A composition for coating an overhead conductor is disclosed comprising: (i) a reflective agent; (ii) a photocatalytic 0 agent comprising ≥70 wt % anatase titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) having an average particle size (“aps”)≤100 nm; (iii) a polyorganosiloxane binder; and (iv) a superhydrophobic agent comprising either: surface functionalised silica nanoparticles, a functional polysiloxane or a polymethylsilsesquioxane.

Durable, anti-fouling, crosslinked zwitterionic coatings that are grafted to the surface of a substrate through covalent bonding are disclosed. When exposed to a light source, zwitterionic monomers react with a crosslinker and with activated radicals at the surface of the substrate, simultaneously forming the crosslinked zwitterionic coating and anchoring it to the surface of the substrate. Photomasking techniques can be used to micropattern the zwitterionic coatings. The zwitterionic coatings can be applied to a variety of substrates, including medical devices and systems.

A fluoroacrylic compound of formula (1) which, when added to an actinic-ray-curable composition, can impart excellent liquid repellency, antifouling properties, and wear resistance.

Y—Rf.sup.1—Z.sup.1-Q.sup.1-[Z.sup.2—X].sub.a  (1)

[Rf.sup.1 is a divalent perfluoropolyether group. Z.sup.1 is a divalent hydrocarbon group optionally containing O, N, or Si. Q.sup.1 is an (a+1)-valent linking group including a+1 or more Si atoms. Z.sup.2 is a divalent alkylene ether group. X is H or a monovalent organic group having an (α-substituted) acryl group, and at least one of the X moieties is a monovalent organic group having an (α-substituted) acryl group. Symbol a is 1-10. Y is F or —Z.sup.1-Q.sup.1-[Z.sup.2—X].sub.a. All of the Z.sup.1 moiety and the a Z.sup.2 moieties within the [ ] have been bonded to the Si atoms contained in the Q.sup.1 and the molecule has no urethane bond therein.]

Free-standing non-fouling polymers and polymeric compositions, monomers and macromonomers for making the polymers and polymeric compositions, objects made from the polymers and polymeric compositions, and methods for making and using the polymers and polymeric compositions.

An aqueous coating additive containing a polyether-modified siloxane represented by an average composition formula (1): (R.sub.3SiO.sub.1/2).sub.a(R.sub.2R′SiO.sub.1/2).sub.a′(R.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2).sub.b(RR′SiO.sub.2/2).sub.b′(RSiO.sub.3/2).sub.c(SiO.sub.4/2).sub.d. “R”'s each represent an organic group selected from groups represented by —C.sub.qH.sub.2q—O—(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.e(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.f—R.sup.1. The R′ groups satisfy expression (I): 5≤{(molecular weight of the —C.sub.2H.sub.4O— moiety)/(molecular weight of an entire polyether-modified siloxane)}×20≤10; and expression (II): {(molecular weight of the —C.sub.3H.sub.6O— moiety)/(molecular weight of the —C.sub.2H.sub.4O— moiety)}≤1.0. This provides an additive for an aqueous coating and an aqueous coating composition that have little environmental impact and that provide excellent antifouling performance.

A coating that is able to shed accumulated material (such as ice) that includes a crosslinkable copolymer with hydrogen bonding moieties and liquid-like side chains, and an oil (or other non-aqueous liquid) that is compatible with the side-chains and that resides in the crosslinked coating and on the surface of the coating together with the side-chains that are on the external surface. Methods may use the coating for de-icing, shedding of marine organisms, and smudge-repellency.

Systems, devices, and methods for a cosmetic sponge having: a tip portion at one end of the cosmetic sponge; an angled portion, where the tip portion is surrounded by the angled portion; a bulbous portion, where the bulbous portion is disposed proximate a bottom of the cosmetic sponge; and a bottom portion, where the bottom portion is surrounded by the bulbous portion; and a thermochromic pigment in at least a portion of the cosmetic sponge, where the portion of the cosmetic sponge changes from a first color at a first temperature to a second color at a second temperature.

Provided are amphiphilic copolymers that include repeat units of formulas [Z].sub.m and [P].sub.n, wherein Z is a zwitterionic structural unit including at least one pendant heteroaromatic moiety, the heteroaromatic moiety containing a positively charged quaternary nitrogen atom (e.g., a pyridine ring), and wherein at least one negatively charged functional moiety is linked to the heteroaromatic moiety directly or through a linker, wherein the linker, where present, is an optionally substituted alkyl linker; P is a structural unit including a hydrophobic moiety, the hydrophobic moiety being a linear, branched, or cyclic fluorine-substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.20 moiety; m is an integer that is ≥1; and n is an integer that is ≥1.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound capable of forming a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance; a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid containing the fluorinated ether compound; an article having a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance and a method for producing it. A fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain having a unit (α) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and a unit (β) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having at most 4 carbon atoms, and having at least one of a hydrolysable silyl group and a silanol group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain via a linking group.

Free-standing non-fouling polymers and polymeric compositions, monomers and macromonomers for making the polymers and polymeric compositions, objects made from the polymers and polymeric compositions, and methods for making and using the polymers and polymeric compositions