Abstract: A plastic pro-biodegradation additive includes a carrier polymer and a nanostarch compound. The nanostarch compound can include nanostarch with a particle size in a range of about 40 to about 500 nm. The nanostarch compound can include small-size and/or large-size regular starch. The carrier polymer can be a biodegradable polymer. The additive can include: a polysaccharide; an organic filler; one or more of a monosaccharide, a disaccharide and an oligosaccharide; a surfactant; and/or an inorganic filler. The carrier polymer can include a non-biodegradable polymer. Biodegradable plastic compositions and methods of preparing a biodegradable plastic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultra-fast marine-biodegradable composite film can include at least one water-soluble layer, and at least one marine-biodegradable layer disposed in contact with the at least one water-soluble layer. The composite film can include a plurality of the water-soluble layer, and a plurality of the marine-biodegradable layer interspaced between the marine-biodegradable layers. The composite film may be used for packaging, including food packaging. Methods of preparing an ultra-fast marine-biodegradable composite film are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing an outdoor building material, and outdoor building materials thereof. A polymer matrix and a first reinforcement material may be provided. The polymeric matrix and the first reinforcement material may be shredded to form a shredded mixture. A second reinforcement material may be combined with the shredded mixture to form a combined mixture. The combined mixture may be heated and extruded to form the outdoor building material, in which the first and second reinforcement materials are dispersed in the polymer matrix. At least a portion of the polymer matrix may be derived from waste agricultural film. At least a portion of the first reinforcement material may be post-consumer waste in the form of clothing, carpet, curtains, fabric, or combinations thereof. The second reinforcement material may consist of at least one of char, biochar, and carbon black.

Abstract: A plastic pro-biodegradation additive includes a carrier polymer and a nanostarch compound. The nanostarch compound can include nanostarch with a particle size in a range of about 40 to about 500 nm. The nanostarch compound can include small-size and/or large-size regular starch. The carrier polymer can be a biodegradable polymer. The additive can include: a polysaccharide; an organic filler; one or more of a monosaccharide, a disaccharide and an oligosaccharide; a surfactant; and/or an inorganic filler. The carrier polymer can include a non-biodegradable polymer. Biodegradable plastic compositions and methods of preparing a biodegradable plastic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.

Abstract: A laminating unit to manufacture a multi-layer composite (2) in a laminating machine (1), comprising a laminating rotating roll (16), laminating a first web (3) onto a second web (4), is characterized in that it further comprises: driving means (42), rotating (R) the roll (16); gripping means (39, 41), maintaining the first web (3) in contact with the roll (16); first detection means (43, 46) emitting first detection signals (44, 47) in accordance with detected longitudinal positions of the first web (3); second detection means (48, 51) emitting second detection signals (49, 52) in accordance with detected longitudinal positions of the second web (4); and control means (53), regulating a rotation speed of the driving means (42) and of the roll (16) as a function of the first and second signals (44, 47, 49, 52), to convey, correct longitudinally positions of the first web (3), and laminate the first web (3) in register onto the second web (4).

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.

Abstract: A laminating unit to manufacture a multi-layer composite (2) in a laminating machine (1), comprising a laminating rotating roll (16), laminating a first web (3) onto a second web (4), is characterized in that it further comprises: driving means (42), rotating (R) the roll (16); gripping means (39, 41), maintaining the first web (3) in contact with the roll (16); first detection means (43, 46) emitting first detection signals (44, 47) in accordance with detected longitudinal positions of the first web (3); second detection means (48, 51) emitting second detection signals (49, 52) in accordance with detected longitudinal positions of the second web (4); and control means (53), regulating a rotation speed of the driving means (42) and of the roll (16) as a function of the first and second signals (44, 47, 49, 52), to convey, correct longitudinally positions of the first web (3), and laminate the first web (3) in register onto the second web (4).

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.

Abstract: A low work function electrode is provided for use in thin film electronic devices. The low work function electrode for use in thin file electronic devices. The low work function electrode comprises a LCE comprising a conductive ceramic material comprising a low work function conductive ceramic material (LCM) and at least one higher work conductive material (HCM) having a higher work function than the LCM. The combination of the LCM and the HCM provides an effective work function of the LCE.