A form birefringent optical element includes a structured layer and a dielectric environment disposed over the structured layer. At least one of the structured layer and the dielectric environment includes a nanovoided polymer, the nanovoided polymer having a first refractive index in an unactuated state and a second refractive index different than the first refractive index in an actuated state. Actuation of the nanovoided polymer can be used to reversibly control the form birefringence of the optical element. Various other apparatuses, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole coupled with the upper. The midsole includes at least a portion of a solid resilin material comprising a cross-linked recombinant resilin and a polar nonaqueous solvent.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole coupled with the upper. The midsole includes at least a portion of a solid resilin material comprising a cross-linked recombinant resilin and a polar nonaqueous solvent.

The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam. The melamine-formaldehyde foam includes from about 0.1 to about 5 weight % of at least one linear polymer with a number average molecular weight M.sub.n in the range from 500 to 10,000 g/mol. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam. The melamine-formaldehyde foam includes from about 0.1 to about 5 weight % of at least one linear polymer with a number average molecular weight M.sub.n in the range from 500 to 10,000 g/mol. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a polypropylene composition, an injection molded article comprising the polypropylene composition, a foamed article comprising the polypropylene composition as well as the use of said polypropylene composition for reducing the stiffness reduction factor of a foamed injection molded article by at least 200 as determined by the difference of the flexural modulus measured according to ISO 178 of the non-foamed and foamed injection molded article.

The present invention relates to a polypropylene composition, an injection molded article comprising the polypropylene composition, a foamed article comprising the polypropylene composition as well as the use of said polypropylene composition for reducing the stiffness reduction factor of a foamed injection molded article by at least 200 as determined by the difference of the flexural modulus measured according to ISO 178 of the non-foamed and foamed injection molded article.

A flexible cellular foam or composition contains a flexible foam structure that comprises a plurality of highly thermally conductive solids including nanomaterials. The thermally conductive solids may be carbon nanomaterials or other metallic or non-metallic solids. The carbon nanomaterials may include, but are not necessarily limited to, carbon nanotubes and graphite nanoplatelets. The highly thermally conductive solids may include but are not limited to micro-sized solids that may include graphite flakes, for example. When mixed within flexible foam, the presence of nanomaterials may impart greater support factor, greater thermal conductivity, and/or a combination of these improvements. The flexible foam composition may be polyurethane foam, latex foam, polyether polyurethane foam, viscoelastic foam, high resilient foam, polyester polyurethane foam, foamed polyethylene, foamed polypropylene, expanded polystyrene, foamed silicone, melamine foam, among others.

A flexible cellular foam or composition contains a flexible foam structure that comprises a plurality of highly thermally conductive solids including nanomaterials. The thermally conductive solids may be carbon nanomaterials or other metallic or non-metallic solids. The carbon nanomaterials may include, but are not necessarily limited to, carbon nanotubes and graphite nanoplatelets. The highly thermally conductive solids may include but are not limited to micro-sized solids that may include graphite flakes, for example. When mixed within flexible foam, the presence of nanomaterials may impart greater support factor, greater thermal conductivity, and/or a combination of these improvements. The flexible foam composition may be polyurethane foam, latex foam, polyether polyurethane foam, viscoelastic foam, high resilient foam, polyester polyurethane foam, foamed polyethylene, foamed polypropylene, expanded polystyrene, foamed silicone, melamine foam, among others.

Provided are a manufacturing method for a foamable printed matter, a manufacturing method for a foam and a foaming inhibition ink. The manufacturing method for a printed matter is a manufacturing method for a foamable printed matter that foams to form an irregular pattern on its surface, the method including a printing step of inkjet-printing a foaming inhibition ink on a printing medium having a layer of a foamable resin composition containing a chemical foaming agent, under a temperature condition lower than a softening temperature of the foamable resin composition, the foaming inhibition ink containing: a foaming inhibitor that deteriorates a heat decomposing ability of the foamable resin composition; and a solvent that dissolves the foaming inhibitor when the foaming inhibitor is solid, is compatible with the foaming inhibitor when the foaming inhibitor is liquid, and is able to move the foaming inhibitor into the foamable resin composition.