Abstract: The present application discloses improved lignocellulosic composite materials comprising a lignocellulosic component, a bis-electrophile, and a polynucleophile. Exemplary embodiments comprise a dianhydride and a polyol.

Abstract: Polyamide and amidoamine curing agents comprising a selectively modified amine. The selectively modified amine is formed by a substitution reaction between a polyamine and an epoxide, resulting in a multifunctional amine having a hydroxyl substituent. The curing agents are used to form epoxy resins having improved properties when cured.

Abstract: Painting in commercial, residential, and retail environments requires extreme care to avoid paint being deposited where it is not required. Drop cloths are commonly used to protect a floor or furniture during the painting process. However, these are generally simply plastic sheets to provide a barrier to the liquid paint and nothing more. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a drop sheet or tarp that supports a liquid material drying process such as by dehydration, coagulate, etc. or form solid materials thereby reducing the instances of subsequent paint transfer from the drop sheet or tarp directly or indirectly to other surfaces and/or objects. It would also be advantageous to drop sheet or tarp that provides a non-slip surface which prevents the drop sheet from sliding around and remains well in place without additional weights, tape, etc.

Abstract: A modified lignin having a ratio ((2H+G)/S) of a total of twice of a relative existence ratio H (%) of an H-type skeleton and a relative existence ratio G (%) of a G-type skeleton with respect to a relative existence ratio S (%) of an S-type skeleton, obtained from integrated values measured by 31P-NMR, of 2.5 or more, and an existence ratio of an aliphatic hydroxy group obtained by the same method of less than 20%, a method for producing a modified polyphenol, and a modified lignin-containing resin composition material.

Abstract: A rubber composition is based on at least one elastomer and at least one phenolic compound, the aromatic nucleus of said phenolic compound being substituted with at least one substituent comprising an oxygen atom, the molar mass of said phenolic compound being at most equal to 1000 g/mol, and said composition being free of molecular sulfur or comprising less than 1 phr thereof.

Abstract: Provided are tires that are excellent in tire properties such as fuel economy, abrasion resistance, wet grip performance, snow and ice performance, fracture resistance, and flex crack growth resistance. Included is a tire containing a rubber composition containing a natural rubber derived from Taraxacum kok-saghyz having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5,000,000 or more and including polymers having a radius of gyration (Rz) of 130 nm or larger, wherein the Mw and Rz values are measured by FFF-MALS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binder for cellulose-containing materials which contains a) hydroxyaldehyde, b) a protein-containing component of animal origin and c) a component comprising phenolic oligomers. The invention likewise relates to the use of the binder according to the invention for producing a composite material, to a process for producing a composite material and to a composite material obtainable by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: Coating compositions include a binder that has a first polymeric material that does not undergo ultraviolet (UV) degradation and/or does not absorb UV radiation/light. The coating compositions may further include at least a first UV-reflective pigment dispersed throughout the binder. The coating compositions may be provided in a cured form as a solid coating layer that may overly at least a portion of a substrate.

Abstract: A composition comprising lignin compounds possessing 8-30 (or 5-15 or 8-12) phenyl rings interconnected by ether and alkylene linkages and containing hydroxy and/or methoxy groups attached to said phenyl rings, wherein said composition possesses a glass transition temperature of 80-100° C. (or 95-98° C.) and a degree of substitution (DS) of carboxylic acid groups per phenyl ring of at least 0.5 and a DS of methoxy groups per phenyl ring of no more than 1.2, 1.1, or 1.0, wherein at least 90 wt % of said lignin compounds has a molecular weight within a range of 500-5000 g/mol, 1500-3000 g/mol, or 2000-2500 g/mol and/or wherein the molecular weight distribution of the lignin compounds is characterized by a polydispersity index of 1.0-1.5, 1.0-1.4, or 1.0-1.3, and wherein other lignin compounds not possessing the above characteristics are not present. Methods for producing the lignin extract and lignin copolymers and blends produced therefrom are also described.

Abstract: A use of a low specific gravity PET composite material that is suitable for manufacturing a tableware article by injection molding is provided. The tableware article provides a balance between aesthetic appearance and food safety and can be used in place of melamine tableware. The low specific gravity PET composite material includes 66.5-96.3 wt % of PET, 0-20 wt % of PBT, 3-10 wt % of an inorganic filler, 0.1-0.5 wt % of an antioxidant, 0.1-1 wt % of a processing aid, and 0.5-2 wt % of a nucleating agent, and the total amount of all components is 100 wt %.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of high-solids hydroxide slurries from caustic calcined carbonate powder is described, whereby the properties of the slurry are its low resistance to shear thinning to facilitate transport, a high stability for transport and storage, ease of reconstitution after long periods of storage, and, as required, a high concentration of chemically reactive species at the particle surface. The method achieves these specifications by mixing caustic calcined carbonate or hydroxide powder with water in an insulated reactor vessel, and agitating the slurry sufficiently such that the hydration reaction causes the water to spontaneously boil, such that the remaining hydration proceeds spontaneously under the fixed conditions of boiling through the water loss. The mixing process is preferably carried out by a shear pump. A viscosity modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to thin the slurry to enable the mixing system to maintain uniform mixing.

Abstract: The present teachings according to various embodiments provides a support material for 3D printing. The support material includes poly(alkylene carbonate) having a decomposition temperature of from 100° C. to about 300° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of converting a depolymerized lignin aromatic compound into a bioproduct, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising a depolymerized lignin aromatic compound, optionally a depolymerized cellulose, and optionally a depolymerized hemicellulose, and (b) introducing a genetically modified microorganism to the composition, wherein the genetically modified microorganism is capable of converting the depolymerized lignin aromatic compound into a bioproduct; such that the depolymerized lignin aromatic compound is converted into a bioproduct.

Abstract: A polycarbonate resin composition, a molded article, a polycarbonate resin, and an end-capping agent for polycarbonate resins are provided. The polycarbonate resin composition contains: a polycarbonate resin having a terminal structure represented by Formula (A) and having a viscosity average molecular weight from 1×104 to 5×104, and a stabilizer. In Formula (A), R1 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atoms, linear alkyl groups having from 1 to 9 carbons, branched alkyl groups having from 3 to 9 carbons, linear alkenyl groups having from 2 to 9 carbons, branched alkenyl groups having from 3 to 9 carbons, and aryl groups having from 6 to 12 carbons; and R2 to R7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, alkyl groups having from 1 to 9 carbons, and alkoxy groups having from 1 to 9 carbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber blend, to a sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture comprising the rubber blend and to a vehicle tire comprising such a rubber mixture. The rubber blend comprises at least one solution-polymerized diene polymer A of high molecular weight and at least one solution-polymerized polymer B of low molecular weight, wherein at least one of polymers A and B has been functionalized at the chain end and/or along the polymer chain and/or at a coupling site with at least one group selected from epoxy groups, hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, amino groups, siloxane groups, organosilicon groups, phthalocyanine groups and amino group-containing alkoxysilyl groups.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition of biocomposite based on natural rubber containing sol-bioglass, which is used and intended for insulating layers and pads in flexible antennas which can be worn in close vicinity with regard to the human body without adversely affecting it. According to the invention, the composition of the biocomposite intended and designed for insulating layers and pads in flexible antennas based on natural rubber is filled with sol-gel derived bioglass amounting to a quantitative range starting from 8 to 50 parts by weight with regard to 100 parts by weight rubber and having following list of remaining ingredients: zinc oxide from 2.5 to 3.5, stearic acid from 1 to 2.5, bis (triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide from 4 to 6, tertiary butyl-benzothiazolyl sulfenamide from 1 to 2.5, sulfur from 1 to 3 and isopropyl-phenyl-?-phenylene diamine from 0.5 to 1.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a copolymer containing polyether blocks and polyamide blocks for manufacturing an inflatable catheter element, such as a catheter balloon, with improved bursting strength, in which said copolymer has the following characteristics: a number-average molecular mass of the PE blocks greater than 500 g/mol, and a number-average molecular mass of the PA blocks greater than 10,000 g/mol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wood-based biomimetic artificial muscle and preparation method and application thereof. The biomimetic artificial muscle comprises a wood-based cellulose skeleton, and polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic polymer filled in the wood-based cellulose skeleton. The preparation method includes S1: slicing wood, and subjecting the obtained wood slices to ammonia treatment and delignification in sequence; S2: soaking in the solution of citric acid and/or citrate; S3: preparing water solution of an ionic polymer and DMSO water solution of polyvinyl alcohol separately, and mixing to obtain polymer solution; S4: subjecting the treated wood slices to vacuum treatment, filling the polymer solution into the container, releasing vacuum, and pressurizing to infiltrate the polymer into the wood slices until saturation; S5: freezing the wood slices in a refrigerator and thawing; and S6: repeating S5 for 5-10 times, washing the wood slices, and drying.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing a rosin ester composition is disclosed. The process employs an adsorptive bed containing an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The deodorized rosin ester composition has an odor intensity reduction of at least 1 unit on odor intensity scale of Offensive Odor Control Act as compared to the rosin ester feedstock. In embodiment, the deodorizing treatment comprises using multi-staged adsorbent system with an adsorbent column having multiple layers of different adsorbent materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for washing a crude lignin slurry (5) formed from plant based raw material, wherein the method comprises separating a soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10) from the crude lignin slurry (5) by using displacement washing in at least one solid-liquid separation stage (6) so that the crude lignin slurry is prepressed, washed and pressed, and recovering a solid fraction (11) and the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction (10). Further, the invention relates to the soluble carbohydrate containing fraction and the solid fraction, and their uses.