Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of one or more water-soluble polysaccharides, such as gelling polysaccharides and gelling-compatible polysaccharides, and one or more insoluble fibers. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have a porous network structure and highly stable gelling properties as well as high absorption ratio and volume expansion capacity upon hydration or rehydration. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials and uses thereof.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.

A polyimide precursor-containing aqueous composition contains at least one polymer material selected from the group consisting of a water-insoluble fibrous organic substance and a polyalkylene oxide having a viscosity-average molecular weight of 5 million or more, a polyimide precursor, particles, and water.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of one or more water-soluble polysaccharides, such as gelling polysaccharides and gelling-compatible polysaccharides, and one or more insoluble fibers. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have a porous network structure and highly stable gelling properties as well as high absorption ratio and volume expansion capacity upon hydration or rehydration. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials and uses thereof.

The present application relates to silk fibroin-based materials, methods for making and using the same. Provided materials exhibit shape memory characteristics while showing comparable or better volumetric swelling, biocompatibility and/or degradability when compared to current memory polymers derived from either natural or synthetic materials.

A hot press cushioning material includes: a fiber material comprised of a multiplicity of randomly oriented fibers (1); rubber (2) present in voids between the fibers (1) of the fiber material; and independent pores (3) dispersedly present in the rubber (2).

Provided are resin composition and a molded article produced therefrom, the resin composition comprising: a polycarbonate resin; a rubber-modified aromatic vinyl-based copolymer resin; a conductive additive including a carbon fiber and a carbon nanotube; talc; and a foaming agent, wherein the carbon fiber and the carbon nanotube are contained in a weight ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:0.4.

A composite material and a foam prepared from the composite material are provided. The composite material includes a network polymer, a fluorine-containing polymer fiber, and a reinforcement fiber. The polymer network is a crosslinking reaction product of a polymer and an oligomer, wherein the polymer is polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, or a combination thereof, and the oligomer is a vinyl aromatic-co-acrylate oligomer with an epoxy functional group. The oligomer has a weight percentage of 1% to 10%, based on the weight of the network polymer. The ratio of the weight of the reinforcement fiber to the total weight of the network polymer and the fluorine-containing polymer fiber is from 1:9 to 4:6.

A hot press cushioning material includes: a fiber material comprised of a multiplicity of randomly oriented fibers (1); rubber (2) present in voids between the fibers (1) of the fiber material; and independent pores (3) dispersedly present in the rubber (2).

Polymer foams based on polyethersulfone (PESU) fulfil the legal specifications demanded by the aviation industry for aircraft interiors. Specifically the demands on fire characteristics, stability to media and mechanical properties constitute a great challenge here. According to the related art, suitable polymer foams are produced as semifinished products. Reprocessing to give shaped articles is uneconomic in terms of time and material exploitation, for example by virtue of large amounts of cutting waste. The problem is solved by the material which is suitable in principle can be processed to give particle foam mouldings. These mouldings can be produced without reprocessing in short cycle times and hence economically. Furthermore, this gives rise to new means of functional integration, for example by direct incorporation of inserts etc. in the foam, and with regard to freedom in terms of design.