Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

Abstract: A method of preparing bio-polyols from epoxidized fatty acid esters, wherein the bio-polyols are synthesized via hydroxylation with epoxidized fatty acid esters and ring-opening reagent, using the acidic ionic liquids as catalysts. The bio-polyols are used to synthesize bio-polyurethane and bio-polyurethane foams. The acidic ionic liquids in this process is used in esterification, epoxidation, and ring-opening reaction to synthesize bio-polyols. The ionic liquids catalysts have several advantages such as easy to separate, reusable, and may reduce pollution.

Abstract: Disclosed are a highly functional natural material-derived epoxy resin, a preparation method therefor, and an epoxy resin curing composition using the same. The highly functional natural material-derived epoxy resin represented by chemical formula 1 is obtained by reacting a compound, represented by chemical formula 2, and epichlorohydrin (ECH), which is obtained by using glycerin as a starting material, in the presence of a hydroxide salt.

Abstract: Isosorbide-derived epoxies and methods of making same are disclosed. Isosorbide and its isomers are attached to glycidyl ether to make crosslinkable epoxy resin monomers. Adding the hydrophobic functional group into the backbone of isosorbide epoxy or adjusting the amount and type of crosslinker is operable to modify the mechanical properties and water uptake ratio (from <1 wt % to >50 wt %) of the isosorbide-derived epoxies for different uses. High water uptake epoxies with controllable biodegradation rate are suitable for drug delivery systems or extracellular matrices for biomedical applications, while low water uptake epoxies with strong mechanical properties may be used for can coatings, bone cements and other industrial additives and adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a simple method for transforming cashew nut shell liquid into an active herbicidal composition.

Abstract: Dandelion processes, compositions and products are provided. One process is a method of preparing dandelion that utilizes a species of a Taraxacum genus, the process including the steps of extracting and recovering a rubber and a carbohydrate from a dandelion root substantially simultaneously. The process employs a dandelion species that is selected from the group consisting of: Taraxacum officianale, Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a rubber-bearing species of the genus Taraxacum, and a combination of two or more thereof. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A polyester resin is a polycondensate obtained by reacting a divalent alcohol, a divalent carboxylic acid, and a mono- or divalent rosin by the use of a zinc compound as a reaction catalyst.

Abstract: Building materials and methods of making a building material are disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving algae; and subjecting the algae to an oil extraction process, in order to produce vegetable oil. The method further includes producing synthetic fibers by processing the vegetable oil from the oil extraction process; and processing the synthetic fibers to produce a tension and pressure resistant material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a formula and process for making elastomeric rubber thin film articles. In particular, the formula and process is a system which produces non-Hevea or Guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) thin film articles which have a thickness of 30-80 microns (0.03-0.08 mm), and preferably less than 40 microns (0.04 mm). These thin film articles exhibit physical strength properties similar to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex (NRL). More specifically, the disclosed thin rubber thin film articles exhibit unaged tensile strength of at least 24 MPa (about 3500 psi) and aged tensile strength of at least 19 MPa (about 2800 psi).

Abstract: The invention provides B-sides of urethane formulations, wherein the B-sides comprise both alcohol and epoxy moieties. Also provided are urethane formulations comprising the B-side of the invention, as well as A-sides comprising isocyanate molecules.

Abstract: Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose ester film which is suppressed in volatilization of components during film formation, while having high surface flatness, high durability after saponification and good adhesion to a polarizer. Also disclosed is a method for producing such a cellulose ester film by melt forming. Further disclosed are a polarizing plate having high light resistance and high durability, and a liquid crystal display having high image quality. Specifically disclosed is a cellulose ester film characterized by containing a cellulose ester, a compound represented by the general formula (1) below, and a compound represented by the general formula (2) below.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, water-soluble polymer comprising pendant salicylic acid groups and having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 2,000,000 daltons and use of the polymer for clarifying red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plants. Specifically, invention described herein relates to the commercial processing of plant material, including that from desert plants native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum), for the extraction of biopolymers, including natural rubbers. More specifically, the invention relates to laboratory to commercial scale extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plant materials including the chemical and mechanical processing of the plants and purification of the extracted biopolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method of rapid expanded solvent extraction of biopolymers, such as rubber, from plant materials, such as guayule, using an expanded hexane solvent. As is illustrated herein, the use of the expanded hexane solvent results in a markedly more efficient and rapid extraction process over other supercritical carbon dioxide extraction systems, including those systems using a hexane cosolvent.

Abstract: Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a formula and process for making elastomeric rubber thin film articles. In particular, the formula and process is a system which produces non-Hevea or Guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) thin film articles which have a thickness of 30-80 microns (0.03-0.08 mm), and preferably less than 40 microns (0.04 mm). These thin film articles exhibit physical strength properties similar to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex (NRL). More specifically, the disclosed thin rubber thin film articles exhibit unaged tensile strength of at least 24 MPa (about 3500 psi) and aged tensile strength of at least 19 MPa (about 2800 psi).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing process for producing a polyol from a fatty acid ester in-situ. The process does not use any added organic or inorganic acid catalyst. The polyol produced by the process is essentially free of any cation or anion. The fatty acid ester oil epoxidation and hydroxylation reactions can occur progressively in the same reactor for essentially a one-pot reaction. The polyol produced by the process is essentially free of any cation or anion. The polyol can be used to produce polyurethanes having improved properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method of rapid expanded solvent extraction of biopolymers, such as rubber, from plant materials, such as guayule, using an expanded hexane solvent. As is illustrated herein, the use of the expanded hexane solvent results in a markedly more efficient and rapid extraction process over other supercritical carbon dioxide extraction systems, including those systems using a hexane cosolvent.

Abstract: A method of making a hydroxyl terminated precursor for polyurethane is disclosed. The method comprises heating a vegetable oil-polyol mixture of modified vegetable oil containing about two or more hydroxyl groups per molecule and a polyether polyol having about two or more hydroxyl groups per molecule at a temperature of at least about 25 degrees Celsius and at a pressure of about 1 atmosphere. The mixture has a hydroxyl equivalent ratio of about 1:1 vegetable oil to polyol. The method further comprises mixing for at least about 10 minutes an isocyanate containing about two or more isocyanato groups per molecule at least about 25 degrees Celsius to the vegetable oil-polyol mixture at a molar equivalent ratio of at least 2:1 vegetable oil-polyol mixture to isocyanate to react the isocyanate with the mixture to form the hydroxyl terminated precursor.

Abstract: A process of recovering rubber from rubber-bearing plant materials in non-aqueous conditions by first drying the rubber-bearing plant material and then mechanically grinding the rubber-bearing plant material to produce rubber threads and finely ground root tissue. Following the mechanical grinding, rubber threads are separated from finely ground plant root tissue by passing the ground plant material over a dry vibrating mesh screen and blowing away the plant root skins to leave rubber threads. The rubber threads may further be purified by stirring the rubber threads in warm water. Then the mixture is settled and the rubber threads are skimmed off. Optimal purification may be obtained by stirring, settling, and skimming off the rubber threads. Another optimal purification can be achieved by stirring continuously in the flowing warm water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomass resin composition comprising a phenolized biomass substance and a reactive substance having a melting point of at most 100° C. other than phenol. The biomass resin composition is prepared by a process, which comprises adding a reactive substance such as a phenol derivative or drying oil into the reaction system, in the step of preparing a phenolized biomass substance by phenolizing a biomass substance with a phenol in the presence of an acid catalyst. The present invention provides a biomass resin composition, in which the melting point can be freely controlled and which is excellent in properties such as flowability, processability, water resistance and impact resistance and can be prepared by a simple process, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modifying cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which involves the steps of subjecting the CNSL to ozonolysis to form ozonolysis reaction products, followed by reduction of the ozonolysis reaction products to give a mixture of phenolic components and aldehydes. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves reacting CNSL with ozone to form a mixture containing ozonolysis reaction products, and then treating the mixture under reducing conditions to form a further mixture containing phenolic components with an eight carbon chain having a terminal —CHO group and alkyl components of varying lengths with either one or two terminal —CHO groups. The resulting CNSL aldehydes may be used to form adhesives for use in the manufacture of composites such as wood particle board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modifying cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) which involves the steps of subjecting the CNSL to ozonolysis to form ozonolysis reaction products, followed by reduction of the ozonolysis reaction products to give a mixture of phenolic components and aldehydes. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves reacting CNSL with ozone to form a mixture containing ozonolysis reaction products, and then treating the mixture under reducing conditions to form a further mixture containing phenolic components with an eight carbon chain having a terminal —CHO group and alkyl components of varying lengths with either one or two terminal —CHO groups. The resulting CNSL aldehydes may be used to form adhesives for use in the manufacture of composites such as wood particle board.

Abstract: A wood adhesive formulation containing furfuryl alcohol, lignin, maleic anhydride, and iron and zinc catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting the natural juice of ligneous plant material, a device for carrying out said method and the use of said method in the production of dried ligneous plant material. The method for extracting the natural juice of ligneous plant material comprises the following: a pressurization step in which a sealed enclosure containing the plant material is pressurized, whereby the pressure thereof is greater than that of the atmosphere; a stage in which saturating water vapor is created or injected; a stage in which the plant material is heated to the core by means of electromagnetic waves; a step in which the liquid exudates from said plant material are gravitationally recovered.

Abstract: A vegetable oil-based polyol is made by adding a peroxyacid to vegetable oil wherein said peroxyacid reacts with said vegetable oil to form epoxidized vegetable oil and adding said epoxidized vegetable oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a catalytic amount of fluoboric acid so as to form a vegetable oil-based polyol. A further embodiment of the present invention involves making a vegetable oil-based polyol using an epoxidized vegetable oil as the starting material. The epoxidized vegetable oil undergoes hydroxylation by the same process as outlined above. According to another aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oil-based polyol formed by the novel methods of this invention may be reacted with an isocyanate to form a polyurethane. Alternatively, a filler such as silica may be combined with the vegetable oil-based polyol before it is reacted with the isocyanate. These polyurethanes made from vegetable oil-based polyols may be used to form electroinsulating casting resins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composition containing a semi-crystalline or glass-forming polymer in a rigid phase and, as impact modifier therein, a rubbery polymer. The polymer composition according to the invention is characterized in that it has no morphological inhomogeneities with a diameter larger than 40, preferably 20 micrometer as visible on a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) picture of the surface of fracture of a test bar broken in a fatigue test. As a result, the elongation at break, the fatigue resistance and the total useful service life of an object manufactured from this composition are much higher.

Abstract: A method for making natural oil-based polyols directly from vegetable or animal oil using a consecutive two-step process involving epoxidation and hydroxylation is provided. Specifically, this process comprises adding a peroxyacid to a natural oil wherein said natural oil and said peroxyacid react to form an epoxidized natural oil and adding said epoxidized natural oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a fluoboric acid catalyst. The catalytic amount of fluoboric acid is less than about 0.5% by weight of the entire reaction mixture, and the amount of water is about 10 to 30% by weight of the entire mixture. The epoxidized natural oil undergoes hydroxylation and forms a natural oil-based polyol. The present invention further includes a method for making natural oil-based polyols from epoxidized oil by hydroylating the epoxidized oil in the presence of fluoboric acid, alcohol and water in the amounts discussed above.

Abstract: The colored data storage media comprises a substrate comprising colorant and plastic, wherein the substrate has a transmissivity of about 85% or less, at a readback laser wavelength, when traversing a 1.2 mm thick colored substrate (disk). Alternatively, the storage media comprises: a substrate comprising a fluorescent colorant and plastic, wherein the substrate has a fluorescent color emission wavelength which is not equal to the readback laser wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modifying agent for resins for paints or resins for inks, containing fatty acids obtained by the enzymatic decomposition of vegetable oils or fats, the resins for paints or resins for inks modified with the modifying agent, and a paint or ink composition containing the resin for the paint or resin for the ink. The paint or ink composition of the present invention has electrodeposition potential or UV curing property and is excellent in the appearance of the paint film, finishing sharpness and adhesion.

Abstract: Natural rubber products are made from fig tree (Ficus carica) by homogenizing the plants in an acetone/benzene and separating the rubber-containing phase by centrifugation. F. carica contains about 4% (w/v) natural rubber in latex, and 0.3, 0.1 and 0.1 % in bark, leaf and fruit, respectively. Molecular mass of the natural rubber from F. carica is about 128 kD. The latex serum of F. carica contains only a small numbers of proteins, with a 48 kD and a 25 kD protein as major proteins. Similar to Hevea brasiliensis and Parthenium argentatum Gray, proteins participating in rubber biosynthesis of F. carica are tightly associated with the rubber particles. Natural rubber is made using the latex serum and the proteins in latex, leaf, bark, and fruit of F. carica.

Abstract: Methods for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymers and copolymers are described. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers have a single mode molecular weight distribution, and more preferably have a distribution of between about 2 and about 4, and most preferably about 2.1 or 2.5.

Abstract: A phenolic-rich pyrolysis oil is produced by pyrolysing lignocellulosic material at a temperature of no more than about 550.degree. C under an absolute pressure of no more than about 50 kPa to produce pyrolysis vapors, and condensing the pyrolysis vapors to obtain a condensate consisting of a phenolic-rich pyrolysis oil having a dew point of about 65 to about 75.degree. C. under an absolute pressure of about 15 to about 20 kPa. Such a phenolic-rich pyrolysis can be directly used in making phenol-formaldehyde resol resins.

Abstract: A vegetable oil-based polyol is made by adding a peroxyacid to vegetable oil wherein said peroxyacid reacts with said vegetable oil to form epoxidized vegetable oil and adding said epoxidized vegetable oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a catalytic amount of fluoboric acid so as to form a vegetable oil-based polyol. A further embodiment of the present invention involves making a vegetable oil-based polyol using an epoxidized vegetable oil as the starting material. The epoxidized vegetable oil undergoes hydroxylation by the same process as outlined above. According to another aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oil-based polyol formed by the novel methods of this invention may be reacted with an isocyanate to form a polyurethane. Alternatively, a filler such as silica may be combined with the vegetable oil-based polyol before it is reacted with the isocyanate. These polyurethanes made from vegetable oil-based polyols may be used to form electroinsulating casting resins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and products made of a natural component being cashew nut shell oil (CNSO) and another component being di- and/or polyisocyanates. Since the CNSO is a mixture of a biphenol and a fatty acid, both of which have a benzenoid ring with phenyl radicals and side chains, one of which has three double bonds, the isocyanates can react on three different levels:I. The COOH of the fatty acidII. The OH of the phenyl radicalsIII. The double bonds of the chains.

Abstract: The bonding agent composition comprises tannin of pine bark and/or pecan nut, paraformaldehyde and an ammonium salt of a weak acid. It serves inter alia as bonding agent for particle board with high transverse tensile strength, good water resistance and low formaldehyde emission.

Abstract: This invention provides a computer-executed method and means for simulating chemical synthesis. The invention concerns the simulation, by a programmed general purpose digital computer, of chemicals that have biological functions, and more specifically, concerns computer-implemented simulation of such chemicals based upon their synthesis and their assayed biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoate from a biological source material comprising the polyhydroxyalkanoate, the process comprising: a) comminuting the biological source material; b) air classifying the biological source material such that the polyhydroxyalkanoate particles are separated from other components of the biological source material; and c) recovering the polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Abstract: Storage stable azadirachtin, an insect repellent and insect growth regulator, and insecticidal formulations (emulsifiable concentrate) thereof, are prepared from purified neem kernel extract, with an active ingredient content of 0.3% to 4% and characterized by the absence of gums and aflatoxin spores, for example. The aforementioned formulations contain solvents belonging to the class of aliphatic dihydroxylated alcohols of more than 80% by volume and optionally containing sunscreens and antioxidants.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic products are made from Parthenum argentatum (Gray), Ficus elastica and other non-hevea rubber-containing plants by homogenizing the plants in an aqueous medium, filtering the homogenate and separating the rubber-containing phase from the aqueous phase by centrifugation. Optionally, the filtrate may be clarified before separation. The hypoallergenic rubber products do not contain the rubber-associated proteins which are responsible for sensitization in allergic individuals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymeric vehicle which is effective for providing a high solids formulated coating composition. The polymeric vehicle comprises a blend of at least one nonmesogenic substantially linear oligoester diol and at least one hardener which is a mesogenic polyol or crystalline polyol, which blend is effective for reaction with a crosslinker which is reactive with the nonmesogenic oligoester and hardener.

Abstract: A process for producing raw rubber from a deproteinized natural rubber is disclosed, which comprises coagulating rubber particles in the deproteinized natural rubber latex by: (1) adding a nonionic surfactant having a cloud point of from 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. and a molecular weight of 300 or more to the deproteinized natural rubber latex and heating the latex to a temperature not lower than the cloud point of the nonionic surfactant; or (2) adding a coagulation assistant selected from the group consisting of: (a) an anionic surfactant, (b) an amphoteric surfactant, (c) a nonionic surfactant, (d) a nonionic or amphoteric oligomer or polymer, and (e) an anionic oligomer or polymer, to the deproteinized natural rubber latex; and then recovering the coagulated rubber particles. According to the process of the present invention, raw rubber containing substantially no metal ion can be produced with a high efficiency.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic products are made from Parthenum argentatum (Gray), Ficus elastica and other non-hevea rubber-containing plants by homogenizing the plants in an aqueous medium, filtering the homogenate and separating the rubber-containing phase from the aqueous phase by centrifugation. Optionally, the filtrate may be clarified before separation. The hypoallergenic rubber products do not contain the rubber-associated proteins which are responsible for sensitization in allergic individuals.

Abstract: A binder mixture containing lignin or lignins with reactive groups and phenol-novolac in a weight ratio of 95:5 to 50:50 useful for the production of non-woven fabrics and wood fiber materials.

Abstract: A method for extracting polyisoprenes from cells, comprising the steps of contacting the cells with an organic protein-denaturing compound, rupturing the cells to release the polyisoprene from the cells and recovering the polyisoprene. The preferred protein denaturing compound comprises an aqueous solution of a guanidine salt.

Abstract: A binding agent for molding compositions and molded bodies produced by reacting a low molecular weight lignin from the Organosolv process with phenol in a weight ratio of 1:20 to 3:1 at 100.degree. to 180.degree. C., adjusting the pH to an acidic value and condensing the mixture with 0.2 to 0.9 moles of formaldehyde per mole of phenol at 60.degree. to 120.degree. C. to form the binding agent useful for producing curable molding compositions, high-temperature molding compositions, refractory products, textile fleeces and friction coatings as well as carbon materials.

Abstract: A binding agent for molded bodies and molding compositions produced by prereacting a mixture of 5 to 60% by weight of lignin or a lignin fraction produced by the Organosolv process and 40 to 95% by weight of a phenol novolac resin and subjecting the latter to high shear forces in a kneader or extruder and optionally mixing the same with a curing agent useful in molding compositions and high temperature-stable molded products such as refractory products, friction coatings, textile fleeces and carbon or graphite materials.

Abstract: A block copolymer novolak resin composition comprising at least one unit of the reaction product of an alkali-soluble phenolic polymer and a reactive ortho, ortho bonded oligomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein x is from 2 to 7; wherein R is selected from hydrogen a lower alkyl group or lower alkoxy group having 1-4 carbon atoms and a halogen group; and Y.sub.1 is either a hydroxyl group; an alkoxy group or a halogen group; and Y.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxyl, --CH.sub.2 OH, --CH.sub.2 -- halogen, or --CH.sub.2 -alkoxy group.