Abstract: A recording material including a support having at least one colored surface and a layer of polymeric material is described. The layer including polymeric particles has a core/shell structure, and the particles are either (i) particles having an outermost polymer shell having a calculated Tg of from 40° C. to 80° C., or (ii) particles having an inner polymer shell having a calculated Tg of from 40° C. to 130° C. and an outer polymer shell having a calculated Tg of from ?55° C. to 50° C. The calculated Tg of said outer polymer shell is lower than that of said inner polymer shell, the particles including, when dry, at least one void capable of providing opacity to said layer, and the colored surface has sufficient color density to be visibly contrasting to a surface of the subsequent layer including the polymeric particles disposed thereon.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for the treatment of fibers, such as PAN precursor fibers. The finish composition includes a polysiloxane; an emulsifier; water; and a dicarboxylic acid having a pKa from 1 to 4, and boiling point from 200 to 400° C. The dicarboxylic acid may have the following formula: where R1 is absent or a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aromatic substituted or unsubstituted, hydrocarbon group; Y1 and Y2 are independently hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, C1-C6 alkyl group, or an alkoxy group; and X1 and X2 are independently one or more hydrogen atoms, a metal, a quaternary amine, or a hydrocarbon group having up to 6 carbon atoms, the hydrocarbon group being an alkyl group, an alkylene group, or an aromatic group, which may be branched or linear, and may optionally have one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus.

Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous polyimide precursor solution composition includes forming a polyamic acid by the reaction of a tetracarboxylic acid component and a diamine component in an aqueous solvent together with an imidazole in an amount of 1.6 mole or more per mole of the tetracarboxylic acid component of the polyamic acid.

Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous polyimide precursor solution includes forming a polyamic acid by the reaction of a tetracarboxylic acid component and a diamine component in water without organic solvent together with an imidazole in an amount of 1.6 mole or more per mole of the tetracarboxylic acid component of the polyamic acid.

Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous polyimide precursor solution composition includes reacting a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine in the presence of an imidazole, using water as a reaction solvent to provide an aqueous polyimide precursor solution composition. The polyamic acid and the imidazole are dissolved in the water. A concentration of the polyamic acid is 5 to 45 wt %, The imidazole is an imidazole having two or more alkyl groups as substituents. An amount of the imidazole is 1.6 moles or more per mole of the tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and a concentration of the imidazole compound based on a sum of the imidazole compound and the water is 9.47 wt % or less. The diamine component includes a diamine having a solubility in water at 25° C. of 0.1 g/L or more.

Abstract: A polyimide precursor solution contains a polyimide precursor, wherein in the case where the polyimide precursor is analyzed by gel permeation chromatography, the elution curve of the polyimide precursor has a region A including a higher-molecular-weight peak and a region B including a lower-molecular-weight peak; a weight average molecular weight determined from the region A in terms of polystyrene is approximately 10,000 or more, and a weight average molecular weight determined from the region B in terms of polystyrene is approximately less than 10,000; and when the area of the region A is a and the area of the region B is b, the polyimide precursor satisfies Equation (1) a/(a+b)=approximately from 0.70 to 0.98.

Abstract: Aqueous polyurethane dispersions, prepolymers for formation of these dispersions, methods for their use in shaping articles, as well as shaping articles produced thereby are provided.

Abstract: A casting resin composition comprising or consisting of: (a) a monomer capable of forming a casting resin upon polymerisation and (b) at least one thixotropic agent wherein said at least one thixotropic agent is a urea urethane.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to A light-emitting diode, including an LED chip having at least one emitter surface for emitting primary light, and a plurality of luminescent regions, which are connected optically downstream from the at least one emitter surface. At least one harder one of the luminescent regions is embedded in another, softer one of the luminescent regions.

Abstract: Provided is an ink composition that includes a color material, water, an organic solvent, and polymer particles, the organic solvent including an organic solvent with a standard boiling point of equal to or greater than 150° C. and equal to or less than 250° C., the content of the organic solvent that is an alkyl polyol with a standard boiling point of equal to or greater than 280° C. being equal to or less than 2.0% by mass with respect to a total amount of the ink composition, the polymer particles having a core-shell structure including core polymer and shell polymer, and a glass transition temperature of the shell polymer being higher than that of the core polymer, and that is used for a recording method using the ink composition and an aggregating liquid containing an aggregating agent capable of aggregating components of the ink composition and increasing viscosity of the components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a vinyl chloride polymer having good thermal stability due to the restraint of dehydrochlorination by heat or ultraviolet rays, and a vinyl chloride polymer prepared thereby. In the preparation method through bulk polymerization, a modifier is introduced to a polymerization process to impart the vinyl chloride polymer with high thermal stability without inducing modification. Therefore, the preparation method via the bulk polymerization of the vinyl chloride polymer and the vinyl chloride polymer prepared thereby according to the present invention may be readily applied to industries requiring thereof such as industries concerning a vinyl chloride resin and the molded article thereof.

Abstract: The polymerization of monomers may be at least partially reduced or inhibited by introducing an effective amount of an additive. The additive may be or include a first compound: where: R1 and R2 may be or include an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkyl group having a heteroatom, an aryl group having a heteroatom, and combinations thereof. The hetero atom may be or include sulfur, nitrogen and/or oxygen. R1 may be the same or different from R2. The polymerizable monomers may be or include, but are not limited to styrene, butadiene, isoprene, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A polyurethane prepolymer comprising the reaction product of a reactant formulation comprising a polyol entirely derived from a natural oil; a natural oil-petroleum blend polyol; an isocyanate, at least one catalyst, drying agent, and plasticizer, wherein the prepolymer has a bio-based content of from about 15% to about 75% by weight. The prepolymer may be used in adhesive, or sealant compositions.

Abstract: Curable compositions, cured compositions, and articles that include the cured compositions are described. The curable composition contains a) an epoxy resin, b) a curing agent, c) a reactive liquid modifier, and d) a toughening agent. The cured compositions can be used as structural adhesives. The reactive liquid modifier is an acetoacetate ester of a dimer alcohol. The cured compositions can be used as adhesives such as structural adhesives or as polymeric coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides curable compositions comprising non-tin metal catalysts that accelerate the condensation curing of moisture-curable silicones/non-silicones. In particular, the present composition employs a catalyst system comprising an (alkyl)acrylic acid, a salt of an (alkyl)acrylic acid, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The (alkyl)acrylic acids or their salts exhibit catalytic activity comparable or superior to organotin such as dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) and exhibit certain behavior in the presence of components such as adhesion promoters that allow for tuning or adjusting the cure characteristics of the present compositions and provide good adhesion and storage stability.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing polymers with a neutral color tone, wherein a blue and red dye are added before entry into the last polyreaction stage, wherein adjustment of a neutral color tone of the polymer, using a total dye concentration in the polymer of no more than 3 ppm and a proportion of the blue dye in the resulting dye mixture of at least 50% by weight, occurs through independent adjustment of a and b color values in the Lab color space by determination of a and b color values of the polymer without addition of dyes, establishment of the total dye concentration depending on the b-value shift to be achieved, establishment of the required mixture ratio of the colors red and blue depending on the a-value shift to be achieved, and metering of the established content of dye mixture into the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A composition includes a reversible polymer material, which can reversibly transition between a liquid state and a solid state by reversible cycloaddition reactions, wherein upon cooling, the reversible polymer material transitions from a liquid state to a solid state by reversible cycloaddition reactions, and a radical scavenger.

Abstract: To provide a copolymer which can impart sufficient dynamic water repellency, after air-drying water repellency and friction durability to a surface of an article, and which has low impact on the environment, a method for producing the same, a water repellent composition and an article excellent in dynamic water repellency, after air-drying water repellency and friction durability.

Abstract: A method for forming an aqueous polyurethane dispersion including providing an isocyanate (NCO)-terminated prepolymer with a side-chain reactive functional group by admixing (i) at least one diisocyanate, (ii) at least one difunctional polyol, (iii) a short-chain diol monomer having a side-chain reactive functional group or a modified clay thereof, (iv) at least one hydroxy carboxylic acid compound and (v) a hydrophilic cosolvent; neutralizing the NCO-terminated prepolymer with a tertiary amine; dispersing the NCO-terminated prepolymer in water; and admixing the NCO-terminated prepolymer with at least one chain extending agent comprising a hydrophilic diamine; wherein the short-chain diol monomer (iii) is expressed by structural formula (I): wherein, A is an azetidine-2,4-dione functional group or a malonamide-linked alkyl group and B is a nitrogen-linked di-hydroxy terminal group or tertiary amine-linked di-hydroxy terminal group wherein IDD was synthesized by methylenedi-p-phenyl diisocy

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a fluoropolymer by means of emulsion polymerization of a reaction mixture in an aqueous medium is disclosed wherein the reaction mixture includes a fluoromonomer having the structure of wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is each independently a substituent on the styrenic ring, n is an integer from 0 to 5 representing the number of the substituents on the styrenic ring; b) an emulsion stabilizer combination comprising: i) an anionic surfactant; and, ii) a cationic surfactant or a non-ionic surfactant; and, c) a free-radical initiator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curable composition comprising at least one nonexclusively terminally alkoxysilylated alkoxylation product and at least one curing catalyst, which is characterized in that the nonexclusively terminally alkoxysilylated alkoxylation product is a prepolymer having an average of between 2.0 and 8.0 ethoxysilyl functions per prepolymer, and to sealants and/or adhesives comprising this curable composition, and to the use of the curable composition or the sealant and adhesive.

Abstract: Encapsulated nanoscale particles of organic pigments include a polymer-based encapsulating material, and one or more nanoscale organic pigment particles encapsulated by the polymer-based encapsulating material. Such encapsulated nanoscale particles of organic pigments can be made by providing nanosized organic pigment particles comprised of surface-associated sterically bulky stabilizer compounds; providing a copolymer material comprising organic pigment-affinic functional groups and non pigment affinic monomer units; associating the nanoscale organic pigment particles with the copolymer material so as to effect a deposited layer or shell of the copolymer material around said nanoscale organic pigment particles, thereby producing an encapsulated nanoscale organic pigment particle; and optionally further reinforcing the encapsulated nanosized organic pigment particle with one or more surface treatments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealant composition for electronic device, in which the curing does not proceed when heated, which does not cause the problem of use in the mounting process of electronic device. The present invention relates to a sealant composition for electronic device comprising (a) a compound having two or more (meth)acryloyl groups and (c) a nitroxide compound and/or a thiocarbonylthio compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melt processable copolyetheramide made by reacting (a) one or more segments of polyamide hard blocks derived from a lactam-terminated diisocyanate and a lactam monomer, and (b) one or more segments of polyether soft blocks derived from a polyether diol. The invention further provides for methods of making said copolyetheramide, including a continuous extruder method of production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic resin composition containing nano silver particles, in which a silver complex having a specific structure that allows formation of the nano silver particles is dissolved in monomer for the resin composition and the organic silver complex is decomposed with polymerization to prepare the synthetic resin composition containing the nano silver particles. The present invention can provide a method for resin compositions, which has simple and economic preparation process and allows uniform dispersion of the nano silver particles in the resin composition.

Abstract: An RTV anti-pollution flashover coating, and preparation method, includes components of the following weight parts: polydimethylsiloxane 100 parts, a reinforcing filler 4 to 10 parts, a catalyst 0.1 to 1 part, a crosslinking agent 1 to 5 parts, a hydrophobic agent 3 to 6 parts, a pigment 1 to 2 parts, decabromodiphenyl ether 1 to 2 parts, and toluene 30 to 40 parts. The hydrophobic agent is a mixture of a substance having a structure represented by Formula I and any one or more of a low-molecular weight silicone oil, dihydroxydiphenyl silane, fluorine-containing silicone oil and white oil. In Formula I, R is any one of acetoxy CH3COO—, methoxy CH3O—, ketoximo MeEtCNO—, an amide group AcMeN—, amino C6H11NH— and acetonyl H2C?CMeO; R1—Si is a polysiloxane group or a fluorine-containing siloxane group, and has a structural formula represented by Formula II, where n=1 to 4, and R2 is CH3— or CF3—.

Abstract: The invention provides vulcanizable rubber compound having improved tensile mechanical and dynamic viscoelastic properties. The compounds are formed by mixing an elastomer, containing unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds in its molecular structure, with a reinforcing inorganic filler silica in the presence of an alkyl alkoxysilane and a non-sulfur coupling agent that binds to the rubber backbone with an “ene” linkage or a 1,3 dipolar addition linkage. In particular, the coupling agent and the alkyl alkoxysilane are present in the compound in a weight ratio of about 0.0001:1 to about 1:1.

Abstract: A curable compound is provided, which can be obtained as a mixture of at least two components to be stored separately, of which one component includes a silane-modified polymer and the component of a second component includes an acid or basic salt containing water of crystallization. An aminic adhesion promoter is contained in one or both components or a further component, with the stipulation that no component contains all three substances. Additionally, a method is provided for accelerating the curing of a silane-modified polymer, in which an acid or basic salt containing water of crystallization is added to the silane-modified polymer.

Abstract: Porous materials are fabricated using interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gels. A mixture or precursor solution including an inorganic gel precursor, an organic polymer gel precursor, and a solvent is treated to form an inorganic wet gel including the organic polymer gel precursor and the solvent. The inorganic wet gel is then treated to form a composite wet gel including an organic polymer network in the body of the inorganic wet gel, producing an interpenetrating inorganic-organic composite gel. The composite wet gel is dried to form a composite material including the organic polymer network and an inorganic network component. The composite material can be treated further to form a porous composite material, a porous polymer or polymer composite, a porous metal oxide, and other porous materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated polyoxymethylene moldings, comprising at least one polyoxymethylene homo- or copolymer A), and also, if appropriate, further additives B), which has been coated on the surface with at least one binder C) and one formaldehyde scavenger D), wherein the binder C) used comprises a polyalkylene oxide C1 or a polyvinyl ester C2 or a graft polymer C3 composed of C1 and C2 or a mixture of these, and the formaldehyde scavenger D) used comprises at least one lysine compound.

Abstract: The invention provides vulcanizable rubber compound having improved tensile mechanical and dynamic viscoelastic properties. The compounds are formed by mixing an elastomer, containing unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds in its molecular structure, with a reinforcing inorganic filler silica in the presence of an alkyl alkoxysilane and a non-sulfur coupling agent that binds to the rubber backbone with an “ene” linkage or a 1,3 dipolar addition linkage. In particular, the coupling agent and the alkyl alkoxysilane are present in the compound in a weight ratio of about 0.0001:1 to about 1:1.

Abstract: An N-allyl carbamate compound which is suitable as an additive is proposed, the chemical main body thereof allowing modifications of the overall structure of the compound in order to ensure sufficiently high compatibility with as many binder systems as possible, wherein the UV-crosslinkable double bond is designed to be as sterically undemanding as possible, linked via flexible bonds, and highly reactive. In the N-allyl carbamate compound of general formula (A) according to the invention, the radical R1 is selected from straight-chain, branched, or cyclic substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals and heterocyclic radicals, wherein the radical R1 includes at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond, wherein R2, R3, and R4 are selected from hydrogen and hydrocarbon radicals, wherein R5 represents hydrogen or an allyl group, and wherein c is an integer of 1 or greater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water curable resin formulation comprising: (a) an epoxy resin; (b) an aromatic amine curing agent, wherein the molar ratio of amine functional groups in said curing agent relative to the epoxy functional groups of said epoxy resin is 2:1 or less; and (c) a coupling agent comprising a siloxane group coupled to an epoxy reactive group.

Abstract: Process for the continuous preparation of prepolymers based on phenolic resin, an oxazoline component and an epoxide in the presence of a catalyst, including supplying the phenolic resin and the oxazoline component to an extruder in a stream A; a Lewis adduct of boron trifluoride or of aluminium trichloride, or arylsulphonic acids or alkylsulphonic acids, or latent arylsulphonic acids or latent alkylsulphonic acids, in a stream B, and the epoxide in a stream C, the infeed of stream A being situated, as seen in extrusion direction, before the infeed of stream C, these reactants are mixed at a reaction temperature of 120 to 200° C. with a residence time in the extruder of 3 seconds to 15 minutes, and then the product discharge of the extruder is cooled to a temperature of less than 45° C. within from 30 to 60 seconds.

Abstract: Monomers and crosslinkers derived from renewable resources that can be used to produce flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials having physical characteristics making them suitable for a variety of uses, are disclosed. Monomer compositions derived from renewable resources, and having short curing times for preparing foam materials from high internal phase emulsions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Styrenated Phenol Ethoxylates as surfactants in emulsion polymerization. The present invention further relates to the use of both anionic and nonionic Styrenated Phenol Ethoxylates in emulsion polymerization. Latexes with small average particle and narrow particle size distributions are obtained. Prepared latexes also have low coagulum levels and exhibit excellent mechanical and chemical stability.

Abstract: A process for producing a composition of a polymerizable organic compound containing silica particles characterized by comprising: (a) a process of preparing an amine-added organic solvent-dispersed silica sol, in which an amine compound is added to an organic solvent-dispersed silica sol that contains colloidal silica particles having an average primary particle size of 5 to 100 nm and that has a pH of 2.5 to 4.0 at 20° C. as measured in a diluted solution obtained by a method in which the same mass of the organic solvent-dispersed silica sol, methanol, and pure water are mixed together, so that the diluted solution obtained by the mixing method has a pH of 4.5 to 11.0 at 20° C.; and (b) a process of mixing the amine-added organic solvent-dispersed silica sol obtained in the process (a) with a polymerizable organic compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compositions comprising isocyanate sub-composition comprising by weight not more than 5% of diisocyanate monomers, a dehydrating agent selected among compounds bearing dihydrocarbylsilyl groups bonded to a metalloid of the chalcogen column or to an atom of the nitrogen column. The invention is applicable to the coatings industry, in particular paints and adhesives.

Abstract: A coating composition may include a polyol, a silsesquioxane, a polyurethane dendrimer, a crosslinker, and a pigment in contact with a dispersing agent. A process for preparing a coating composition is further disclosed including the step of contacting a polyol, a silsesquioxane, a polyurethane dendrimer, and a crosslinker to form a coating mixture dispersed within a solvent. The process further includes adding a pigment in contact with a dispersing agent to the coating mixture, and forming a self-stratifying coating having at least one layer, wherein the pigment resides substantially within one of the at least one layer.

Abstract: Polymerizable liquid compositions of the polyurethane type, consisting of two components (A) and (B), wherein component (A) contains at least one cyclo-aliphatic diisocyanate monomer or a mixture of one cyclo-aliphatic diisocyanate monomer and a pre-polymer obtained by reaction, in the presence of an acid phosphate ester catalyst, between said cyclo-aliphatic diisocyanate monomer and one or more polyols having two or more hydroxy 1 groups per molecule and a molecular weight ranging from 50 to 2,000 g/mole; the second component (B) contains one or more polyols having a molecular weight ranging from 50 to 2,000 g/mole and a functionality between 2 and 5; in the absence of polyalkoxylated tertiary diamines and organometallic catalysts, said components (A) and (B) being present in a weight ratio which varies from 1:1 to 2:1 and the process for the production of organic glass starting from polymerizable liquid compositions of the polyurethane type.

Abstract: A curable silicone composition comprising at least the following components: (A) an epoxy-containing organopolysiloxane; (B) a curing agent for epoxy resin; and (C) an epoxy compound represented by the specific general formula; is characterized by excellent handleability and reduced oil-bleeding, and, when cured, forms a cured body of excellent flexibility and adhesion.

Abstract: The invention concerns hydrous compositions based on polychloroprene and hydroxylamine derivatives, processes for their production and their use as adhesives. The polychloroprene dispersions are stabilized by the addition of hydroxyalkylamine after removal of residual monomer.

Abstract: Nanohybrid sol-gel materials, based on silica organically modified (ormosil) and doped with the ruthenium species tetra-n-propylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) are highly efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyls with oxygen at low pressure, in organic solvents as well as in carbon dioxide in supercritical state. Novel, highly active and stable materials are the fluorinated ormosils. Optimal conditions for the preparation and use thereof in liquid-phase as well as in supercritical CO2 were set by studying the structure-activity relationships of the materials, with particular reference to the surface hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and to the textural ones.

Abstract: This invention relates to organic salt compositions useful in the preparation of organoclay compositions, polymer-organoclay composite compositions, and methods for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, said organic layers comprising a quaternary phosphonium cation having structure X wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are independently C2-C50 aromatic radicals; Ar4 is a bond or a C2-C50 aromatic radical; “a” is a number from 1 to about 200; “c” is a number from 0 to 3; R1 is independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical; and R2 is a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, a C2-C50 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coating composition includes contacting a polyol, a silsesquioxane, a polyurethane dendrimer, and a crosslinker, wherein the polyol, the silsesquioxane, the polyurethane dendrimer, and the crosslinker are dispersed within a solvent and forming a self-stratifying coating. Further, a coating composition includes a polyol, a silsesquioxane, a polyurethane dendrimer and a crosslinker forming a mixture dispersed within a solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to binder-free spot blender compositions for one- and two-component clearcoat materials comprising at least one isocyanate compound, to processes for producing them, and to their use in automotive refinish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyamide-based composition stabilized with respect to light and/or heat comprising at least one stabilizer exhibiting at least one hindered amine functional group. The invention also relates to yarns, fibres, filaments and/or articles obtained from this composition.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion type fluorine-containing water- and oil-repellent composition containing a polymer of a perfluoroalkyl group-containing ethylenically unsaturated monomer dispersed in an aqueous medium. The composition also contains a nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of at most 11 and a cationic surfactant. A homopolymer of at least one monomer constituting the polymer has Tg of at most 50° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making reduced VOC polymers and coating compositions containing such polymers. Provided is a mixture (I) comprising a reactant mixture (a) of polymerizable components and a nonvolatile solvent (bnv) that (i) is not a crystalline solid at 25° C., (ii) is nonvolatile, (iii) comprises at least one functional group (F1) and (iv) is a fluid solid. Reactant mixture (a) is polymerized to provide a polymer (a?). The at least one functional group (F1) of nonvolatile solvent (bnv) is reacted with one or more reactants (e) to obtain a nonvolatile solvent (b?nv) comprising at least two functional groups (F2). Obtained is a mixture (II) comprising polymer (a?) in nonvolatile solvent (b?nv) comprising at least two functional groups (F2). The at least one functional group (F1) is substantially nonreactive: (1) with the components of reactive mixture (a), (2) under the polymerization conditions which polymerize reactant mixture (a), and (3) with polymer (a?).

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present method includes the stops of providing a polymer resin to be processed: blending particulate boron nitride (BN) and a fluorine-containing polymer with said polymer resin to provide a resin blend: heating said resin blend to obtain a desired flowability value: and processing said resin blend into a desired shape.