Search Results - e.+bryan+coughlin

This invention provides novel, deoxybenzoin-based anti-flammable polymers and cured epoxy resins for a variety of end-use applications.

This invention provides a new polymer processing technique, termed Melt-Mastication, which improves the properties of commodity semi-crystalline polymers, such as polypropylene. Compared with conventional methodology for processing polymers, Melt-Mastication creates unique microstructures in the polymer material, which results in improved mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer material and enables commodity polymers to compete with more costly materials in a variety of industries.

This invention provides flame retardant monomers and polymers. The monomers are unsaturated deoxybenzoin compounds that are inherently fire resistant and can decrease the flammability of unsaturated polymers by crosslinking the polymers.

Synthetic polymers are used extensively as plastics, rubbers, foams, textiles, and construction materials; however, the flammability of many polymers is recognized as a safety hazard and an important challenge in polymer research. To reduce polymer flammability, halogenated small molecule flame-retardant additives are commonly incorporated into polymer materials. However, such halogenated additives may compromise polymer properties, and moreover pose environmental problems associated with additive leaching. To overcome these problems, researchers at UMass Amherst have developed halogen-free, inherently flame-retardant polymers. This invention provides deoxybenzoin-based anti-flammable polyphosphonate and poly(acylate-phophonate copolymer compounds with low heat release capacity values and high char yields.