An article is described comprising a first film layer comprising polylactic acid polymer (semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; amorphous polylactic acid polymer; or a mixture thereof); a second (e.g. polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a Tg of at least 25? C.; plasticizer. In some embodiment, the film layer further comprises inorganic pigment and/or hydrolysis stabilizer. In other embodiments, the film has a net melting endotherm, ?H.sub.nm1, of less than 10 J/g. Also described are methods of making a graphic film.

A method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens includes: providing a first precursor and a mold, putting the first precursor in a female die of the mold, exposing the first precursor to ultraviolet radiation, thereby receiving a first gel matrix; the first gel matrix comprising an iris region; providing a colored ink layer, forming the colored ink layer on the iris region, exposing the colored ink layer to ultraviolet radiation to receive a colored film; providing a second precursor and forms the second precursor on the color layer, covering a male die of the mold on the second precursor, exposing the mold to ultraviolet radiation to receive a second gel precursor; the colored film is inset between the first gel matrix and the second gel precursor; and releasing the mold to receive the ophthalmic lens.

A method is used to provide an electrically-conductive polyaniline pattern by providing a uniform layer of a photocurable composition on a substrate. The photocurable composition comprises a water-soluble reactive polymer comprising (a) greater than 40 mol % of recurring units comprising sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups, and (b) at least 5 mol % of recurring units comprising a pendant group capable of crosslinking via [2+2] photocycloaddition. The photocurable composition is exposed to cause crosslinking via [2+2] photocycloaddition of the (b) recurring units, thereby forming a crosslinked polymer. Any remaining water-soluble reactive polymer is removed. The crosslinked polymer is contacted with an aniline reactive composition having aniline monomer and up to 0.5 molar of an aniline oxidizing agent, thereby forming an electrically-conductive polyaniline disposed either within, on top of, or both within and on top of, the crosslinked polymer.

The present invention relates to self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions and methods of making and using the same. Self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions are formed by admixing a dispersion concentrate including a chemical blowing agent and a compatible carrier (liquid or molten) with a molten base hot melt adhesive composition at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent. The resolidified material is processed through a device that heats the material above the decomposition temperature of the chemical agent and cools it below such temperature before being dispensed. The device preferably includes sensors and a controller configured to prevent the material from accumulating an adverse thermal history during processing.

A composition and method for making extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam is provided. The composition includes an infrared attenuation agent composition comprising conductive polymers to achieve an XPS foam having an improved thermal insulation performance. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductive polymers comprise doped polypyrrole and doped polyanniline. In some exemplary embodiments, the XPS foam includes a carbon dioxide-based blowing agent.

The present invention relates to self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions and methods of making and using the same. Self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions are formed by admixing a dispersion concentrate including a chemical blowing agent and a compatible carrier (liquid or molten) with a molten base hot melt adhesive composition at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent. The resolidified material is processed through a device that heats the material above the decomposition temperature of the chemical agent and cools it below such temperature before being dispensed. The device preferably includes sensors and a controller configured to prevent the material from accumulating an adverse thermal history during processing.

A polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite as disclosed comprises a polymer, nanocellulose, and lignin, wherein lignin forms a hydrophobic interface between the polymer and the nanocellulose. In some variations, a process is disclosed for producing a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material, comprising: fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of an acid, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin, wherein lignin deposits onto fiber surfaces or into fiber pores; mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a hydrophobic nanocellulose material comprising cellulose fibrils and/or cellulose crystals; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to generate fermentable hemicellulosic sugars; fermenting the fermentable hemicellulosic sugars to generate a monomer or monomer precursor; polymerizing the monomer to produce a polymer; and combining the polymer with the lignin-coated nanocellulose to generate a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material for use in a wide variety of products.

A method for treating a polymer part comprising a step of bringing the part into contact with vapours of solvent(s), capable of at least partially solubilising the part, this contacting step being carried out under vacuum. Application of this method for modifying the roughness of the part and/or functionalising it.

The present invention relates to an optical film including an acryl-based film; and a functional coating layer formed on at least one surface of the acryl-based film, containing a conductive material and a water-dispersible resin and having surface resistance of 10.sup.9 W/Sq to 10.sup.13 W/Sq.

The present invention concerns an aqueous dispersion of multiphase polymer particles in which the polymer particles comprise at least two separate phases, the internal phase being formed by polymerization in the presence of a crosslinking agent, said dispersion further comprising a surfactant chosen from amino acid derivatives. The invention also concerns a film-forming composition comprising said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles. The invention also relates to a film obtained after application of said film-forming composition. This film dries very quickly, is water resistant, and has good adhesion, elasticity and breaking strength properties. The invention also concerns the use of said film for protecting surfaces of the skin or mucous membranes, wounds, injuries and/or skin disorders.