Hygroscopic hydrogels including a cross-linked polymer, the polymer being prepared by polymerization of one or more monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a compound of formula I, are provided. Related monomers and polymers, as well as methods for the production and use thereof, are also provided. Hygroscopic hydrogels as described herein may be used for water harvesting, for example. (I) (formula I)

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Disclosed is a reinforced biodegradable polymer nanocomposite. The reinforced biodegradable polymer nanocomposite comprises a polymer matrix and functionalised graphene nanoplatelets or graphene-like material dispersed in the polymer matrix. The graphene nanoplatelets or graphene-like material are functionalized with functional groups in a manner that planar structure of the graphene nanoplatelets or graphene-like material is retained. Disclosed further is a method of manufacturing the aforementioned reinforced biodegradable polymer nanocomposite. The method comprises functionalizing graphene nanoplatelets or graphene-like material with functional groups in a manner that planar structure of the graphene nanoplatelets or graphene-like material is retained; and dispersing functionalized graphene nanoplatelets or graphene-like material in the polymer matrix to form the reinforced biodegradable polymer nanocomposite.

Provided is a flame retardant and heat insulating sheet having high flame retardancy and a high heat insulating property. Also provided is a flame retardant heat insulator including such flame retardant and heat insulating sheet. A flame retardant and heat insulating sheet according to one embodiment includes: a flame retardant and heat insulating layer formed from a resin composition (A); and a heat insulating layer, wherein the resin composition (A) contains: a binder resin; a low-melting point inorganic substance; a high-melting point inorganic substance; and voids. A flame retardant and heat insulating sheet according to one embodiment includes: a flame retardant and heat insulating layer formed from a resin composition (B); and a heat insulating layer, wherein the resin composition (B) contains: a binder resin that produces a high-melting point inorganic substance when heated; a low-melting point inorganic substance; and voids and/or a void-forming agent.

Bonding dissimilar materials of medical device components can be carried out by applying an adhesive on at least one surface of two components which are composed of dissimilar materials and contacting the surfaces and exposing the contacted surfaces to heat and/or irradiate the adhesive to cure the adhesive and bond the surfaces. One medical component, e.g., medical tubing, can be composed of a non-polar, polyvinyl chloride free thermoplastic polymeric material and the other medical component, e.g., a medical connector, can be composed of polyacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (mABS), polyester, and/or a polycarbonate material. The adhesive formulation can include: (a) a polyolefin oligomer having reactive acrylate groups and alkenyl groups, (b) an initiator, and optionally (c) a solvent.

Disclosed are a method of preparing an elastic pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and an elastic pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Main components of the adhesive include a polyacrylate resin with a carbon-carbon double bond and a diluent monomer with a carbon-carbon double bond. A quasi-microcapsule powder component is adopted, wherein the shell material of the quasi-microcapsule powder selects a cellulose-based water soluble polymer, and the core material selects low boiling point alkane, wherein the preparation method combines UV curing, heating, and shell burst, to obtain an elastic adhesive layer, whereby to prepare a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape product. Compared with conventional elastic pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, the preparing method as disclosed has a simple manufacturing process. The pressure-sensitive adhesive tape obtained from the disclosed preparing method overcomes the restrictions of conventional foam strips and provide good cushioning and compression properties without using foam as the carrier.

A curable composition for mechanical foaming has a complex viscosity η* that satisfies the following conditions (A) and (B) in frequency dependence measurement by a rheometer: condition (A): η* at 0.1 Hz and 25° C. is in a range of 1000 to 50000 Pa.Math.s; and condition (B): η* at 10.0 Hz and 25° C. is in a range of 100 to 1000 Pa.Math.s.
The curing form of the curable composition for mechanical foaming is not a moisture curing form.

Embodiments of the present invention provide users with a system and method for manufacturing water-based hydrophobic aerogels and aerogel composites. The system and method can be carried out in a manner which is more rapid than typical ways and can be readily scalable. The method of manufacture is useful for producing water based hydrophobic aerogels and aerogel composites on a large scale with good homogeneity and consistency. Advantageously, the method of manufacture also has the benefit of a shorter processing time due to the vacuum homogenizing and mixing processes, the use of microwave assisted vacuum freeze drying for ease of synthesis of water-based hydrophobic aerogels.

A resin composition is provided, which includes a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer is formed by a reaction of an epoxy resin modified with a first elastic molecular segment and an epoxy resin curing agent. The second polymer is formed by a polymerization of an acrylate modified with a second elastic molecular segment.

A process for producing a carbon sheet molding compound (SMC). An SMC manufacturing line including at least one conveyor line for laying up SMC resins on a carrier film is provided. A chopped carbon fiber which is evenly distributed using dehumidified supply air and using a pressurized air venturi apparatus which is used to debundle and randomize the carbon fibers, onto the resin on the carrier film as the carrier film moves along the conveyor.

A product, especially a master-batch for producing thermally expandable compositions, is obtainable or obtained by reacting, preferably by extruding, a mixture including: (a) at least one polymer P, cross-linkable by peroxide, and (b) at least one coagent, especially an acrylate A, and (c) at least one peroxide PE, wherein the mixture is reacted such that the product has an average melt flow index (MFI) of between 0.1 and 8 g/10 min.