Abstract: A liquid absorber includes a plurality of small chips. Individual ones of the small chips include a first substrate containing fibers, a second substrate containing fibers, and an absorbent resin supported between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate contains an ion scavenger.

Abstract: An admixture for mineral binder compositions, in particular an after-treatment agent for mineral binder compositions, including at least one water-absorbing substance and at least one shrinkage reducer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides POZ derivatives having a range of active functional groups allowing conjugation of POZ derivatives to a variety of target molecules under a wide range of reaction conditions to produce a hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugate. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods of synthesis for the disclosed POZ derivatives and hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugates created using the disclosed terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivatives. In one embodiment, the POZ derivative is a terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivative.

Abstract: The invention is related to a class of hydrophilic copolymers comprising loosely dangling thiol-containing pendant groups. The hydrophilic copolymers are highly reactive towards azetidinium groups of an azetidinium-containing polymer upon heating and can find particular use in for producing water-soluble highly-branched hydrophilic polymeric material useful for producing water gradient contact lenses.

Abstract: A polarizing lens including a polarizing polyvinyl alcohol film arranged between two pieces of a lens base material, where the polarizing polyvinyl alcohol film includes a hydrophobic region having higher hydrophobicity than other regions at least at a partial region of an outer periphery part including an edge surface thereof and the hydrophobic region is exposed at least at a part of an edge surface of the lens.

Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) agents and RNAi agent conjugates for inhibiting the expression of the LPA (apo(a)) gene are described. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more LPA RNAi agents optionally with one or more additional therapeutics are also described. Delivery of the described LPA RNAi agents to liver cells in vivo provides for inhibition of LPA gene expression and treatment of cardiovascular and cardiovascular-related diseases.

Abstract: A precipitated silica having a CTAB specific surface in the range of from 50 to 300 m2/g; a BET/CTAB specific surface ratio equal to or greater than 1.3 and comprising at least one polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A strain gauge nozzle adapter that may be placed between a barrel end cap and a nozzle body of an injection molding system, the strain gauge nozzle adapter having a strain gauge pin that measures strain within the strain gauge nozzle adapter for use in approximating conditions within an injection molding system, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. The strain gauge nozzle adapter may include a plurality of strain gauge pins. An alternative material insert in the strain gauge nozzle adapter may surround a strain gauge pin to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the strain gauge pin so that noise measurements do not compromise the accuracy of approximation of conditions within a mold.

Abstract: Provided is a method for separating a specific gas from a raw gas using a gas separation membrane module that includes a gas separation membrane element enclosed in a housing. The element includes a gas separation membrane including a hydrophilic resin composition layer. The method includes: preparing the module; increasing pressure in an interior of the module; increasing a temperature in the interior; and feeding a raw gas to the interior. The layer of the module prepared is adjusted to contain moisture, and a moisture content thereof is an amount that allows an equilibrium relative humidity at a temperature of 23° C. of a gas phase portion in the housing to be 10% RH or more. The raw gas feeding step is performed after the preparation step. The pressure increase step and the temperature increase step are performed after the preparation step and before the raw gas feeding step.

Abstract: Provided herein is a translucent white polymer composition suitable for use as a safety glass interlayer. The translucent white polymer composition comprises a pigment and a polymeric resin that comprises an ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer. Alumina (Al2O3) and alumina trihydrate (Al(OH)3; “ATH”) are preferred pigments. The translucent white polymer composition is useful in various molded articles. The translucent white polymer composition is particularly useful as an interlayer in glass laminates, including safety glass laminates and structural glass laminates. Further provided herein are methods of making the translucent white polymer composition, the articles and the glass laminates.

Abstract: Provided is a triazine ring-containing hyperbranched polymer comprising the repeating unit structure represented by formula (1) and having one or more triazine ring terminals, said one or more triazine ring terminals being capped with a compound that differs from the diamine compound serving as the starting material for the polymer and has at least two active hydrogen groups. In addition to the polymer itself exhibiting high heat resistance, high transparency, a high refractive index, high light resistance, high solubility, and low volume shrinkage, it is also possible to use the polymer to provide a composition for film formation capable of yielding a thick film having high hardness. (In formula (1), R and R? each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, and Ar represents a divalent organic group containing an aromatic ring and/or a heterocyclic ring.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for converting an ester group to an acid group for polymers having a pendant ester of an acid group. This process is generally performed using an aqueous strong base.

Abstract: A polyamide resin, according to the present invention, is formed through polycondensation of a monomer comprising 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,10-decanediamine, and 1,12-dodecanediamine, wherein the molar ratio of 1,10-decanediamine and 1,12-dodecanediamine is approximately 10:90 to approximately 65:35. As a result, the polyamide resin capable of enabling high durability and color stability in the polyamide molded body can be provided.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine uses lower temperatures, when compared to molding according to the original mold cycle.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol polymer capable of, in producing hydrolyzable cellulose using a cellulosic biomass as a basic material, readily disrupting the cellulosic biomass at a molecular level by imparting a suitable flow resistance to a solution containing the cellulosic biomass, or the like, thereby resulting in efficient production of hydrolyzable cellulose to be enabled; and a method for producing hydrolyzable cellulose using the polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Provided is a polyvinyl alcohol polymer for use in producing hydrolyzable cellulose using a cellulosic biomass as a basic material, the polyvinyl alcohol polymer having: an average degree of polymerization of no less than 200 and no greater than 5,000; a degree of saponification of no less than 70 mol % and no greater than 99.9 mol %; and a molecular weight distribution of no less than 2.2.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eco-friendly resin composition. The eco-friendly resin composition includes a base resin of about 100 parts by weight and a polyvinylacetal compatibilizer of about 1 to about 20 parts by weight. The base resin includes a plasticized cellulose diacetate of about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % and a thermoplastic resin of about 50 wt % to about 90 wt %.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adhesive for a polarizing plate that comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin with an acetoacetyl group and an amine-based metal compound crosslinking agent, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing control agents for applications in the petroleum field, where a polymer bearing —OH, amine and/or amide functions, which is in the form of a divided solid, is reacted with at least one crosslinking agent bearing at least two —R groups capable of reacting with the —OH, amine or amide groups, under conditions where said polymer remains in solid form and where said crosslinking agent is at least partly in vapour form, The invention also relates to the control agents obtained in solid form according to this process, and also to the mixtures of these solid agents with other additives, which can be used in particular for the preparation of cement grout for oil extraction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric materials comprising biodegradable, dioxanone-based copolymers and implantable devices (e.g., drug-delivery stents) formed of such materials. The polymeric materials can also contain at least one additional biocompatible moiety, at least one non-fouling moiety, at least one biobeneficial material, at least one bioactive agent, or a combination thereof. The polymeric materials are designed to improve the mechanical, physical and biological properties of implantable devices formed thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, adhesives for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an adhesive for use with a 3D printer comprises a first polymeric component comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a second polymeric component. The poly(vinyl alcohol), in some embodiments, comprises amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the second polymeric component comprises a water-soluble polymer. Further, in some embodiments, an adhesive described herein further comprises a solvent, a surfactant, and/or a preservative.

Abstract: A laminate film including a first core polylactic acid layer, a coating receiving-layer of polylactic acid, and coated on one side of the coating receiving-layer with PVOH, EVOH, a blend of crosslinked EVOH/PVOH, vinyl alcohol-vinylamine (PVAm) copolymer, anionic carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR) emulsion, or blends thereof. This coating may be applied after the machine-direction orientation step and dried and oriented in a transverse direction orientation oven if in-line coating is desired; or applied to the film in an off-line coating method and dried in an air flotation oven. The dried coating layer can be metallized. This laminate film exhibits excellent gas and moisture barrier properties, appearance, and metal adhesion. It may also optionally include a heat sealable or winding improving layer on the side opposite the coating receiving-layer of the core layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for continuously producing poly(vinyl butyral) in which the acetalization of poly(vinyl butyral) is carried out using a poly(vinyl alcohol) varnish provided to a mixing region of a high shear mixer at an elevated temperature, which reduces the amount of energy required compared to conventional processing because at least one cooling and heating cycle is eliminated, or makes the recuperation of energy more straightforward.

Abstract: A process for preparing mechanically stabilized polyazoles, comprising the following steps: I) treating at least one polyazole having at least one amino group in a repeat unit with a solution comprising (i) at least one strong acid and (ii) at least one stabilizing reagent, the total content of stabilizing reagents in the solution being in the range from 0.01 to 30% by weight, II) performing the stabilization reaction directly and/or in a subsequent processing step by heating to a temperature greater than 25° C., the stabilizing reagent used being at least one polyvinyl alcohol. The polyazoles thus obtainable are notable especially for a high conductivity and a very good mechanical stability. They are therefore especially suitable for applications in fuel cells.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant nucleophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant electrophilic groups. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant electrophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant nucleophilic groups. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for reducing lung volume in a patient comprising the step of administering a hydrogel composition as described herein. Further, hydrogels of the invention may be used to achieve pleurodesis, seal brochopleural fistulas, seal an air leak in a lung, achieve hemostasis, tissue sealing (e.g., blood vessels, internal organs), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein are intended for use in the treatment of patients with emphysema.

Abstract: A method for the production of a mechanically stabilized polyazole polymer membrane or film having the following steps: a) providing a membrane or film containing i.) a polyazole with at least one amino group in a repeating unit except the ones obtained by reacting aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, ii.) at least one strong acid and iii.) at least one stabilizing reagent, the total content of stabilizing reagents in the membrane or film being within the range of from 0.01 to 30% by weight, b) performing the stabilization reaction in the membrane, immediately or in a subsequent processing step of the membrane, c) optionally doping the membrane obtained in accordance with step b) with a strong acid or concentrating the present strong acid by removal of present water, wherein the stabilizing reagent contains at least one oxazine-based compound and wherein the polyazole polymer has at least 1.8 dl/g intrinsic viscosity.

Abstract: A moisture vapor and oxygen transmission resistant flexible film has a polymeric base layer and a barrier layer of discrete particles of a first organic polymer dispersed throughout a matrix of a second organic polymer. Preferably, the first and second polymers are water insoluble and water soluble, respectively. The barrier layer is formed by depositing onto the base layer a coating composition of finely divided insoluble organic polymer particles suspended in an aqueous solution of the water soluble organic polymer, a crosslinking agent and surfactant. The coating composition is heated to crosslink the barrier layer polymers and evaporate solvent to provide a barrier film suitable for packaging applications. Optionally, the film can be metalized to increase barrier properties.

Abstract: A hydrogel is dried by a critical point drying technique. The hydrogel may include indicator molecules embedded therein and may be part of a hydrogel-based device, such as, for example, an analyte sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of agglomeration (10) which has the steps of mixing a feedstock (12) of small particles which have an average particle size of 3 mm or less with a binder (14) which is in the form of a polyvinyl alcohol in the form of an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution in a first blender (16) to form a binder mixture (18), reacting a gelling agent (20) with the feedstock and the binder and processing the binder mixture to deliver an agglomerate (22).

Abstract: Provided is a producing method for a retardation film with a reverse wavelength dispersion property, which is highly reliable in terms of a small wavelength dispersion change and is low in display unevenness due to a position dependence of a retardation variation. The production method is designed for a retardation film which satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2): 0.7<Re1[450]/Re1[550]<0.97 - - - (1); and 1.5×10?3<?n<6.0×10?3 - - - (2) (where: Re1[450] and Re1[550] represent, respectively, in-plane retardation values thereof as measured by using light of a wavelengths of 450 nm and light of a wavelength of 550 nm, at 23° C.; and ?n represents an in-plane birefringence thereof as measured by using light of a wavelength of 550 nm).

Abstract: In a conductive film forming method using photo sintering, a conductive film having low electric resistance is easily formed. The conductive film forming method is a method in which a conductive film is formed using photo sintering. This method includes the steps of forming a layer made of a sintering promoter on a substrate, forming a liquid film made of a copper particulate dispersion on the layer of the sintering promoter, drying the liquid film to form a copper particulate layer, and subjecting the copper particulate layer to photo sintering. The sintering promoter is a compound which removes copper oxide from metallic copper. Thereby, the sintering promoter removes a surface oxide film of copper particulates in photo sintering.

Abstract: A stiffening thread for use in increasing the durability of a crease in a panel of fabric comprises at least one ply of thermofusible material having a melting point between 75° C. and 125° C. and at least one carrier ply of material which is not thermofusible, having a melting point above 125° C., wherein the at least one thermofusible ply is a monofilament thermofusible ply.

Abstract: A process for treating a solid substrate coupled to a polyol, wherein said polyol bears free hydroxyl groups, comprising the grafting of at least one fatty acid having an aliphatic chain comprising at least 12 carbon atoms onto said solid substrate coupled to a polyol by esterification of at least one free hydroxyl group of said polyol.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multiarm polymer includes reacting a branched polyol with one or more functionalizing reagents to effect substitution of an ionizable functional group or a protected ionizable functional group, Y, to form a mixture comprising (i) unsubstituted branched polyol containing no Y groups; (ii) a monosubstituted polyol comprising one Y group, and (iii) a multisubstituted polyol (e.g., a disubstituted polyol comprising two Y groups); followed by purifying the mixture to separate the monosubstituted polyol from other species Thereafter, a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer segment is attached to the monosubstituted branched polyol at the site of at least one of the hydroxyl groups. The invention also provides purified monosubstituted branched polyols and multiarm polymers prepared by the method and polyol precursors for use in the method.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates and processes for preparing the lithographic printing plates are provided. The plates have excellent printing durability, staining resistance and staining resistance over time. The lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a substrate; a photosensitive layer provided on the substrate; and an extra layer optionally provided between the substrate and the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer or the extra layer adjacent to the substrate contains (A) a copolymer. The copolymer (A) includes: (a1) a repeating unit of formula (a1-1) below in a side chain, and (a2) a repeating unit having at least one of the structures represented by formulae (a2-1) to (a2-6) shown in the specification in a side chain. L1, Z1, R1, and R21, R22 and R23 in formula (a1-1) and the variables in formulae (a2-1) to (a2-6) are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biodegradable hydrogel scaffolds for use in tissue engineering. The hydrogel scaffolds are composed of synthetic terpolymers complexed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which facilitate cell-sheet and tissue growth. In the presence of a monosaccharide, the PVA-hydrogel is dissolved and cell-sheets are released for harvesting. Further disclosed herein are methods for producing PVA hydrogels which support tissue growth. Tissue engineering applications and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel sizing-adhesive composition for corrugating characterised in that it comprises at least one low molecular weight, water soluble polymer such as a maltodextrin, corrugating boards prepared therewith and methods of producing them.

Abstract: A novel smokable thermoplastic film, smokable by both liquid smoke and gaseous smoke, that may be produced as a film or a tube, as in a food casing. This newly disclosed film is a blend of a polyamide base, an amorphous polyvinyl alcohol and, optionally, an antiblocking agent.

Abstract: An adhesive includes a polymer matrix, and a plurality of adhesive capsules in the polymer matrix, wherein each of the adhesive capsules includes a shell, configured to shatter under pressure, and an adhesive polymer in the shell.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to storage stable aqueous solutions of stilbene optical brighteners with polyvinyl alcohols which can be directly used by the papermaker in that they may be diluted with water and/or be metered directly into a coating composition, to provide coated papers of a particularly high whiteness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a blend of cellulose acetate and a water soluble polymer. In some embodiments, the composition is water dispersive and/or biodegradable. Embodiments of the invention also relate to processes for preparing such compositions, and to materials and products including such compositions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polymer composition for an inner liner, that is excellent in air permeation resistance and adhesion with an adjacent rubber, and a pneumatic tire using the same. In the polymer composition for an inner liner, a polymer component contains 99 to 50% by mass of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer, and at least one of a styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer and a styrene-isobutylene diblock copolymer in a total amount of 1 to 50% by mass.

Abstract: A process is described for providing a polymer material by blending as a first component one or more hydrophilic polymers, and as a second component one or more neutralising chemicals, in the complete or substantial absence of water. In the absence of water, the components will not be aqueous solutions. Thus the components can be used in blending processes, and the present invention is able to form many other shapes and forms of material other than laminates on substrates.

Abstract: This invention involves a composition, a method of making, and an application of high plasticization-resistant chemically cross-linked polymeric membranes such as cross-linked cellulose acetate (CA) membrane. These cross-linked polymeric membranes with covalently interpolymer-chain-connected rigid networks showed no decrease in CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity under 690 kPa (100 psig) pure CO2 pressure and also no CO2 plasticization up to 3447 kPa (500 psig) pure CO2 pressure. By using the method of chemical cross-linking as described in this invention, the separation characteristics of the polymeric membranes can be decisively improved. These new cross-linked polymeric membranes can be used not only for gas separations such as CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separations, O2/N2 separation, olefin/paraffin separations (e.g. propylene/propane separation), iso/normal paraffins separations, but also for liquid separations such as pervaporation and desalination.

Abstract: The invention provides for preparing a polymer-active agent conjugate, the method comprising the steps of reacting an amino acid derivative with a biologically active agent under conditions to form a polymer-active agent conjugate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for producing a template includes applying a resin to a first template having a first concavo-convex pattern, hardening the resin, releasing the hardened resin from the first template to produce a second template having a second concavo-convex pattern corresponding to the first concavo-convex pattern, and enlarging the second template.

Abstract: A polymer of the present invention has a plurality of pendant groups. Each of the pendant groups is constituted of a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, and a group interposed between a main chain and either the carboxyl group or salt thereof. The group interposed between the main chain and either the carboxyl group or salt thereof is: a hydrocarbon group; a perfluorocarbon group; constituted of a hydrocarbon group and at least one of an ester group and a carbonate group; or constituted of a perfluorocarbon group and at least one of an ester group and a carbonate group. A carbonyl carbon included in the carboxyl group or salt thereof is bonded directly to a carbon included in either the hydrocarbon group or the perfluorocarbon group.

Abstract: Encapsulated cure systems are provided wherein a curative is incorporated into a solid or semi-solid carrier material whereby mere fracturing or failure of the capsule wall encapsulating such cure systems will not provide for or allow sufficient release of the curative. Also provided are adhesive systems incorporating said encapsulated cure systems.

Abstract: A laminate film including a first core polylactic acid layer, a coating receiving-layer of polylactic acid, and coated on one side of the coating receiving-layer with PVOH, EVOH, a blend of crosslinked EVOH/PVOH, vinyl alcohol-vinylamine (PVAm) copolymer, anionic carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBR) emulsion, or blends thereof. This coating may be applied after the machine-direction orientation step and dried and oriented in a transverse direction orientation oven if in-line coating is desired; or applied to the film in an off-line coating method and dried in an air flotation oven. The dried coating layer can be metallized. This laminate film exhibits excellent gas and moisture barrier properties, appearance, and metal adhesion. It may also optionally include a heat sealable or winding improving layer on the side opposite the coating receiving-layer of the core layer.

Abstract: A protective layer for optical devices, comprising a replaceable, scratch resistant layer appliable to an optical device in such a way such that optical properties of said optical device are substantially unaltered. The optical device is undamaged by scratches made to the scratch resistant layer by a pencil having a 3H degree of hardness or by sand. The protective layer may comprise a polyvinyl butyral resin and polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present development is a liner unit comprising a light-weight polymeric material that becomes cold when exposed to water, which can be used to line a soft-crown cap, such as a baseball cap. The liner is sized to fit snuggly within the cap, and may be reversibly attached to the interfacing of the cap. Alternatively, the liner may comprise a magnet, sized and oriented on the liner so as to allow the magnet to engage with the underside of a button secured to the cap.