Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.

Ceramic-polymer film includes a polymer matrix, plasticizers, a lithium salt, and a ceramic nanoparticle, LLZO: Al.sub.xLi.sub.7-xLa.sub.3Zr.sub.1.75Ta.sub.0.25O.sub.12 where x ranges from 0 to 0.85. The nanoparticles have diameters that range from 20 to 2000 nm and the film has an ionic conductivity of greater than 1×10.sup.−4 S/cm (−20° C. to 10° C.) and larger than 1×10.sup.−3 S/cm (≥20° C.). Using a combination of selected plasticizers to tune the ionic transport temperature dependence enables the battery based on the ceramic-polymer film to be operable in a wide temperature window (−40° C. to 90° C.). Large size nanocomposite film (area ≥8 cm×6 cm) can be formed on a substrate and the concentration of LLZO nanoparticles decreases in the direction of the substrate to form a concentration gradient over the thickness of the film. This large size film can be employed as a non-flammable, solid-state electrolyte for lithium electrochemical pouch cell and further assembled into battery packs.

Described herein are flash nanoprecipitation methods capable of encapsulating hydrophobic molecules, hydrophilic molecules, bioactive protein therapeutics, or other target molecules in amphiphilic copolymer nanocarriers.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for repair and reconstruction of defects and injuries to soft tissues. Some aspects of the invention provide tissue adhesives comprising a hybrid hydrogel by using a naturally derived polymer, gelatin and a synthetic polymer, polyethylene glycol, wherein the hydrogel is biocompatible, biodegradable, transparent, strongly adhesive to corneal tissue, and have a smooth surface and biomechanical properties similar to the cornea.

Provided is a superabsorbent structure based on a covalently crosslinked copolymer having a microstructure of a HIPE, and characterized by hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments of at least five residues; the unique chemical and structural properties of the copolymer afford a polymeric superabsorbent structure that is capable of swelling in polar as well as apolar media. Also provided are processes of manufacturing the superabsorbent structure, and uses thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an antistatic agent which imparts excellent antistatic properties to thermoplastic resins. The antistatic agent (Z) of the present invention contains a block polymer (A) having a block of a polyamide (a) and a block of a polyether (b1) as structure units, wherein the polyether (b1) contains propylene oxide (PO) and ethylene oxide (EO) as constituent monomers, and a weight ratio of the propylene oxide (PO) to the ethylene oxide (EO), i.e., propylene oxide (PO)/ethylene oxide (EO), is 1/99 to 25/75.

The present disclosure relates generally to a particulate product. The particulate product comprises coarse particles of a nonionic synthetic associative thickener (NSAT) rheology modifier. The NSAT rheology modifier is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobically-modified ethoxylated urethane (HEUR), hydrophobically-modified polyacetal-polyether (HMPAPE), and combinations thereof. The particulate product is incorporated into a waterborne paint formula.

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.

A process for producing a polymer strand involves: inserting a nucleation element into a pre-strand composition, the pre-strand composition comprising a polymer mixed with a solvent, the polymer having a concentration in the pre-strand composition that is greater than or equal to an overlap concentration (c*) of the polymer in the pre-strand composition; and, withdrawing the nucleation element from the pre-strand composition so that a strand comprising the polymer is pulled by the nucleation element from the pre-strand composition, the nucleation element being withdrawn at a rate such that a pull time (τ.sub.pull) of the nucleation element is less than reptation time (τ.sub.rep) required to relax polymer entanglements in the pre-strand composition, thereby inducing a viscoelastic response in the pre-strand composition as the strand is pulled by the nucleation element from the pre-strand composition.

The present invention provides water-soluble films for preparing beverages comprising one or more tea, herbal or fruit extracts and a water-soluble polymer. Methods of preparing water-soluble films for preparing a beverage comprising: (i) combining (a) one or more tea, herbal or fruit extracts, (b) a water-soluble polymer, and optionally, (c) a plasticizer, in water to form a tea, herbal or fruit extract composition; (b) optionally, heating the tea, herbal or fruit extract composition to a temperature in the range of about 25° C. to about 100° C.; (iii) forming a layer of the tea, herbal or fruit extract composition on a surface; and (iv) drying the layer of the tea, herbal or fruit extract composition to form a water-soluble film.