Abstract: Disclosed is a moving robot capable of recognizing a waiting line and a method for controlling the same. One embodiment provides a method for operating a moving robot, the method comprising: starting moving from a predefined moving start point toward a predefined moving end point; acquiring a waiting line region image by photographing a predefined waiting line region during the moving; searching for an end point of a waiting line formed in the waiting line region using the waiting line region image; terminating the moving when the end point of the waiting line is detected; setting an operation mode based on a length of the waiting line calculated using the end point of the waiting line; and operating in the set operation mode while returning to the moving start point.

Abstract: The copolymerization of ethylene (E) and methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate (MPEGMA) produces the copolymer co-E-MPEGMA. These copolymers are distinct from polyethylene, e.g., low density polyethylene (LDPE) grafted with MPEGMA, i.e., g-E-MPEGMA, and are useful in the preparation of insulation sheaths for medium, high and extra-high voltage cables. Such cables exhibit good water tree retardance.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: an aqueous binder having high adhesiveness, that in particular does not exhibit oxidative degradation in an electrode environment, and having little environmental load; and an electrode and a battery that use same. Disclosed is a battery electrode binder containing: (A) a constituent unit derived from a monomer having a hydroxyl group; and (B) a constituent unit derived from a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate having no more than 5 functions. An electrode is prepared using this binder and is used in a battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a first copolymer derived from monomers comprising a (meth)acrylate monomer, an acid monomer, and optionally at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, ?-methyl-styrene, vinyl toluene, and mixtures thereof, wherein the first copolymer is derived in the absence of a molecular weight regulator and wherein the first copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 Daltons, and methods of making the same. The compositions and methods disclosed can be used, for instance, in pressure-sensitive adhesive applications.

Abstract: A process for the production of methacrylic acid or esters thereof by the base catalysed decarboxylation of at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid or mixtures thereof in an aqueous reaction medium is described. The decarboxylation is carried out at a temperature in the range from 200° C. and up to 239° C. The methacrylic acid is isolated from the aqueous reaction medium by a purification process which does not include introducing an organic solvent to the aqueous reaction medium for solvent extraction of the methacrylic acid into an organic phase. A method of preparing polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters is also described.

Abstract: Provided is a dispersant used for dispersion of metal particles, the dispersant including: a constituent unit derived from a compound represented by General Formula (I) below; and a constituent unit derived from a compound having an ionic group, where in General Formula (I) above, R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, x is a natural number of 2 or greater, and n is a natural number of 1 or greater.

Abstract: An adhesive film for a polarizing plate includes a functional group represented by Formula 1: wherein * represents a binding site; A is a C1 to C20 aliphatic hydrocarbon group; B is —O—, —S—, a C1 to C20 aliphatic hydrocarbon group, or a single bond; R2 is a C1 to C20 aliphatic hydrocarbon group; and n is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of water-dispersible vinyl polymers, comprising the step of mixing at least a first and a second component and then passing the mixed components through a first delay section, the first component comprising at least one radically polymerizable, hydroxyl group-containing monomer and the second component comprising at least one initiator. The first delay section comprises at least one mixing element selected from the group consisting of static mixing elements and dynamic mixing elements and has a heat transfer rate of ?10 kW/(K m3) to ?750 k W/(K m3). The invention further concerns a water-dispersible vinyl polymer, obtainable by a method according to the invention, the use of the polymers according to the invention for the manufacturing of coatings, adhesives or sealants and an article coated with a cross-linked polymer according to the invention.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions and articles containing the pressure-sensitive adhesives are provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesives contain an (meth)acrylic-based elastomeric material prepared an alkyl (meth)acrylate having an alkyl groups that is branched and that contains at least 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions and articles containing the pressure-sensitive adhesives are provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesives contain an (meth)acrylic-based elastomeric material prepared from (2-isopropyl-5-methyl)hexyl (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a poly(carboxylic acid) polymer for a hydraulic material additive excellent in dispersion performance for a hydraulic material, workability, and stability of quality and also provides a hydraulic material additive containing the poly(carboxylic acid) polymer, and a hydraulic material. The present invention is a poly(carboxylic acid) polymer for a hydraulic material additive, wherein the polymer has a (poly)alkylene glycol chain, and the polymer has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30000 or less, and an amount of a thiol group in the polymer of 2.4 ?mol/g or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to crosslinked cation-binding polymers comprising monomers containing carboxylic acid groups, wherein the polymer contains calcium and/or magnesium cations that are counterions to about 15% to about 35% of the carboxylic acid groups in the polymer. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparation of the polymers, and compositions, formulations, and dosage forms containing the polymers, and methods of using the polymers, compositions, formulations, and/or dosage forms to treat various diseases or disorders, including those involving ion and/or fluid imbalances.

Abstract: A cement dispersant that includes a copolymer resulting from a reaction of components (A) to (C), where: (A) is an ester compound obtained by adding 0 to 10 moles of C2-4 alkylene oxide to 1 mole of at least one compound of Formula (1) RO-(AO)n-H (where R is a C1-12 alkyl group, A is a C2-4 alkylene group, and n is an integer of 0 to 7) and subjecting the resulting adduct to a reaction with an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, in which the compound of Formula (1) contains not more than 5% by mass of the constituent compounds having n of 3 or less relative to the total mass of the compound of Formula (1); (B) is an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof; and (C) is another copolymerizable monomer, where appropriate, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A polymer having the formula (XIV) as a dispersing agent for powder-form substances, typically selected from the group consisting of clays, porcelain slip, silicate flour, chalk, carbon black, rock flour, pigments, talc, plastic powders and mineral binders, and methods for improving the flow properties of powder-form substances and mixtures including powder-form substances and polymers having the formula (XIV).

Abstract: The present invention relates to ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved thermal stability. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer formed from reactive components comprising at least one silicone component and at least one ionic component comprising at least one anionic group. The polymers of the present invention display good thermal stability and desirable protein uptake.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of (meth)acrylate-based mass polymers which are soluble in aqueous alkaline. The invention in particular relates to the synthesis of polymers by means of a mass polymerization. Said mass polymers have a significantly improved solubility in aqueous alkaline media over corresponding polymers produced by means of a heterogeneous aqueous polymerization method, such as emulsion or suspension polymerization. Improved solubility in said context refers to the dissolution rate being faster among particles of equal size, to no significant turbidity remaining after dissolution and to the viscosity of the obtained solutions being lower at the identical ratio of solids content. Furthermore, the compatibility of the compounds according to the invention with water-based varnishes is at least comparable or even improved.

Abstract: An adhesive film and an optical display including the same. The adhesive film has a tan ? of about 0.12 to about 0.4 upon frequency sweep testing under conditions of a strain of 5%, 30° C. and 1 rad/s, and a tan ? of about 0.2 to about 0.7 upon frequency sweep testing under conditions of a strain of 5%, 30° C. and 100 rad/s.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical-use pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, which includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing a polymer formed of one or more monomer ingredients containing, as an indispensable monomer ingredient, a monomer of which homopolymer has a glass transition temperature of not lower than ?10° C., said sheet having a moisture content of at least 0.65% by weight after stored in an environment at 60° C. and 95% RH for 120 hours. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for optical use which less suffers from a misoperation-causing change in capacitance upon application to an optical member. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for optical use includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and has a dielectric constant of from 2 to 8 at a frequency of 1 MHz and a dielectric loss tangent of more than 0 and 0.2 or less at a frequency of 1 MHz. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for optical use preferably has a dielectric constant at a frequency of 1.0×106 Hz being 60% or more of that at a frequency of 1.0×104 Hz. In addition, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for optical use preferably has an absolute value of difference between the dielectric loss tangent at a frequency of 1.0×106 Hz and that at a frequency of 1.0×104 Hz of 0.15 or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymers, which comprises, in copolymerized form, between 25 and 80% by weight of tert-butyl(meth)acrylate, 2 to 60% by weight of hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate, 10 to 40% by weight of an anionic or anionogenic, free-radically polymerizable, olefinically unsaturated compound which is or comprises methacrylic acid, and, if appropriate, up to 30% by weight of a further free-radically polymerizable, olefinically unsaturated compound. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of such copolymers in cosmetic preparations, and to such cosmetic preparations per se.

Abstract: The invention relates to a copolymer which is suitable as a superplasticizer for hydraulic binders and comprises 5 to 55 mol % of an isoprenol polyether derivative structural unit, 2 to 90 mol % of an acrylic acid derivative structural unit and 2 to 90 mol % of a hydroxyalkyl acrylate structural unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet which can control the change in capacitance, which cause malfunction, when the optical pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is applied to an optical member. The present invention provides an optical pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet including a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, wherein a relative dielectric constant at a frequency of 1 MHz is 2 to 8, and a dielectric tangent at a frequency of 1 MHz is more than 0 and 0.2 or less.

Abstract: Methods for preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers and their use for detection of proteins and/or polypeptides in a sample are disclosed. The methods of preparation are based on selecting from available data bases an amino acid sequence of a protein/polypeptide target molecule; cleaving the sequence in-silico with at least one cleaving agent, producing fragments with known composition; selecting at least one such fragment comprising a unique epitope; preparing a synthetic peptide representing the unique epitope; and preparing a molecularly imprinted polymer comprising specific binding sites for the synthetic peptide. For detection of the target protein in a sample, the same cleaving agent used for the in-silico cleavage is used to cleave the target protein to form the specific peptide fragments to which the MIP is specific.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mono-substituted phosphinic acid and to the use thereof as a regulator in radical polymerization. Such regulators do not result in the formation of poorly soluble salts, and in addition, the polymers produced with the regulators according to the invention are characterized by a uniform polymerization degree having a narrow size distribution. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing such mono-substituted phosphinic acids.

Abstract: A cement dispersant that includes a copolymer resulting from a reaction of components (A) to (C), where: (A) is an ester compound obtained by adding 0 to 10 moles of C2-4 alkylene oxide to 1 mole of at least one compound of Formula (1) RO-(AO)n-H (where R is a C1-12 alkyl group, A is a C2-4 alkylene group, and n is an integer of 0 to 7) and subjecting the resulting adduct to a reaction with an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, in which the compound of Formula (1) contains not more than 5% by mass of the constituent compounds having n of 3 or less relative to the total mass of the compound of Formula (1); (B) is an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof; and (C) is another copolymerizable monomer, where appropriate, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Resins derived significantly from renewable or recyclable starting materials may be formed from the reaction product of a monomer blend that includes an ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, which may be acid functional. The ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer may be derived from the reaction of an acid functional intermediate, which may be the acidolysis reaction product of an engineered polyester and an acid or anhydride functional material with an hydroxyl-functional, amine-functional, or epoxy functional reactant, optionally in the presence of a polyacid, to yield a resin intermediate, which may subsequently be reacted with an ethylenically unsaturated coupling agent to yield the macromonomer. The resins described herein are useful in generating low VOC acrylic alkyd coatings. Methods of producing water reducible resins are also described.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein the acrylic acid used to produce the polymer particles has a low purity.

Abstract: A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles by polymerizing an aqueous monomer solution in a kneader having at least two shafts in axially parallel rotation, wherein the reaction mixture is transported in axial direction and the region at the start of the kneader is trace-heated.

Abstract: A process for removing residual monomers from water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein the water-absorbing polymer particles are thermally aftertreated in a mixer with rotating mixing tools at a temperature of at least 60° C. in the presence of water vapor.

Abstract: An adhesive is described, in particular for applications on substrate materials made of flexible PVC, comprising a polymer which is obtainable via free-radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated compounds and which is composed of at least 50% by weight of soft acrylate monomers with glass transition temperature below 0° C., at least 1% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, at least 1% by weight of hard acrylate monomers with glass transition temperature of at least 60° C., at least 0.1% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated acid monomers, and at least 0.01% by weight of monomers having at least two non-conjugated, polymerizable vinyl groups, where the polymerization reaction takes place via staged polymerization, and at least one portion of the soft acrylate monomers is polymerized in a first polymerization stage, and at least one portion of the hard acrylate monomers is polymerized in a second or subsequent polymerization stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to superabsorbent polymer comprising the comprising the free radical polymerization product of an aqueous monomer mixture containing at least one ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; at least one monomer having at least two ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated groups; a crosslinking agent having at least two polymerizable double bonds; iron ions in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3 wppm based on the total weight of the aqueous monomer mixture; and at least one chelating agent in an amount to provide a molar ratio of chelating agent to iron ion of from about 0.8 to about 4.0.

Abstract: A detergent builder composition includes a (co)polymer of acrylic acid. The acrylic acid copolymers may be selected from a copolymer of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, and a copolymer of acrylic acid and hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Also disclosed are processes for removing calcium and/or magnesium ions with the detergent builder composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a (meth)acrylate polymer for preparing a coating composition, where the (meth)acrylate polymer has a weight-average molecular weight in the range from 10 000 to 60 000 g/mol and the (meth)acrylate polymer comprises 0.5 to 40% by weight of units derived from (meth)acrylic monomers which in the alkyl radical have at least one double bond and 8 to 40 carbon atoms, 0.1 to 10% by weight of units derived from monomers containing acid groups, and 50 to 99.4% by weight of units derived from (meth)acrylates having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical that have no double bonds or heteroatoms in the alkyl radical, and these (meth)acrylates having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical are selected such that a polymer composed of these (meth)acrylates having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical has a glass transition temperature of at least 40° C., based in each case on the weight of the (meth)acrylate polymer.

Abstract: Cationic and cationogenic comb copolymers are disclosed along with personal care products that employ them as a modifier that results in increased sensory attributes and increased effectiveness in the deposition of actives and can also act as a thickening agent. The copolymer includes one or more repeating units derived from olefinically unsaturated cationic or cationogenic comonomers and one or more repeating units having the formula in which Y is a moiety forming part of a copolymer backbone, Z is a moiety that exhibits association with other Z moieties or with other moieties within the ultimate formulation in which the copolymer will be employed, and b is a bond or moiety that links the Z moiety to the Y moiety. In certain embodiments, the copolymer also includes repeating units derived from acrylamide monomers, olefinically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers or other olefinically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: Non water-soluble polymers with a comb structure and a (meth)acrylic skeleton on which are grafted side chains containing at least one hydrophobic monomer of the styrene or (meth)acrylic ester type on C1 to C4, and at least one hydroxy or methoxy polylakylene glycol monomer. The levels of monomers are such that the polymer is amphiphilic because it is both rich in hydrophobic monomer and polylakylene glycol monomer. These products, used in paper coating dispersions, enable an increase in their Brookfield™ viscosity, a reduction in their ACAV viscosity, and an improvement in their water retention, which makes them particularly well suited for dry extract and/or high deposit speed coatings.

Abstract: The invention provides a retardation film, composed primarily of an acrylic polymer, with transparency, heat resistance, and large retardation. The retardation film of the present invention is composed primarily of an acrylic polymer. The film has an in-plane retardation of from 130 nm to 500 nm, inclusive, per 100 ?m thickness at a wavelength of 589 nm. The film has a total light transmittance of not less than 85%. The retardation film has a glass transition temperature of preferably from 110° C. to 200° C., inclusive. The acrylic polymer, which is the primary component, preferably has a lactone ring structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymers useful as a papermaking additives. The invention also relates to methods for making and using such additives.

Abstract: A cement admixture object of the present invention can make slump-retaining ability excellent to retain fluidity and, at the same time, can realize a viscosity of cement compositions so that work becomes easy at a field handling them, can make the state of a cement composition better. The present invention relates to a cement admixture which comprises a polycarboxylic acid copolymer having a polyalkylene glycol side chain, said polycarboxylic acid copolymer being constituted of two or more species of copolymers with different acid values, and at least one of said two or more species of copolymers with different acid values having an oxyalkylene group containing 3 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid and moisture vapor are added to water absorbent resin powder so that particles of the water absorbent resin powder are bound. In forming bound particles by supplying aqueous liquid and moisture vapor to the water absorbent resin powder, the foregoing arrangement makes it possible to supply moisture to whole the powder so that a less amount of particles remains unbound (ungranulated) and increase of a concentration of the water absorbent resin bound particles allows for further improvement of a drying efficiency and makes it possible to obtain particulate water absorbent resin having excellent properties even when the bound particles are highly concentrated. The present invention provides (i) a method for binding water absorbent resin and (ii) a method for producing particulate water absorbent resin which method includes the step of binding particles of water absorbent resin powder. The foregoing effect can be obtained by these methods.

Abstract: A process for removing residual monomers from water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein the water-absorbing polymer particles are thermally aftertreated in a mixer with rotating mixing tools at a temperature of at least 60° C. in the presence of water vapor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer useful to a detergent which is excellent in efficient removal capability of soil of clothes (in particular, hydrophobic soil such as collar dirt or greasy dirt), and prevention capability of soil redeposition, not to re-adhere the soil to laundries, even in carrying out washing with small amount of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic branched copolymers, methods for their preparation, emulsions comprising such copolymers and their use as emulsifiers. The polymers are responsive by nature, by forming non-covalent bonds between monomer residues upon applying external stimuli. In a preferred embodiment of the copolymer, the copolymer can be used to stabilise emulsions and the emulsion droplets can be reversibly aggregated and de-aggregated.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for an optical film of the present invention includes a (meth)acrylic polymer(A) that comprises, as monomer units, 67 to 96.99% by weight of alkyl (meth)acrylate(a1), 1 to 20% by weight of benzyl (meth)acrylate(a2), 2 to 10% by weight of a carboxyl group-containing monomer(a3) and 0.01 to 3% by weight of a hydroxyl group-containing monomer(a4), has a weight average molecular weight(Mw) of 1,600,000 or more, and satisfy a weight average molecular weight(Mw)/number average molecular weight(Mn) ratio of 1.8 to 10. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition can satisfy durability that does not cause peeling, separation at the state in which the optical film was attached, and can form a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer capable of improving display non-uniformity caused by a white display leakage at a peripheral portion.

Abstract: A polymer for filling gaps in a semiconductor substrate and a composition using the polymer are provided. According to the composition, holes having a diameter of 100 nm or less and an aspect ratio (i.e. a ratio between the diameter and height of the holes) of 1 or higher in semiconductor substrates can be substantially completely filled by common spin coating without formation of defects, e.g., air voids, the film can be dissolved by an aqueous alkaline solution (i.e. a developing solution) until a desired thickness is reached, the film is highly resistant to isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and plasma etching after curing by baking, and residue can be rapidly removed from the inside of the holes by ashing.

Abstract: The invention provides a radical generator, although being a self-cleavage type initiator, which is capable of suppressing volatilization of low molecular weight decomposition materials at the time of light radiation and post-baking, and leaving no low molecular weight decomposition materials in the final product, a photosensitive resin composition and an article using the radical generator. The photoradical generator provided according to the invention contains a compound (a) having one or more self-cleavage type radical-generating parts and one or more ethylenic unsaturated groups in one molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through the polymerization chamber, wherein the temperature of the gas leaving the polymerization chamber is 130° C. or less, the gas velocity inside the polymerization chamber is at least 0.5 m/s, and the droplets are generated by using a droplet plate having a multitude of bores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a copolymer which is suitable as a superplasticizer for hydraulic binders and comprises 5 to 55 mol % of an isoprenol polyether derivative structural unit, 2 to 90 mol % of an acrylic acid derivative structural unit and 2 to 90 mol % of a hydroxyalkyl acrylate structural unit.

Abstract: Adhesives containing inter-crosslinked polymeric microparticles are described. The polymeric microparticles include an acrylic polymer. The present disclosure also relates to water-based emulsions containing polymeric microparticles and a suitable inter-crosslinking agent as well as methods of making adhesives from such water-based emulsions.

Abstract: An aqueous composition that includes a) aqueous hydroxy functional, carboxy functional polymer including the reaction product of at least 5% by weight ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated hydroxy monomer, at least 30% by weight ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, from 0% by weight to less than 50% by weight ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated nonhydroxy functional, noncarboxy functional monomer, and chain transfer agent, and b) condensation accelerator, and articles that include a nonwoven web including glass fibers, and cured aqueous binder composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched polymer obtainable an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, which is the reaction product of: (a) an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator, (b) optionally but preferably a compatible chain transfer agent (E and E?), (c) at least one ethylenically monounsaturated monomer (G and/or J), (d) at least one ethylenically polyunsaturated monomer (L), wherein at least one of (a)-(d) has a molecular weight of at least 1000 Daltons, and the mole ratio of (d) to (c) is greater than 0.0005 to 1.