simulated breast tissue, where the simulated breast tissue and the simulated skin layer are sized and shaped to mimic a natural human breast. In some instances, the human breast tissue model includes at least one simulated pathological structure that simulates such pathologies as a cyst, a medullary carcinoma, a ductal carcinoma, an infiltrating scirrhus carcinoma, a lobular carcinoma, and a fibroadenoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a silica monolith according to a process known as a “sol-gel process” that comprises the following steps: hydrolysis of a silicon alkoxide in order to form a hydrolysis precursor followed by a condensation of said hydrolysis precursor in the presence of an organic solvent, in the presence of water and of a basic catalyst in order to form oligomeric clusters containing several silicon atoms; dispersion of said oligomeric clusters in a solution in order to form a sol; polymerization of the sol in order to obtain a gel via a first heat treatment, at a temperature below the boiling point of the constituents of the sol; drying of the gel via a second heat treatment including an exposure of the gel to around 90° C. for at least 24 hours followed by an increase in temperature, under vacuum, between around 90° C. and around 180° C., said temperature increase being between 0.1/min and 5° C.

Abstract: A multipackage sponge-forming liquid silicone rubber composition that characteristically comprises at least (A) an alkenyl-containing polydiorganosiloxane comprising (A1) a polydiorganosiloxane that has alkenyl groups on both molecular chain terminals and that does not contain alkenyl groups in the side chains on the molecular chain, and (A2) a polydiorganosiloxane that has at least two alkenyl groups in the side chains on the molecular chain; (B) an organopolysiloxane that has at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in each molecule; (C) a mixture comprising water and an inorganic thickener; (D) an emulsifying agent; (E) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst; and (F) a cure retarder; and is stored as a plurality of separate compositions wherein none of this plurality of separately stored compositions contain both component (A) and component (C), none of this plurality of separately stored compositions contain both component (B) and component (C), and none of this plurality of separately stored compositions

Abstract: Described herein are open celled foams including a matrix of interconnected spheres. Also described herein are methods of making open celled foams as well as making composite members with open celled foam coatings covering at least a portion of the composite member. The open celled foams described herein are silicone based materials and can be used to coat implants such as breast implants and function to encourage tissue ingrowth and reduce capsular formation.

Abstract: Porous bodies which are soluble or dispersible in non-aqueous media comprising a three dimensional open-cell lattice containing (a) 10 to 70% by weight of a polymeric material which is soluble in water immiscible non-aqueous media and (b) 30 to 90% by weight of a surfactant, said porous bodies having an intrusion volume as measured by mercury porosimetry of at least 3 ml/g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a triblock copolymer and a viscoelastic biostable foam comprising the same.

Abstract: The object of the invention is porous membranes (M) comprising organopolysiloxane/polyurea/polyurethane/polyamide/polyoxalyl diamine copolymers of the general formula (1), where R, X, Y, D, E, F, B, B?, m, n, a, b, c and d have the meanings indicated in claim 1, with the proviso that at least 10% of the RH groups present in structural elements E, F and bound to nitrogen indicate hydrogen, and a method for the production of the membranes (M) and use thereof for separating material mixtures.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for the production of foams on silicon basis from polymer mixtures (A) containing silicon, wherein at least one compound (V) is used that contributes to the formation of the polymer network, and which carries at least one alkoxy silyl group of the general formula [1a], [1b], or [1c] ?Si—O—(R1)(R2)(R3) [1a], ?Si(R5)—O—C(R1)(R2)(R3) [1b], ?Si—O—C(O)—U [1c], from which upon curing of the polymer mixtures (A) at least one molecule (XY) is split which is gaseous during processing and causes the formation of foam in the polymer mixture (A), and a catalyst (K) selected from a Brönstedt acid, Brönstedt base, Lewis acid, and Lewis base, where R1, R2, R3, R5, and U have the meanings as stated in claim 1, and where polymer mixtures (A) which form SiO2 during the cross-linking process are excluded.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of making a silicone composition includes mixing a silicone formulation in a mixing device and adding an in situ adhesion promoter to the mixing device. The disclosure is further directed to articles made from the above-mentioned silicone composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of making a porous material comprising the following steps in the order a-b-c-d: (a) reacting at least one organosilane (A) with water in the presence of a solvent (C) to form a polymeric material, (b) subjecting said polymeric material to a first heat treatment, (c) bringing said polymeric material into contact with at least one dehydroxylation agent (D), (d) subjecting said polymeric material to electromagnetic radiation and/or to a further heat treatment. The present invention furthermore concerns the porous material obtainable by the inventive method, semiconductor devices and electronic components comprising said porous material, and the use of said material for electrical insulation and in microelectronic devices, membranes, displays and sensors.

Abstract: Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for fabricating aerogels, a method for fabricating surface-modified aerogels, and a method for fabricating biocomposites. Take the fabricating method of biocomposites for example, first, a precursor solution is provided and the precursor solution comprises a hydrophilic ionic liquid, a catalyzed hydrolysis and/or condensation reagent, at least one biomolecule. Next, a curing process is performed for the precursor solution to hydrolyze and polymerize the at least one alkoxide monomer and/or aryloxide monomer to wrap at least one biomolecule and thus form biocomposite. Afterwards, an extracting process is performed by a solvent for the biocomposite to substitute the ionic liquid in the biocomposite. Finally, a drying process for the biocomposite is carried out after the extracting process so as to remove the solvent in the biocomposite. Therefore, the biocomposite is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foam that includes a polysiloxane block copolymer; the polysiloxane block copolymer including a first block that comprises a polysiloxane block and a second block that includes an organic polymer; the second block not containing a polysiloxane; the polysiloxane block being about 5 to about 45 repeat units; the foam having average pore sizes of less than or equal to about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Curable material comprising silylated polymers containing urethane groups, and use thereof in sealants, adhesives, binders and/or surface modifiers.

Abstract: Precursors are provided for dielectric compositions that are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric compositions are prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants of less than 2.4.

Abstract: Silicone-containing polyurethane foams containing isocyanurate linkages are prepared from hyperbranched siloxanes having isocyanate groups or from hyperbranched siloxanes having isocyanate reactive groups and a polyisocyanate, the isocyanate groups being present in stoichiometric excess, in the presence of a trimerization catalyst. The foams are preparable at low densities and exhibit good flammability characteristics.

Abstract: A paste containing a silica polymer, made by substituting at least some of the surface functional groups thereof with alkyl groups, and solvent-removable inorganic particles is prepared, and the paste is applied and fired to form a transparent insulating film in a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: Foamable compositions which are free of isocyanates, which exhibit low shrinkage, low propensity toward crack formation, and which display good flammability resistance, are prepared from blowing agent-containing compositions of alkoxysilane-terminated prepolymers derived from a polyol component which contains one or more halogenated polyols.

Abstract: This invention relates to biodurable, reticulated elastomeric matrices that are resiliently-compressible, their manufacture and uses including uses for implantable devices into or for topical treatment of patients, such as humans and other animals, for therapeutic, nutritional, or other useful purposes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing an alcohol-soluble urethane resin composition which is excellent in storage stability in an alcohol but which by adding water and a catalyst to the system during use, coating the mixture and drying the coating at ordinary temperature or by heating to allow a crosslinking reaction to proceed, thereby forming a film, is capable of obtaining excellent characteristics required for applications when used for, for example, synthetic leathers or artificial leathers, polyurethane porous bodies, moisture-permeable films and the like, such as solvent resistance (for example, alcohol resistance), chemical resistance (for example, DMF resistance), heat resistance, elongation and the like. Also, the invention provides a polyurethane porous body or a moisture-permeable film using a urethane resin composition obtained by the foregoing production process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides propylene-based polymers which exhibit a strain hardening distribution factor that is less than zero and/or a strain hardening factor greater than 1.5. The propylene-based polymers are rheology-modified by way of silane coupling to improve melt strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gas separation membranes for separating carbon dioxide from other gas species, polymer compositions suitable for this application, and processes for the manufacture thereof. In particular, the present invention relates polymeric compositions comprising a host polymer that is permeable to the targeted gas species, such as carbon dioxide and has a selectivity for the target gas species over other gas species. The polymeric composition also comprises domains of a polymeric material that are, for example at least 0.5 nm in diameter and that have a higher permeability for the targeted gas compared to the host polymer. The present invention can provide membranes that have a permeability and selectivity above the Robeson's upper bound.

Abstract: Crosslinkable compositions containing a crosslinkable organosilicon compound; a silica filler; a silicate or halogen analog thereof, a non-silicate resin-forming monomer; and a solid blowing agent containing intercalated liquid or liquid of crystallization, produce uniform foams of good pore structure, with firm adhesion to substrates, with water repellancy and water vapor permeability, and with high elongation and low compression set, and are suitable for use in applications where foamed chloroprene rubber has been used, and in other applications as well.

Abstract: In the elastomer porous material of the invention, when cells in a first observation region of a first cross section are observed at a certain magnification, cells having an aspect ratio a/b, wherein a represents the maximum diameter of each cell and b represents the length of the minor axis of that cell as measured in a direction orthogonal thereto, of 1.3 or less account for 70% or more of all cells in the first observation region, and, when cells in a second observation region of a second cross section orthogonal to the first cross section are observed at a certain magnification, cells having an aspect ratio a/b, wherein a represents the maximum diameter of each cell and b represents the length of the minor axis of that cell as measured in a direction orthogonal thereto, of 1.3 or less account for 70% or more of all cells in the second observation region.

Abstract: Silicone foams having good foam structure and rapid cure are produced from foamable mixtures containing a physical blowing agent and an organically modified organopolysiloxane containing at least one urea or urethane group and an alkoxy(alkyl)siloxy unit.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprise a (i) silane-functionalized polymer, e.g., a polyethylene grafted with vinyl triethoxy silane, (H) polyfunctional alcohol e.g., ?,?,??,??˜tetramethyl-I,3-benzenediethanol and, optionally, (iii) acid, e.g., an alkylated aryl disulfonic acid. The use of polyfunctional alcohols in the absence of a strong acid yields a light-crosslinking of the silane-functionalized polymer and this, in turn, provides a polymer melt with improved extensional properties such as elongational viscosity and melt strength. The use of a polyfunctional alcohol in combination with a blocked strong acid provides a slow rate of crosslinking during melt processing and a high degree of ultimate crosslinking after the polymer composition has been shaped or molded.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a dope that has excellent formability and can be formed into a fiber, a film, pulp-shaped particles and the like by a wet method. This invention is also to provide a process for the production of a fiber excellent in heat resistance, strength and elastic modulus. This invention provides a dope and a process for the production of a fiber from the dope, the dope including a polyamide and a basic solvent, the polyamide containing a recurring unit of the following formula (I), wherein Ar1 represents at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of and having an inherent viscosity of 1.0 or more, the dope has a polyamide concentration of over 10% by weight but not more than 25% by weight and exhibits optical anisotropy at 50° C.

Abstract: An active matrix type organic light emitting diode display serving as a bottom emission type device coupling out emission of an organic electroluminescence layer from a substrate where thin film transistors are formed or as a top emission type device coupling out the emission on the opposite side to the substrate. In a suitable layer (102, 106, 107) in each device, an insulating film containing SiO is formed. The insulating film is porous with nano pores in the film. The porous insulating film is controlled as to film density, film refractive index, nano pore diameter in film, average nano pore diameter in film and maximum nano pore diameter in film so that the refractive index is lower than that of a transparent electrode or a transparent substrate of the display holding the organic electroluminescence layer therebetween, and nano pores are present in the film.

Abstract: Silicone-containing polyurethane foams of low density may be prepared from hyperbranched siloxanes.

Abstract: This invention relates to biodurable, reticulated elastomeric matrices that are resiliently-compressible, their manufacture and uses including uses for implantable devices into or for topical treatment of patients, such as humans and other animals, for therapeutic, nutritional, or other useful purposes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing porous ceramics, for example, thin film used for gas separation is disclosed. In this method, a silicon based mixture polymeric material which is the ceramics precursor is applied on a ceramics substrate, crosslinked by using ionizing radiation under oxygen free conditions; and pyrolyzed under an inert gas after that.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silicone elastomer porous material includes the steps of (1) providing a water-in-oil emulsion including a liquid silicone rubber material which forms a silicone elastomer upon curing, a silicone oil material that has a surface activation function, and water droplets dispersed in the liquid silicone rubber material, (2) subjecting the emulsion to a primary heating, thereby curing the liquid silicone rubber material to form a silicone elastomer and confining the water droplets within the silicone elastomer substantially as they are present in the emulsion, and (3) subjecting the silicone elastomer to a secondary heating, thereby evaporating and removing the water droplets from the silicone elastomer, thereby forming the silicone elastomer porous material.

Abstract: To provide a foam-molded product which is light-weight and superior in formability, flexibility and shock absorbing capacity, and which exhibits favorable tactile impression and excellent safety, as well as a shock absorber using the same that provides favorable feel in wearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to binders, to processes for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof in formulations, surface coatings, inks and plastics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a triblock copolymer and a viscoelastic biostable foam comprising the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes aerogel composites comprising organic-inorganic hybrid aerogel particulates and binders, in particular systems with aerogel and binders covalently bonded along with methods for preparing the same. Said composites can be formed into articles having complex geometries.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous carbon-heteroatom-silicon inorganic/organic homogenous copolymeric hybrid materials, methods for their preparation, and uses thereof, e.g., as chromatographic separations materials.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded structure includes the provisioning of a first mixture which includes microparticles and a liquid-phase mixture of resin and curing agent. The first mixture is centrifuged to extract a volume of the liquid-phase resin and curing agent mixture from the first mixture, the centrifuging process resulting in the formation of a liquid-phase matrix of microparticles which are at least partially-coated with liquid-phase resin and curing agent. The liquid-phase matrix of at least partially coated microparticles is cured to form a solid-phase matrix of microparticles, thereby providing the molded structure.

Abstract: Isocyanate-free foamable mixtures suitable for filling construction voids and for other uses, comprise isocyanate-free, alkoxysilane-terminated prepolymers (A) which have a silane end group of the formula [1], where X and Y are each an oxygen atom, an N—R3 group or a sulfur atom, R1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkyl radical having 1-2 carbon atoms or an ?-oxyalkylalkyl radical having a total of 2-10 carbon atoms, R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms or a —CH2—SiR1z(OR2)3-z group, and z is 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least one of the two groups X and Y is an NH function, and (B) blowing agents.

Abstract: A two-part curable foaming composition comprising: (A) A first part comprising: (i) an alkoxysilyl capped prepolymer; and (ii) a polyhydrogen siloxane; (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; and (B) A second part comprising: (i) a nitrogen-containing compound having an active hydrogen; (ii) water; and (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; provided that at least one of the parts contain a catalyst and wherein after mixing together the first and second parts a cured elastomeric foam is formed.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a resin foam which can be preferably used for medical use, and a flexible silicone type resin foam having a water-absorbing property. The resin foam which has a low toxicity and excellent physical properties for medical use such as moisture permeability, skin compatibility and low irritation can be obtained by using a resin which has a siloxane unit and an oxyalkylene unit in its molecular structure and does not contain a unit derived from an isocyanate group. Further, the flexible silicone type resin foam having a water-absorbing property can be obtained by allowing it to have a specific resin composition and a foam structure.