Abstract: A zipper and method of making zipper composition include zipper materials that consist of about 90% of starch (by weight), 8-12% of natural polymer (by weight) and about 10% of organic polymer (by weight). The zipper materials are heated and blended, and formed zipper teeth and a linking zipper tape by an integrated injection molding process to encase a layer of paper fibers therein. The zipper thus made may be reclaimed and recycled, and can enhance environmental protection and conservation.

Abstract: Methods of making and using starch graft copolymers produce particle sizes useful in granule applicators for applying to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers on field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased crop yields and reduced water requirements.

Abstract: A thermal insulating packer fluid contains at least one water superabsorbent polymer and optionally water and/or brine, and a viscosifying polymer. The composition is capable of inhibiting unwanted heat loss from production tubing or uncontrolled heat transfer to outer annuli. The viscosity of the composition is sufficient to reduce the convection flow velocity within the annulus.

Abstract: A superabsorbent resin composition comprising the following components components (A) and (D), wherein (A) is a superabsorbent resin, and (D) a coordination compound in which a chelating agent is coordinated with metal A.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using biopolymers as templates for the polymerization of monomeric silicic acids. A method is provided wherein a biological polymer is used as a template. An inorganic polymer backbone forms a shell encasing the biopolymer template. The organic portion may be removed to leave inorganic nanotubes or other micro- or nano-scale structures which are the approximate size and shape of the template. The surface macrostructure of the biological template is duplicated in a silica shell—even molecular level imprinting is possible. The resulting silica structures have many uses, especially where micro- or nano-scale morphology should be controlled. Catalysts, semiconductors or metals may be deposited on the inside surface of the inorganic shell support. In another example, micro- or nano-particles that mimic the size and shape of the biopolymer template may be synthesized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.

Abstract: What is described is a polymeric hydrogel of a polymeric anhydride or acid, e.g. maleic anhydride or maleic acid polymer, or copolymer thereof, crosslinked with a crosslinking agent containing at least 2 crosslinkable groups, particularly, —OH or —NH2, or both. The reaction product is a crosslinked polymeric ester or amide/imide, or both, suitably having a mole ratio of —OH, or —NH2, to —COOH, of 1:10 to 10:1, preferably 2:10 to 7:1. The hydrogel is particularly swellable in water, e.g. >100% in 1 hour in aqueous media; and forms a thin, tacky layer on a substrate, which property is useful in bioadhesive products.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive material made of an elastic mixture comprising a continuous phase formed from a physically cross-linked solid rubber such as a styrene-olefin-styrene block copolymer, for example a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, and a compatible liquid rubber, such as a liquid styrene-isoprene, and a discontinuous phase substantially comprised of one or more “swellable polymers”, absorbents that are swellable in water. Additives such as polybutenes, polyisobutylene, mineral oil, stabilizers and other rubbers, may be present. Water soluble polymers may be added to the swellable absorbents to form part of the discontinuous phase. The pressure-sensitive adhesives the advantage over the prior are that they avoid the need to include materials known to irritate skin and mucous membranes. In particular, prior art compositions have needed to include substantial quantities of tackifying resins, which could cause problems particularly in wound dressings.

Abstract: A process for preparing a water-absorbent resin is provided which enables the water-absorbent resin to ensure the reduction in the release amount of liquid and the increase in the liquid diffusibility. In the preparation process, the water-absorbent resin is prepared by polymerization of a water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomer. The polymerization of the water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomer is allowed to take place in the presence of a water-absorbent resin having a water-absorbing rate different from that of a water-absorbent resin resulting from polymerization of the water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomer. In a preferred mode, the polymerization is performed by a reversed-phase suspension polymerization method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to a humid environment. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers having a slow rate of absorption, and a process for their preparation. The superabsorbent polymer has a slow rate of absorption, is crosslinked with a covalent crosslinking agent and the metal of a polyvalent metal coordination compound, has the metal of the coordination compound distributed essentially homogeneously throughout the polymer, and has an Absorption Rate Index of at least about 5 minutes. Prepare water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer particles having a slow rate of water absorption by polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a covalent crosslinking agent and a polyvalent metal coordination compound under conditions such that there is formed a polymer having reversible cationic crosslinks and such that the metal is distributed essentially homogeneously throughout the polymer particles.

Abstract: A starch-based graft polymer, a process for its preparation and printing inks and overprint varnishes containing the graft polymer. The graft polymer is based on a derivatized starch or a derivatized starch product as the graft substrate. The starch or starch product is derivatized by one or more bifunctional monomers and grafted, at sites of derivatization, with one ore more ethylene derivatives. The process for preparing the graft polymer involves the provision of an aqueous medium containing dissolved or dispersed starch or dissolved or dispersed starch product. This dissolved or dispersed starch or dissolved or dispersed starch product is subjected to derivatization with one or more bifunctional monomers to prepare a derivatized starch or a derivatized starch product. The derivatized starch or derivatized starch product then is graft-polymerized, at sites of derivatization, with one ore more ethylene derivatives.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optionally foamed sealing composition for preformed seals which can swell when treated with water. The invention also relates to a method for the production thereof out of natural rubber and/or elastomers with a matrix comprised of natural rubber/elastomer components and particle-shaped water absorbing material stored therein. The water absorbing material is a combination of (A) polysaccharide(s) selected from cellulose, starch, starch derivatives removed from grafted starch, amylose, amylopectin, dextran, pectin, inulin, chitin, xanthan, alginic acid, alginates, carrageenan, pustulan, callose, laminarin, guluronic acid, pullulan, lichenin or mixtures of the same with (B) a highly water absorbent synthetic polymer selected from polymers based on (meth)acrylate, poly(meth)acrylic acid and the salts thereof, polyacrylamide, polyalcohols or copolymers of said synthetic polymers.

Abstract: A super absorbent polymer composition comprising a chelating compound (A) which has a site capable of forming a chelate with a copper ion and whose copper salt has a solubility in physiological saline at 25° C. of 0.01% by weight or less and a super absorbent polymer (B), wherein the chelating compound (A) is present in an amount of from 0.0001 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said super absorbent polymer (B).

Abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a highly biocompatible hydrophilic polyether, is tethered to poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF), a biodegradable polyester. To avoid change in molecular weight distribution of PPF, end hydroxyl groups of PPF are reacted with bis-carboxymethyl PEG after being treated with thionyl chloride. New end carboxyl groups of the PEG-tethered PPF are further reacted with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to couple bioactive molecules. Glutamine and glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (GRGD) are attached to the PEG-tethered PPF in 50 mM phosphate buffer of pH of 7.4. The method is valuable for the preparation of a triblock copolymer with PEG end blocks and the coupling of biologically active molecules.

Abstract: The present invention concerns biodegradable linear polyester urethanes as well as biodegradable crosslinked polyester urethanes issuing from the linear polyester urethanes in such a way that they are crosslinked by diisocyanate bridges. By varying the degree of crosslinking it is possible to adjust the physical, chemical and biological properties in the crosslinked polyester urethane as defined by the invention in a targeted manner. In particular, it is possible to vary the rate of biodegradation of said crosslinked polyester urethane because the biological degradation takes place at a slower rate as the degree of crosslinking increases. Furthermore, the object of the invention is a method of producing the polyester urethanes as defined by the invention, as well as its application in the form of sheets or foils, shaped rubber articles, containers, packaging materials, in the field of galenic pharmacy; and in the form of adhesives and adhesive tapes and the like.