The present invention relates to a method of producing a supramolecular hydrogel which is formed by the mixing and gelation of at least two dispersions of different types of synthetic hydrogelators, said hydrogelators being formed of synthetic building blocks comprising one or more hydrogen bonding units, wherein each bonding unit comprises a ureido-pyrimidinone subunit and each bonding unit is conjugated with a hydrophilic polymer unit, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first dispersion of one type of hydrogelators, b) mixing the first dispersion with a second dispersion of another type of hydrogelators, and c) allowing the dispersions to form the hydrogel, wherein the types of hydrogelators are selected from multifunctional hydrogelators and monofunctional hydrogelators, wherein the steps of the method are conducted under biocompatible conditions, and wherein the hydrophilic polymer unit of the hydrogelators comprised in the first dispersion has a minimal hydrophilicity such that the first dispersion does not form a hydrogel under the biocompatible conditions applied.

A heat energy storage system may have a shape-stabilized composite prepared using an easy impregnation method involving a porous Ca.sup.2+-doped MgCO.sub.3 matrix and PEG as the functional phase. The heat storage capability, microstructures, and interactions with the PEG/CaMgCO.sub.3 composite can be characterized by DSC, SEM imaging, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA. Likely because of the synergistic phase change effect of CaMgCO.sub.3 and PEG, the PEG/CaMgCO.sub.3 composites can have high thermal enthalpies, and their enthalpy efficiencies are substantially higher than those of traditional shape stabilized PCMs. The functional material PEG can permeate porous CaMgCO.sub.3 matrices under capillary action. Liquid PEG can be stabilized within the porous matrix, and/or the CaMgCO.sub.3 matrix can improve the thermal stability of the PEG. The high heat energy storage properties and good thermal stability of such organic-inorganic composites offers utility in a range of applications, including thermal energy storage.

A composition including a collapsed, polymer nanoparticle and at least one organic, neutral compound associated with the nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle is less than 100 nm in diameter, and the polymer comprises a water-soluble polyelectrolyte, has a molecular weight of at least about 100,000 Dalton and is cross-linked. The organic, neutral compound is selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, colorants, oils, UV-light absorbing molecules, fragrances, flavoring molecules, preservatives, electro-conductive compounds, thermoplastic compounds, adhesion promoters, penetration enhancers, anti-corrosive agents, and combinations thereof.

This invention relates to a polymer membrane comprising a hydrogen bond donor polymer and a hydrogen bond acceptor polymer and to the use of such membrane as the shell of a capsule. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a polymer membrane comprising a step of contacting an aqueous phase comprising a first polymer, and an oil phase comprising a second different polymer; wherein one polymer is a hydrogen bond donor polymer and the other polymer is a hydrogen bond acceptor polymer. The invention also relates to a method of encapsulation comprising a step of manufacturing a polymer membrane.

A hydrogel particle that has an average cross-sectional diameter in the range from 1 micrometer (μm) to 1000 μm, wherein the particle includes a first polymer network with an average mesh size that allows diffusion of a molecule with an hydrodynamic radius of 1000 nanometer (nm) or less into the first polymer network and which particle includes one or more binding molecules that are immobilized by the polymer network. The hydrogel particle preferably has wherein the first polymer network has an average mesh size that prevents diffusion of a molecule with an average hydrodynamic radius of more than 1000 nm to diffuse into the first polymer network, preferably the mesh size prevents diffusion of a molecule with an average hydrodynamic radius of more than 100 nm, and preferably more than 5 nm. Methods for reducing the bioavailability of one or more soluble biological molecules in a biological system by using the described hydrogel particle.

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.

The subject matter described herein relates to methods for polymer xanthylation and the xanthylated polymers produced by such methods. Subsequent replacement of the xanthylate moiety allows facile entry into functionalized polymers.

Reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks, including reversibly crosslinkable hydrogel networks are provided. Also provided are methods of making the polymeric networks and methods of using the hydrogel networks in tissue engineering applications. The reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks are composed of polymer chains that are covalently crosslinked by azobenzene boronic ester bonds that can be reversibly formed and broken by exposing the polymeric networks to different wavelengths of light.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition and a molded product using same, the thermoplastic resin composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of a base resin including (A) 50 to 80 wt % of a polyamide resin and (B) 20 to 50 wt % of a fiber reinforcement, and (C) 2 to 20 parts by weight of a block copolymer including a polyether segment and a polyamide segment.