Interest and research activity in the photoinitiated cationic crosslinking polymerizations of multifunctional epoxide and oxetanes monomers have increased rapidly as this technology has found broad use in many industrial applications. However, while the synthesis of current epoxy-functional siloxanes yields monomers that undergo efficient cationic ring-opening photopolymerization to give crosslinked materials with excellent thermal and chemical resistance, they produce hard, brittle, glass-like materials with little elongation and flexibility.

Coating particulate material can often enhance the physical and chemical properties of the material including improved insulation properties, improved abrasion resistance, and improved strength. However, coated particulate materials are often porous and tend to absorb gases and liquids, which destroy the material, or at the very least, interfere with its insulating properties. This invention is directed to an improved device for coating particulate material.

Living polymerization is a method by which polymers having a narrow molecular weight distribution may be obtained. Block copolymers may also be synthesized using the method. Block copolymers may display improved mechanical andor chemical properties over corresponding random copolymers. One promising method for free radical polymerization with living characteristics is reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.

Material fluid permeability is an essential quality measurement in a variety of industries including textiles and papermaking. Permeability in itself is related to the porosity, density, and thickness of a material. Consistency of these material properties over time is required within a process as an indication of the quality. The purpose of permeability measurement is to accurately indicate the quality and consistency of a material product.