Abstract: Disclosed herein are new electrochromic materials, including small molecule, oligomeric, and polymeric electrochromic materials, and compositions comprising the electrochromic materials and a salt. Further disclosed are electrochromic devices prepared from the electrochromic materials and electrochromic material compositions. Also disclosed are melt processable polymeric electrochromic materials, melt processable compositions comprising the melt processable polymeric electrochromic material, and a salt; and devices prepared therefrom.

Abstract: Provided are curable compositions including a base part comprising an amine-reactive curable resin and a curative part comprising a polymeric toughener dissolved in an amine. The polymeric toughener, optionally a rubbery polymer or thermoplastic polymer, is solid at ambient conditions with a weight average molecular weight of at least 5,000 g/mol while the amine is a liquid at ambient conditions. The curable composition is cured by mixing the base and curative parts with each other. Hardened compositions obtained thereof can achieve increased toughener loading, resulting in high peel and shear strength performance over a wide range of temperatures, including at temperatures exceeding 180° F. (82° C.).

Abstract: A resin according to the present invention is prepared by reacting a reaction product, which is obtained by Michael addition reaction between the following component (A) and the following component (B) and a subsequent amide group formation reaction, with the following component (C): (A) an aliphatic diamine having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or a diamine having a C6-8 aromatic ring; (B) an unsaturated carboxylic acid represented by formula (2) and/or a derivative thereof, provided that the following component (C) is excluded: [in formula (2), R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an aryl group]; and (C) a (meth)acrylic acid-type compound having at least one glycidyl or isocyanate group.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having an excellent properties like flight distance and low temperature durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core consisting of a center and one or more intermediate layers covering the center; and a cover covering the core, wherein at least one piece or one layer of said intermediate layers is formed from a highly elastic intermediate layer composition that contains (A) a highly elastic polyamide resin having a flexural modulus in a range from 700 MPa to 5,000 MPa; (B) a metal-neutralized product of ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer and (C) a resin having a polar functional group in a specific way.

Abstract: A high-viscosity polyamide composition including a branched polyamide is described. Also described, is a relationship between a high-viscosity polyamide composition and a composition including a copolyamide of a statistical tree type resulting from a reaction between a multifunctional monomer including at least three reactive functions in order to form an amide function. Further described, are three reactive functions of two different types and bifunctional monomers used in the manufacture of linear polyamides. A resulting copolyamide can have a very low melt flow index relative to the linear polyamide and improved impact resistance properties. Lastly, use of such a composition for extrusion blow-molding articles is described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ester-terminated polyimide gellant compounds end-caped with isosorbide and UV curable ink compositions containing them.

Abstract: Lysine-based polymers, particularly copolymers of lysine and maleic acid, are useful as coagulants for clarification of wastewaters, including produced waters from oils sands mining operations. They can be advantageously used in combination with commercial coagulants, and in combination with flocculants. Such combinations may include dry blends. Also described are methods of preparation of lysine homopolymers and copolymers.

Abstract: Compositions comprising ionomers and imidized acrylic resins are disclosed. Articles prepared from the compositions exhibit improved heat resistance properties such as increased Vicat temperature, increased stiffness/modulus at room temperature and elevated temperatures below the ionomer's melting point, and increased upper use temperature at a given stiffness over those of ionomers alone.

Abstract: A PIB derivative suitable for use as a fuel additive or lubricant additive prepared from a reactive low molecular weight polyisobutylene composition comprising at least 50 mol percent alpha vinylidene terminated polyisobutylene molecules, the composition having a polydispersity of no more than 1.5 and a number average molecular weight of at least 500 Daltons and no more than 1000 Daltons. The derivative is selected from the group consisting of: alkyl hydroxyaromatic compounds; alkyl alkoxy aromatic compounds; polyisobutenylsuccinic anhydrides; polyisobutenylsuccinimides; PIB-amine compounds; sulfurized PIB compounds; and Mannich condensation products of an alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having an excellent properties like flight distance and low temperature durability. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising: a core consisting of a center and one or more intermediate layers covering the center; and a cover covering the core, wherein at least one piece or one layer of said intermediate layers is formed from a highly elastic intermediate layer composition that contains (A) a highly elastic polyamide resin having a flexural modulus in a range from 700 MPa to 5,000 MPa; (B) a metal-neutralized product of ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer and (C) a resin having a polar functional group in a specific way.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material comprising components (A), (B) and (C): (A) a mixture of different masterbatches prepared by separately masterbatching two or more different metal ions (A1) or a masterbatch prepared by simultaneously masterbatching two or more different metal ions in itself (A2), (B) one or more polymer selected from the group consisting of diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) one or more polymer having an acid content of from about 0.5 to about 30 wt % and selected from the group consisting of olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, unsaturated carboxylic anhydride-containing polymers, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-containing polymers and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester-containing polymers. The invention also provides a method for preparing such a golf ball material, and a golf ball made of the material.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising (a) 92 to 99 weight percent, of polyoxymethylene with number average molecular weight from 65,000 to 250,000 g/mole; and (b) 1 to 8 weight percent of an imidized acrylic resin obtained by treating an acrylic polymer with a monoalkyl amine, wherein the weight percents of a and b are based on their combined weight, and monoalkyl group has from one to five carbon atoms, the degree of imidization is 20% to 100% and the acid level is from 0 to about 2 weight percent of the imidized acrylic resin. The composition has significantly higher heat deflection temperature than the neat polyoxymethylene. Processes of increasing heat deflection temperature of POM compositions are described herein by blending (a) and (b), wherein the resultant melt-mixed composition has a 200% increase or greater in time to 5% creep strain relative to the same melt-mixed composition lacking (b).

Abstract: A curable composition, suitable for underfill encapsulant, has two distinct phase domains after cure, a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase, in which one phase has a modulus value of 2 GPa or greater, and the second phase has a modulus value at least 1 Gpa less than the first phase, characterized in that the phases are generated in situ as the composition cures.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material composed of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by melt-blending under applied heat one or more compounds selected from among UV/EB-curable materials with, in the presence of a peroxide, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin and an ionomeric resin; or of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by using, instead of the ionomeric resin, an acid-containing polymer base of the ionomeric resin and subjecting the acid-containing polymer composition similarly prepared by melt-blending under applied heat to an acid-neutralizing reaction with a metal ionic species. Methods for preparing such a material, and golf balls which include as a component therein a molding made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent abrasion resistance, scuff resistance, durability and flexibility without a loss of rebound.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer useful for alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from a) at least one component selected from the group consisting of oligomer(s) and polymer(s) within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof wherein the at least one component comprises at least one initiator generating moiety, and b) at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer(s) and addition polymer(s), wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal elements such as all liquid crystal display products or modes, liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal optical films comprising the novel hybrid polymer alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers imprinted by retention solutes, use of same as well as compositions containing same.

Abstract: There is provided a thermoplastic resin composition which comprises a modified rubber having excellent low-temperature durability dispersed in a polyamide resin matrix in order to improve the low-temperature durability or repeated fatigue resistance of the polyamide resin and which maintains its flowability and can be formed into a film even at a high content of the modified rubber, and has excellent low-temperature durability. The thermoplastic resin composition comprises a modified polyamide resin (A) obtained by melt blending 100 parts by weight of a polyamide resin (A1) and 0.05 to 5 parts by weight of a compound (A2) capable of binding to a terminal amino group of the polyamide resin, at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the polyamide resin (A1), and a modified rubber (B) having an acid anhydride group, an epoxy group, or a carboxyl group or a derivative thereof. The compound (A2) is preferably a monofunctional epoxy compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material composed of (i) a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin, (ii) an ionomeric resin and/or an acid-containing polymer which is the base polymer of an ionomeric resin, and (iii) a norbornene dicarboxylic anhydride and/or a derivative thereof. Methods for preparing such a material, and a golf ball which includes as a component therein a part made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent rebound resilience, durability and flexibility.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyamide resin compositions include the essential components of polyamide resins, polyalcohol and epoxy resin, and, optionally, one or more additives selected from among thermoplastic impact modifiers, reinforcement agents, and polyoxides; such thermoplastic polyamide resin compositions provide superior impact resistance, heat resistance, low degree of deformation, low degree of contraction, and external appearance, but also superior paint adhesion properties without requiring a primer, and function as an adhesion medium that advantageously may be applied to the interior and exterior parts of an automobile requiring painting.

Abstract: A method for controlling the physical state of an ultra-high molecular weight polymer to make the ultra-high molecular weight polymer suitable for further processing, and related polymers compositions methods and systems, wherein the method comprises combining a catalyst, monomers, and an additive, for a time and under condition to allow synthesis of a nascent polymer and co-crystallization of the nascent polymer with the additive.

Abstract: Compositions comprising ionomers and imidized acrylic resins are disclosed. Articles prepared from the compositions exhibit improved heat resistance properties such as increased Vicat temperature, increased stiffness/modulus at room temperature and elevated temperatures below the ionomer's melting point, and increased upper use temperature at a given stiffness over those of ionomers alone.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film contains polyphenylene sulfide and polyether imide, wherein the contents of the polyphenylene sulfide and the polyether imide are 70 to 99 parts by weight and 1 to 30 parts by weight respectively when the total amount of the polyphenylene sulfide and the polyether imide is taken as 100 parts by weight, and further contains a compound having one or more groups selected from an epoxy group, an amino group and an isocyanate group as a compatibilizing agent in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyphenylene sulfide and polyether imide in total, and the polyether imide forms a dispersed phase with an average particle diameter of 10 to 500 nm and the biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film exhibits a tensile elongation at break of 110 to 250% in both the longitudinal direction and width direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material composed of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by melt-blending under applied heat one or more compounds selected from among UV/EB-curable materials with, in the presence of a peroxide, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin and an ionomeric resin; or of an ionomeric resin composition obtained by using, instead of the ionomeric resin, an acid-containing polymer base of the ionomeric resin and subjecting the acid-containing polymer composition similarly prepared by melt-blending under applied heat to an acid-neutralizing reaction with a metal ionic species. Methods for preparing such a material, and golf balls which include as a component therein a molding made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent abrasion resistance, scuff resistance, durability and flexibility without a loss of rebound.

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphorus-containing mixtures containing compounds of the formula RO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2H and??(I) HO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2R??(II) in which A is C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, C6-C18-aralkyl or aryl, R is (D,E)C?C(B, R5) or H B, D, E are identical or different and are each H or C1-C18-alkyl R5 is —CO-alkoxy, a process for their preparation and their use.

Abstract: A polyamide resin composition, having an excellent extensibility and flexing fatigue, composed of a polyamide resin (A), as a matrix, and a modifying polymer (C), dispersed therein, having a functional group (B) reactive with the polyamide resin (A), wherein a tensile stress at break of the modifying polymer (C) is 30 to 70% of the tensile stress at break of the polyamide resin (A), and a tensile elongation at break of the modifying polymer (C) is 100 to 500% of the tensile elongation at break of the polyamide resin (A) as well as a pneumatic tire and hose using the same.

Abstract: Aromatic polyimide composition and articles manufactured therefrom. This invention relates to an aromatic polyimide molding composition, comprising at least one aromatic polyimide (A) chosen from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide-imide, aromatic polyesterimides and aromatic polyimide free of any ester and amide group of specific type and typically from 0.5 to 30% wt of at least one fluoroelastomer (B), with respect to the total weight of (A) and (B), to a method for manufacturing the same, to a molding process of the same, and to the articles manufactured therefrom. Preferably, the component (A) of the composition is at least one aromatic polyamide-imide manufactured by a process including the polycondensation reaction between (i) at least one acid monomer chosen from trimellitic anhydride and trimellitic anhydride monoacid halides and (ii) at least one commoner chosen from the group consisting of 4,4?-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4?-diaminodiphenylether, m-phenylenediamine and mixtures therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides polymer blends containing polyhydroxyamide and one or more flammable polymers. The polymer blends are flame retardant and have improved durability and heat stability compared to the flammable polymer portion of the blends. Articles containing the polymer blends are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting member, especially to a cutting filament, for a plant-cutting device such as a scrub cutter or edge trimmer characterized in that at least one portion of the cutting member is a mixture of at least a polyamide and at least one another thermoplastic material. Another object of the invention relates to a composition for use in the manufacture of a cutting member by extrusion/drawing or by injection, characterized it is made from a mixture of at least a polyamide and at least one another thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material comprising components (A), (B) and (C): (A) a mixture of different masterbatches prepared by separately masterbatching two or more different metal ions (A1) or a masterbatch prepared by simultaneously masterbatching two or more different metal ions in itself (A2), (B) one or more polymer selected from the group consisting of diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) one or more polymer having an acid content of from about 0.5 to about 30 wt % and selected from the group consisting of olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, unsaturated carboxylic anhydride-containing polymers, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-containing polymers and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester-containing polymers. The invention also provides a method for preparing such a golf ball material, and a golf ball made of the material.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a thermoplastic elastomer composition, which includes a halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene copolymer rubber dispersed in a polyamide resin in order to improve the fatigue durability of a polyamide resin, while maintaining high flowability of the polyamide resin, even if a halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene copolymer rubber is finely dispersed and loaded to a high content. A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a continuous phase composed of a modified polyamide resin (A) and a dispersed phase composed of a halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene copolymer rubber (B) is provided. The modified polyamide resin (A) is a resin obtained by melt-kneading 100 parts by weight of a polyamide resin (C) with not less than 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball material composed of (i) a non-ionomeric thermoplastic resin, (ii) an ionomeric resin and/or an acid-containing polymer which is the base polymer of an ionomeric resin, and (iii) a norbornene dicarboxylic anhydride and/or a derivative thereof. Methods for preparing such a material, and a golf ball which includes as a component therein a part made of the golf ball material are also provided. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, and can thus be used to obtain high-performance golf balls endowed with an excellent rebound resilience, durability and flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystalline resin composition capable of readily blow-molding a molded article having uniform thickness, with the addition of good blow-moldability owing to the improved drawdown-resistant property, the improved melt-tension increase rate, and other properties without deteriorating the low gas-permeability which is a characteristic of liquid crystalline resin.

Abstract: A novel propylene resin composition which can readily impart polypropylene fibers with excellent dyeability and can provide dyed fibers improved in washing resistance and weatherability is provided. A polypropylene resin composition obtained by melt blending the following components (A) to (C): (A) 85 to 95 mass % of a polypropylene-based resin; (B) 3 to 9 mass % of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and (C) 2 to 6 mass % of a polyether ester amide-based compound; wherein the vinyl acetate content of the ethylene vinyl acetate as the component (B) is 20 mass % or more and 40 mass % or less, and the melt flow rate of the ethylene vinyl acetate is 10 g/10 min or more and 40 g/10 min or less.

Abstract: A composition suitable for molding is provided having the following components: I. from 97 to 80 parts by weight of a polyetheramide, having units based on one or more linear aliphatic diamines having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, one or more linear aliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acids having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, and one or more polyetherdiamines having at least 3 carbon atoms per ether oxygen and having primary amino groups at the chain ends, II. from 3 to 20 parts by weight of a rubber containing one or more functional groups; and where the total of the parts by weight of I and II is 100; and moldings produced therefrom.

Abstract: An uncured liquid epoxy composition comprises a liquid epoxy resin and a) a tri-amine terminated polyether toughener optionally adducted with an epoxy resin, or a mixture of said tri-amine terminated polyether toughener optionally have an epoxy adduct thereon with a core-shell copolymer or with an epoxidized carboxyl terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer; or b) an amine terminated tri-block polyether toughener optionally adducted with an epoxy resin, or a mixture of said amine terminated tri-block polyether toughener optionally having an epoxy adducted thereon with a core-shell copolymer or with an epoxidized carboxyl terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer. The uncured toughener composition need not contain any high molecular weight polymers or material and is utilized as a low viscosity paste adhesive having good storage stability, and when cured has very good low temperature peel strength at minus 40° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a catalyst for polymerization of aliphatic polycarbonates and a method of polymerizing an aliphatic polycarbonate. This method includes reacting a zinc precursor and organic dicarboxylic acid in a non-ionic surfactant-included solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing composition which comprises a crosslinkable fluoroelastomer, a crosslinking agent for this elastomer and a reinforcing polyimide resin powder; and seals such as O-rings, made by molding the composition into a prescribed shape and crosslinking the molded article. According to the invention, seals free from metals and sulfur can be made from a fluoroelastomer suitable for the production unit for semiconductor devices without a scatter of physical properties within one seal or among seals, and the obtained seals are lowered in the compression set determined ate the same hardness level to cause little permanent set by compression in use, thus having a prolonged service life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising component (A) which comprises at least one water-soluble component comprising at least one functional group that undergoes a crosslinking reaction, preferably upon drying and/or heating; component (B) which comprises at least one film-forming material, preferably a latex material; and component (C) which comprises at least one component that provides at least one of moisture and/or water barrier properties and/or vapor barrier properties greater than that provided by the combination of components (A) and (B) alone.

Abstract: The invention provides polymer blends containing polyhydroxyamide and one or more flammable polymers. The polymer blends are flame retardant and have improved durability and heat stability compared to the flammable polymer portion of the blends. Articles containing the polymer blends are also provided.

Abstract: A new and improved method for pre-treating stencils is herein disclosed. A release agent provides a protective barrier when applied to stencils prior to applying paint to the surface. The release agent allows the paint to removed by soaking and/or washing the pre-treated surface with warm water.

Abstract: A composite composition is disclosed that comprises the reaction product of a mixture of a styrenic polymer, as defined herein, a polar component having nucleophilic functional groups, and from 0.5 to 10 wt % of a compatibilizer having the formula: Ry(I)-(styrene)n-[(styrene)m(X)]p—I(Ry) wherein: R is the residue of a nitroxide used to regulate the polymerization of the compatibilizer; I is the residue of a radical initiator used to initiate polymerization of the compatibilizer; n is an integer from 50 to 750; m is an integer from 0 to 10; p is an integer from 1 to 50; and y is an integer from 0 to 1; and X is any polymerized monomeric moiety having at least one functional group capable of reacting with the nucleophilic functional groups present in the polar component of the composite at the temperature at which the composite components are mixed.

Abstract: A polymer comprises at least two types of monomer units selected from: (1) diethynyl benzene units, (2) triethynyl benzene units, and (3) ester units. After curing, the polymer may form a condensed polyaromatic dielectric having a dielectric constant of at most 2.0 at 1 MHz, an elastic modulus of at least 7.7 GPa, and a hardness of at least 2.0 GPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sinter powder composed of polyamide which also comprises PMMI, PMMA, or copolymers with PMMI, in particular PMMI-PMMA copolymers, to the use of this sinter powder for laser-sintering, and also to moldings produced from this sinter powder. The moldings made from the powder of the invention have marked advantages over conventional products in their appearance and in their surface quality, especially as far as roughness and dimensional stability during selective laser sintering (SLS) are concerned. In addition, moldings produced from the sinter powder of the invention also have better mechanical properties than moldings based on conventional nylon-12 powders, in particular in terms of modulus of elasticity and tensile strength. These moldings also have a density close to that of injection moldings.

Abstract: The present invention uses a reactor that combines devices having a special portion structure to solve the difficulty of uniform blending due to the reactants becoming highly viscous, the difficulty of heat removal, and the increase in pressure loss, thus leading to continuous production of a polyester-based polymer stably having excellent quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing polyalkenylsuccinimides having a sediment level less than 0.1 vol % comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a polyalkenyl derivative of an unsaturated acidic reagent by (i) reacting a polyalkylene with an unsaturated acidic reagent in the absence of a strong acid until at least 25% of the polyalkylene is converted to a polyalkenyl derivative of an unsaturated acidic reagent; (ii) continuing the reaction with an excess of the unsaturated acidic reagent in the presence of a strong acid to convert at least some of the unreacted polyalkylene to additional polyalkenyl derivative of an unsaturated acidic reagent; and (iii) removing the unreacted unsaturated acidic reagent; (b) reacting the unfiltered product of step (a) with a polyamine having at least one basic nitrogen atom; (c) diluting the product of step (b); and (d) subsequently filtering the polyalkenylsuccinimide product.

Abstract: Polymers containing ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as ?-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as ?-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of monomer, macromonomer and polymer within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof and at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer and functionalized addition polymer wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel branched hybrid polymer optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention comprise at least one component of a macromonomer or polymer within the class of polyimide, polyamic acids and esters thereof, and at least one additional component from the group consisting of an addition monomer, monomers and addition polymer that are covalently bonded with the first component to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel branched hybrid polymer optical alignment layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pneumatic tire having a rubberized component comprising: (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one rubber containing olefinic unsaturation; and (b) 1 to 50 phr of a dendrimer.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermosetting compositions, in particular coating or molding compositions, comprising crosslinked polymer microparticles with a size ranging from 10 to 300 nm and carrying at least one reactive functional group which can react with at least one of the reactive components of the thermosetting composition. Preferably, these microparticles carry at least one second reactive functional group distinct from the first which can react with at least one other functional group of the same type carried by another microparticle and/or by a reactive component of the thermosetting composition. These microparticles are at least partially soluble, miscible and/or dispersible in the starting thermosetting composition. The preferred thermosetting compositions are based on resins of epoxy/amine type or on unsaturated polyester resins and/or on vinyl ester resins.