Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for converting an epoxide to a first C3 product, a second C3 product, and/or a first C4 product within an integrated system. The method includes converting the epoxide to a beta lactone to produce an outlet stream comprising beta lactone. The method includes converting the beta lactone of the outlet stream to a first C3 product in the first C3 reactor to produce an outlet stream comprising the first C3 product; converting the beta lactone to a second C3 product in the second C3 reactor to produce an outlet stream comprising the second C3 product, and/or converting the beta lactone to a first C4 product in the first C4 reactor to produce an outlet stream comprising the first C4 product.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: Filament comprising a polymeric material that includes a diacid component comprising from about 40 to 60 mole % of units derived from terephthalic acid and from about 40 to 60 mole % of units derived from a diacid chosen from isophthalic acid, a cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, a stilbenedicarboxylic acid, or a combination thereof; a glycol component comprising at least 75 mole % of units derived from cyclohexanedimethanol; wherein the polymeric material has an inherent viscosity loss of 3% or less after being extruded; and method of using this filament in production of different articles by 3D printing are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for improved breathing is provided. The apparatus may include an improved oral appliance, an improved mask, an improved coupler to couple an oral appliance to a mask, and/or a combination of these improvements.

Abstract: A method for quantification of the amount of impurities in lactide. The method is characterized in that the quantification of the impurities is based on measurements performed on absorptions in the near Infra-Red region of the electromagnetic spectrum. With this method, small amounts of impurities like water, free-acid species or both can be determined online in a reaction mixture of lactide in a relatively simple manner. This allows a simple online monitoring of the production process of lactide.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for improved breathing is provided. The apparatus may include an improved oral appliance, an improved mask, an improved coupler to couple an oral appliance to a mask, and/or a combination of these improvements.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: A heat formable patient positioning cushion is provided including an impermeable or permeable outer shell; a filler material contained within an interior region defined by the outer shell; and a thermoplastic material applied to the outer shell, to the filler material, or to the outer shell and the filler material. The cushion has a first condition configured to be conformed to the anatomy of a patient in which the filler material moves relatively freely within the interior region defined by the outer shell, and a second condition conformed to the anatomy of the patient in which the filler material is relatively fixed against movement within the interior region defined by the outer shell. Heating and cooling changes the cushion from the first condition to the second condition and reheating permits increased movement of the filler material as compared to the second condition to further conform the cushion to the anatomy of the patient.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention encompasses integrated processes for the conversion of epoxides to acrylic acid derivatives and polyesters. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention comprise the steps of: providing a feedstock stream comprising an epoxide and carbon monoxide; contacting the feedstock stream with a metal carbonyl in a first reaction zone to effect conversion of at least a portion of the provided epoxide to a beta lactone; directing the effluent from the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone where the beta lactone is subjected to conditions that convert it to a compound selected from the group consisting of: an alpha beta unsaturated acid, an alpha beta unsaturated ester, an alpha beta unsaturated amide, and an optionally substituted polypropiolactone polymer; and isolating a final product comprising the alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, the alpha-beta unsaturated ester, the alpha-beta unsaturated amide or the polypropiolactone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new catalyst systems based on complexes of divalent metals supported by chelating phenoxy ligands for immortal ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic esters and cyclic carbonates.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of controlled polymerization of cyclic compounds catalyzed by carbene derivatives having a general formula as shown below, and to obtain a biodegradable polymeric material having a large molecular weight, a narrow dispersity, and no metallic impurity.

Abstract: A method of making a pure block copolymer includes forming a crude block copolymer; heating a solution of the crude block copolymer and alcohol; and cooling the solution to promote precipitation of a purified block copolymer, wherein an amount of impurities remaining in the purified block copolymer is from about 0 to about 5 wt % based on a total weight of the purified block copolymer; a ratio of a polydispersity index of the crude block copolymer to a polydispersity index of the purified block copolymer is from about 1.02 to about 1.25; a ratio of a molecular weight of the crude block copolymer to a molecular weight of the purified block copolymer is from about 0.75 to about 1.0; and a ratio of a number average molecular weight of the crude block copolymer to a number average molecular weight of the purified block copolymer is from about 0.65 to about 1.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of: providing a feedstock stream comprising an epoxide and carbon monoxide; contacting the feedstock stream with a metal carbonyl in a first reaction zone to effect conversion of at least a portion of the provided epoxide to a beta lactone; directing the effluent from the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone where the beta lactone is subjected to conditions that convert it to a compound selected from the group consisting of: an alpha beta unsaturated acid, an alpha beta unsaturated ester, an alpha beta unsaturated amide, and an optionally substituted polypropiolactone polymer; and isolating a final product comprising the alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, the alpha-beta unsaturated ester, the alpha-beta unsaturated amide or the polypropiolactone.

Abstract: In the production of an aliphatic polyester by ring-opening polymerization of a cyclic ester, at least a latter period of polymerization is proceeded with by way of solid-phase polymerization, and the resultant aliphatic polyester is subjected to removal of residual cyclic ester. As a result, an aliphatic polyester with a minimized content of residual monomer is obtained.

Abstract: A co-polyester which includes the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and epsilon-caprolactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and a diol. The co-polyester is injectable and absorbable into animal, such as human, tissue and can be used for facial cosmetic or reconstructive surgery of soft tissue. Another embodiment is directed to a method for preventing adhesion using a co-polyester comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and epsilon-caprolactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and a diol, and the co-polyester comprises about 40 to 50% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of group 3 post-metallocene complexes based on sterically encumbered bis(naphthoxy)pyridine and bis(naphthoxy)thiophene ligands in the ring-opening polymerisation of polar monomers such as, for examples, lactones, lactides, cyclic carbonates.

Abstract: A thermally curable solder resist composition for a flexible printed circuit board is provided. The solder resist composition includes (a) 50-100 parts by weight of an epoxy resin, wherein the epoxy resin includes at least an aliphatic polyester modified epoxy resin having formula (I) or (II), in which, each of R1 and R2, independently, is a C6-38 saturated or an unsaturated carbon chain, R3 is ether, phenyl, a C6-38 heterocyclic or C6-38 saturated carbon chain, n is an integer of 1-10 and the aliphatic polyester modified epoxy resin had a molecular weight of 1000-5000; (b) 1-10 parts by weight of a curing agent; and (c) 1-10 parts by weight of a catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biocompatible block copolymer containing the polycondensation product of a diol and an additional component selected from the group of the same diol, an ?,?-dihydroxy-polyester or an ?,?-dihydroxy-polyether. Also disclosed are a medical implant containing the block copolymer, the use of said block copolymer for the production of a medical implant, a diol and a method for the production thereof. The diol may be obtained by transesterification of ?,?-dihydroxy-[(oligo(3-(R)-hydroxybutyrate)-ethylene-oligo-(3-(R)-hydroxybutyrate)] with diglycolide. Transesterification is carried out, preferably, in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polylactic acid composition having specific thermal characteristics and gas barrier properties, and to obtain a molding comprising a polylactic acid composition of PLLA and PDLA capable of forming a polylactic acid stretched film or other molding having superior surface smoothness, transparency, heat resistance and toughness, and the constitution thereof is characterized by being a molding comprising a polylactic acid composition in which the peak in DSC measurement during cooling (at a rate of 10° C./min) after allowing to remain at 250° C. for 10 minutes is 30 mJ/mg or more, and preferably comprising a polylactic acid composition such that, in measurement during the DSC 2nd heating (cooling at a rate of 10° C./min after allowing to remain at 250° C. for 10 minutes followed by reheating from 0° C. at a rate of 10° C./min), the peak ratio (peak 1/peak 2) of the peak when Tm is 150 to 180° C. (peak 1) to the peak when Tm is 200 to 240° C. (peak 2) is 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of poly(trimethylene carbonate) glycol via the polymerization of trimethylene carbonate employing one or more acidic ion exchange resin catalysts in the presence of a solvent. The products formed are substantially free of these catalysts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing polylactic acid and its products using a twin-screw extruder, comprising the step of mixing carbon dioxide adducts of carbene and lactide, and obtaining polylactic acid and its products via reactive extrusion using a twin-screw extruder.

Abstract: The polymer degassing apparatus includes a barrel-shaped horizontal container 41 having a supply port 42 for supplying a reactant, a discharge port 43 for discharging a reactant, a stirring means 45 for stirring a reactant, and a degassing means for drawing a gas via a degassing port 44 of the horizontal container. The supply port is positioned below the molten liquid level of the reactant. A recovery container 37 that is connected to the degassing port for recovering a volatile substance in the gas and a vacuum pump 36 are provided. The stirring means includes a plurality of stirring rods 46 oriented along the same direction as the axis in the horizontal container and coupling members 47 for coupling the stirring rods along the same direction as the axis, provided that the coupling members are placed at a distance from the virtual rotation center of the stirring means.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new catalyst systems based on complexes of divalent metals supported by chelating phenoxy ligands for immortal ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic esters and cyclic carbonates.

Abstract: An equipment for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, includes a ring-opening polymerization apparatus, a liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus, and a drying apparatus, wherein an indirect heat exchanger is connected to a vent gas discharge path of the liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus. The indirect heat exchanger captures a dispersed in-process substance containing hydroxycarboxylic acid cyclic dimers and transfers the substance to the ring-opening polymerization apparatus; a wet condenser and a hot well are connected to a vent gas discharge path of the indirect heat exchanger and that of the drying apparatus, respectively.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing polylactide, synthesis of high-quality polymers is achieved with a sufficient degree of vacuum secured. Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing polylactide which includes the steps of preparing lactide through oligomerization of lactic acid and depolymerization of the resulting oligomers, effecting ring-opening polymerization of the lactide, and removing unreacted lactide. The apparatus comprises an exhausting gas treatment device for reducing pressure in the step of removing unreacted lactide.

Abstract: A dispersant comprising a polyester chain obtainable by polymerising a hydroxy carboxylic acid or lactone thereof such as ?-caprolactone with a cyclic alkylene carbonate such as 5,5-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate. The dispersant may be in the form of a phosphate ester where the polyester chain is reacted with a phosphating agent such as polyphosphoric acid or the polyester chain may be attached to a polyamine or polyimine such as polyethyleneimine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a control method thereof. The control method includes supplying steam, generated by a steam generator, into a drum, and supplying hot air into the drum to dry clothes wetted by the steam. According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively removing wrinkles on clothes.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of controlled polymerization of cyclic compounds catalyzed by carbene derivatives having a general formula as shown below, and to obtain a biodegradable polymeric material having a large molecular weight, a narrow dispersity, and no metallic impurity.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing resorbable polyesters by bulk polymerization, wherein the reaction components are melted and homogenized in a reactor, the reaction mixture is then transferred into a polymerization reactor having a lumen defined by a reaction wall, wherein said reactor wall comprises at least two components which are releasably fitted to each other and wherein the shortest distance of any point within said lumen to the reaction wall is less than 8 cm, the reaction mixture is polymerized and the resulting polymer is removed from the polymerization reactor by releasing the components of the reactor wall exposing the resulting polymer lengthwise. The invention further relates to a polymerization reactor having a lumen defined by a reaction wall for performing said process.

Abstract: The invention relates to products and processes employing coupling activator compounds represented by the following formula I: S—X-A??(I) wherein S represents a silane coupling moiety capable of bonding with the surface of an inorganic substrate, A represents a ring-opening polymerization activator moiety, or blocked precursor thereof, and X represents a linking moiety. Substrates containing the coupling activator compounds are useful in preparing reinforced resins.

Abstract: A method for preventing adhesion using a co-polyester comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and at least one lactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and ethylene glycol; and the co-polyester comprises about 40 to 50% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester.

Abstract: Cyclic esters are polymerized in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Group 4 transition metal hydride. The method is capable of producing high molecular weight polyesters with low polydispersities. These high molecular weight polyesters exhibit improved mechanical properties and are useful in a variety of product applications.

Abstract: A lactone compound represented by following General Formula (1), such as ?-caprolactone, is reacted in the presence of a powdered activated carbon where necessary with an initiator such as a polyhydric alcohol, an aliphatic alcohol, or an aliphatic carboxylic acid to thereby yield, for example, a polylactone, a polylactone alkyl ether, or a polylactone alkyl ester. [Chemical Formula 1] Wherein R1 is an alkylene group having two to eighteen carbon atoms which may be substituted with one or more alkyl groups each having one to ten carbon atoms. Accordingly, a target compound can be produced in a high yield with high quality, from which the catalyst can be easily removed.

Abstract: The disclosed is a biodegradable copolymer, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, composed of a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. The hydrophilic segment is an endcapped PEG or derivatives thereof. The hydrophilic segment is a random polymer polymerized of lactone or cyclic C3-C6 molecule and lactic acid/glycolic acid. There is no coupling agent between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, and the biodegradable copolymer is formed by one-pot ring-opening polymerization. The biodegradable copolymer can be dissolved in water to form a thermosensitive material having a phase transfer temperature of 25 to 50° C., thereby being applied to biological activity factor delivery, tissue engineering, cell culture and biological glue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of crosslinked polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biaxially oriented film of a polylactic acid resin that is suitable for films for bags and packaging films for various windows, particularly films for outlook window envelopes. The film is biodegradable and, as films for outlook window envelopes, is superior in the coating adaptability for an antistatic agent, a lubricant and an antiblocking agent or the like and in the high-speed cutting property. The present invention discloses a biaxially oriented film of a polylactic acid resin comprising not less than 50% by weight of a polylactic acid resin, which has a storage modulus E?at 80° C. within the range from 10 MPa to 3,000 MPa, as determined by the test method for temperature dependency of dynamic viscoelasticity, in accordance with JIS K7198 (method A); a heat shrinkage of not higher than 10%, upon heating at 80° C. for 10 seconds; and a tear strength in the width direction (TD direction) of the film of 10 to 200 mN, as determined in accordance with JIS K7128 (method B).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted aliphatic polyester represented by Formula 1: wherein X is an aliphatic ester, R is hydrogen or C1-5 alkyl, Z is the binding moiety of an initiator or a chain transfer agent, m/l is from 0.1 to 50, n is from 2 to 50, w is 1 or greater, and y is from 1 to 200. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted aliphatic polyester of the present invention.

Abstract: Monomer addition methodology is provided to adjust monomer addition rates to a polymerization reactor. Advantages of the invention include control of bioabsorbable copolymer structure, improvement of monomer conversion, control of reaction temperature, and reduced reaction time. The overall result is an improved process and enhanced product performance. The technology is particularly useful in the copolymerization of monomers with different reactivity ratios, such as glycolide/lactide copolymers and glycolide/caprolactone copolymers. Monomer reactivity ratios and reaction kinetics are utilized to adjust monomer addition rates.

Abstract: The present invention includes photocurable, liquid polymers incorporating coumarin ester endgroups into their molecular structure, which polymers are crosslinked upon irradiation with ultraviolet light by photochemically allowed [2+2] cycloaddition reactions among the chain ends, and which crosslinked polymers are useful in the preparation of medical devices, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems and, in particular, in vivo preparation of implants in an open surgical procedure or laproscopically.

Abstract: A suture material for surgery comprises one or more filaments and is formed with a coating, which is characterized in that the coating at least partly comprises a bioresorbable polymer, which is essentially formed from a random terpolymer with a completely amorphous structure.

Abstract: A block copolymer is disclosed, which comprises a first block comprising polymerized units of an alkylene oxide and a second block comprising polymerized units of an alkylene oxide and a lactone, said copolymer being obtainable by polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of an organic initiator to form said first block, and reacting the first block with a mixture of an alkylene oxide and a lactone. Such copolymers are found to have improved foam inhibition characteristics while maintaining their biodegradable properties.

Abstract: An absorbable crystalline, monocentric polyaxial copolymer comprising a central carbon or nitrogen atom and at least three axes, each of which includes an amorphous flexible component adjacent and originating from the central atom and a rigid, crystallizable component extending outwardly from the amorphous, flexible component is disclosed along with the use of such copolymer in medical devices which may contain a bioactive agent. The present invention also relates to a suture, stents, stent mantles and sealing devices made from the polyaxial copolymer.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of an ?-caprolactone polymer characterized by including heating an ?-caprolactone under reduced pressure or in an inert gas stream to volatilize the unreacted ?-caprolactone from the polymer and cooling the vapor phase part containing the matter volatilized to thereby recover the unreacted ?-caprolactone, wherein the amount of the ?-caprolactone to be recovered is regulated to larger than 5 times by weight the amount of caprolactone dimer.

Abstract: The present invention includes photocurable, liquid polymers incorporating coumarin ester endgroups into their molecular structure, which polymers are crosslinked upon irradiation with ultraviolet light by photochemically allowed [2+2] cycloaddition reactions among the chain ends, and which crosslinked polymers are useful in the preparation of medical devices, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems and, in particular, in vivo preparation of implants in an open surgical procedure or laproscopically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing serum cholesterol in a patient in need thereof and alkylated and crosslinked poly(allylamine) polymers useful in the method. The alkylated and crosslinked poly(allylamine) polymers are crosslinked with epichlorohydrin and comprise at least some n-decyl substituted nitrogen atoms and at least some hexyltrimethyl ammonium substituted nitrogen atoms.

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 invention relates to novel absorbable polyesters, produced by ring-opening polymerisation of hydroxycarboxylic acids in the presence of a polyol containing an electrolyte, in an extruder. In particular, the invention relates to novel polylactide glycolide polyesters which are essentially free of dextran sulphate and which are produced by ring-opening polymerisation of lactide and glycolide in the presence of dextran sulphate in the extruder; to the production of the same and to their use in depot medicaments.

Abstract: Copolymers of lactide and glycolide with high glycolide content. The average glycolate block length is less then about 3, which allows the copolymer to be soluble in slightly polar solvents such as methylene chloride.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for producing lactide-based polymers and the polymers produced by this process. The polymers of the present invention are terpolymers formed by the copolymerization of a lactide monomer, a linking monomer and an epoxy-terminated monomer. In one embodiment of the invention, the polymers may be formed from fluorine-containing monomers or aromatic ring-containing monomers. The disclosed materials may display improved hydrolytic and thermal characteristics as compared to previously known lactide-based materials. For example, the lactide based terpolymers may have a glass transition temperature over 60° C. For instance, lactide-based thermoplastic terpolymers of the present invention can have a glass transition temperatures of about 80° C. or higher. Lactide-based thermoset networks of the invention can have glass transition temperatures of up to about 200° C.