Abstract: This patent describes formaldehyde free or formaldehyde reduced binders useful, for example, in a fiber based composite material such as glass or other mineral fiber insulation, non-woven fabric or wood-based board. In one example, melamine is used as an acidic solution or a salt. The salt or solution is used to create an aqueous binder with other components such as a polyol and a crosslinker. A preferred polyol is a nanoparticle comprising high molecular weight starch. In other examples, binders include mixtures of a polyol with urea and a crosslinker. In other examples, a multi-component nanoparticle is made by reacting a polyol such as starch in an extruder with an insolubilizer such as melamine or urea. The resulting particles are mixed with water, optionally with other components such as an additional crosslinker, to create an aqueous binder.

Abstract: A process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles product is disclosed. In this process, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder having a screw configuration in which the feedstock is process using shear forces in the extruder, and a crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The biopolymer feedstock and plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent second section of the extruder downstream of the first section. In a post reaction section located after a point in which the crosslinking reaction has been completed, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: A curable aqueous binder composition comprising sheared or extruded cross linked starch particles and a crosslinking agent for use in the formation of composite materials such as mineral, natural organic or synthetic fiber products including mineral fiber insulation, non-woven mats, fiberglass insulation and related glass fiber products as well as wood based products and construction materials. In one application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be blended with a second non-formaldehyde resin to make fiberglass insulation. In another application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be mixed into a formaldehyde based resin to make fiberglass roof shingles.

Abstract: The invention therefore provides a method of improving print performance in a paper product including applying a coating composition having (i) a pigment and (ii) a starch dispersion of discrete crosslinked native starch particles in an aqueous liquid, wherein the particle size of the starch particles in the starch dispersion ranges from about 40 nm to about 400 ?m, to the paper product, wherein the print performance of the paper product is improved. In one embodiment, the coating composition includes a solids content of from 5 to about 75% weight and includes (i) about 100 parts by weight of pigment, and (ii) about 1 to about 300 parts by weight of starch, all based on dry weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides the novel and nonobvious discovery that sugar macromers can be effectively used to provide a new generation of renewable comonomers for bio-synthetic hybrid paper binder systems having a controlled hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance for improved water retention and film forming properties, on machine runnability, offset printability, biodegradability, enhanced recyclability, and other performance attributes.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder and the biopolymer feedstock is processed using shear forces. A crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The process has a production rate of at least 1.0 metric tons per hour. The feedstock and the plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The extruder may have single flight elements in the feed zone. The temperatures in the intermediate section of the extruder are preferably kept above 100 C. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent downstream section of the first section. In a post reaction section, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: A curable aqueous binder has two primary components. The first component is a bio-based material or mixture of bio-based materials such as starch or polyvinyl alcohol. The second component is one or more compounds selected from the group of urea, polyurea and substituted urea. The first and second components make up most (i.e. 50% or more) of all solids in the binder. The dry weight of the second component is preferably 25% or more of the dry weight of the first component. The solids content of the binder is preferably between 6 wt % and 20 wt %. A method of making a mineral fiber product includes a step of curing a binder as described above in situ on a mass of mineral fibers at a temperature of 175 degrees C. or more. A preferred binder is a mixture of urea and starch in a ratio by weight between 50-50 and 80-20 in water at a solids content of 10-20 wt %, substantially without other components, and may be used as a replacement for formaldehyde or petrochemical based resins.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: The present invention provides the novel and nonobvious discovery that sugar macromers can be effectively used to provide a new generation of renewable comonomers for bio-synthetic hybrid paper binder systems having a controlled hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance for improved water retention and film forming properties, on machine runnability, offset printability, biodegradability, enhanced recyclability, and other performance attributes.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel biolatex conjugate compositions and methods of production and use thereof. The novel biolatex conjugate compositions comprise a biopolymer-additive complex (prepared by co-extruding a biopolymer feedstock, at least one performance-enhancing additive, and at least one plasticizer under shear forces) reacted with a crosslinking agent under shear forces. The biolatex conjugate compositions exhibit enhanced performance properties for coated paper, paperboard, and other applications using extremely low levels of performance-enhancing additives.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder and the biopolymer feedstock is processed using shear forces. A crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The process has a production rate of at least 1.0 metric tons per hour. The feedstock and the plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The extruder may have single flight elements in the feed zone. The temperatures in the intermediate section of the extruder are preferably kept above 100 C. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent downstream section of the first section. In a post reaction section, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.