Abstract: This dispersion composition contains a water-based medium and a carboxymethyl cellulose having a carboxymethyl substitution degree of 0.20 or more and a cellulose-I crystallinity index of 50% or more, a water-based medium is easily dispersed even by low mixing power, and has a high viscosity.

Abstract: Herein provided are methods for evaluating cellulose nanofiber dispersions, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a cellulose nanofiber dispersion; (2) adding a color material into the cellulose nanofiber dispersion; and (3) observing the cellulose nanofiber dispersion to which a colored pigment has been added with a light microscope. The methods allow for easy evaluation of whether or not agglomerates of cellulose nanofibers exist in cellulose nanofiber dispersions, which cannot be visually determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for producing carboxymethylated cellulose, the method making it possible to economically obtain a high-transparency cellulose nanofiber dispersion. In the carboxymethylation of cellulose, mercerization is carried out in a solvent comprising mainly water, and then carboxymethylation is carried out in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent. A nanofiber dispersion of high-transparency carboxymethylated cellulose can be obtained by defibrating the resulting carboxymethylated cellulose.

Abstract: A carboxymethylated cellulose having a carboxymethyl substitution of no more than 0.50 and a cellulose I type crystallization of at least 50%. Ideally, the anionization is 0.00-1.00 meq/g. The Schopper-Riegler freeness is ideally at least 60.0° SR. Ideally the ratio of filtration residue is 0%-30% by mass. The viscosity (30 rpm, 25° C.) for an aqueous dispersion having a 1% solid content (w/v) is ideally no more than 10.0 mPa·s.

Abstract: Carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers in which the degree of arboxymethylsubstitution is higher than 0.30 and no more than 0.60, the cellulose type I crystallinity is 60% or higher, and the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 660 nm when the carboxymethylated cellose nanofibers are made into an aqueous dispersion having a solids fraction of 1% (w/v) is 60% or higher.

Abstract: An optical heating device is an optical heating device for heating a heating target, includes: an LED element disposed to face the heating target and emitting light for heating the heating target; and a radiation thermometer having a light receiver and measuring a temperature of a heat source that is a source of infrared light that enters the light receiver in accordance with an intensity of the infrared light in a predetermined range of wavelengths to be measured, the light receiver having a light receiving area where the light receiver is capable of receiving light, and being disposed such that the light receiving area contains the heating target, the LED element emitting light of a wavelength outside the range of wavelengths to be measured by the radiation thermometer and being disposed outside the light receiving area.

Abstract: Carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers in which the cellulose type I crystallinity is 60% or higher, the aspect ratio is 350 or lower, and the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 660 nm when the carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers are made into an aqueous dispersion having a solids fraction of 1% (w/v) is 60% or higher.

Abstract: A powder that contains carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers, said carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers having a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.50 or less and a cellulose type I crystallinity of 60% or more, and has a median diameter of 10.0 ?m to 150.0 ?m. This powder is suitable usable as an additive.

Abstract: A method for producing a dry solid of cellulose nanofiber, the method comprising (A) preparing a dispersion in which cellulose nanofiber with an average fiber diameter of 2 to 500 nm is dispersed in a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent; and (B) drying the dispersion.

Abstract: A method for producing ergothioneine at a low cost in large quantities and a bacterium for use in said method are provided. A method for producing ergothioneine or a related substance thereof, or a mixture thereof, comprising culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae having the ergothioneine-producing ability in a culture medium, and collecting ergothioneine or a related substance thereof, or a mixture thereof, from the culture medium or from the cells obtained by culture, wherein said bacterium is the one which is modified so as to have a reduced activity of a protein comprising a core sequence region comprising 5 amino acid residues: Ser-Arg-Gly-Arg-Thr (SEQ ID NO:7) as a part thereof; and a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae having the ergothioneine-producing ability modified so as to have a reduced activity of a protein comprising a core sequence region comprising 5 amino acid residues: Ser-Arg-Gly-Arg-Thr (SEQ ID NO:7) as a part thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a novel manufacturing method whereby a carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber dispersion having high tarnasparency can be obtained economically. In carboxymethylation of cellulose in the present invention, mercerization is performed in water as the main solvent, after which carboxymethylation is performed in a solvent mixture of water and an organic solvent, By defibrating the resultant carboxymethylated cellulose, a carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber dispersion having high transparency can be obtained economically.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide an acid type carboxylated cellulose nanofiber having a high viscosity in a low shear region, or to provide an acid type carboxylated cellulose nanofiber having a very short fiber length, and the acid type carboxylated cellulose nanofiber has a carboxy group at least in part of a constituent unit constituting a cellulose molecular chain, wherein a viscosity of water dispersion with a content from 0.95 to 1.05% by mass is 400 Pa·s or higher at a shear velocity from 0.003 to 0.01 s?1 at 30° C., or an average fiber length is from 50 to 500 nm and a ratio of fibers having a fiber length of 300 nm or shorter is 50% or higher.

Abstract: Provided is method for evaluating a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) dispersion, the method including: (1) a step of preparing 1.0 mass% of a CNF aqueous dispersion; (2) a step of adding a coloring material into the CNF aqueous solution and stirring with a vortex mixer; (3) a step of sandwiching a film of the coloring material-containing CNF aqueous dispersion between two glass plates such that said film has a thickness of 0.15 mm; (4) a step of observing, with a microscope, the film of the coloring material-containing CNF aqueous dispersion sandwiched between the two glass plates; (5) a step of sorting observed aggregates by size (diameter along major axis) thereof; and (6) a step of calculating a CNF dispersion index from the number of sorted aggregates and evaluating the dispersibility of the CNF aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: An object is to provide a foamable aerosol composition that can be continuously ejected from the container to form dense and uniform foam, and that the formed foam has certain elasticity as well as can be easily spread on an object, and the foamable aerosol composition comprises a stock solution including cellulose nanofibers and a propellant is provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an food additive capable of improving quality and physical properties such as water retention, shape retention, and dispersion stability at the time of adding to foods such as processed foods and scarcely impairing characteristics such as original texture and flavor of food, and also to provide foods comprising the food additive. That is, the present invention provides a food additive comprising an anion-modified cellulose nanofibers and food including the food additive.

Abstract: A method for producing a dry solid of cellulose nanofiber, the method comprising (A) preparing a dispersion in which cellulose nanofiber with an average fiber diameter of 2 to 500 nm is dispersed in a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent; and (B) drying the dispersion.

Abstract: Herein provided are methods for evaluating cellulose nanofiber dispersions, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a cellulose nanofiber dispersion; (2) adding a color material into the cellulose nanofiber dispersion; and (3) observing the cellulose nanofiber dispersion to which a colored pigment has been added with a light microscope. The methods allow for easy evaluation of whether or not agglomerates of cellulose nanofibers exist in cellulose nanofiber dispersions, which cannot be visually determined.

Abstract: A bulldozer comprises a blade, an engine, a selective catalytic reduction device, a reducing agent tank, and a cab. The engine is disposed behind the blade. The selective catalytic reduction device treats exhaust from the engine. The reducing agent tank stores a reducing agent used by the selective catalytic reduction device. The cab is disposed behind the engine. The reducing agent tank is disposed on a first side of a lower part of the cab. At least a part of the reducing agent tank overlaps the cab when viewed from a top view.