Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

A shoe midsole composed of a foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer includes a silane-grafted polyolefin component, an elastomeric component, and additives dispersed in the foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer. The elastomer component includes one or more elastomeric polymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyolefin elastomers, olefin block copolymer, polyoctenamer, anhydride modified ethylene copolymers, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, and combinations thereof. The silane-grafted polyolefin component and elastomer component are crosslinked with C—C bonds. Advantageously, the foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer is substantially free of silane crosslinking as formed and substantially free of water. Characteristically, the additives and one or more elastomeric polymers are in sufficient amount that a melting temperature of crystalline regions in the foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer is greater than 100° C. as measured by differential scanning calorimeter thermographs.

A shoe midsole composed of a foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer includes a silane-grafted polyolefin component and an elastomer component. The elastomer component includes ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and a component selected from the group consisting of polyolefin elastomers, anhydride modified ethylene copolymers, and combinations thereof. The silane-grafted polyolefin component is crosslinked to the elastomer component with C-C bonds. The foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer includes a plurality of closed cells. Characteristically, the foamed peroxide-crosslinked polyolefin elastomer is substantially free of silane crosslinking as formed and substantially free of water.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components are provided. The articles include a composition having a foam structure, wherein the composition includes an ionomeric polymer and a plurality of cations, wherein the ionomeric copolymer is crosslinked by the cations. The crosslinks are ionic, so in some aspects the composition is free or essentially free of any covalent crosslinks between the ionomers. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

Foam compositions are provided including a polylactic acid polymer; second (e.g., polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer. Also described are articles comprising the foam compositions, such as a sheet or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are further described herein.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

The invention relates to a curable volume expandable polymer composition comprising an organic acid component, wherein the organic acid component comprises a first organic acid, a second organic acid, and optionally one or more additional organic acids; wherein said polymer composition, when being heated to an activation of expansion temperature above room temperature, undergoes volume expansion. When the organic acid component is heated to the activation of expansion temperature, the first organic acid and/or the second organic acid and/or the optionally present one or more additional organic acids decarboxylate and thus release carbon dioxide. The polymer composition traps the thus released carbon dioxide thereby causing the polymer composition to undergo volume expansion.