Compositions and methods are presented in which aragonite, and especially oolitic aragonite particles are used as infill material in an artificial turf structure or as sub-growth substrate for natural grass. Advantageously, oolitic aragonite particles provide: a superior microporous surface for effective water saturation to impart thermal control and environmental compatibility; ammonia neutralization of urine by reducing urea hydrolysis with the free calcium presented in the aragonite particles; and aragonite particle uniformity allowing for reduced compaction and desirable water draining.

Application of a Mannich base in a flame-retardant polyurethane material is provided. The Mannich base has a structure represented by a formula (I). In the Mannich base, flame-retardant groups, i.e., halogens are introduced at the second, fourth and sixth positions of a phenyl group, and flame-retardant elements, i.e., halogens and nitrogen are introduced into synthesized polyether polyol, giving the synthesized polyether polyol good flame retardance. The amount of active hydrogen in the Mannich base is small so that occurrence of side reactions during the synthesis of the polyether polyol is reduced, and the viscosity of the flame-retardant polyether polyol is lowered. Due to autocatalytic performance of tertiary amido in the flame-retardant polyether polyol, use of a catalyst can be reduced and even avoided during the synthesis. A preparation method of the Mannich base is also provided.

Application of a Mannich base in a flame-retardant polyurethane material is provided. The Mannich base has a structure represented by a formula (I). In the Mannich base, flame-retardant groups, i.e., halogens are introduced at the second, fourth and sixth positions of a phenyl group, and flame-retardant elements, i.e., halogens and nitrogen are introduced into synthesized polyether polyol, giving the synthesized polyether polyol good flame retardance. The amount of active hydrogen in the Mannich base is small so that occurrence of side reactions during the synthesis of the polyether polyol is reduced, and the viscosity of the flame-retardant polyether polyol is lowered. Due to autocatalytic performance of tertiary amido in the flame-retardant polyether polyol, use of a catalyst can be reduced and even avoided during the synthesis. A preparation method of the Mannich base is also provided.

A graded-index optical element may include a nanovoided material including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanovoided material may be transparent between the first surface and the second surface. Additionally, the nanovoided material may have a predefined change in effective refractive index in at least one axis due to a change in at least one of nanovoid size or nanovoid distribution along the at least one axis. Various other elements, devices, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

Provided is a shoe sole member partially or entirely formed by a crosslinked foam, wherein the crosslinked foam shows specific results of pulsed NMR measurement.

Provided is a shoe sole member partially or entirely formed by a crosslinked foam, wherein the crosslinked foam shows specific results of pulsed NMR measurement.

The present invention relates to a flexible molded skin as part of a composite structure for an airbag cover, and to a composition for producing such a skin using slush molding. The composition and flexible molded skin have a thermoplastic plasticized vinyl polymer, and a tear promoting agent selected from the group of one or more particulate blowing agents, inorganic mineral materials, organic filler materials and microspheres or a mixture of two or more of the afore mentioned materials. The particles of the particulate tear promoting agent have an average particle size of between 0.005 and 50 μm, preferably between 0.005 and 40 μm.

The present invention relates to a flexible molded skin as part of a composite structure for an airbag cover, and to a composition for producing such a skin using slush molding. The composition and flexible molded skin have a thermoplastic plasticized vinyl polymer, and a tear promoting agent selected from the group of one or more particulate blowing agents, inorganic mineral materials, organic filler materials and microspheres or a mixture of two or more of the afore mentioned materials. The particles of the particulate tear promoting agent have an average particle size of between 0.005 and 50 μm, preferably between 0.005 and 40 μm.

The invention relates to a noncrosslinked block copolymer foam, comprising at least one rigid block and at least one flexible block, in which the copolymer includes at least one carboxylic acid chain end blocked with a polycarbodiimide. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing this foam and to articles manufactured therefrom.

A nanovoided polymer-based material may include a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and an interfacial film disposed at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. The interfacial film may include one or more layers of material. A method of forming a nanovoided polymer-based material may include (1) forming a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and (2) forming an interfacial film at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. Various other methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.