Composites made of a cross-linked acrylic polymer and an inorganic aggregate and/or mineral, with the cross-linked acrylic polymer being present at a concentration of 5% to 17%, by weight, are disclosed. Processes of preparing the composites are also disclosed.

The present invention aims to provide a resin foam, a resin foam sheet, an adhesive tape, a member for a vehicle, and a member for a building that are capable of exhibiting very high sound insulation properties. Provided is a resin foam having a multitude of cells, the resin foam containing: a thermoplastic resin; and a plasticizer, the resin foam having a minimum loss factor of a primary anti-resonance frequency in the range of 20° C. to 60° C. of 0.05 or higher and a secondary anti-resonance frequency in the range of 20° C. to 60° C. of 300 to 800 Hz as measured by mechanical impedance measurement (MIM) in conformity with JIS G0602.

The present invention provides a rubber composition obtained by kneading a rubber component, a vulcanization accelerator, silica, and a compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein the groups are as defined in the DESCRIPTION.

A composition containing a polymer material and a phosphorus-containing flame retardant based on an aminomethyl bisphosphonate, a process for the production of the composition, and the use of the flame retardant as well as selected structures of the flame retardant are disclosed.

Polymers, hydrogels, and thermochromic agents, including products embodying them, methods of using them, and processes for making them. In certain embodiments, temperature therapy packs which utilize thermochromic agents integrated into solid, semi-solid, or liquid hydrogels. In preferred (but optional) embodiments, the thermochromic agents are integrated into the composition used as the temperature exchange material of the therapy pack. In certain other embodiments, methods of using the thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials, or processes for manufacturing such thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials and/or methods or processes for manufacturing or using thermal packs embodying such materials. In certain particularly preferred embodiments, novel polymer compositions and/or processes for making polymers, which improve product durability or longevity and/or which improve use cycles or usage times.

A gel composition is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a (i) a styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil; and (iii) optional additives; wherein the styrenic block copolymer has a structure ABi or iAB, wherein A is a monoalkenyl arene block, B is a conjugated diene block, and i is an isoprene attachment. The isoprene attachment i is substantially unsaturated and the conjugated diene block B is substantially saturated. The gel composition before curing exhibits thixotropic behavior, with a viscosity ranging from about 5000 mPa.Math.s to about 30000 mPa.Math.s. at 25° C. and a shear rate of 20 s.sup.−1.

A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

A resin useful for producing objects is provided, which resin contains a photoinitiator of low cytotoxicity. The resins may be suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques such as bottom-up and top-down stereolithography, produce objects that are bioresorbable and non-cytotoxic, and/or produce objects that are flexible or elastic. Methods of use of the resin and objects produced therefrom are also provided.

The present disclosure is directed to a thermoplastic polymer for additive manufacturing, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is derived from a chlorinated monomer unit, wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a melt flow rate (MFR) suitable for additive manufacturing. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of making a 3D product formed by additive manufacturing, wherein the 3D product comprises a thermoplastic polymer derived from a chlorinated monomer unit or a thermoplastic composition comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer derived from a chlorinated monomer unit; and at least one stabiliser, wherein the thermoplastic polymer or composition has a MFR suitable for additive manufacturing.

Microlaser based dye doped polymeric resonators are provided as well as pharmaceutical formulations containing the microlaser based dye doped polymeric resonators, methods of making thereof, and methods of use thereof for monitoring and/or stimulating electrical activity in a brain of a subject in need thereof. The microlaser based dye doped polymeric resonators can include a particle having a spherical core containing one or more fluorescent dyes dispersed within a polymer matrix, wherein the polymer matrix has an index of refraction of about 1.2 or greater; an outer surface surrounding the spherical core; and a gold nanoparticle, wherein the gold nanoparticle is on the outer surface, is dispersed within the spherical core, or both. The fluorescent dyes can include a voltage sensitive fluorescent dye.