An aqueous liquid composition contains a water-based medium containing water, chitosan and/or a chitosan derivative, and a polymeric acid, and has a pH of not higher than 4.5. The aqueous liquid composition contains low-cost materials having low environmental load, can retain adequate viscosity even when stored over a long term, and can form a functional coating film having excellent adhesiveness to a base material and superb durability, solvent resistance and waterproofness and capable of exhibiting various functions led by electrical conductivity and hydrophilicity.

Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures that includes dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium, and applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures. The electric field causes a first nano-structure from the plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of the plurality of nano-structures such that the first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure.

A method for producing a cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support of which at least one surface is coated with a layer containing at least one water-soluble polymer comprising: hydroxyl or primary-secondary amino functional groups, at least some of which have been functionalized beforehand with at least one organic compound comprising at least one epoxy functional group, and at least one R.sup.1 group wherein R.sup.1 is a vinyl functional group or at least one Si(R.sup.2).sub.3 functional group and wherein R.sup.2=hydrogen atom, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, and combinations thereof.

The present invention relates to sizing compositions, glass fibers at least partially coated with sizing compositions, and glass fiber reinforced composite materials. In one embodiment, a sizing composition comprises at least one maleic anhydride copolymer, at least one coupling agent, and a reaction product of an alkoxylated amine and a polycarboxylic acid, which is further reacted with an epoxy compound.

Monodisperse particles having: a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology are disclosed. Due to their uniform size and shape, the monodisperse particles self assemble into superlattices. The particles may be luminescent particles such as down-converting phosphor particles and up-converting phosphors. The monodisperse particles of the invention have a rare earth-containing lattice which in one embodiment may be an yttrium-containing lattice or in another may be a lanthanide-containing lattice. The monodisperse particles may have different optical properties based on their composition, their size, and/or their morphology (or shape). Also disclosed is a combination of at least two types of monodisperse particles, where each type is a plurality of monodisperse particles having a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology; and where the types of monodisperse particles differ from one another by composition, by size, or by morphology. In a preferred embodiment, the types of monodisperse particles have the same composition but different morphologies. Methods of making and methods of using the monodisperse particles are disclosed.

New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.

Described herein are nanofibers and methods for making nanofibers that include any one or more of (a) a non-homogeneous charge density; (b) a plurality of regions of high charge density; and/or (c) charged nanoparticles or chargeable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the present invention fulfills a need for filtration media that are capable of both high performance (e.g., removal of particle sizes between 0.1 and 0.5 μm) with a low pressure drop, however the invention is not limited in this regard.

A multilayer self-adhesive fouling release coating composition includes an optional removable underlying liner; an adhesive layer applied over and to the optional underlying liner when the latter is present; and a synthetic material layer applied over and to the adhesive layer. Optionally, an intermediate silicone tie coat is applied over and to the synthetic material layer. A silicone fouling release top coat is applied over and to the synthetic material layer, or, when present, over and to the intermediate silicone tie coat. Optionally, a removable polymeric film is applied over and to the fouling release top coat.

Fibers sized with a coating of amorphous polyetherketoneketone are useful in the preparation of reinforced polymers having improved properties, wherein the amorphous polyetherketoneketone can improve the compatibility of the fibers with the polymeric matrix.