Abstract: A solid-phase polymerization method of high-molecular-weight aliphatic polyester conducts the solid-phase polymerization of aliphatic polyester prepolymer under a gas stream containing sulfonic acid catalyst. The method features preparing metal free aliphatic polyester with high molecular weight, good color and luster and perfect thermal stability efficiently. The non-metal-ion aliphatic polyester is not only applicable to common use, but is also suitable as high value-added medical material and packing material which contacts with food directly than other metal-containing polyester.

Abstract: The provided are a polylactic acid-polyalkylene glycol copolymer and a composition comprising the same which have excellent crystallization rate, wherein the polylactic acid-polyalkylene glycol copolymer is prepared by melt-reacting polylactic acid with polyalkylene glycol of which one end group is substituted with a functional group and has improved eco-friendliness, injection moldability, and excellent heat resistance which makes it to be suitably applied to various molded articles requiring great heat resistance, such as disposables, kitchen utensils and containers, electric-electronic parts and automobile parts.

Abstract: Encapsulation of silica aerogel powder. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are directed to methods including encapsulating silica aerogel powder. The encapsulating may include: providing the silica aerogel powder in a reaction chamber; supplying a monomer to the reaction chamber; creating an activated form of the monomer; and associating at least a portion the activated monomer with the silica aerogel powder.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide biodegradable polyester fibers excellent in thermal stability and fiber strength. Another aim is to provide a method for producing biodegradable polyester fibers excellent in mechanical properties, particularly in thermal stability. The present invention relates to biodegradable polyester fibers comprising a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) that has a 3HH molar fraction of 2 to 9 mol %. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the biodegradable polyester fibers, comprising a fiber forming step of melt-extruding a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) to form fibers at a temperature higher than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) but not higher than 70° C.

Abstract: Materials capable of delivering stabilized free radicals to targeted treatment sites. The materials comprise semi-crystalline, hydrolytically degradable polymers that are subjected to ionizing radiation to create stabilized free radicals therein. Upon exposure to oxygen containing aqueous media, the materials generate reactive oxidative species which are useful in biological processes.

Abstract: Process for thermally stabilizing a polymer containing residues of a Sn(II), Sb(III), Pb(II), Bi(III), Fe(II), Ti(II), Ti(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), or Ge(II)-containing catalyst by treating the polymer at a temperature above its melting temperature with a peroxide selected from the group consisting of ketone peroxides, hydroperoxides, peracids, hydrogen peroxide, and mixtures thereof, wherein said peroxide is used in an amount less than 0.2 wt % based on the weight of the polymer and wherein the molar ratio of peroxy functionalities from said peroxide (p) to metal (M) ranges from 1 to 100; said metal (M) being selected from the group consisting of Sn(II), Sb(III), Pb(II), Bi(III), Fe(II), Ti(II), Ti(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), and Ge(II). The invention further relates to a method for determining the metal residue content of a polymer.

Abstract: A polyester polyol made from natural oil feedstocks is disclosed. Methods for making the polyol are also disclosed. The method comprises reacting hydroxylated fatty acid/alkyl esters with a multifunctional ester-reactive initiator compound to form the polyester polyol. In one embodiment, the hydroxylated fatty acid/alkyl esters are made by hydroxylating fatty acid/alkyl esters having up to ninety-five percent by weight monounsaturation.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric piezoelectric material including a helical chiral polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, wherein a crystallinity of the material measured by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%, and a product of a standardized molecular orientation MORc measured by a microwave transmission type molecular orientation meter based on a reference thickness of 50 ?m and the crystallinity is from 25 to 250.

Abstract: The invention relates to comb polymers of maleic acid or derivatives thereof, allyl ethers and (meth)acrylic acid or derivatives thereof, and to the preparation thereof by free radical polymerization at a reaction temperature of 10° C. to 50° C. The invention further relates to the use of such comb polymers for improving the processability of hydraulically setting compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric polymer material including a helical chiral polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, the piezoelectric polymer material having a piezoelectric constant d14 at 25° C. of 10 pC/N or more, a degree of crystallinity obtained by X-ray diffraction of from 40% to 80%, and a haze of from 0.5 to 30.

Abstract: Here, we present a photodegradable microparticle system that can be employed to entrap and deliver bioactive proteins to cells during culture. By using a photosensitive delivery system, experimenters can achieve a wide variety of spatiotemporally regulated release profiles with a single microparticle formulation, thereby enabling one to probe many questions as to how protein presentation can be manipulated to regulate cell function. Photodegradable microparticles were synthesized via inverse suspension polymerization with a mean diameter of 22 ?m, and degradation was demonstrated upon exposure to several irradiation conditions. The protein-loaded depots were incorporated into cell cultures and release of bioactive protein was quantified during the photodegradation process. This phototriggered release allowed for the delivery of TGF-?1 to stimulate PE25 cells and for the delivery of fluorescently labeled Annexin V to assay apoptotic 3T3 fibroblasts during culture.

Abstract: Process and methods for making glycolic acid chemical intermediates and derivatives from biomass are described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable aliphatic polyester particles having the following physical properties: (A) the average particle diameter thereof is 5 to 500 ?m; and (B) the fracture stress of a columnar tablet obtained by molding the particles in a cylindrical mold by applying a load of 4 kgf/cm2 for 1 hour at a temperature of 40° C. is at most 500 gf/cm2, and preferably also having the following property: (C) the fracture stress of a columnar tablet obtained by molding the particles in a cylindrical mold by applying a load of 4 kgf/cm2 for 1 hour at a temperature of [the glass transition temperature (Tg) of a biodegradable aliphatic polyester +10° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glycidol-based polymers, nanoparticles, and methods related thereto useful for drug delivery. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming polymeric nanoparticles, which comprises using a static mixer to create a mixed flowing stream of an anti-solvent, e.g., by introducing a liquid anti-solvent into a static mixer, and introducing a polymer solution into the mixed flowing anti-solvent stream such that controlled precipitation of polymeric nanoparticles occurs. The nanoparticles can then be separated from the anti-solvent stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and more particularly to multiblock copolymers and micelles comprising the same. Compositions herein are useful for drug-delivery applications.

Abstract: Packaging materials for medical devices are provided. The packaging is formed of a biodegradable material which permits disposal by conventional methods, including landfills, composting, and the like. Use of the packaging avoids undesirable disposal methods such as incineration and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula I and II, which are functionalized amino acids, and polymers formed from the same. Polymers formed from the functionalized amino acids are expected to have controllable degradation profiles, enabling them to release an active component over a desired time range. The polymers are also expected to be useful in a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers formed from prepolymers derived from copolyester polyols. The copolyester polyols have segments derived from one or more polyesters and caprolactone or polycaprolactone. The polyurethane elastomers have good hardness stability at temperatures ranging from 0° C. to 30° C. and preferably have good hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: Compositions of P4HB and processes to injection mold these compositions have been developed. These compositions are prepared from P4HB polymers and blends having intrinsic viscosities less than 3.2 dl/g but greater than 0.8 dl/g, moisture contents of less than 0.5% by weight, and more preferably less than 0.05% by weight, and using a polymer melt temperature during molding of at least 150° C. A preferred embodiment comprises a P4HB molding with an intrinsic viscosity of less than 3.2 dl/g that degrades rapidly in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a poly(ethersulfonimide or ethersulfonamide) copolymer using cyclic oligomers, and more particularly, to a method for preparing a poly(ethersulfonimide or ethersulfonamide) copolymer by preparing a cyclic ether sulfone oligomer and a cyclic imide or amide oligomer and subjecting the cyclic ether sulfone oligomer and the cyclic imide or amide oligomer to ring-opening copolymerization in the presence of an alkali metal fluoride catalyst.

Abstract: A composition used for preparing foaming material comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate, a polylactic acid and a foaming agent, which posses certain tensile strength, elongation in break and expansion ratio as well as full bio-degradability, thus can be used in packaging industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing an aromatic polyester, comprising a reactor, a rectifying column, a distillation pipe for feeding distillate gas from the reactor to the rectifying column, and a liquid returning pipe for returning reflux liquid from the rectifying column to a reactor, wherein the ratio of (b) the inside diameter of pipe of the liquid returning pipe to (a) the maximum inside diameter of drum of the reactor, (b)/(a), is 0.012 to 0.12. The production apparatus has an efficient rectifying effect and is suitable for producing an aromatic polyester having an excellent heat resistance and color tone efficiently with good polymerizability and at low cost.

Abstract: Biodegradable carriers synthesized from ricinoleic acid oligoesters and aliphatic molecules having at least one carboxylic acid and at least one hydroxy or carboxylic acid group that are liquids or pastes at temperatures below 37° C. and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The polymers described herein significantly increase their viscosity upon immersion in aqueous medium. These polymers can be used as hydrophobic biomedical sealants, temporary barriers to prevent adhesions, such as organ to organ adhesion, cell supports, carriers for drug delivery, and coatings on implantable medical devices, such as stents.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fiberweb, a preparation method thereof, and a filter including the fiberweb. The fiberweb includes a wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resin which includes a repeating unit induced from a hydroxybenzoic acid and a repeating unit induced from a hydroxynaphthoic acid, but does not include a repeating unit induced from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a high molar mass polylactic acid, which comprises the following steps: a) polycondensation in a reactor (R1) of a lactic acid solution, by heating in the form of temperature gradients and under controlled pressure, resulting in a polylactic acid oligomer within the range of 300 to 5000 g/mol; b) conversion, in reactor (200), of the polylactic acid of low molar mass obtained in step a) to a lactide, in the presence of a depolymerization catalyst; c) separation of the volatile fractions; d) recrystallization of the lactide in the vessel (R3), in order to obtain ethanol; e) polymerization, in a tube reactor (300), of the recrystallized lactide obtained in step d), via ring opening in the presence of the catalyst, producing a high molar mass polylactic acid; f) devolatilization, at (400), of the polymeric mass obtained in step e); and g) recovery of the final polylactic acid product with a high degree of purity, with a molar mass of between 50 000 and 200 000 g/mol and a reac

Abstract: Copolymers exhibiting the following combinations of properties, including without limitation, ?-caprolactone in an amount ranging from about 12 to about 70 mole percent, glycolide in an amount ranging from about 30 to about 88 mole percent, crystallinity ranging from about 10 to about 50% as measured by WAXD or about 10 to about 50 J/g as measured by DSC, and an inherent viscosity ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.45 dL/g as measured in a 0.1 g/dl solution of HFIP at 25° C.; a method for melt blowing such copolymers and nonwoven constructs produced therefrom are described herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymerizable composition containing: a compound containing a repeating unit having a polyether structure having a fluorine atom and four or more polymerizable groups and being represented by the formula (I) as defined herein; a photopolymerization initiator; and an organic solvent, or a polymerizable composition containing: a compound containing a repeating unit having a polyether structure having a fluorine atom and four or more polymerizable groups and being represented by one of the formulae (I-1) to (I-5) as defined herein; a photopolymerization initiator; and an organic solvent.

Abstract: A composition for use as an assay reagent comprises a solid support comprising a member of a signal producing system and a coating of a synthetic copolymer. The synthetic copolymer comprises a first polymerized monomer comprising a pendant moiety comprising a reactive functionality or a derivative of a reactive functionality and a second polymerized monomer comprising a pendant moiety comprising at least 1 carbon atoms and at least 2 heteroatoms. In some embodiments the copolymer comprises a polyethylenic backbone comprising the pendant moiety comprising a reactive functionality or a derivative of a reactive functionality and the pendant moiety comprising at least 1 carbon atom and at least 2 heteroatoms.

Abstract: A film comprising a polylactic acid and polypropylene blend having a haze of from about 10% to about 95% and a gloss 45° of from about 50 to about 125. A method of producing an oriented film comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, forming the polymeric blend into a film, and orienting the film. A method of producing an injection molded article comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, injecting the polymeric blend into a mold, and forming the article.

Abstract: A multi-component article comprising a first component comprising a biodegradable polymer, and a second component comprising a polyolefin and a reactive modifier. A method of preparing a multi-layer film comprising coextruding first and second film layers, wherein the first layer comprises a polylactic acid and the second layer comprises a polyolefin and an epoxy-functionalized polyolefin. A method of preparing a multi-component fiber comprising coextruding a core component and a sheath component, wherein the core component comprises a polyolefin and an epoxy-functionalized polyolefin and the sheath component comprises a polylactic acid.

Abstract: A crosslinkable curing super-branched polyester and the cured product and the preparation method thereof are disclosed. The super-branched polyester has high refractive index and comprises a compound represented by the following structural formula (I). In the formula (I), HBP is the backbone of the super-branched polyester; both a and b are positive integers; the sum of a and b is less than or equal to n; n is more than or equal to 10 and less than 80. In the super-branched polyester, A is represented by formula (II) and N is represented by formula (III), wherein R is methyl or hydrogen atom; the mole ratio of N relative to the total mole of A and N is more than 30 mol %, and the ratio of the total mole of A and N relative to the product of the total mole of HBP backbone and n is more than 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polylactic acid-based film or sheet as a resin film or sheet including a polylactic acid (A). The film or sheet has a melt endotherm ?Hc? of 10 J/g or more, where ?Hc? is of a region crystallized upon film formation and specified by following Expression (1): ?Hc?=?Hm??Hc??(1) wherein ?Hc represents an exotherm (J/g) associated with crystallization of the film or sheet in a temperature rise process after film formation; and ?Hm represents an endotherm (J/g) associated with subsequent melting of the film or sheet, each determined by DSC. The film or sheet has a tear strength of 2.5 N/mm or more both in a machine direction (MD) and a transverse direction (TD). The polylactic acid-based resin film or sheet is resistant to melting and deformation even at an elevated temperature higher than 100° C. and is resistant to breaking and tearing during winding into a roll.

Abstract: The present invention related to compositions and methods of producing polyesters with two and/or more different structural units and the materials of polyesters with structure sequence exactly specified therefore produced, and various articles produced from such exactly sequenced polyesters. More particularly, homogeneous copolymers with precisely defined sequences of various hydroxyl acids and their derivatives are produced according to the present invention.

Abstract: PLGA, PLA and PGA polymers which have crystallinity resulting from the presence of long chain alkyl groups in terminal units. The polymers are particularly useful for drug delivery.

Abstract: A method for producing an undrawn polyglycolic acid-based resin yarn, including: a discharge step of discharging a molten polyglycolic acid-based resin through a spinneret, to thereby form a fibrous polyglycolic acid-based resin; a keeping step of keeping the fibrous polyglycolic acid-based resin for 0.0012 seconds or more after the discharge in an atmosphere having a temperature of not lower than 110.5° C. but not higher than a melting point of the polyglycolic acid-based resin; and a cooling step of cooling the fibrous polyglycolic acid-based resin obtained in the keeping step, to thereby obtain an undrawn polyglycolic acid-based resin yarn.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid includes: a) providing an aqueous medium comprising magnesium lactate; b) adding to the aqueous medium a monovalent base to form an aqueous medium comprising a water soluble monovalent lactate salt and a solid magnesium base; c) separating the magnesium base from the aqueous medium; d) adjusting the concentration of the monovalent lactate salt in the aqueous medium, e) subjecting the aqueous medium to water-splitting electrodialysis, to produce a first solution comprising monovalent base and a second solution comprising lactic acid and monovalent lactate salt, the electrodialysis being carried out to a partial conversion of 40 to 98 mole %; f) separating the second solution into lactic acid and a solution comprising the monovalent lactate salt by vapour-liquid separation; g) recycling the solution of step f) comprising the monovalent lactate salt to step d).

Abstract: Organic materials which possess outstanding stability to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation comprise as stabilizers at least one compound of the formula I wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1. The compounds of formula I are especially useful as stabilizers for protecting polymers and lubricants against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation and as scavengers for oxidized developer in color photographic material.

Abstract: A method of polymerization for the preparation of conjugated polymers and copolymers comprising dioxypyrrole and/or dioxyfuran repeating units involves the halogen, N-haloimide, or N-haloamine promoted polymerization of monomers and/or oligomers comprising one or more dioxypyrrole and/or dioxyfuran units. The polymerization can be carried out over a wide range of temperatures and can be carried out with or without a solvent. The monomers allow the preparation of polymers having an oligomeric repeating unit comprising a conjugated unit other than a dioxypyrrole or dioxyfuran that is bound to two dioxypyrrole or dioxyfuran units.

Abstract: A one pot method of preparing cyclic carbonyl compounds comprising an active pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group is disclosed. The cyclic carbonyl compounds can be polymerized by ring opening methods to form ROP polymers comprising repeat units comprising a side chain pentafluorophenyl ester group. Using a suitable nucleophile, the pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group can be selectively transformed into a variety of other functional groups before or after the ring opening polymerization.

Abstract: The invention provides a depolymerization method for a polymer containing an ester bond in a main chain, by causing a solid acid catalyst to act on a polymer containing an ester bond in a main chain to depolymerize the polymer, thereby obtaining a re-polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer as a depolymerization product, and a method for producing a polymer containing an ester bond in a main chain, by polymerizing the re-polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer obtained by the depolymerization method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coated biodegradable materials having a reduced amount of residual catalysts and methods thereof.

Abstract: Ionic and ionogenic 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 anionic or anionogenic or zwitterionic 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: A method of producing a poly(lactic acid) resin includes carrying out direct polycondensation using lactic acid as a main raw material to prepare a crystallized prepolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 25,000, an enthalpy of fusion ?Hm of 50 to 65 J/g and an acid value A mol/ton satisfying (1) below: 450/(Mw/10,000?0.14)<A<950/(Mw/10,000?0.14) ??(1) (wherein Mw represents weight average molecular weight of the crystallized prepolymer); and subjecting the crystallized prepolymer to solid-phase polymerization.

Abstract: A donor capable of controlled release of nitric monoxide and a prosthetic implant whose surface is coated with this donor are disclosed. The donor comprises a main chain of an organic polymer and a side chain that is covalently linked to the main chain and has a diazeniumdiolate functional group. The donor for controlled release of nitric monoxide exists in a fluid state such as liquid at room temperature and undergoes a sol-to-gel phase transition at a physiological pH as the temperature increases above the critical temperature. The critical temperature of the phase transition is in the range of 25 to 35° C., and the gel is a hydrogel without chemical cross-links.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the content of a metal catalyst in a biodegradable and absorbable polymer that can be applied on an industrial scale and a method for producing a biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymer having a metal catalyst content of less than 1 ppm in terms of a metal. The method includes the steps of (1) copolymerizing lactide and ?-caprolactone at a molar ratio ranging from 40/60 to 60/40 or 65/35 to 85/15 in the presence of the metal catalyst to produce a copolymer; and (2) washing the copolymer with a mixed solvent comprising acetic acid and isopropanol at a volume ratio ranging from 25/75 to 45/55 or 45/55 to 55/45 at less than 40° C., and drying the copolymer.

Abstract: There is provided an epoxy compound that provides properties of cured products combining high transparency with high flexural strength by being thermally cured while maintaining advantageous handling properties in a liquid state thereof. An epoxy compound of Formula (1): (where n1 and n2 are independently an integer of 2 to 6; n3 and n4 are individually an integer of 2; n5 and n6 are individually an integer of 1; R4-R7 are independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-10 alkyl group; and X1 is a group of Formula (2)-(4): (where R1-R3 are independently a hydrogen atom, a C1-10 alkyl group, or the like)); and a curable composition comprising the epoxy compound and a curing agent.

Abstract: Provided are aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters that can exhibit biodegradation with improved physical properties. The copolyetheresters can be blended with other polymeric materials, and are useful for making a variety of shaped articles. The aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters can include combinations of terephthalic acid or ester with linear aliphatic, or a non-linear dicarboxylic acid or ester, that is condensed with a linear glycol and a polyalkylene ether glycol.

Abstract: A resin compound includes a reaction product of (A) aliphatic polyester and/or aliphatic polyamide and (B) an aromatic compound of which a compositional ratio is from 0.1 part by weight to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the (A) and which is represented by the following Formula (1), (X)—(CH2OH)n??Formula (1) wherein in Formula (1), X represents an n-valent group having one or more aromatic rings, and n represents an integer of from 2 to 10.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a biorenewable thermoplastic, poly(dihydroferulic acid) (PHFA), which is an effective polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mimic. In another embodiment of the invention, a biorenewable thermoplastic copolymer, poly(dihydroferulic acid-co-ferulic acid) is an effective polystyrene mimic. The PHFA and the copolymer can be prepared by the homocondensation of acetyldihydroferulic acid or the copolymerization of acetyldihydroferulic acid with acetylferulic acid, which are monomers that can be synthesized from starting materials isolated from lignin, rice bran, or other biorenewable sources.