A supper hydrophobic surface (e.g., autoclean surface) and methods of making such a surface. The method includes forming an open porosity on a surface of a product, the open porosity including pores having undercuts and attaching functional nano-particles to the surface, such that the functional nano-particles are located inside the open porosity. The open porosity is formed by various methods such as, for example, co-extruding or applying a polymeric material with a blowing agent and/or etching the surface and/or directly printing a porous layer on the surface.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

An apparatus for removing a contaminant from a liquid includes a tension element extending along a length of the liquid and may be near a bottom of the liquid. A plurality of buoyant strips having a polymer defining an open-cell foam are attached to the tension element and extend to a surface of the liquid, with at least a portion of the strips floating on the surface. The polymer may include ethylene alkyl acrylate copolymer (e.g., 100% EMA copolymer).

Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

There is described an isocyanate-based polymer foam having a V-0 rating according to Underwriters' Laboratories Standard 94 Flammability Test after aging of separate samples of the foam (i) for 168 hours at 150 C., and (ii) for 600 hours at 120 C. The foam may be in the form of a molded foam or a slabstock foam. The foam may be used in vehicular applications, such as an under hood application.

There is described an isocyanate-based polymer foam having a V-0 rating according to Underwriters' Laboratories Standard 94 Flammability Test after aging of separate samples of the foam (i) for 168 hours at 150 C., and (ii) for 600 hours at 120 C. The foam may be in the form of a molded foam or a slabstock foam. The foam may be used in vehicular applications, such as an under hood application.

Methods of forming a disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) foam are provided, the methods comprising: reacting a difunctional cyclic dithiocarbonate and a diamine in the presence of a blowing agent to form a NIPTU foam having a solid matrix comprising linear non-isocyanate polythiourethane chains crosslinked by interchain disulfide crosslinks, wherein surfaces of the solid matrix define a plurality of pores distributed throughout. The disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) foams formed by the methods are also provided.

Methods of forming a disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) foam are provided, the methods comprising: reacting a difunctional cyclic dithiocarbonate and a diamine in the presence of a blowing agent to form a NIPTU foam having a solid matrix comprising linear non-isocyanate polythiourethane chains crosslinked by interchain disulfide crosslinks, wherein surfaces of the solid matrix define a plurality of pores distributed throughout. The disulfide-crosslinked non-isocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) foams formed by the methods are also provided.