Abstract: A method to reduce concentration of a VOC (volatile organic compound) in air in contact with a coated surface comprising: —providing a surface—encapsulation of whole microorganism of Pseudomonas putida in a sol-gel matrix—application of the obtained sol-gel matrix to the surface to form the coated surface—exposing the air to the coated surface.

Abstract: A conventional polymer is grafted from a plasma polymer layer provided at a substrate surface by radical polymerisation initiated from plasma induced radicals present at or in the plasma polymer, particularly radicals provided during deposition of the plasma polymer.

Abstract: A polylactide-based polymer or copolymer (PLA) compositions with improved flame retardancy properties as obtained by conventional melt-blending of PLA polyester matrix (1) with both calcium sulfate (2) and organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) (3). Combination of CaSO4 and OMLS exhibits synergistic effects on PLA flame retardancy by both significantly increasing the time to ignition and decreasing the heat release rate per unit area, and promoting non-dripping properties. Moreover, all other properties of PLA remain almost unchanged or are improved as regards to pristine PLA, especially thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetron co-sputtering device (6) comprising a main magnetron cathode (x) and a secondary cathode (Y) adapted to be associated with each other to sputter deposit a material on a substrate (2) arranged at a substrate position, the material comprising a first material derived from the main cathode (X) and a second material derived from the secondary cathode (Y), wherein the secondary cathode (Y) is arranged between the main cathode (X) and the substrate position, at a position selected from: (i) a position within a magnetic field derived from a main cathode (X) magnetic source, and (ii) a position within the footprint (6) of the main cathode (X).

Abstract: A polylactide-based polymer or copolymer (PLA) compositions with improved flame retardancy properties as obtained by conventional melt-blending of PLA polyester matrix (1) with both calcium sulfate (2) and organo-modified layered silicates (OMLS) (3). Combination of CaSO4 and OMLS exhibits synergistic effects on PLA flame retardancy by both significantly increasing the time to ignition and decreasing the heat release rate per unit area, and promoting non-dripping properties. Moreover, all other properties of PLA remain almost unchanged or are improved as regards to pristine PLA, especially thermal and mechanical properties.