A thiol-ene shape memory polymer including a sequential chain of a first type of monomer covalently bonded to a second type of monomer via thiol-ene linkages that form a backbone of the polymer. The first type of monomer includes two or more thiol functional groups and the second type of monomer includes two or more alkene functional groups. The sequential chain of the covalently bonded first and second types of monomers forming the polymer backbone is free of ester groups. Also disclosed in a method of synthesizing the thiol-ene shape memory polymer, a bio-electronic device including a substrate layer composed of the thiol-ene shape memory polymer, and a method of manufacturing the bio-electronic device.

Compositions comprising thiol-terminated sulfur-containing prepolymers, curing agents reactive with the thiol-terminated sulfur-containing prepolymers, and ionic liquid catalysts, useful in aerospace sealant applications are disclosed. The use of ionic liquid catalysts provides curable sealant compositions having an extended working time and a rapid cure rate.

Compositions comprising thiol-terminated sulfur-containing prepolymers, curing agents reactive with the thiol-terminated sulfur-containing prepolymers, and ionic liquid catalysts, useful in aerospace sealant applications are disclosed. The use of ionic liquid catalysts provides curable sealant compositions having an extended working time and a rapid cure rate.

Display modules typically incorporate a transparent hard material such as glass on the outside of the module in order to better protect the display stack from scratches, dents, and other mechanical deformations. However, as displays move to novel form factors such as bendable, foldable, and reliable display modules, these transparent hard materials (e.g., glass) may not be used due to their limited flexibility. Therefore, it is desirable that replacement materials be sufficiently flexible while maintaining the desirable optical (e.g., >90% transmission and low yellow index) and mechanical properties (e.g., pencil hardness>H) that comparable glass hard materials offer.

Display modules typically incorporate a transparent hard material such as glass on the outside of the module in order to better protect the display stack from scratches, dents, and other mechanical deformations. However, as displays move to novel form factors such as bendable, foldable, and reliable display modules, these transparent hard materials (e.g., glass) may not be used due to their limited flexibility. Therefore, it is desirable that replacement materials be sufficiently flexible while maintaining the desirable optical (e.g., >90% transmission and low yellow index) and mechanical properties (e.g., pencil hardness>H) that comparable glass hard materials offer.

Curable silsesquioxane polymers are described comprising a core comprising a first silsesquioxane polymer and an outer layer comprising a second silsesquioxane polymer bonded to the core. The silsesquioxane polymer of the core, outer layer, or combination thereof comprises reactive groups that are not ethylenically unsaturated groups. The first silsesquioxane polymer of the core is bonded to the second silsesquioxane polymer of the outer layer via silicon atoms bonded to three oxygen atoms. In some embodiments, the outer layer has a higher concentration of reactive groups than the core. In this embodiment, the core may be substantially free of reactive groups. In other embodiments, the core has a higher concentration of reactive groups than the core. In this embodiment, the outer layer may be substantially free of reactive groups. The core and outer layer each comprise a three-dimensional branched network of a different silsesquioxane polymer. The silsesquioxane polymers of the core and outer layer may be homopolymers or copolymers. Also described are methods of preparing curable silsesquioxane polymer comprising a core and outer layer bonded to the core, articles comprising curable or cured compositions comprising the silsesquioxane core/outer layer polymers, and methods of curing.

Curable silsesquioxane polymers are described comprising a core comprising a first silsesquioxane polymer and an outer layer comprising a second silsesquioxane polymer bonded to the core. The silsesquioxane polymer of the core, outer layer, or combination thereof comprises reactive groups that are not ethylenically unsaturated groups. The first silsesquioxane polymer of the core is bonded to the second silsesquioxane polymer of the outer layer via silicon atoms bonded to three oxygen atoms. In some embodiments, the outer layer has a higher concentration of reactive groups than the core. In this embodiment, the core may be substantially free of reactive groups. In other embodiments, the core has a higher concentration of reactive groups than the core. In this embodiment, the outer layer may be substantially free of reactive groups. The core and outer layer each comprise a three-dimensional branched network of a different silsesquioxane polymer. The silsesquioxane polymers of the core and outer layer may be homopolymers or copolymers. Also described are methods of preparing curable silsesquioxane polymer comprising a core and outer layer bonded to the core, articles comprising curable or cured compositions comprising the silsesquioxane core/outer layer polymers, and methods of curing.

Sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ethers can be incorporated into the backbone of polythioether prepolymers and can be used as curing agents in thiol-terminated polythioether prepolymer compositions. Cured sealants prepared using compositions containing sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ether-containing polythioether prepolymers and/or sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ether curing agents exhibit improved physical properties suitable for use in aerospace sealant applications.

Sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ethers can be incorporated into the backbone of polythioether prepolymers and can be used as curing agents in thiol-terminated polythioether prepolymer compositions. Cured sealants prepared using compositions containing sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ether-containing polythioether prepolymers and/or sulfur-containing poly(alkenyl) ether curing agents exhibit improved physical properties suitable for use in aerospace sealant applications.

The present invention provides certain CHIP films and coatings, as well as the preparation and uses thereof. Chalcogenide hybrid organic/inorganic polymers or CHIPs may be suitable for use in antireflection coatings for use with infrared optics, for example as applied to lenses for infrared cameras. The coatings may be applied with spin coating and have a thickness related to the quarter wavelength of the desired infrared wavelengths.