Abstract: The invention encompasses a nontoxic agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising a drying oil and suspended particulate materials further comprising an additional material; and also encompasses an aqueous formulation comprising the concentrated liquid suspension and an agricultural treatment agent. The invention additionally encompasses methods of treating an agricultural target.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a nontoxic agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising a drying oil and suspended particulate materials, and also encompasses an aqueous formulation comprising the concentrated liquid suspension and an agricultural treatment agent. The invention additionally encompasses methods of treating an agricultural target.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a nontoxic agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising an organic phase and suspended particulate materials, and also encompasses an aqueous formulation comprising the concentrated liquid suspension and an agricultural treatment agent. The invention additionally encompasses methods of treating an agricultural target, comprising providing an agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising an organic phase and suspended particulates, and applying the agricultural formulation onto the agricultural target, thereby treating the agricultural target.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a nontoxic agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising an organic phase and suspended particulate materials, and also encompasses an aqueous formulation comprising the concentrated liquid suspension and an agricultural treatment agent. The invention additionally encompasses methods of treating an agricultural target, comprising providing an agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising an organic phase and suspended particulates, and applying the agricultural formulation onto the agricultural target, thereby treating the agricultural target.

Abstract: A device for infusing flavor into a fluid, as shown and described in any one or more of the drawing figures and/or any one or more paragraphs of the text. A method of infusing flavor into a fluid, as shown and described in any one or more of the drawing figures and/or any one or more paragraphs of the text. A beverage serving system comprising a cup having a flexible ring integrally formed with an outer wall of the cup; a lid adapted to snugly engage with and cover a top opening of the cup, and having at least one cavity in a top surface of the lid; a flavor infusing device comprising an elongated body having perimeter dimensions that fit into or through the ring.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a nontoxic agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising an organic phase and suspended particulate materials, and also encompasses an aqueous formulation comprising the concentrated liquid suspension and an agricultural treatment agent. The invention additionally encompasses methods of treating an agricultural target, comprising providing an agricultural formulation of a concentrated liquid suspension comprising an organic phase and suspended particulates, and applying the agricultural formulation onto the agricultural target, thereby treating the agricultural target.

Abstract: This invention discloses articles, in the form of particles to small granules to macro sized objects, capable of the controlled release of active ingredients (AI) from a mixture as a solid solution, a matrix or an encapsulated system containing AI and one or more of polymers, additives and/or carriers. The invention also covers additional surface coatings on those articles to further reduce the rate of release of AI. Finally, methods for producing these articles and treating the oil field well and other segments of the oil industry, for example piping, storage tank, and refinery locations, are introduced. The claimed articles can be used as is or mixed with other oil filed components or system, for example proppant fluid, in oil field applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to active particles, including core-shell particles, having low burst, controllable, sustained release which are useful for coating seeds. The active particles can also be used in sprayable and dry formulations for treating soil or plants. The particulate coating can also contain inert organic or inorganic material. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the active particles. The methods include: adding additional material to core particles to form a shell, removing active ingredient from a core surface to create an active-depleted shell, and crosslinking the outer layers of a core to form a shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to active particles, including core-shell particles, having low burst, controllable, sustained release which are useful for coating seeds. The active particles can also be used in sprayable and dry formulations for treating soil or plants. The particulate coating can also contain inert organic or inorganic material. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the active particles. The methods include: adding additional material to core particles to form a shell, removing active ingredient from a core surface to create an active-depleted shell, and crosslinking the outer layers of a core to form a shell.

Abstract: A composition for personal, home, or laundry treatment comprising a polymer made up of one or more crosslinked rake or comb silicone copolymer segments. A process for making copolymers for use in such compositions involves hydrosilylation in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus implementing techniques for separating and/or analyzing fluid mixtures. The techniques employ microfluidic separation devices that include an inlet port for receiving a fluid feed stream, a microscale fluid flow channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port, a phase equilibrium control region located along the fluid flow channel for controlling conditions including temperature and/or pressure to provide a thermal equilibrium, a capillary network in the temperature control region, a first outlet port in indirect fluid communication with the fluid flow channel through the capillary network, and a second outlet port in direct fluid communication with the fluid flow channel. A plurality of microfluidic separation devices can be coupled in fluidic communication to provide for separation of complex mixtures. The systems, methods and apparatus can be used to characterize fluid mixtures.

Abstract: Water Resistant Film Forming Compositions Incorporating Hydrophilic Activities A film forming composition that includes a polymer having from about 80 mole percent to about 100 mole percent of a hydrophobic component, and from about 0 to about 20 mole percent of a charged component; a bioactive agent; and a solvent in which the polymer and the bioactive agent are homogeneously dispersed in the composition. The film forming composition can be used as a “liquid bandage” to form a water resistant film on a biological surface, where the polymer and the bioactive agent remain miscible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting a plurality of different mixtures in parallel in a semi-batch or continuous mode is provided. Each reaction is contained within a reactor vessel, the reactor vessels combined into a reactor block. Reactant(s) to be added during the reaction are kept in a header barrel, which has a plunger to feed reactant(s) from the header barrel through a transfer line into the reactor vessel. The plunger is moved using a drive system. The header barrels are optionally combined in a header block. The header block is sealed to a plate containing the transfer lines, which in turn is sealed to the reactor block. A latch mechanism is provided for easy sealing of the reactor and header blocks to the plate. The entire apparatus may be placed on a rocker or rotating plate for mixture as the reaction is proceeding.

Abstract: A library of material samples is screened for properties such as permeability. A library of material samples is provided. A stimulus such as an exposure to a permeate fluid is provided to each member of the library. A response of each of the material samples due to the stimulus is measured and the response, the stimulus or both are recorded and related to provide data. Thereafter, the data is analyzed to reach conclusions regarding the properties of the material samples.

Abstract: Block copolymers are prepared by living-type or semi-living type free radical polymerization, with said copolymers having at least one random block comprised of at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer. The selection of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers in the random block is determined by the relative hydrophobicity of the monomers to impart selected solubility or dispersability in water and/or alcohols of the overall block copolymer.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

Abstract: A library of materials is screened for viscosity. A library of materials is provided. The library is contacted with at least one capillary for applying a force through the materials. The relative flow resistance of the materials is measured in response to the force; and the materials in the library are ranked based on the monitored flow resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature rheometer, a parallel rheometer, and improved force sensor elements which may advantageously be used in combination with the miniature rheometer and the parallel rheometer. The miniature rheometer is adapted to determine rheological characteristics of materials which are provided in the form of small quantity samples. The miniature rheometer comprises an actuating element, a sensing element and a feedback circuit to provide rebalance of the shear force applied by the sample to the sensing element, which insures an exceptional stiffness in determining the shear strain so as to allow measurements of high accuracy. The parallel rheometer of the present invention allows simultaneous measurements of a plurality of samples so as to allow of a plurality of samples within a short time period. The force sensor element according to the present invention allows simultaneous measurement of a shear force and a normal force applied to the sensor element.

Abstract: A composition for personal, home, or laundry treatment comprising a polymer made up of one or more crosslinked rake or comb silicone copolymer segments. A process for making copolymers for use in such compositions involves hydrosilylation in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A rapid throughput method for the preparation, analysis or both of libraries of material samples is provided. According to the method, a plurality of samples is provided. The plurality of samples is then formed into a plurality of films. Thereafter, the plurality of films is plastically deformed. Preferably, the plurality of films is deformed into a configuration appropriate for testing of properties or characteristics of the samples.