An aerogel that includes an open-cell structured polymer matrix that can have 5 wt. % to 50 wt. % of a polyamic amide polymer, based on the total weight of the aerogel is disclosed. The aerogel can have a density of 0.05 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.35 g/cm.sup.3 and can be thermally stable to resist browning at 330° C.

A polyurethane, in particular a thermoplastic polyurethane, is obtainable or obtained by reacting at least a polyisocyanate composition and a polyol composition. The polyol composition contains at least one polyester diol or polyether diol, having a number-average molecular weight in the range from 500 to 3000 g/mol, and at least one polysiloxane having two terminal isocyanate-reactive functionalities selected from a thio group, a hydroxyl group, and an amino group. A process can be used for preparing this polyurethane, and a molded body containing the polyurethane is useful. Foam beads based on polyurethane can be obtained or obtainable from the polyurethane, and a process can be used for producing foam beads. Corresponding bead foams are useful.

Foamed pellets contain a thermoplastic polyurethane obtainable or obtained by reacting a polyisocyanate composition (IC), containing at least one aliphatic diisocyanate having a number-average molecular weight of less than 200 g/mol, at least one chain extender (CE1), and a polyol composition (PC). A process can be used for the production of such foamed pellets. The foamed pellets can be used for the production of a molded body.

Ageing-resistant and low-emission mattresses and/or cushions comprising at least one section of flexible polyurethane foam, wherein the flexible polyurethane foam has been obtained by reaction of at least one polyol component and at least one isocyanate component in the presence of the compound of the formula (I)

##STR00001##

and at least one blowing agent, are described.

Provided is a shoe sole member including a crosslinked foam forming a part or the whole of the shoe sole member, wherein the crosslinked foam is formed by a polymer composition showing specific results in measurement using pulsed NMR.

A process can be used for producing a thermoplastic polyurethane, where the process at least involves converting at least one isocyanate composition and a polyol composition, to obtain a prepolymer having isocyanate groups, and reacting the resulting prepolymer with at least one chain extender. The at least one isocyanate composition contains an isocyanate selected from naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI), p-phenyl diisocyanate (PPDI), o-tolidine diisocyanate (TODI), ethylene diphenyl diisocyanate (EDI), or mixtures thereof. The polyol composition contains a polytetrahydrofuran or a derivative thereof. A thermoplastic polyurethane obtained or obtainable by such a process is useful, and a foamed pellet material can be produced containing such a thermoplastic polyurethane. The foamed pellet material of the invention can be used for production of a molded article.

Provided is a shoe sole member partially or entirely formed by a crosslinked foam, wherein the crosslinked foam shows specific results of pulsed NMR measurement.

Provided herein is a composite material that includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one organic foam material. Further provided herein is a method for producing the composite material and also to the use of the composite material for cooling and for regulating temperature.

Provided is a shoe sole member partially or entirely made of a resin composite in which a plurality of resin foam particles, and one or a plurality of non-foamed elastic bodies having an initial elastic modulus at 23° C. being smaller than that of the resin foam particles are integrated together. Also provided is a shoe including the shoe sole member.

The present invention provides a cosmetic composition carrier comprising a latex foam having a density of 0.05-0.2 g/cm.sup.3 and a cosmetic product comprising same. The cosmetic composition carrier according to the present invention has excellent filling, holding, and discharge capabilities with respect to a liquid cosmetic, has excellent antibacterial activity, can be filled with, hold, and discharge liquid cosmetic compositions in a wide range of low to high viscosities, thus allows excellent color expression and uniform application without caking when a liquid cosmetic composition held in the cosmetic composition carrier is applied to the skin, and allows the application of the liquid cosmetic composition to a portable container.