Provided is a resin composition comprising a starch and a polyvinyl alcohol, which is excellent in the breaking strength and breaking elongation at a low temperature, and at the same time, has the good gas barrier property. The resin composition comprises modified starch and polyvinyl alcohol, and where in a cross section photograph by a transmission electron microscope, a cross-sectional area of each of particles of the polyvinyl alcohol dispersed is calculated, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the particles of the polyvinyl alcohol is postulated to be circular based on the cross-sectional area, the particles of the polyvinyl alcohol have a conversion particle diameter of 50 to 300 nm, and the conversion particle diameter has a dispersity of 3.0 or less.

High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Polymers may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a durable modification of the materials.

Provided is a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by melt-kneading (A) an ethylene/α-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer rubber that is a copolymer of ethylene, an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a non-conjugated polyene, (B) a polyolefin resin and (C) a mineral oil-based softening agent in the presence of (D) a crosslinking agent, at least part of the ethylene/α-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A) being crosslinked, the thermoplastic elastomer composition having a sea-island structure in which the ethylene/α-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer rubber (A) is dispersed as a dispersed phase (island phase) in a continuous phase (sea phase) of the polyolefin resin (B), and when a cross-section of the composition is observed with an atomic force microscope (AFM), a ratio of (b) a local elastic modulus of the continuous phase to (a) a local elastic modulus of the dispersed phase being from 10 to 30.

An impact-resistant polystyrene resin includes a continuous phase and a plurality of particles dispersed in the continuous phase. The average particle size of the particles is about 0.1 to 4.0 .Math.m, and the average distance between the particles is about 0.3 to 5.0 .Math.m. The impact-resistant polystyrene resin is made from a polystyrene composition including a polystyrene plastic, a styrene block copolymer, a processing aid, and an antioxidant.

The invention relates to a light-diffusing material, having a high transmission of UVA light, useful for horticultural lighting. The light-diffusing material has a hiding power of greater than 50% at 350 nm and a transmission of light at 350 nm of at least 30 percent, and preferably at least 50%. Additionally the light-diffusing material also transmits and diffuses at least 50% of light at 300 nm, 465 nm, and at 800 nm. The light-diffusing material is especially useful as a glazing for horticultural use.

The invention relates to a light-diffusing material, having a high transmission of UVA light, useful for horticultural lighting. The light-diffusing material has a hiding power of greater than 50% at 350 nm and a transmission of light at 350 nm of at least 30 percent, and preferably at least 50%. Additionally the light-diffusing material also transmits and diffuses at least 50% of light at 300 nm, 465 nm, and at 800 nm. The light-diffusing material is especially useful as a glazing for horticultural use.

A thermoplastic elastomer composition possessing a good combination of elastic recovery, tear strength at 25° C., stress relaxation and reduced (improved) anisotropy, which is based on a hydrogenated block copolymer (A), a thermoplastic resin (B), a rubber softener (C) and a polyolefin elastomer (D), of specified types and proportions, and which is suitable for use in a variety of film and sheet applications.

A thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention comprises: a polycarbonate resin; a rubber-modified vinyl-based graft copolymer; a large particle size rubbery polymer having an average particle size of about 400 to about 1,500 nm; an aromatic vinyl-based copolymer resin; a phosphorus-based flame retardant; talc; wollastonite; a maleic anhydride grafted rubbery polymer; and a black pigment. The thermoplastic resin composition is superior in terms of adhesion to metal, strength, flame retardancy, fluidity, and appearance.

A method for forming a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite by distributing carbon fibers or nanotubes into a molten polymer phase comprising one or more molten polymers; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase breaks the carbon fibers successively with each event, producing reactive edges on the broken carbon fibers that react with and cross-link the one or more polymers. The composite shows improvements in mechanical properties, such as stiffness, strength and impact energy absorption.

A matter-repellent colloid-infused smooth surface (CISS) device has a solid substrate with a smooth surface where a thin coating of a non-volatile lubricating fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles and/or microparticles reside on the surface. The non-volatile lubricating fluid can be a perfluorinated fluid and the nanoparticles and/or microparticles can be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to provide a slippery surface to a metal, ceramic, glass, or plastic substrate. As needed, the smooth surface of the substrate can be modified with a silylating agent that is miscible with the lubricating fluid to enhance the stability of the coating smooth surface interface. In this manner, tubes, catheters, vials, bottles, or other devices can be imparted with a slippery surface that repels most gases, liquids, and solids.