Abstract: Dihydrogen metaphosphate can be synthesized via protonation, and can react with a dehydrating agent to afford tetrametaphosphate anhydride. A monohydrogen tetrametaphosphate organic ester can be derived from the anhydride. A metal tetrametaphosphate complex can be prepared using a metal salt and a dihydrogen tetrametaphosphate.

Abstract: Provided is a simple, fast, scalable, and environmentally benign method of producing a graphene-reinforced inorganic matrix composite directly from a graphitic material, the method comprising: (a) mixing multiple particles of a graphitic material and multiple particles of an inorganic solid carrier material to form a mixture in an impacting chamber of an energy impacting apparatus; (b) operating the energy impacting apparatus with a frequency and an intensity for a length of time sufficient for peeling off graphene sheets from the graphitic material and transferring the graphene sheets to surfaces of solid inorganic carrier material particles to produce graphene coated or graphene-embedded inorganic particles inside the impacting chamber; and (c) forming graphene-coated or graphene-embedded inorganic particles into the graphene-reinforced inorganic matrix composite. Also provided is a mass of the graphene-coated or graphene-embedded inorganic particles produced by this method.

Abstract: A method for producing an engineered wood material may include a matrix material and filler material. In some embodiments, a separate binder and/or adhesive is not required. The matrix and filler materials may be bio-based and/or renewable materials. The engineered wood material may be produced by compressing the mixed components together under pressure at an elevated temperature for a predetermined amount of time. An advantage of the present invention may be that such materials are easily and cheaply replenished, as opposed to non-bio-based materials which include petroleum-based or other non-renewable products in their manufacture.

Abstract: A method including contacting a chromium-based catalyst with a reducing agent in a solvent to lower an oxidation state of at least some chromium in the chromium-based catalyst to give a reduced chromium-based catalyst, drying the reduced chromium-based catalyst at a temperature, and adjusting the temperature to affect the flow index response of the reduced chromium-based catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are catalysts comprised of platinum and gold. The catalysts are generally useful for the selective oxidation of compositions comprised of a primary alcohol group and at least one secondary alcohol group wherein at least the primary alcohol group is converted to a carboxyl group. More particularly, the catalysts are supported catalysts including particles comprising gold and particles comprising platinum, wherein the molar ratio of platinum to gold is in the range of about 100:1 to about 1:4, the platinum is essentially present as Pt(0) and the platinum-containing particles are of a size in the range of about 2 to about 50 nm. Also disclosed are methods for the oxidative chemocatalytic conversion of carbohydrates to carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof. Additionally, methods are disclosed for the selective oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid or derivatives thereof using catalysts comprising platinum and gold. Further, methods are disclosed for the production of such catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst that comprises a mesoporous oxide matrix, with said matrix comprising at least one oxide of an element X that is selected from among silicon and titanium, taken by itself or in a mixture, with said catalyst comprising at least the tantalum element and the niobium element, with the tantalum mass representing between 0.1 to 30% by weight of the mass of the mesoporous oxide matrix, the niobium mass representing between 0.02 to 6% by weight of the mass of the mesoporous oxide matrix, the content by mass of the tantalum element being greater than or equal to the content by mass of the niobium element. The invention also relates to the use of this catalyst in a method for the production of 1,3-butadiene from a feedstock that comprises at least ethanol.

Abstract: A process for producing a coating source for physical vapour deposition provides the coating source with a target layer formed of an at least two-phase composite which contains a metallic phase and at least one further phase and a mechanical stabilizing layer which is joined to the target layer on one side of the target layer. A first powder mixture which corresponds in terms of its composition to the at least two-phase composite and a second powder mixture which corresponds in terms of its composition to the mechanical stabilizing layer are densified hot in superposed layers. A coating source for physical vapour deposition is also provided.

Abstract: Nonwoven (and film) topsheet and acquisition/distribution materials treated with a hydrophilic, synthetic surfactant-free finish, absorbent articles for infant or incontinence care that contain these materials, and methods for apply such finishes and/or making such absorbent articles.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing composites comprising aluminum oxide and cerium/zirconium mixed oxides, hereinafter referred to briefly as Al/Ce/Zr oxide composite(s) using boehmite and soluble cerium/zirconium salts. Al/Ce/Zr oxide composites produced in this way have an increased thermal stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel in cell culture and medical applications. The invention relates to a composition comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, cross linkable polymer and at least one bioactive agent. The invention also provides methods for producing the composition and uses thereof. The present invention further relates to the use of said composition for manufacturing of a shaped matrix, the method of preparing said matrix, the matrix and the use of said matrix in various applications.

Abstract: A system and method for separating nutrients, such as phosphorus and protein, from biological materials may be disclosed. Biological material, for example in the form of wet solids from raw manure, may first be separated out by a solid-liquid separator. The wet solids may then be dissolved in an acidic solution. The resulting supernatant from the acidic treatment may then be separated and phosphorus reclaimed therefrom. The resulting precipitate from the acidic treatment may be separated from the supernatant and treated with a basic solution. The resulting supernatant following the basic treatment may then be separated and protein reclaimed therefrom. In some embodiments, the supernatant resulting from the acidic treatment may itself be alkalinized, creating a precipitate which contains phosphorus solids and a supernatant which can be separated from the phosphorus solids and used as the basic solution with which to treat the precipitate resulting from the acidic treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for separating nutrients, such as phosphorus and protein, from biological materials may be disclosed. Biological material, for example in the form of wet solids from raw manure, may first be separated out by a solid-liquid separator. The wet solids may then be dissolved in an acidic solution, which may be created directly or by fermentation. The resulting supernatant from the acidic treatment may then be separated and phosphorus reclaimed therefrom. The resulting precipitate from the acidic treatment may be separated from the supernatant and treated with a basic solution. The resulting supernatant following the basic treatment may then be separated and protein reclaimed therefrom.

Abstract: A catalyst for catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon oil can produce a gasoline fraction having a high octane number in high yield while suppressing an increase in yield of a heavy distillate, and produce LPG having a high propylene content in high yield. The catalyst includes a specific amount of a granulated catalyst A that includes a zeolite having a sodalite cage structure, silicon derived from a silica sol, phosphorus and aluminum derived from mono aluminum phosphate, a clay mineral, and a rare-earth metal, and a specific amount of a granulated catalyst B that includes a pentasil-type zeolite, the ratio of the mass of phosphorus and aluminum derived from mono aluminum phosphate included in the granulated catalyst A to the mass of the pentasil-type zeolite included in the granulated catalyst B being 0.015 to 3000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for generating oxygen, comprising at least one oxygen source selected from chlorates and perchlorates, to an oxygen generator comprising such a composition, and a method for generating oxygen by decomposing such a composition. The present invention further relates to the use of transition metal ortho-phosphate compounds ortho-vanadate compounds and mixed ortho-phosphate-vanadate compounds as multifunctional components in the oxygen generating compositions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may include a carbohydrate binder composition. The carbohydrate binder composition may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a catalyst. The catalyst may catalyze a reaction between the carbohydrate and the nitrogen-containing compound. The catalyst may be water soluble in the composition but may become water insoluble after curing the composition.

Abstract: An artificial timer and preparing method thereof. The artificial timber includes the following components in parts by weight: 35-50 parts of cellulose, 20-35 parts of hemicellulose and 15-35 parts of lignin, wherein the artificial timber has a density of 0.01-0.05 g/cm3. The preparing method includes: (1) dissolving 15-35 parts by weight of lignin, 35-50 parts by weight of cellulose and 20-35 parts by weight of hemicellulose with an ionic liquid; (2) cleaning and replacing it with water to obtain a lignocellulose hydrogel; and (3) drying the lignocellulose hydrogel to obtain an artificial timber. The prepared artificial timber is large in specific area, low in density, low in material energy consumption, moderate in condition and easy for operation. The obtained artificial timber is regular in shape and shaped like a sandy beige cylinder without obvious damage and deformation, which indicates that such artificial timber with high specific area has well molding capacity.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly, bio-based binder system that is useful for the formation of fiberglass insulation, the system includes: A) an aqueous curable binder composition, which includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent; and B) a dedust composition, which includes a blown, stripped plant-based oil and optionally at least one emulsifying agent. The bio-based binder system is typically heated to form a cured binder system.

Abstract: A method of forming anti-rust or anti-bacterial film includes mixing a predetermined liquid and a film-forming composition which contains a tannic acid derivative in which hydrogen atoms in at least 10% of hydroxyl groups of tannic acid are substituted by a chain hydrocarbon group having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, and removing the liquid.

Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous composition comprising a dispersed esterified cellulose ether comprises the steps of grinding, in the presence of an aqueous diluent an esterified cellulose ether comprising (i) groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA or (ii) a combination of aliphatic monovalent acyl groups and groups of the formula —C(O)—R—COOA, wherein R is a N divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group and A is hydrogen or a cation, blending a salt of a fatty acid with the esterified cellulose ether and choosing the amounts of aqueous diluent, esterified cellulose ether and salt of a fatty acid that the produced aqueous composition comprises at least 20 percent of the dispersed esterified cellulose ether and heating the aqueous composition to a temperature of from 37 to 80 C during or after the grinding step.

Abstract: A process for forming a fingerprint-resistant coating on a substrate comprising activating the substrate by exposure to a plasma, and then depositing on the activated substrate at least one alkyl backbone monolayer, and hydroxyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OH—POSS) nanoparticles.