Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, provided are: a composite membrane comprising a polyolefin-based porous support and a solid electrolyte impregnated into the support; and a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: Methods of directed self-assembly of multi-block (i.e., triblock and higher-order) copolymers on patterned substrates and related compositions are provided. According to various embodiments, the methods involve depositing copolymer materials on substrates configured to drive the assembly of micro-phase separated films that exhibit the same morphology as that copolymer materials in the bulk. In certain embodiments, binary patterns are used to drive the triblock copolymer films. The binary two-dimensional surface patterns are transformed into three-component and three-dimensional structures throughout the thickness of the overlying copolymer films.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition for toners, which contains a resin (D) obtained by reacting a styrene polymer (A) containing an active hydrogen group and having a peak molecular weight (Mp) of not less than 30,000 but not more than 2,000,000, a styrene polymer (B) containing a carboxyl group and having a peak molecular weight (Mp) of not less than 2,000 but not more than 20,000, and a crosslinkable compound (C) having an isocyanate group.

Abstract: A responsive polymeric system including a responsive polymeric component capable of undergoing a transition that results in a sharp increase in viscosity in response to a triggering effected at a predetermined body site. The system includes a solid non-ceramic reinforcing component which reinforces the polymeric component, and an aqueous-based solvent wherein the viscosity of the responsive polymeric component increases by at least about 2 times upon exposure to a predetermined trigger.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: The invention concerns a thermosetting elastomer composition based on modified polycyanurate with improved thermal resistance obtainable by a polymerization method in the presence of a catalyst (D) of a mixture comprising at least: (A) a cyanate, (B) a block copolymer consisting of: a) at least a central block (B1) non-miscible with the cyanate and sufficiently long to provide the composition with elastomeric character; and b) at least two terminal blocks (B2) located on each side of the central block and comprising groups reactive with the cyanate, each of the blocks (B2) being sufficiently long to be miscible with the cyanate; and (C) a mineral filler reactive with the cyanate, in proportions such that the ratio r is not less than 5, but remains less than a threshold value to avoid phase inversion, said method comprising steps which consist in: I) mixing (A), (B), (C) and (D) until a homogeneous mixture is obtained at a temperature higher than the melting point of (A) and of (B) but lower than about 130° C.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: Terminally functionalized silicone triblock copolymers prepared using protected functionalized initiators and processes for preparing the same. The silicone triblock copolymers includes protected, functionalized silicone diene and/or alkenylsubstituted aromatic copolymers. The protected functionalized copolymers can be optionally deprotected to afford functionalized silicone diene and/or alkenylsubstituted aromatic copolymers.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cross-linked polymer solid electrolyte and a method of manufacturing the same. A crosslinking agent is added to a block-graft copolymer composed of a polymer block chain A represented by formula I and a polymer block chain B represented by formula II; a high energy ray is irradiated to the block-graft polymer in order to crosslink the entire system; and an nonaqueous electrolytic solution is added to the block-graft polymer. There is also disclosed a composite solid electrolyte for use in a solid electrochemical element. The composite solid electrolyte includes an electrically insulating material, an alkali metal salt, a block-graft copolymer composed of a polymer block chain A represented by formula I and a polymer block chain B represented by formula II, and an aprotic organic solvent.

Abstract: Process for airtight and/or moisture-proof packaging of air-sensitive and/or moisture-sensitive materials for the introduction of the packaged materials in a chemical reactor. Described is a process for the airtight and/or moisture-proof packaging of air-sensitive and/or moisture-sensitive materials in a foil and a method for introducing the packaged materials in a reactor, whereby the polymer foil is dissolved in an organic solvent.

Abstract: A process for curing epoxidized diene polymers for use in adhesives, sealants, and coatings which comprises contacting the polymer with an aromatic anhydride curing agent at an epoxy/anhydride molar ratio from 0.5/1 to 2.0/1.0, optionally, and from 0.1 to 10 phr of an accelerator at a temperature of from 100 to for a period of 10 minutes to six hours.

Abstract: A process for curing epoxidized diene polymers for use in adhesives, sealants, and coatings which comprises contacting the polymer with an aromatic anhydride curing agent at an epoxy/anhydride molar ratio from 0.5/1 to 2.0/1.0, optionally, and from 0.1 to 10 phr of an accelerator at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. for a period of 10 minutes to six hours.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of branched thermoplastic resins comprising: heating a mixture of a free radical initiator, at least one first free radical reactive monomer, at least one free radical reactive branching agent compound, and at least one stable free radical agent, to produce a linear or unbranched polymer product with a free radical initator fragment at one end and a covalently bonded stable free radical agent at the other end of the polymerized chain of monomers; and irradiating the unbranched polymer product in the presence of a reactive compound selected from the group consisting of a free radical reactive monomer, a branching agent compound, and mixtures thereof to form a branched polymeric product.

Abstract: A reformed polypropylene resin composition having high degree of fluidity and excellent impact strength and rigidity, and further having a melt flow rate of from 50 to 150 g/10 min. and establishing a relationship between the melt flow rate (X) and the Izod impact strength (Y) which satisfies a relation Y.gtoreq.-4.7878 log X+13.8829. The reformed polypropylene resin composition is obtained by blending 0.01 to 0.2 parts by weight of an organic peroxide and 0.05 to 1 part by weight of a crosslinking agent per 100 parts by weight of a total of 50 to 90 parts by weight of a polypropylene having a melt flow rate at 230.degree. C. of 10 to 70 g/10 min, 0 to 25 parts by weight of an olefin copolymer rubber, and 5 to 40 parts by weight of an organic filler, and by melt-kneading the mixture by using a biaxial extruder maintaining a temperature of 120.degree. to 200.degree. in the preceding stage of the screw and a temperature of 180.degree. to 270.degree. C.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition which comprises (I) 99 to 1% by weight of a hydrogenated diene copolymer having a number average molecular weight of 50000 to 700,000 in which 80% or more of the double bonds of the conjugated diene portion of the conjugated diene polymer have been saturated, (II) 1 to 99% by weight of an ionomer resin having an .alpha.-olefin unit having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid unit, at least part of the carboxyl group of said unsaturated carboxylic acid unit having been neutralized with a metal ion, and (III) 0 to 70% by weight of a polyolefin resin, provided that (I)+(II)+(III)=100% by weight. Said composition is excellent in moldability and gives a molded article excellent in transparency, flexibility, mechanical strength, heat resistance and impact resilience.

Abstract: Polyblends are provided which comprise (a) a major amount of a linear or branched matrix polymer comprising a polyester having a number average molecular weight of at least 2000 or a vinyl polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 3000 and (b) a minor amount of a block copolymer of AB or ABA type wherein A is a homopolymer block which is compatible with the matrix polymer and B is a homopolymer block which is incompatible with the matrix polymer, the blend having a fusing temperature of not more than about 250.degree. C., a melt viscosity of from about 4.times.10.sup.2 to 5.times.10.sup.4 poise as measured on a Rheometrics Dynamic Analyzer at 150.degree. C. and a frequency of 1 rad/sec and a melt elasticity of from about 1.5.times.10.sup.2 to 4.times.10.sup.4 dynes/cm.sup.2.The polyblends are useful in the preparation of electrostatographic toner compositions used in electrographic processes.

Abstract: There is provided copolymer particles wherein the particles are derived from chemically fixed micelles that comprise a copolymer. The copolymer is an amphiphilic block or graft copolymer comprising a water soluble component and an oleophilic component that can be crosslinked in an aqueous environment; and the oleophilic component is crosslinked. The particles can be dispersed in an aqueous continuous phase. The particles can contain other materials associated with the oleophilic component such as biochemical agents or other materials such as photographic materials such as couplers and dyes.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition is prepared by heat-treating a mixture of a thermoplastic resin substantially containing no olefinic unsaturated carbon-carbon bond and an elastomer having an olefinic unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, dynamically in the presence of a crosslinking agent, characterized in that as said elastomer there is used at least one member selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), 1,2-polybutadiene rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene random copolymer (EPDM), and that as said crosslinking agent there is used a dihydroaromatic compound or a polymer thereof.

Abstract: A two phase adhesive matrix for use in an electrically powered iontophoretic delivery device is provided. The adhesive matrix comprises an adhesive hydrophobic polymer phase and about 15 to 60 wt % on a dry weight basis of a hydrophilic polymer phase distributed through the hydrophobic polymer phase. The hydrophilic phase forms upon hydration an interconnecting network of aqueous pathways for passage of the agent through the adhesive. The adhesive can be used to adhere an electrode assembly of an iontophoretic delivery device to a body surface such as skin or a mucosal membrane. Alternatively, the adhesive can be used to adhere together two or more elements of an iontophoretic delivery device.

Abstract: A toner composition comprised of multiblock or liquid glass resin particles with a glass transition temperature of between from about 20.degree. C. to about 65.degree. C., and pigment particles.

Abstract: An adhesive composition suitable for use as an in-line contact adhesive for electrotransport drug delivery systems.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric block or graft polymer comprising at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment and a vulcanizing agent, which can be molded under high shearing stress at a temperature lower than a melting or softening point of the hard sements under shear force to give a molded article having a substantially smooth surface.

Abstract: Complex of 1,4-dihydropyridine with polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer useful in sustained release dosage formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved cover compositions for golf ball construction. The cover compositions comprise a blend of maleic anhydride modified thermoplastic rubber elastomers, and ionomer resins.In addition, the present invention is directed to golf balls produced utilizing the improved cover compositions. The golf balls exhibit properties of enhanced playability without sacrificing distance and/or durability.

Abstract: Composition comprising a mixture of from about 30% to about 99.9% of a polyolefin base resin; from about 0.1% to about 50% of a graft polymerized block copolymer having polystyrene end blocks and an aliphatic middle block; from 0 to about 40% by weight of an elastomer different from the above components; and from 0 to about 30% by weight of a nonelastomeric second polyolefin made from different monomers from those of the polyolefin base resin. The composition can be used as an adhesive film or tie layer, optinally by coextrusion between layers to be joined. Coatings and coated substrates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic composition is provided which comprises a polymer blend of a polyolefin resin, a halogenated elastomeric copolymer, such as a halogenated butyl rubber, or a halogenated copolymer of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isomonoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene, and a halogenated polyethylene. The composition has improved flame retarding properties. Additional flame retarding additives may be incorporated in the composition. The dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic composition is suitable for use in roofing sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastomeric composition suitable for tire treads comprising (1) 10-90% wt of a copolymer of a mono-aromatic vinyl compound and having a vinyl content of <50% wt and a Tg<-35 degree C., and (2) 90-10% wt of a hompolymer of a conjugated diene or a copolymer of a mono-aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene, containing <25% wt of mono-aromatic vinyl compound and having a vinyl content <25% wt and a Tg<-55 degree C., both polymer having a differential content of mono-aromatic vinyl compound which is <5 percentage points.

Abstract: Block copolymers are prepared by providing an initial anionically polymerizable monomer portion; anionically polymerizing the initial monomer portion to provide polymer chains with living ends, and contacting the polymer chains with m-bis(phenylethenyl)benzene (PEB), a coupling agent, to bring about substantial coupling. In preferred embodiments the polymer chain living ends are capped with an .alpha.-alkylstyrene or a ring-alkyl substituted .alpha.-alkylstyrene, wherein the .alpha.-alkyl groups contain between about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and the ring-alkyl groups have at least 2 carbon atoms. The coupling agents employed with the capped polymer chain living ends include PEB, p-dibromoxylene, terephthaloyl chloride, 1,4-dibromobutene; and the multifunctional epoxides, multifunctional isocyanates, multifunctional aziridines, multifunctional aldehydes, multifunctional ketones, multifunctional anhydrides, multifunctional esters, and polyhalides.

Abstract: Block copolymers are prepared by providing an initial anionically polymerizable monomer portion; anionically polymerizing the initial monomer portion to provide polymer chains with living ends, and contacting the polymer chains with m-bis(phenyletheynl)benzene (PEB), a coupling agent, to bring about substantial coupling. In preferred embodiments the polymer chain living ends are capped with an .alpha.-alkylstyrene or a ring-alkyl substituted .alpha.-alkylstyrene, wherein the .alpha.-alkyl groups contain between about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. and the ring-alkyl groups have at least 2 carbon atoms. The coupling agents employed with the capped polymer chain living ends include PEB, p-dibromoxylene, terephthaloyl chloride, 1,4-dibromobutene; and the multifunctional epoxides, multifunctional isocyanates, multifunctional aziridines, multifunctional aldehydes, multifunctional ketones, multifunctional anhydrides, multifunctional esters, and polyhalides.

Abstract: Block copolymers are prepared by providing an initial anionically polymerizable monomer portion; anionically polymerizing the initial monomer portion to provide polymer chains with living ends, and contacting the polymer chains with m-bis(phenylethenyl)benzene (PEB), a coupling agent, to bring about substantial coupling. In preferred embodiments the polymer chain living ends are capped with an .alpha.-alkylstyrene or a ring-alkyl substituted .alpha.-alkylstyrene, wherein the .alpha.-alkyl groups contain between about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and the ring-alkyl groups have at least 2 carbon atoms. The coupling agents employed with the capped polymer chain living ends include PEB, p-dibromoxylene, terephthaloyl chloride, 1,4-dibromobutene; and the multifunctional epoxides, multifunctional isocyanates, multifunctional aziridines, multifunctional aldehydes, multifunctional ketones, multifunctional anhydrides, multifunctional esters, and polyhalides.

Abstract: An ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymer can be easily grafted in a high graft efficiency with a peroxy group-containing block copolymer consisting of segments of copolymer A, which is a copolymer of a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer or its mixture with a radically copolymerizable monomer, with a radically copolymerizable peroxycarbonate, and segments of (co)polymer B, which is different from copolymer A in the monomer composition and does not contain a monomer unit of the radically copolymerizable peroxycarbonate. The grafted ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymer can be effectively used as a compatibilizing agent in a polymer blend of polyolefin with styrene (co)polymer, as an emulsifying agent in an emulsion of high polymer, or as an adhesive at the interface of polyolefin and styrene (co)polymer.

Abstract: A high melt flow rate, high impact, visbroken polymeric material is disclosed which comprises a first component which is selected from the group consisting of block copolymers of propylene and ethylene, reactor-made intimate mixtures of propylene and randomly oriented copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and blends of polypropylene and randomly oriented copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and the second component which is selected from the group consisting low density polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, acrylate-modified polyethylenes, high density polyethylene, ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR or EPDM), and blends thereof. The two components are first blended and then visbroken.

Abstract: A block copolymer of polyalkylene and halogenated polystyrene comprises the formula:S'--A--(A--S').sub.min which m is 0, 1, 3 or 4, A is a saturated polyalkylene, and S' is a nuclear brominated polystyrene having from about 0.5 to about 5 bromines per styrene unit. The polystyrene blocks are substantially free of halogen other than bromine and chlorine, and the polyalkylene is substantially free of halogen. The compositions retain the elastomeric properties of the non-halogenated form of the compounds while having significantly reduced flammability.