Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc

Ut-battelle, Inc.

Washington State University

Michael Richard Kessler

Jason Shih-Hao Chen

Michael Dennis Zenner

Orlando Rios

Yuzhan Li

Daniel Vennerberg

Ruqi Chen

Chaoqun Zhang

William Carter

Alexander Johs

Monojoy Goswami

Mahendra Thunga

Keke Chen

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition that can be used to make liquid crystalline networks using thiol-ene-based polymerization. In particular embodiments, the liquid crystalline networks can be formed by using the composition embodiments in additive manufacturing methods. The composition comprises a monomer, chain extender compound, and a crosslinker compound and each of these components can be selected so as to influence the thermomechanical and shape memory properties of the liquid crystalline networks and/or objects formed therewith.

Composition for thiol-ene-based polymerization and liquid crystalline network-containing objects formed therefrom using additive manufacturing

The present invention is directed to polyisocyanates and polyurethanes derived therefrom. In various embodiments, the present invention provides polyisocyanates, methods of making the polyisocyanates from fused bicyclic alcohols, polyurethanes, and methods of making the polyurethanes from the polyisocyanates.

Polyisocyanates from fused bicyclic polyols and polyurethanes therefrom

Various embodiments disclosed relate to aziridinated triglycerides and polymers formed therefrom. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an aziridinated triglyceride having the structure described herein. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making the aziridinated triglyceride, a method of crosslinking the aziridinated triglyceride to form a polymer, the polymer formed from the aziridinated triglyceride, a triglyceride with at least one pendent unsaturated group that can be used to form the aziridinated triglyceride, and a method of making the triglyceride having at least one pendent unsaturated group.

Aziridinated triglycerides and polymers formed therefrom

Described herein are liquid crystalline elastomer compositions comprising aromatic epoxy units crosslinked with alkylene diacid units having alkylene segments containing at least one methylene unit, and/or aromatic epoxy units crosslinked with polyphenolic units, wherein the aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units and/or polyphenolic units are in a molar ratio that results in the liquid crystalline elastomer composition exhibiting a glass transition temperature (T) and a thermal stability of the liquid crystalline phase (T) that make them particularly suitable as shape memory materials and for use in methods of additive manufacturing. Methods for producing these compositions and their use in additive manufacturing processes are also described.

3D printable liquid crystalline elastomers with tunable shape memory behavior and bio-derived renditions

A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating buckypaper or similar sheets of nanostructures having relatively high aspect ratios. A dispersion of nanostructures such as nanotubes is subjected to fluid dynamics/forces which promote alignment of their axes of elongation while in suspension in the flow. An agglomeration of better aligned nanostructures is isolated from the carrier fluid into a useable form. In the case of nanotubes, one form is buckypaper. One example of alignment forces is Taylor-Couette flow shear forces. One example of isolation is filtering the flowing dispersion to collect better aligned nanostructures across the filter into a sheet or film. The degree of alignment can produce anisotropic material properties that can be beneficially used in application of the sheet or film.

Method, apparatus, and system for producing buckypaper or similar sheet or layer of elongated nanostructures with a degree of nanostructure alignment

The present invention relates to tackifier compounds and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a tackifier compound including independently substituted or unsubstituted fused rings A and B each independently chosen from (C-C)cycloalkyl and (C-C)heterocyclyl. Fused ring A is substituted with (R)and fused ring B is substituted with &#x2014;(OC(O)R'C(O)R). At each occurrence R&#x2032; is independently chosen from (C-C)alkanylene, (C-C)alkenylene, (C-C)alkynylene, C-C(arylene), and (C-C)heteroarylene, wherein R&#x2032; is unsubstituted or substituted. At each occurrence Ris independently selected from &#x2014;OH, &#x2014;OR, and &#x2014;OC(O)R&#x2032;C(O)R. At each occurrence Ris independently chosen from &#x2014;OH, &#x2014;OR, &#x2014;NH, &#x2014;NHR, and &#x2014;NR. At each occurrence Ris independently chosen from (C-C)alkanyl, (C-C)alkenyl, (C-C)alkynyl, C-C(aryl), and (C-C)heteroaryl, wherein Ris unsubstituted or substituted.

Tackifier compounds and methods of using the same

Liquid crystalline network compositions comprising azo-containing aromatic epoxy units cross-linked with alkylene diacid units having alkylene segments containing at least one methylene unit, wherein the azo-containing aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units are connected by ester linkages resulting from ring-opening esterification between the epoxy units and alkylene diacids, and wherein the azo-containing aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units are in a molar ratio that results in the liquid crystalline network composition exhibiting a glass transition temperature (T) of at least 25&#xb0; C. Methods for producing these compositions and their use in light- or thermal-activated physical deformation, shape memory applications, and self-healing, as well as their ability to be recycled and used in additive manufacturing processes are also described.

Stimuli-responsive liquid crystalline networks

The present invention relates to compositions comprising esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid). In various embodiments, the present invention provides fibers comprising the esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid) blend, carbon fibers made therefrom, and methods of making the fiber and the carbon fibers.

Growing community of inventors

Pullman, WA, United States of America

Michael Richard Kessler