The present invention provides a non-porous, breathable and waterproof transparent elastomer film and methods for fabricating the same. The film includes a polyurethane (PU) and an amphiphilic modifier having a hydrophilic segment that acts as a channel for water vapor transmission through the film connected to a hydrophobic segment that anchors the amphiphilic modifier to a portion of the polyurethane base resin. The resultant non-porous, breathable and waterproof transparent elastomer film has a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) or breathability of not less than 300 g/m.sup.2/24 hr according to ASTM E96B, and having at least 90% of the transmittance. The film is also resistant to liquid penetration and micro-contaminants such as bacteria and virus, making it suitable for broad applications in medical, healthcare and food packaging industries.

The invention relates to a sterilizable and reusable ultraviolet-resistant elastomer composites including an elastomeric matrix comprising at least one elastomer; and an UV-resistant additive incorporated into the elastomeric matrix. The ultraviolet-resistant elastomer composite remains mechanically robust over at least 150 sterilization cycles, enabling safe reuse following ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). Beyond N95 masks, these UVGI-compatible ultraviolet-resistant elastomer composites have potential utility in other PPE applications to address the broader issue of single-use waste.

This invention concerns a novel method to produce thermosets such as epoxies and polyurethanes comprising nano-cellulose. The method comprises contacting primarily water-bourne dispersed nano-cellulose with liquid thermoset precursors, specifically epoxy or amine in the case of epoxies, or glycols or similar in the case of polyurethanes. Nano-cellulose transfers to the organic phase, and water is removed at temperatures below 100 C. Thereafter the organic phase comprising nano-cellulose can be mixed with the reactive counterpart to yield nano-composites with improved properties. The products can be used for composite articles, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and other end-uses. Preferred embodiments are described in detail.

The present invention discloses gas and moisture vapor barrier coating compositions that comprise an amine modified polyvinyl alcohol and an acetoacetate modified polyvinyl. The barrier coatings of the invention exhibit enhanced gas and moisture vapor properties. The barrier coatings of the invention maintain gas and moisture vapor properties even after repeated flexing of a coated substrate.

A method of producing olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons from waste plastics comprising feeding a mixture of plastics along with the products of the oxidation of light hydrocarbons to a process in which the feed mixture is catalytically pyrolyzed to produce olefins and aromatics.

The present invention relates to a hybrid aerogel obtained by reacting an aromatic or aliphatic isocyanate compound and silanol moieties on a surface of a clay in a presence of a solvent. Hybrid aerogels according to the present invention provide high thermal insulation material, while good mechanical properties and performance is maintained.

The present invention relates to novel anisotropic composite materials and processes for production thereof. The composite materials are based on the crosslinking of polyisocyanates and feature good weathering stability.

The embodiments herein relate to an epoxy resin composition containing a specific type of amine-based epoxy resin containing four epoxy groups per molecule, a prepreg, and a fiber-reinforced composite material. More specifically, the embodiments herein relate to an epoxy resin composition containing a combination of particular types of epoxy resin and curatives that provides high flexural modulus that is suitable for preparing a fiber-reinforced composite material capable of withstanding extreme use environments such as low-temperature environments and high-temperature moisture-absorbing environments. In addition, the embodiments herein relate to epoxy resin systems capable of achieving a high degree of cure (e.g., 85% or more) within a relatively short period of time (e.g., less than two hours) at a relatively low temperature (e.g., 132 C.).

A method of providing a foamed insulation coating on at least a portion of a pipe, including extruding a melt stream over the pipe portion. The melt stream includes a matrix polymer and expandable fillers in an unexpanded state, the melt stream being maintained at a sufficiently high temperature to maintain the matrix polymer in extrudable form and at a sufficiently high pressure to maintain the expandable fillers in the unexpanded state. Once extruded, the expandable fillers are permitted to expand into an expanded state at a lower pressure.

In the manufacture of composite product, raw composite is layered on a shape or form and cured at a higher temperature. With some shapes, it is difficult or impossible to apply sufficient pressure to force and consolidate the composite material to adequately conform to the desired final shape during the curing process. The expandable tacky tape of this invention is comprised of a viscous medium incorporating thermally expandable material. Applied over the raw composite, the expandable tacky tape effectively forces the composite to conform to the desired shape during curing.