Licensed Technologies

Foaming Additives

This invention relates to compositions and methods for producing foamed polymeric materials. Specifically, the present invention provides strategies for producing foamed polymeric materials that are formed by using a compatibilized foaming additive. The foamed polymeric materials of the present invention are expected to have novel optical, chemical and mechanical properties that dramatically differ from the base polymeric resin the material is comprised of.

Recycled Materials Containing SAP

This invention relates to compositions and methods for producing articles from recycled materials. Specifically, this invention provides strategies for producing articles by melt processing polymeric waste streams that contain super absorbent polymers (SAP). According to the invention, SAP can be treated chemically, thermally or in combination such that the SAP is selectively deactivated or degraded in the recycled polymeric material. This invention contemplates that reactive additives can be utilized in to modify that SAP polymer to increase its hydrophobicity. This invention also describes novel composite formulations that can be produced from the modified recycled polymeric material. In a preferred embodiment, the modified recycled polymeric material of this invention can be combined with fillers material to produce a composite article. Such composite articles have particular utility as building materials and automotive components.

High Strength, Low CTE Composites

This invention relates to compositions and methods for producing composites that have high strength and very low coefficient of thermal expansion. Specifically, the present invention provides strategies for producing composites that possess superior mechanical properties by admixing thermoplastics with naturally occurring inorganic materials and optionally, a cellulosic material. Composites of this invention have utility in many applications. Non-limiting examples include building materials and automotive components.