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: A porous material is provided which comprises a transparent polymer matrix defining interconnected pores and a wetting agent. At least a portion of the wetting agent is cross-linked with the polymer matrix. A process for forming a porous polymeric material is also provided. A bicontinuous microemulsion comprising water, a wetting agent, a monomer, and a surfactant copolymerizable with the monomer is polymerized, to form a polymer defining interconnected pores. The wetting agent comprises a cross-linkable wetting agent such that after polymerization, at least a portion of the cross-linkable wetting agent is cross-linked with the polymer. The wetting agent may comprise acrylated hyaluronic acid (AHA) such as methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA). The wetting agent may also comprise a hyaluronic acid (HA). The wetting agent may include an unbonded portion that this releasable from the material. A contact lens may be made from the porous material.

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: A foamed sheet of a base resin containing 50 to 100% by weight of a polylactic acid resin and having an apparent density of 63 to 630 kg/m3, a thickness of 0.5 to 7 mm and endothermic and exothermic calorific values of ?Hendo:2 and ?Hexo:2, respectively, as measured by heat flux differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 2° C./min. The endothermic calorific value ?Hendo:2 is at least 10 J/g and the difference (?Hendo:2??Hexo:2) between the endothermic calorific value ?Hendo:2 and the exothermic calorific value ?Hexo:2 is less than 40 J/g. A foam molding such as a receptacle is prepared by thermoforming the foamed sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to e new environmentally friendly process in which cellular foamed polymer particles selected from the group consisting of cross-linked PVC rigid foam, polyurethane, polyester, polyether and polystyrene are recycled and reused in new extruded acoustics products together with other plastic components.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method for making a polymer article comprises: orienting polymer chains in one direction more than any other direction to form an oriented article, contacting the oriented article with a foaming agent, and foaming the material to form the reflective polymer article comprising planar cell structures having a length “l” and a thickness “t”.

Abstract: A composition containing at least one epoxy resin, at least one phenol compound that is solid at room temperature, at least one polyether amine, at least one propellant, at least one hardener, at least one filler suitable for manufacturing structural foams that are notable for ductile behavior under compressive or flexural loading, i.e. an elastic deformation is observed under compressive load or in the three-point flexural test.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a membrane, a membrane obtained therefrom, and a use of said membrane for membrane emulsification. A desired shape of the membrane pores for spontaneous interfacial tension driven droplet formation is achieved by stretching the membrane material containing pores with a first shape, such that a second shape, i.e. the pores having an aspect ratio greater or equal to 3, is obtained.

Abstract: In a preparation of random polyoxadiazole copolymer by reaction of a mixture of oleum, hydrazine sulfate, terephthalic acid, and isophthalic acid, the improvement requires the addition of oleum in more than one step.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer polyols having a solids content of greater than or equal to 10 to 60% by weight, a mean average particle size of at least 0.6?, and which contain a specified concentration of blinding particles. This invention also relates to a process for preparing these polymer polyols.

Abstract: Heat-expandable microspheres include a shell of thermoplastic resin and a blowing agent encapsulated therein having a boiling point not higher than the softening point of the thermoplastic resin, have a maximum expanding ratio not lower than 50 times, and are thermally expanded into hollow particulates having a repeated-compression durability not lower than 75 percent. The method of producing the heat-expandable microspheres includes the steps of dispersing an oily mixture containing a polymerizable component and the blowing agent in an aqueous dispersing medium containing a specific water-soluble compound and polymerizing the polymerizable component contained in the oily mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a die plate for a die block having a coat-hanger-shaped flow path for extruding a molten foamable thermoplastic resin in a form of a sheet. The die plate is for arrangement on a downstream side of the coat-hanger-shaped flow path to make a flow rate of the molten foamable thermoplastic resin uniform in a width direction. The die plate is provided with a multiplicity of delivery apertures. In the delivery apertures, the delivery apertures in opposite side regions have a diameter greater than a diameter which the delivery apertures in a center region have. A die unit composed of a die block, which has a multiple bifurcated manifold terminating in plural coat-hanger-shaped flow paths at downward ends thereof, and a like plural number of similar die plates as described above; a process for producing a wide thermoplastic resin foam by using the die unit; and the wide thermoplastic resin foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing a polylactic acid composition having specific thermal characteristics and gas barrier properties and at obtaining a polylactic acid composition comprising PLLA and PDLA which composition can form moldings (such as stretched film) excellent in surface smoothness, transparency, heat resistance, and toughness. Specifically, a polylactic acid composition characterized by exhibiting a peak of 30 mJ/mg or above in DSC as determined by cooling at a rate of 10° C./min after the lapse of 10 min at 250° C., preferably a polylactic acid composition characterized by exhibiting a peak (1)/peak (2) ratio of 0.5 or below wherein the peak (1) and peak (2) correspond to a peak of Tm of 150 to 180° C. and a peak of Tm of 200 to 240° C. respectively in DSC as observed in the second heating (namely, re-heating from 0° C. at a rate of 10° C./min which follows the cooling at a rate of 10° C./min conducted after the lapse of 10 min at 250° C.).

Abstract: Porous polymers, tribenzohexazatriphenylene, poly-9,9?-spirobifluorene, poly-tetraphenyl methane and their derivatives for storage of H2 prepared through a chemical synthesis method. The porous polymers have high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution. Hydrogen uptake measurements conducted for these polymers determined a higher hydrogen storage capacity at the ambient temperature over that of the benchmark materials. The method of preparing such polymers, includes oxidatively activating solids by CO2/steam oxidation and supercritical water treatment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns method of preparing shape memory materials starting from standard thermoplastic polymers. The present invention further is concerned with products obtained by the methods in accordance with the present invention and the use of these products over a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: An N-substituted benzimidazole-containing bridged alicyclic compound is provided.

Abstract: Modified open-cell foams with a density in the range from 5 to 1000 kg/m3 and with an average pore diameter in the range from 1 ?m to 1 mm, comprising an amount in the range from 1 to 2500% by weight based on the weight of the unmodified open-cell foam, of at least one polymer which is solid at room temperature and which contains carboxy groups and/or which contains carboxylic ester groups, and which has a molar mass Mn in the range from 1000 to 1000 000 g/mol.

Abstract: Prepare an extruded thermoplastic polymer foam having a thermoplastic polymer composition having defined therein multiple cells, the thermoplastic polymer foam containing at least one thermoplastic polymer, a brominated flame retardant, an epoxy containing organic compound and 180 weight parts or less of water extractable cations using a brominated flame retardant, an innocuous stabilizer and a blowing agent containing water.

Abstract: This invention relates to foam insulating products, particularly extruded polystyrene foam, containing nano-graphite as a process additive for improving the physical properties of foam products.

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: A compound (monomer) comprising i) one or more dienophile groups (A-functional groups), ii) one or more ring structures comprising two conjugated carbon-to-carbon double bonds and a leaving group L (B-functional groups), and iii) one or more chemically bound poragens, characterized in that the A-functional group of one monomer is capable of reaction under cycloaddition reaction conditions with the B-functional group of a second monomer to thereby form a cross-linked, polyphenylene polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface-modified base matrix comprised of a porous polymeric base matrix onto which branched hydrophilic polyhydroxy-functional polymers have been covalently attached, wherein the polyhydroxy-functional polymers are hyperbranched polymers presenting a degree of branching (DB) of at least about 0.2 and each polymer is tethered to the base matrix at two or more points. The present matrix can for example be a cross-linked carbohydrate material, such as agarose, and the hyperbranched hydrophilic polymer can e.g. be a copolymer of epichiorohydrin and a sugar. The invention also relates to a method of surface-modification of a porous base matrix by activating functional hydroxy groups thereon and contacting the activated matrix with a hydrophilic hyperbranched hydroxy-functional polymer.

Abstract: Closed cell polyamide foams are prepared by subjecting a polyamide resin to inert gases at an elevated pressure and at a temperature above the softening point of the resin and reducing the pressure while the temperature is maintained above the softening point of the resin, resulting in expansion of the resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing medium suited for fixing biological substances, a medium processing method and a continuous medium processing device. The continuous medium processing device of this invention comprises: a feeding mechanism to run a continuous medium longitudinally along a predetermined travel path; one or more containers installed along the travel path and containing liquids which are to be brought into contact with the continuous medium; gaps provided in each of the containers on the travel path so that the continuous medium can run through the containers; and a liquid leakage prevention unit provided to the containers to prevent possible leakage of the liquids from the gaps.

Abstract: A foam comprising the reaction product of one or more multifunctional acrylates with one or more multifunctional aceto- or cyano-acetate compounds in the presence of a base and a blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable material suitable for use in an inflatable medical device. The stretchable material has at least one reinforcing polymer layer with a top and bottom side forming a porous matrix which is imbibed with a sealing material to infiltrate and substantially seal spaces of the porous matrix and extend beyond the reinforcing polymer layer to form a surface coating.

Abstract: A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, such as artificial or synthetic cartilage. The network is made by first providing a polyamine or polycarboxylate macromolecule (having a plurality of amine or carboxylic acid groups respectively attached along the length of the molecule), reacting this macromolecule with a hydroxyphenyl compound having a free carboxylic acid group in the case of a polyamine or a free primary amine group in the case of a polycarboxylate, and substituting the hydroxyphenyl compound onto the macromolecule via a carbodiimide-mediated reaction pathway to provide a hydroxyphenyl-substituted macromolecule. This macromolecule is then linked to other such macromolecules via an enzyme catalyzed dimerization reaction between two hydroxyphenyl groups attached respectively to different macromolecules under metabolic conditions of temperature and pH.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a process for hollowing a composite microparticle made of high-density grafted chains attached to a microparticle surface without compromising characteristics of prior art, high-density polymer particles of having a narrow particle size distribution and an excellent dispersion stability and to provide, by such a process, a hollow microparticle comprising a high-density polymer brush layer and a hollow portion. The present inventions provides a process for hollowing a microparticle, by eluting only a microparticle from a composite microparticle made of high-density grafted chains attached to a microparticle surface and provides, by such a process, a hollow microparticle comprising a hollow portion and a high-density polymer brush layer enclosing the hollow portion.

Abstract: An activatable material and articles incorporating the same is disclosed. The activatable material includes at least three of epoxy resin; impact modifier; blowing agent; curing agent; and filler. The activatable material is preferably used for sealing, baffling, adhering or reinforcing an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to sulfur-functionalized polymer gels and carbon gels, including aerogels, and such carbon gels containing platinum or metal nanoparticles. The platinum-containing gels may be useful as fuel-cell electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam cushion, a method of making the foam cushion, and a method of using the foam cushion. The foam cushion is formed from: (a) at least one of rubber and a resin; (b) a blowing agent; (c) a polymeric adhesion modifier; (d) a decomposition accelerating agent, and (e) a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing one or more macroporous cross-linked polymer particles, which comprises polymerization and cross-linking of divinyl ether monomers in an inert solvent, in which method the polymerization is free radical initiated. The invention also relates to particles so produced, which are useful as separation medium e.g. in RPC or, after suitable derivatization, in other chromatographic methods.

Abstract: An organic aerogel or xerogel formed by a sol-gel reaction using starting materials that exhibit similar reactivity to the most commonly used resorcinol starting material. The new starting materials, including thio-, amine- and nitro-containing molecules and functionalized macrocyclic molecules will produce organic xerogels and aerogels that have improved performance in the areas of detection and sensor technology, as well as water stream remediation. Also, further functionalization of these new organic aerogels or xerogels will yield material that can be extracted with greater facility than current organic aerogels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing foamed material, especially poly(meth)acrylimide foams, which are foamed from polymer plates produced according to the casting method. The two-step method consists of a pre-heating step and at least one foaming step. The product obtained has a significantly smaller compressive strain, measured according to DIN 53425(ASMD 621), than prior art products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam cushion, a method of making the foam cushion, and a method of using the foam cushion. The foam cushion is formed from: (a) at least one of rubber and a resin; (b) a blowing agent; (c) a polymeric adhesion modifier; (d) a decomposition accelerating agent, and (e) a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A flexible polyimide foam having an apparent density of 13.5 to 900 kg/m3 and a glass transition temperature of 300° C. or higher can be prepared by mixing an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid comprising 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride a portion of which is converted into its mono- or di-lower primary alcohol ester with an aromatic polyamine containing diaminodisiloxane in an amount of 0.1 to 10 mol. %, based on the amount of total amine compounds, to give a solid of polyimide precursor; heating the solid of polyimide precursor to a temperature of 300° C. to 500° C. to produce a polyimide foam; and compressing the polyimide foam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing porous polymer materials by a combination of gas foaming and particulate leaching steps. The invention is also directed to porous polymer material prepared by the process, particularly having a characteristic interconnected pore structure, and to methods for using such porous polymer material, particularly for tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyol dispersions with long-term stability, to cellular polyurethane moldings produced therewith, to processes for their preparation and to their use.

Abstract: A flexible polyimide foam having an apparent density of 70 kg/m3 or less and a glass transition temperature of 300° C. or higher can be prepared by mixing an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid comprising 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride a portion of which is converted into its mono- or di-lower primary alcohol ester with an aromatic polyamine containing diaminodisiloxane in an amount of 0.1 to 10 mol. %, based on the amount of total amine compounds, to give a solid of polyimide precursor; and heating the solid of polyimide precursor to a temperature of 300° C. to 500° C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a new approach to form porous hydrogel materials by first creating gas pockets in the gel and then removing this gas. The removal of the gas creates a porous material, and the initial incorporation of sufficient gas allows one to create a material with an open, interconnected pore structure. Advantageous features of the resulting materials, in addition to their interconnected pore structure, may include that the pore structure is maintained over extended time periods and that the gels maintain a high mechanical integrity that allows seeding with cells and implantation without destruction or compression of the material.

Abstract: A water-swellable polymer gel prepared by reacting an ester of a carboxyl group-containing polysaccharide with a compound having at least two &agr;-amino groups, which is derived from a natural amino acid, and a foamed article thereof. The water-swellable polymer gel can be used in the fields such as industry, agriculture, food and medicine. The applications of the water-swellable gel in the medical field include wound dressings, adhesion-preventing materials, dialysis membranes, hemostatic materials, adhesive materials, sealants, contact lenses, materials for tissue regeneration, microcapsule materials and drug delivery systems.

Abstract: A porous material made of a dry gel of a polyimide resin having an apparent density of 800 kg/m3 or less and a mean pore size of 1 &mgr;m or less is disclosed. The porous material exhibits high heat resistance and is low in density and mean pore size. The use of the porous material provided by the present invention can produce not only a heat insulator with a low thermal conductivity and high heat insulation but also an insulating material having a low dielectric constant and exhibiting excellent dielectric characteristics at high frequencies. The present invention can also provide a semiconductor circuit including the insulating material.

Abstract: Porous polyimide dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous polyimide dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming integrated circuits containing such porous polyimide dielectric material.

Abstract: A porous polyimide having a finely cellular structure and having a low dielectric constant and heat resistance. The porous polyimide can be produced by a process comprising adding a dispersible compound to a polyimide precursor to form a micro-domain structure in which the dispersible compound is dispersed in the polymer so as to have a size smaller than 10 &mgr;m and then removing the dispersible compound by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide to thereby make the precursor porous, wherein the interaction parameter &khgr;AB between the polyimide precursor A and the dispersible compound B is larger than 3. This porous polyimide has an average cell diameter smaller than 5 &mgr;m and a dielectric constant of 3 or lower.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for using nitric acid to oxidize polyarylene sulfide to polyarylene sulfoxide, oxidizing at least 98% of the sulfide groups of the polyarylene sulfide to sulfoxide groups. According to the invention polyarylene sulfide is treated with nitric acid at a concentration of from 60 to 80% with heating. The polyarylene sulfoxide prepared by the novel process can be used as an excellent chemical blowing agent for foaming thermoplastics.

Abstract: A superporous hydrogel composite is formed by polymerizing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers, and a multiolefinic crosslinking agent, in the presence of particles of a disintegrant and a blowing agent. The disintegrant, which rapidly absorbs water, serves to greatly increase the mechanical strength of the superporous hydrogel and significantly shorten the time required to absorb water and swell. Superporous hydrogel composites prepared by this method have an average pore size in the range of 10 &mgr;m to 3,000 &mgr;m. Preferred particles of disintegrant include natural and synthetic charged polymers, such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, crosslinked sodium starch glycolate, and crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blowing agent is preferably a compound that releases gas bubbles upon acidification, such as NaHCO3. Improved hydrogel composites formed without a blowing agent are also provided.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber and film compositions comprising partially acidified, hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers or film derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing porous polymer materials by a combination of gas forming and particulate leaching steps. The invention is also directed to porous polymer material prepared by the process, particularly having a characteristic interconnected pore structure, and to methods for using such porous polymer material, particularly for tissue engineering.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, inter alia, a composition useful for producing a hemogeneous, semipermeable membrane, the composition comprising (1) a polysulfone compounds, (2) a solvent, such as sulfolane, antypytine, &dgr;valerolactam, diethyl phthalate, and mixtures thereof, and (3) a non-solvent, such as poly(ethylene glycol), di(ethylene glycol), tri(ethylene glycol), glycerol, and mixtures thereof. Another aspect of this invention discloses methods for fabricating semipermeable membranes by homogeneously mixing the composition of the polysulfone compound, solvent, and non-solvent, melting the composition, and melt-spinning the molten composition. Another aspect of the present invention includes homogeneous, melt-spun, semipermeable membranes useful for liquid separation processes, such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and reverse osmosis.

Abstract: A document feed component is presented comprising a foamed epichlorohydrin elastomer, a curing agent, and a blowing agent, wherein the document feed component has a dynamic coefficient of friction in the range of about 1.0 to about 3.0, a Shore O hardness in the range of about 2 to about 85, a compression set of less than about 12%, and a resistance to wear of less than about 0.05 g/hr. The elastomer optionally further includes activators, polymerization accelerators, and a filler material. An important feature of the present invention is that the use of a foamed epichlorohydrin elastomer does not require the use of processing aids and migratory additives.