Fractal-like polymeric particles having a hierarchical, branched structure are disclosed. The particles have fibers with nanometer-scale diameters on their peripheries, which enables a number of unique and highly desirable properties. The particles are fabricated by a method combining phase separation and shear forces of different solutions, in particular a polymer solution. In addition, the particles may be used as coatings, nonwovens, textiles and viscosity modifiers and adhesives, among other applications.

Fractal-like polymeric particles having a hierarchical, branched structure are disclosed. The particles have fibers with nanometer-scale diameters on their peripheries, which enables a number of unique and highly desirable properties. The particles are fabricated by a method combining phase separation and shear forces of different solutions, in particular a polymer solution. In addition, the particles may be used as coatings, nonwovens, textiles and viscosity modifiers and adhesives, among other applications.

Methods of making components for a medicinal delivery device are described, in which a base composition comprising a polysulphone is applied to the surface of a component to create a base layer, a primer composition comprising a silane having two or more reactive silane groups separated by an organic linker group is applied to the base layer to create primed surface, and a coating composition comprising an at least partially fluorinated compound is applied to the primed surface. Corresponding coated components and a medicinal delivery device are disclosed.

A polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) consisting essentially of benzophenone coupled phenylene sulfone segments A and B of formula (I) wherein segments A and B can be same or different and are of formula (II) wherein x is an integer of from 4.5 to 8.

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A polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) consisting essentially of benzophenone coupled phenylene sulfone segments A and B of formula (I) wherein segments A and B can be same or different and are of formula (II) wherein x is an integer of from 4.5 to 8.

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Electrochemical cells, and more specifically, release systems for the fabrication of electrochemical cells are described. The release layers described herein may be conductive release layers. In particular, conductive release layer arrangements, assemblies, methods and compositions that facilitate the fabrication of electrochemical cell components, such as electrodes, are presented. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating an electrode involve the use of a release layer to separate portions of the electrode from a carrier substrate on which the electrode was fabricated. For example, an intermediate electrode assembly may include, in sequence, an electroactive layer, an optional current collector layer, a conductive release layer, and a carrier substrate.

Electrochemical cells, and more specifically, release systems for the fabrication of electrochemical cells are described. The release layers described herein may be conductive release layers. In particular, conductive release layer arrangements, assemblies, methods and compositions that facilitate the fabrication of electrochemical cell components, such as electrodes, are presented. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating an electrode involve the use of a release layer to separate portions of the electrode from a carrier substrate on which the electrode was fabricated. For example, an intermediate electrode assembly may include, in sequence, an electroactive layer, an optional current collector layer, a conductive release layer, and a carrier substrate.

Ceramic-polymer composites and methods. The ceramic-polymer composites, in powder and/or pellet forms, comprise a plurality of core-shell particles, where: each of the core-shell particles comprises a core and a shell around the core; the core comprises a ceramic selected from the group of ceramics consisting of: Al.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, and SiO.sub.2; and the shell comprises a polymer selected from the group of polymers consisting of: PC copolymers, polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherimide (PEI) copolymers, polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU), polyarylethersulfone (PAES), and poly ether sulfones (PES). In powder form, the core-shell particles are in a substantially dry powder form having a moisture content of less than 2% by weight. In pellet form, shells of adjacent core-shell particles are joined to resist separation of the adjacent core-shell particles and deformation of a respective pellet. Methods of forming a ceramic-polymer composite comprise: superheating a mixture of polymer, solvent, and ceramic, to dissolve the polymer in the solvent; agitating the superheated mixture while substantially maintaining the mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure; and cooling the mixture to cause the polymer to precipitate on the particles of the ceramic and thereby form a plurality of the present polymer-ceramic core-shell particles. Methods of molding a part comprise subjecting a powder of the present polymer-ceramic core-shell particles that substantially fills a mold to a first pressure while the powder is at or above a first temperature above a melting temperature (T.sub.m) of the polymer.

Ceramic-polymer composites and methods. The ceramic-polymer composites, in powder and/or pellet forms, comprise a plurality of core-shell particles, where: each of the core-shell particles comprises a core and a shell around the core; the core comprises a ceramic selected from the group of ceramics consisting of: Al.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, and SiO.sub.2; and the shell comprises a polymer selected from the group of polymers consisting of: PC copolymers, polyetherimide (PEI), polyetherimide (PEI) copolymers, polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU), polyarylethersulfone (PAES), and poly ether sulfones (PES). In powder form, the core-shell particles are in a substantially dry powder form having a moisture content of less than 2% by weight. In pellet form, shells of adjacent core-shell particles are joined to resist separation of the adjacent core-shell particles and deformation of a respective pellet. Methods of forming a ceramic-polymer composite comprise: superheating a mixture of polymer, solvent, and ceramic, to dissolve the polymer in the solvent; agitating the superheated mixture while substantially maintaining the mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure; and cooling the mixture to cause the polymer to precipitate on the particles of the ceramic and thereby form a plurality of the present polymer-ceramic core-shell particles. Methods of molding a part comprise subjecting a powder of the present polymer-ceramic core-shell particles that substantially fills a mold to a first pressure while the powder is at or above a first temperature above a melting temperature (T.sub.m) of the polymer.

A semicrystalline polyarylethersulfone (PAES) useful for additive manufacturing may be made by a method comprising: dissolving an amorphous polyarylethersulfone in a polar aprotic halogenated hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature adequate to effectively form a solution, and subsequently and spontaneously bring about reprecipitation of a semicrystalline polyarylethersulfone from the solution. The semicrystalline polyarylethersulfone may have a crystallinity of at least 30% by weight. The semicrystalline PAES, upon being heated, melting and uniting together in layers during additive manufacturing cools without substantially recrystallizing, allows for deformation-free articles to be formed having low residual stress.