Disclosed are biomimetic imageable polymeric materials that include a polymer or copolymer and a covalently-linked contrasting agent where the disclosed films are both bioresorbable and visible by X-ray fluoroscopic imaging and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The invention also provides methods of preparing the polymeric materials and their use in and as implantable medical devices.

A method of making a foam uses the following steps. A mixture is created having a polymerizable condensation polymer and a blowing agent. The polymerizable condensation polymer has hydroxy acid units and unsaturated di-functional units. The unsaturated di-functional units are unsaturated dicarboxylic acid units or unsaturated di-alcohol units. The mixture is expanded to create a froth. The polymerizable condensation polymer in the froth is reacted to create the foam.

The present disclosure pertains to methods and/or systems for making a SIPN and/or an IPN by physically mixing at least one vinyl functional thermoset with at least one thermoplastic resin. For example, a method of producing a resin composition comprising: mixing at least one vinyl functional thermoset resin with at least one thermoplastic resin wherein: the two resins are sufficiently miscible at a mixing viscosity of at least at least 5,000 cPs measured at the temperature of mixing and the mixing results in sufficient laminar flow such that a substantial portion of the resin mixture forms an IPN and/or a SIPN. The IPNs and/or SPINs formed have one or more superior properties over mixtures of the same resins.

A process for producing unsaturated polyester microparticles comprising: melt-mixing an unsaturated polyester and an oil in an extruder; washing the microparticles with an organic solvent to reduce the amount of oil; and removing the organic solvent to form the microparticles.

A liquid crystal polymer, composition, liquid crystal polymer film, laminated material and method of forming liquid crystal polymer film are provided. The liquid crystal polymer includes a first repeating unit, a second repeating unit, a third repeating unit, and a fourth repeating unit. The first repeating unit has a structure of Formula (I), the second repeating unit has a structure of Formula (II), the third repeating unit has a structure of Formula (III), and the fourth repeating unit has a structure of Formula (IV), a structure of Formula (V) or a structure of Formula (VI)

##STR00001##

wherein A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, Z.sup.1, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and Q are as defined in the specification.

Various methods of reshaping and recycling thermoset polymers and composites containing thermoset polymers are provided. The methods involve the bond exchange reaction of exchangeable covalent bonds in the polymer matrix with a suitable small molecule solvent in the presence of a catalyst. In some aspects, the methods are applied to a carbon fiber reinforced polymer or a thermoset polymer where the thermoset polymer matrix includes a plurality of ester bonds. Using a small molecule alcohol, the methods provide for recycling one or both of the carbon fiber and the polymer, for welding two surfaces, or for repairing a damaged surface in the materials.

A composition with improved adhesive and sealant properties comprises a) a pre-polymer comprising a polymeric unit of the general formula (-A-B-).sub.n, wherein A represents a substituted or un-substituted ester, B represents a substituted or un-substituted acid ester comprising at least two acid ester functionalities, and n represents an integer greater than 1; wherein the content of grafted anhydride in the composition is less than 0.05 mol/mol of polyacid.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymers, in particular to a method for preparing recycled polymers from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The method comprises producing a high quality BHET product which is used as a monomer feedstock in an integrated polymerisation process.

Provided herein is a powder composition comprising a silica-infused crystalline polyester particle for laser sintering comprising at least one crystalline polyester resin and silica nanoparticles present in the particle an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 60 wt % relative to the total weight of the particle. Further provided herein are methods of preparing silica-infused crystalline polyester particles.

The present teachings include powder coating including a plurality of core/shell particles. Each particle of plurality of core/shell particles has a size of from about 3 microns to about 100 microns. Each particle of the plurality of core/shell particles has a core including a cross-linkable crystalline polyester resin having a melting temperature of less than about 150 C. Each particle of the plurality of core/shell particles has a shell including a cross-linkable amorphous polyester resin having a glass transition temperature greater than 40 C. Each particle of the plurality of core/shell particles includes a thermal initiator.