Provided herein is a composite material that includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one organic foam material. Further provided herein is a method for producing the composite material and also to the use of the composite material for cooling and for regulating temperature.

The present invention generally relates to various polymer solid electrolyte materials suitable for various electrochemical devices and methods for making or using the same. Certain embodiments of the invention are generally directed to solid electrolytes having relatively high ionic conductivity and/or other mechanical or electrical properties, e.g., tensile strength or decomposition potential. Certain aspects include a polymer, a plasticizer, and an electrolyte salt. In some cases, the polymer may exhibit certain structures such as:

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 can be one of the following groups:

##STR00002##

where n is an integer between 1 and 10000, m is a integer between 1 and 5000, and R.sub.2 to R.sub.6 can each independently be one of the following structures:

##STR00003##

An improved process for forming polyamide dispersions in water utilizing carbon dioxide to facilitate dispersion of the polyamide is disclosed. The polyamides are generally below 30,000 or 40,000 g/mole molecular weight when dispersed, but can be chain extended with polyfunctional species such as polyisocyanates after dispersion. The dispersions are useful in coatings, adhesives, and inks. Composites and hybrids of these other polyamides with vinyl polymers are also disclosed and claimed.

Safety blocks can provide two points of contact for a torque tube of a sprint car if it breaks free and begins to move. During impact, safety blocks absorb and transfer energy from the torque tube to the sprint car frame located on the outer face of the safety blocks. Each face of the safety blocks can be manufactured to accommodate any surface irregularity within the sprint car frame. The safety blocks may be inserted into the sprint car from the rear of the sprint car towards the front of the sprint car.

Porous three-dimensional networks of polyurea and porous three-dimensional networks of carbon and methods of their manufacture are described. In an example, polyurea aerogels are prepared by mixing an triisocyanate with water and a triethylamine to form a sol-gel material and supercritically drying the sol-gel material to form the polyurea aerogel. Subjecting the polyurea aerogel to a step of pyrolysis may result in a three dimensional network having a carbon skeleton, yielding a carbon aerogel. The density and morphology of polyurea aerogels can be controlled by varying the amount of isocyanate monomer in the initial reaction mixture. A lower density in the aerogel gives rise to a fibrous morphology, whereas a greater density in the aerogel results in a particulate morphology. Polyurea aerogels described herein may also exhibit a reduced flammability.

The scope of this invention is to disclose the method of foaming a superior impact mitigation material, namely semi-closed cell hybrid polyurea foam, using scalable manufacturing process that is geometry-independent and allows for greater control of the resulting foam properties. while the process discussed herein, can be easily used to make complex geometries (e.g., padding foam for helmets, outsoles for walking and running shoes, body armors or other protection applications.

Systems and methods for producing aerogel materials are generally described. In certain cases, the methods do not require supercritical drying as part of the manufacturing process. In some cases, certain combinations of materials, solvents, and/or processing steps may be synergistically employed so as to enable manufacture of large (e.g., meter-scale), substantially crack free, and/or mechanically strong aerogel materials.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a thixotropic composition comprising polyurea particles, said process comprising contacting and reacting in a liquid medium reactants to form a polyurea and precipitating the polyurea to form polyurea particles, wherein acoustic vibration is applied during contacting of the reactants or as a post-treatment on the formed polyurea particles or both. The invention further relates to a thixotropic composition obtainable by the process, in particular thixotropic composition comprising high amounts of polyurea particles and optionally a polymer resin having high thixotropic efficiency. The compositions can be used, in particular as a masterbatch, in preparation of i.a. coating compositions.

Methods and materials to fabricate electrochromic including electrochemical devices are disclosed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the composition, fabrication and incorporation of electrolytic sheets in these devices. Composition, fabrication and incorporation of redox layers and sealants suitable for these devices are also disclosed. Incorporation of EC devices in insulated glass system (IGU) windows is also disclosed.

Methods and materials to fabricate electrochromic including electrochemical devices are disclosed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the composition, fabrication and incorporation of electrolytic sheets in these devices. Composition, fabrication and incorporation of redox layers and sealants suitable for these devices are also disclosed. Incorporation of EC devices in insulated glass system (IGU) windows is also disclosed.