A novel copolymer suitable for an optical film which is excellent in optical characteristics and has high retardation even in a thin film state, and an optical film containing the same are provided. A copolymer excellent in optical characteristics and easy to form a composite with a different polymer, and an optical film composed of the same are also provided.

A novel copolymer suitable for an optical film which is excellent in optical characteristics and has high retardation even in a thin film state, and an optical film containing the same are provided. A copolymer excellent in optical characteristics and easy to form a composite with a different polymer, and an optical film composed of the same are also provided.

An ink jet method includes an ejecting step of ejecting a radiation-curable ink jet composition from an ink jet head and an irradiating step of irradiating the ejected radiation-curable ink jet composition with an ultraviolet ray at an irradiation intensity of 3 to 10 W/cm.sup.2 by using a light emitting diode. The radiation-curable ink jet composition contains monofunctional monomers including a nitrogen-containing monofunctional monomer. The amount of the nitrogen-containing monofunctional monomer relative to the total amount of the radiation-curable ink jet composition is 5 to 40 mass %.

An ink jet method includes an ejecting step of ejecting a radiation-curable ink jet composition from an ink jet head and an irradiating step of irradiating the ejected radiation-curable ink jet composition with an ultraviolet ray at an irradiation intensity of 3 to 10 W/cm.sup.2 by using a light emitting diode. The radiation-curable ink jet composition contains monofunctional monomers including a nitrogen-containing monofunctional monomer. The amount of the nitrogen-containing monofunctional monomer relative to the total amount of the radiation-curable ink jet composition is 5 to 40 mass %.

The invention aims to provide a crosslinked polymer having excellent moisture retention properties, an excellent ethanol absorption capacity, excellent adhesiveness to the skin when applied to the skin as a cosmetic, and a high concentration of an effective component. The invention relates to a N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer including: a structural unit derived from a N-vinyl lactam; and a structural unit derived from a crosslinking agent, the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer having an ethanol absorption capacity of 3 to 40 g per 1 g of the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer, the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer containing a particle having an aspect ratio determined by the following method of 1.15 to 10 in a proportion of 10% to 100% (by number) of the total number of the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer and having a proportion of an extractable of 35 mass % or less in 100 mass % of the entire polymer, the method being “method of measuring aspect ratio” in which the aspect ratio is determined as a value obtained by measuring the major and minor axes of a primary particle of the N-vinyl lactam-based cross-linked polymer with an optical or electron microscope and dividing the major axis by the minor axis.

The invention aims to provide a crosslinked polymer having excellent moisture retention properties, an excellent ethanol absorption capacity, excellent adhesiveness to the skin when applied to the skin as a cosmetic, and a high concentration of an effective component. The invention relates to a N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer including: a structural unit derived from a N-vinyl lactam; and a structural unit derived from a crosslinking agent, the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer having an ethanol absorption capacity of 3 to 40 g per 1 g of the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer, the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer containing a particle having an aspect ratio determined by the following method of 1.15 to 10 in a proportion of 10% to 100% (by number) of the total number of the N-vinyl lactam-based crosslinked polymer and having a proportion of an extractable of 35 mass % or less in 100 mass % of the entire polymer, the method being “method of measuring aspect ratio” in which the aspect ratio is determined as a value obtained by measuring the major and minor axes of a primary particle of the N-vinyl lactam-based cross-linked polymer with an optical or electron microscope and dividing the major axis by the minor axis.

Described herein are polymeric composites that can include a kaolin filler dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The kaolin filler can exhibit an aspect ratio of from 20 to 50, as measured by laser scattering, a mean particle size of from 0.75 microns to 2 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kaolin filler exhibits a ratio of aspect ratio to mean particle size ranges from 4 to 5, as measured by laser scattering. In some embodiments, less than 30% by weight of the kaolin filler exhibits a particle size of less than 0.5 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph. The composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. The composites can be used to form articles, for example, by thermoforming.

Described herein are polymeric composites that can include a kaolin filler dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The kaolin filler can exhibit an aspect ratio of from 20 to 50, as measured by laser scattering, a mean particle size of from 0.75 microns to 2 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kaolin filler exhibits a ratio of aspect ratio to mean particle size ranges from 4 to 5, as measured by laser scattering. In some embodiments, less than 30% by weight of the kaolin filler exhibits a particle size of less than 0.5 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph. The composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. The composites can be used to form articles, for example, by thermoforming.

Membranes permeable to an analyte may overlay the active sensing region of a sensor to limit the analyte flux and improve the response linearity of the sensor. Temperature variation of the analyte permeability can be problematic in some instances. Polymeric membrane compositions having limited variation in analyte permeability as a function of temperature may comprise: a polymer backbone comprising one or more side chains that comprise a heterocycle; and an amine-free polyether arm appended, via an alkyl spacer or a hydroxy-functionalized alkyl spacer, to the heterocycle of at least a portion of the one or more side chains.

A biocompatible membrane including a crosslinking agent, a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, and a solvent; the biocompatible membrane can implement simultaneous regulation of oxygen and glucose, thereby improving the stability and service life of a biocompatible membrane solution, a preparation method for the biocompatible membrane and an implantable biosensor.