The present invention relates to a polyamide resin comprising a unit derived from -caprolactam and/or -aminocaproic acid (to also be referred to as Unit 1), a unit derived from adipic acid (to also be referred to as Unit 2) and a unit derived from hexamethylenediamine (to also be referred to as Unit 3), wherein the concentration of terminal amino groups in the polyamide resin is greater than the concentration of terminal carboxyl groups in the polyamide resin, and the amount of Unit 1 is greater than 60% by weight to less than 80% by weight of the total amount of Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3.

The present invention relates to a polyamide resin comprising a unit derived from -caprolactam and/or -aminocaproic acid (to also be referred to as Unit 1), a unit derived from adipic acid (to also be referred to as Unit 2) and a unit derived from hexamethylenediamine (to also be referred to as Unit 3), wherein the concentration of terminal amino groups in the polyamide resin is greater than the concentration of terminal carboxyl groups in the polyamide resin, and the amount of Unit 1 is greater than 60% by weight to less than 80% by weight of the total amount of Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3.

A bending actuator and methods for making and using the same. A beam of anisotropic polymer material, such as nylon, characterized by a greater degree of molecular orientation along a longitudinal axis than transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a heating element in thermal contact with at least one of a pair of opposing faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The heating element in certain embodiments provides for photothermal activation of the bending actuator.

A bending actuator and methods for making and using the same. A beam of anisotropic polymer material, such as nylon, characterized by a greater degree of molecular orientation along a longitudinal axis than transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a heating element in thermal contact with at least one of a pair of opposing faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The heating element in certain embodiments provides for photothermal activation of the bending actuator.

A lubricating composition comprises an oil-soluble poly(2-oxazoline) additive having the repeat unit:
N(COR.sup.1)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2 where the number of repeat units (n) is an integer between 4 and 1000; where the polymer carries an inorganic or organic nucleophilic polymerization terminating group t, and a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl polymerization initiator group (i); and where R.sup.1 comprises a single or a mixture of linear branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl groups having 1-100 carbon atoms, some or all having 12-100 carbon atoms, or of at least one macro-monomeric hydrocarbyl group with more than 50 carbon atoms provided that when the polymer is a homopolymer and R.sup.1 lacks any hetero atoms; (A) i has a molecular weight of less than 250 g/mol, and R.sup.1 has an average number of carbon atoms of 12 to 50; or (B) n is greater than 15. The polymer may provide the composition, in the form of a lubricant, with friction modifier, and with low impact on lubricant viscosity. The polymer may be a homopolymer, a block copolymer or a star polymer.

A lubricating composition comprises an oil-soluble poly(2-oxazoline) additive having the repeat unit:
N(COR.sup.1)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2 where the number of repeat units (n) is an integer between 4 and 1000; where the polymer carries an inorganic or organic nucleophilic polymerization terminating group t, and a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl polymerization initiator group (i); and where R.sup.1 comprises a single or a mixture of linear branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl groups having 1-100 carbon atoms, some or all having 12-100 carbon atoms, or of at least one macro-monomeric hydrocarbyl group with more than 50 carbon atoms provided that when the polymer is a homopolymer and R.sup.1 lacks any hetero atoms; (A) i has a molecular weight of less than 250 g/mol, and R.sup.1 has an average number of carbon atoms of 12 to 50; or (B) n is greater than 15. The polymer may provide the composition, in the form of a lubricant, with friction modifier, and with low impact on lubricant viscosity. The polymer may be a homopolymer, a block copolymer or a star polymer.

The invention concerns a method for the surface crosslinking of a polymer, in particle form, having one or a plurality of labile hydrogen functions, comprising a step of implementing a crosslinking agent comprising at least two functions likely to react with the labile hydrogen functions of the polymer, the crosslinking method being carried out at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polymer. The invention also concerns a powder particle and the uses of same.

A polycarbonate resin composition which has excellent low-temperature impact resistance and flowability high enough to enable thin molding and provides a coated molded article having a good appearance and high impact resistance. The resin composition comprises 100 parts by weight of a resin component including a polycarbonate resin (component A) and a polycarbonate-polydiorganosiloxane copolymer resin (component B) and 0.5 to 2.5 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin (component C).

The present invention relates to improved hydrogel materials using water gellants that are comprised of polymer backbones P to which hydrogen bonding 4H-units are covalently attached via a hydrophobic linker L. Optionally, the hydrogel contains additional ingredients or additives. These new reversible hydrogels can easily be fine-tuned in their mechanical performance and function and are especially suitable for biomedical applications.

The present invention relates to improved hydrogel materials using water gellants that are comprised of polymer backbones P to which hydrogen bonding 4H-units are covalently attached via a hydrophobic linker L. Optionally, the hydrogel contains additional ingredients or additives. These new reversible hydrogels can easily be fine-tuned in their mechanical performance and function and are especially suitable for biomedical applications.