Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.

Disclosed are cellulose-based flexible gels containing cellulose nanorods, ribbons, fibers, and the like, and cellulose-enabled inorganic or polymeric composites, wherein the gels have tunable optical, heat transfer, and stiffness properties. The disclosed gels are in the form of hydrogels, organogels, liquid-crystal (LC) gels, and aerogels, depending on the solvents in the gels.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. 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 disclosure.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. 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 disclosure.

Polyol premixes and thermally insulating rigid polyurethane foams, such as those that can be used as a thermal insulation medium in the construction of refrigerated storage devices, are disclosed. A polymer polyol having a OH number of greater than 260 mg KOH/g is utilized. The resulting polyurethane foams can exhibit improved thermal insulation properties without sacrificing other important physical and processing properties.

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.

A foamable, insulating-layer-forming multi-component composition contains alkoxysilane-functional polymer, insulating-layer-forming fire-protection additive, blowing-agent mixture, cross-linking agent, and a flame-protection agent that is miscible in water or another compound that is miscible in water. The individual ingredients of the blowing-agent mixture are separated from one another to ensure inhibition of reaction prior to use of the composition, and the cross-linking agent is separated from the alkoxysilane-functional polymer to ensure inhibition of reaction prior to use of the composition. The foamable, insulating-layer-forming multi-component composition can be used as a foam-in-place foam or for production of molded blocks.

Compositions are provided including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic nitrogen-containing matrix material and composite particles distributed in the matrix material. The composite particles each include a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are foam compositions and particles including the foam compositions, such as a sheet or multilayer construction. Composite particles are further provided. Methods of making the foam compositions are additionally described herein. Also, polishing pads, polishing systems, and methods of polishing a substrate are provided.

Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.

A molded foam that can be easily taken out of split mold blocks is provided. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a molded foam (1) is obtained by clamping, with split mold blocks, foamed resin obtained by melting and kneading a polyethylene-based resin, wherein the molded foam (1) has a MFR (190° C., g/10 min) of less than 0.8, or the polyethylene-based resin has a MFR (190° C., g/10 min) of not more than 1.0.