Medical - The Expert's View

May 13, 2008 - Rapid prototyping of polyurethane for the creation of vascular systems by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

A precise control over the internal architecture was essential for manuf. of complex organs. To create vascular systems that mimic human livers, we designed and fabricated complex 3D objects with an intrinsic network of interconnected...
May 12, 2008 - Manufacture of transparent conducting film by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The film is manufactured by coating a fluid containing transparent conducting fine particles (ITO) on a substrate, sintering the coat film and irradiating with electromagnetic wave under a pressure so that the density of the coat film...
May 12, 2008 - Metamaterials: Printing the Cloak of Invisibility by SpecialChem (Article)

It may be possible to make things invisible by putting a thin layer of a specially patterned material in the way. Appropriately made, these materials with repeated three dimensional structures less than the wavelength of the radiation used...
May 12, 2008 - Method of forming detectable warnings on surfaces and products thereof. by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The present disclosure provides a method for producing detectable warnings (distinctive surface pattern of domes detectable by cane or underfoot to alert people with vision impairments of their approach to streets and hazardous drop-offs)...
May 04, 2008 - A three-dimensional microfabrication system for biodegradable polymers with high resolution and biocompatibility by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Biodegradable PLA polymers are already widely used in medicine. While further applications are eagerly awaited, progress has been impeded by a lack of appropriate processing methods. Our group attempted to construct a novel...
May 04, 2008 - Characterization of protein-coated polypropylene films as a novel composite structure for active food packaging application by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Plasticized protein coatings on PP film were prepared and studied for their optical and tensile properties as affected by protein and plasticizer types in order to exploit a novel composite film for food packaging applications. Composite...
May 04, 2008 - Gas barrier plastic body and gas barrier plastic film. by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Films of a plastic resin such as a polyester film for packaging use can be imparted with improved gas barrier property or decreased permeability to gases such as water vapor and oxygen without decreasing pliability or flexibility and...
May 04, 2008 - Injection stretch blow-molded containers for packaging gas-releasing liquid compositions by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The invention relates to an injection stretch blow-molded transparent container, consisting essentially of biaxial oriented PP, which is filled with a gas-releasing liquid. The container has good gas permeability, so it will not blow-up...
May 04, 2008 - Optical film and production method thereof. by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

An optical film capable of bringing about remarkably high visual effect, decorative effect and the like that cannot be produced, or is difficult to produce, by conventional lens films or prism films, as well as excellent light control...
May 04, 2008 - Polylactic acid films for food packaging applications by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Fresh produce and cut flower packages are prepared from one or more polymer layers, at least one layer comprising a PLA film. Layers that can be adhered to the PLA film are selected from polyolefin and polyester films. The packages have...
May 04, 2008 - Scuff and scratch resistant multilayer structures by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The invention relates to scuff and scratch resistant multilayer structures for use in building and advertising applications comprising a metal layer and a polymeric layer made of a polymeric material, the polymeric material including at...
Apr 29, 2008 - Ethylene-vinyl alcohol resin composition, multilayer structure, and retortable food packaging containers by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

A resin composition comprises 50-99 parts EVA(A) having an ethylene content 15-65 mol% and a degree of saponification >95 mol%, 1-50 parts H3PO4 salt (B) which can form a hydrate, and a dispersing agent (C), where the dispersing agent (C)...
Apr 23, 2008 - Some Unusual Applications of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) by SpecialChem (Article)

As the range of materials available for use with SLS and their properties are further developed, more applications are emerging, some of which are quite unusual.
Apr 20, 2008 - Bonding technique by surface modification by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The present invention offers a rapid, low cost, and low temperature process for bonding microfluidic devices, which are composed of at least one plastic substrate, and which is based on the surface modification of the substrates composing...
Apr 20, 2008 - Creating microenvironments using encapsulated polymers by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Miscible solvents are phase separated within microcapsules containing entrapped polymers, thereby creating stable, isolated microenvironments. In particular, we demonstrate that encapsulated polyethyleneimine induces phase separation of...
Apr 20, 2008 - Elastic film grade thermoplastic polymer compositions having improved elastic performance by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Present invention provides an improved block copolymer compn. for extruding films having excellent stress relaxation and increased retained tension or load at elevated temps., as well as a film cast from this compn. The compn. is comprised...
Apr 20, 2008 - Food and beverage containers and methods of coating by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Food and beverage containers and methods of coating are provided. The food and beverage containers include a metal substrate that is at least partially coated with a coating composition that includes a water-dispersible resin system and an...
Apr 20, 2008 - Light-diffusing resin composition with advanced mechanical properties by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

A light-diffusing resin, comprises: 100 parts of a transparent thermoplastic resin (A) containing a conjugated diene rubber resin; and 0.1 to 20 parts of a light-diffusing agent (B). The matrix resin may be prepared by graft polymerization...
Apr 20, 2008 - Thermoplastic elastomers containing organoclays by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

A medical container seal comprising a styrene-isobutylene-styrene based thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposite is disclosed which has good processability and more effective barrier properties for oxygen and carbon dioxide transmission.
Apr 20, 2008 - Thermoplastic polymer, process for producing the same, and molded article by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

A thermoplastic polymer containing glutaric anhydride units and Tg > 130 degC. is colorless, transparent, good heat resistance, and moldability. Thus, methacrylic acid and Me methacrylate were polymerized and dehydrated for a glutaric...
Apr 20, 2008 - Use of ethoxylated alkylamines for modification of the surface tension of plastics by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The invention relates to the use of ethoxylated alkylamines for modification of surface tension, for example for hydrophilizing and for improvement of wettability, of plastics surfaces.
Apr 18, 2008 - New transparent sheets with barrier properties for healthcare applications by ISPA (Innovation Brief)

The American materials producer GE Plastics has developed a proprietary co-injection blow molding technology in order to produce innovative transparent thermoplastic sheets specially designed for healthcare applications. These new...
Apr 14, 2008 - Automotive window panel having polyurethane primer by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The automotive window panel/glazing comprises a transparent PC base layer, an aqueous PU primer coated on the PC base layer, and a weather-resistant coating applied on the aqueous PU primer. The aqueous PU primer is comprised of <10% PU...
Apr 13, 2008 - Insights into the health effects of nanoparticles: why numbers matter. by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

Nanoparticle numbers do matter when estimating risk. Previous reports by others establish that particle surface area is related to changes in biological function of exposed cells. Many of these reports describe the impact of particle...
Apr 13, 2008 - Morphology and viscoelastic behaviour of a silica filled styrene/butadiene random copolymer by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

An investigation into SB rubber composites was conducted, aimed at investigating the influence of surface modification of silica on polymer-filler interactions. Two silanes were used and compared as surface modifiers. A morphological...
Apr 13, 2008 - Sterilization indicator by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

This invention relates to a sterilization indicator and a process to concentration signal generated by constraining it to a minimal surface, in a minimal volume and minimal pH and growth buffering or mediating influences. The sterilization...
Apr 11, 2008 - New heavy compounds for radiation shielding medical applications by ISPA (Innovation Brief)

The materials producer GE plastics has launched a new line of heavy thermoplastic compounds specially designed as an alternative to lead in radiation-shielding medical applications. These new materials that are commercialized under the...
Apr 09, 2008 - Just How Feasible is Rapid Manufacturing? by SpecialChem (Article)

Rapid production, now economically feasible in only a few specialised situations, could soon allow routine direct production of functional plastic parts in small quantities, and on a custom basis without any intervening prototyping steps.
Apr 06, 2008 - Bioresorbable composition and a medical device comprising said composition. by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The invention provides a bioresorbable composition comprising a mixture of at least one polymer selected from polyesters, polylactides, polyamides, polyethers, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyanhydrides and polyphosphazenes, and...
Apr 06, 2008 - Fiber reinforced polystyrene composites by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)

The present invention is directed generally to fiber reinforced PS compositions, and the beneficial mechanical properties imparted by such compositions. The fiber reinforced PS compositions include from 5 to 50 wt % organic fiber, and from...