Polymeric nanoparticles are provided for use in delivery of cargoes to plants. A method of delivering cargoes to plants, and to particular plant parts is provided. A method of treating heat stress in a plant also is provided.

Described herein are antimicrobial ophthalmic devices comprising a silicone hydrogel composition and an antimicrobial agent, and methods of making and use thereof. The silicone hydrogel compositions comprise an actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane-polyglycerol block copolymer crosslinked with a crosslinker. The actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane-polyglycerol block copolymer being derived from: a polysiloxane prepolymer comprising a polyglycerol side chain, the polyglycerol side chain comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group covalently linked thereto, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated group is actinically curable.

A composition includes particular amounts a poly(phenylene ether), a first polyamide, hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic and a conjugated diene, pentaerythritol tetrastearate, and bisphenoxyethanol fluorene. The composition can be particularly well-suited for use in a reinforced thermoplastic composition including a reinforcing carbon filler.

The invention provides systems and methods for substantially improving the compaction resistance of isoporous block copolymer (BCP) film by adding a high molecular weight hydrophilic additive in the casting dope formulation. Systems and methods disclosed also disclose several other multifunctional enhancements to film properties including: low fouling propensity, improved permeability, improved permeability retention upon drying, and ability to tune the substructure and pore size of these novel BCP films. These porous BCP films are useful in filtration and separations applications and are amenable to standard manufacturing practices.

Disclosed are free-flowing mixtures comprising a granular material comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, a functionalized thermoplastic elastomer, at least one phase change material bound to the thermoplastic elastomers, and at least one binding agent capable of adsorbing and/or absorbing portions of the phase change material. The binding agent is substantially present between the granulate materials, and either: i) the proportion by weight of the phase change material in the granular material is 60% to 90% and the binding agent is a non-silicate binding agent, or ii) the proportion by weight of the phase change material in the granular material is more than 70% and up to 90%. Also described are various compositions comprising the mixture and methods for producing the mixture.

A resin composition for forming a phase-separated structure containing a block copolymer having a first block and a second block, in which the first block is formed of a constituent unit represented by Formula (b1), the second block is formed of a constituent unit represented by Formula (b2m) and a random copolymer having a constituent unit represented by Formula (b2g), and a ratio of a volume of the first block is 20% to 80% by volume. In the formulas, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R.sup.b1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group which may have a silicon atom, a fluorine atom, a carboxy group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, or a phosphoric acid group, R.sup.3 is a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which may have a hydroxy group, and R.sup.b2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms ##STR00001##

The invention provides systems and methods for substantially improving the compaction resistance of isoporous block copolymer (BCP) film by adding a high molecular weight hydrophilic additive in the casting dope formulation. Systems and methods disclosed also disclose several other multifunctional enhancements to film properties including: low fouling propensity, improved permeability, improved permeability retention upon drying, and ability to tune the substructure and pore size of these novel BCP films. These porous BCP films are useful in filtration and separations applications and are amenable to standard manufacturing practices.

The invention provides systems and methods for substantially improving the compaction resistance of isoporous block copolymer (BCP) film by adding a high molecular weight hydrophilic additive in the casting dope formulation. Systems and methods disclosed also disclose several other multifunctional enhancements to film properties including: low fouling propensity, improved permeability, improved permeability retention upon drying, and ability to tune the substructure and pore size of these novel BCP films. These porous BCP films are useful in filtration and separations applications and are amenable to standard manufacturing practices.

The present disclosure provides a process. The process includes (i) forming a composition containing a peroxide-modified ethylene-based polymer selected from the group consisting of a peroxide-modified ethylene/a-olefin multi-block copolymer, a peroxide-modified low density polyethylene, and combinations thereof; (ii) contacting the composition with a blowing agent to form a foam composition; and (iii) forming foam beads comprising the foam composition. The present disclosure also provides a foam bead produced by said process.

A resin composition for forming a phase-separated structure containing a block copolymer having a first block and a second block, in which the first block is formed of a constituent unit represented by Formula (b1), the second block is formed of a constituent unit represented by Formula (b2m) and a random copolymer having a constituent unit represented by Formula (b2g), and a ratio of a volume of the first block is 20% to 80% by volume. In the formulas, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R.sup.b1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group which may have a silicon atom, a fluorine atom, a carboxy group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, or a phosphoric acid group, R.sup.3 is a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which may have a hydroxy group, and R.sup.b2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms

##STR00001##