The present invention discloses a multilayer composite rubber-plastic foam insulation material and a preparation method thereof. The composite rubber-plastic foam insulation material includes a two-layer structure; the two-layer structure includes an insulation layer and a first functional layer; the insulation layer and the first functional layer are both made of a rubber-plastic foam material; the first functional layer and the insulation layer are integrally molded by blending extrusion and vulcanization foaming, and the first functional layer and the insulation layer form an integral structure. The multilayer composite rubber-plastic foam insulation material provided by the present invention adopts a vulcanization foaming integral molding process, and not only ensures the thermal insulation property of the insulation layer, but also gives the functional layer corresponding functions by selecting different functional polymers, thereby satisfying a variety of personalized needs in engineering applications.

The invention relates to a non-cross-linked copolymer foam with polyamide blocks and polyether blocks, wherein: the polyamide blocks of the copolymer have an average molar mass of from 200 to 1,500 g/mol; the polyether blocks of the copolymer have an average molar mass of from 800 to 2,500 g/mol; and the weight ratio of the polyamide blocks to the polyether blocks of the copolymer is from 0.1 to 0.9. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said foam and items manufactured from said foam.

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.

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 process for manufacturing a copolymer foam containing polyamide blocks and polyether blocks, comprising the following steps: mixing the copolymer melt with a blowing agent, said copolymer having a coefficient of thermal diffusivity a and a crystallization temperature T.sub.c; providing a mold of thickness h at a temperature T.sub.m; injecting the mixture of the copolymer and of the blowing agent at a temperature T.sub.p, into the closed mold; foaming the mixture by opening the mold;
in which the maintenance time between the injection of the mixture of the copolymer and of the blowing agent into the closed mold and the opening of the mold is within the range extending from (t.sub.opt−25%) to (t.sub.opt+25%),
t.sub.opt being expressed in seconds and obtained by equation (I):

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}{t}_{\mathrm{opt}}=-\frac{1}{{\pi }^2}\frac{h^2}{a}\ln \left(\frac{\pi }{4}\frac{T_m-T_c}{T_m-T_p}\right),& \left(I\right)\end{array}$

in which a is expressed in m.sup.2/s, h is expressed in m and T.sub.m, T.sub.c and T.sub.p are expressed in ° C.

Microporous sheet product and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, the microporous sheet product is made by a process that includes melt-extruding a sheet material using an extrusion mixture that includes a thermoplastic polymer, a superabsorbent polymer, and a compatibilizing agent. After extrusion, the compatibilizing agent may be removed from the sheet material. When the sheet product is imbibed with a polar or ion-containing liquid, the superabsorbent polymer swells, causing a reduction in the pore size of the sheet product. The exposure also causes some of the superabsorbent polymer to migrate to the exterior of the microporous sheet product. The microporous sheet product may be used, for example, as a battery separator, as a food packaging material, as a diffusion barrier in the ultrafiltration of colloidal matter, and in disposable garments.

In one embodiment, a film is described comprising a mixture of semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; polyvinyl acetate polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) midpoint as measured by differential scanning calorimetry of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer; wherein the film is oriented. In another embodiment, a film is described comprising a mixture comprising semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer, polymer having a midpoint Tg as measured by differential scanning calorimetry of at least 25° C., and plasticizer; wherein the mixture exhibits a single midpoint Tg and the single midpoint Tg ranges from 40° C. to 65° C.; and wherein the film is oriented and the oriented film exhibits a higher midpoint Tg ranging from 40° C. to 65° C. and a lower midpoint Tg ranging from 5 to 25° C.

Provided herein are mycelium materials and methods for production thereof. In some embodiments, a mycelium material includes: a cultivated mycelium material including one or more masses of branching hyphae, wherein the one or more masses of branching hyphae may be disrupted or pressed and/or a bonding agent may be combined with the cultivated mycelium material. Methods of producing a mycelium material are also provided.

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.