The invention relates to production of a porous microstructure using the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating technology. The invented method involves subjecting an emulsion prepared by emulsification of two immiscible phases to forced sedimentation, such as subjecting the emulsion to centrifugation, so as to increase the volume ratio of the dispersed phase to the continuous phase to obtain a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), following by curing the continuous phase, whereby the porous microstructure thus produced has an increased porosity.

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.

Provided herein is a porous PLA-based monolith having a microstructure templated by an external phase of a HIPE, as well as processes of manufacturing the same and uses thereof.

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

Doubly-crosslinked hydrogel polyHIPEs (DC-PHs), which exhibit rapid water absorption, enhanced mechanical properties, and shape memory behavior, are provided herein, as well as processes of producing the same and uses thereof. DC-PHs comprise a continuous HIPE-templated doubly-crosslinked hydrogel, formed from hydrogel-forming monomers, ligand-bearing monomers, and crosslinking monomers.

The invention relates to production of a porous microstructure using the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating technology. The invented method involves subjecting an emulsion prepared by emulsification of two immiscible phases to forced sedimentation, such as subjecting the emulsion to centrifugation, so as to increase the volume ratio of the dispersed phase to the continuous phase to obtain a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), following by curing the continuous phase, whereby the porous microstructure thus produced has an increased porosity.

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.

Provided herein is a superabsorbent polyHIPE composition-of-matter comprising a majority of ionizable pendant groups, capable of absorbing up to 300-fold by mass water while exhibiting a notable mechanical strength in both the dry and wet form, as well as various uses thereof.

A polyHIPE-templated composition-of-matter afforded by interfacial polymerization, comprising a polymer of alternating residues of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers. The described composition-of-matter is characterized by an open-, quasi-closed- or a truly closed-cell microstructure, whereas the latter is capable of non-releasably or releasably encapsulating an organic or aqueous composition therein for extended periods of time, as well as various uses thereof.

A molded body is produced from a molding material including a continuous phase and a dispersed phase by a three-dimensionalization step, a curing step, and a peeling step. The continuous phase of the molding material is a water phase containing a curable compound. In the three-dimensionalization step, the molding material is placed in a container. In the curing step, the curable compound is cured to form a cured product after the three-dimensionalization step. In the peeling step, the container and the cured product are separated after the curing step. In the dispersed phase removal step, the dispersed phase of the cured product is removed after the curing step.