A synthetic leather article comprising a top coating derived from externally emulsified PUD and a 2K non-solvent PU foam is provided. The leather article exhibits high delamination resistance while retaining superior mechanical properties and appearance comparable with those derived from the organic solvent-based PU. A method for preparing the synthetic leather article is also provided.

A polymer composition for producing gel extruded articles is described. The polymer composition contains polyethylene particles combined with a plasticizer and one or more strength enhancing additives. Polymer articles made in accordance with the present disclosure have enhanced strength properties. In one embodiment, the polymer composition is used to form a porous membrane for use as a separator in electronic devices.

Provided is a superabsorbent structure based on a covalently crosslinked copolymer having a microstructure of a HIPE, and characterized by hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments of at least five residues; the unique chemical and structural properties of the copolymer afford a polymeric superabsorbent structure that is capable of swelling in polar as well as apolar media. Also provided are processes of manufacturing the superabsorbent structure, and uses thereof.

An anti-biofouling shape-memory composite aerogel includes a unidirectional chitosan aerogel channel, a plant polyphenol coating, and a polyphenol/iron ion chelate. The plant polyphenol coating is evenly distributed on an inner wall of the unidirectional chitosan aerogel channel, and the polyphenol/iron ion chelate is located at a top end of the unidirectional chitosan aerogel channel. The anti-biofouling chitosan-based composite aerogel has an evaporation rate of 1.96 kg.Math.m.sup.−2.Math.h.sup.−1 at an illumination intensity of 1 kW/m.sup.2. The composite aerogel has shape-memory properties, and can quickly restore its original shape in water after extrusion, thereby accelerating the diffusion of substances to complete the modification of inner channels. In this way, desirable anti-biofouling ability is achieved, and excellent structural stability as well as continuous and efficient photothermal water evaporation are guaranteed in a complex water environment.

The invention relates to a method for producing particles with pore structures, by means of a hybrid process of atomization via drying-cooling, from a water-in-oil-type emulsion of a composition of a non-solubilized and in melt state matrix. The production method comprises: i) forming a water-in-oil-type emulsion consisting of a composition of a solvent that is aqueous or soluble in water (dispersed phase) and a composition of a non-solubilized and in melt state matrix (continuous phase); ii) forming discrete particles from the emulsion via atomization, using a flow of gas at high pressure and temperature; iii) immediately removing the solvent via evaporation; and iv) subsequently cooling the formed discrete particles, resulting in porous particles that are substantially free from solvents.

A High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) foam having cellulose nanoparticles.

The present disclosure provides a porous bulk material and an electronic apparatus thereof, and an apparatus capable of reducing wind noise and an application thereof. The apparatus comprises an external sound channel, a zeolite material, and a sound pickup hole, wherein the zeolite material is disposed between the external sound channel and the sound pickup hole. The present disclosure further provides an application of the apparatus in an electronic device provided with a microphone. According to the apparatus, the wind noise can be effectively reduced, and the call quality of a communication device is obviously improved.

Disclosed are an electrically conductive hydrogel having a graphene network and a method for fabricating the same. The electrically conductive hydrogel is fabricated by thermal annealing of granular hydrogel, and thus it has a porous structure, excellent electrical conductivity, and improved compressive modulus and yield stress. Accordingly, the electrically conductive hydrogel may be advantageously used in biomedical applications, such as scaffolds for tissue engineering, bioelectrodes, and biosensors.

The invention relates to a bitumen additive comprising a wax dispersed in water, the water being in the continuous phase and the wax in the dispersed phase; the wax comprising a Fischer-Tropsch wax and one or more hydrocarbon waxes selected from the group comprising petroleum-based waxes, polyolefin waxes, or mixtures thereof; and an emulsifier. The invention extends to a method to produce a foamed bitumen composition by adding a bitumen additive to a bitumen feedstock in a bitumen foaming device to produce the foamed bitumen, and to a method to produce an asphalt mix by adding a bitumen feedstock and a bitumen additive to an aggregate in an asphalt mixer to produce the asphalt mix.

A polymer composition for producing gel extruded articles is described. The polymer composition contains polyethylene particles combined with a plasticizer and one or more surface tension reducing techniques. In one aspect, the surface tension reducing technique includes adding a filler or chemical component to the polyethylene polymer for increasing wettability. Alternatively, the surface tension reducing technique can be a surface treatment, such as a plasma treatment. Polymer articles made in accordance with the present disclosure can have dramatically increased wettability properties. In one embodiment, the polymer composition is used to form a porous membrane for use as a separator in electronic devices.