Abstract: There is described a method of fractionating a biomass material comprising: (i) blending the biomass material with an acid catalyst to form a slurry; (ii) mixing the slurry with an organosolv reagent optionally under an inert atmosphere to form a pre-treatment mix; (iii) subjecting the pre-treatment mix to sonication; (iv) optionally heating the product of step (iii) in an autoclave under pressure; (v) separating the solid and liquid components of the fractionation mix; (vi) optionally washing the solid; (vii) optionally drying the solid component; (viii) separating the liquid component into organic and aqueous components; and (ix) isolating lignin from the organic component and/or isolating hemi-cellulose from the aqueous component.

Abstract: A substrate for biochips which has a high probe loading amounts and a uniform immobilization density, and which further has a high detection sensitivity and a high reproducibility by preventing a non-specific adsorption of proteins, when used as a substrate for biochips for immobilizing probes composed of biologically relevant substances such as proteins and nucleic acids, is disclosed. Amino groups can be bound to the surface of the substrate uniformly, at a high density and stably by covalently immobilizing an amino group-containing polymer on the surface of the substrate. The probe immobilization rate is high and immobilizing density was uniform by immobilizing a probe composed of a biologically relevant substance such as a protein or nucleic acid by utilizing the amino groups. Further, detection sensitivity and reproducibility are high by inhibiting non-specific adsorption of proteins.

Abstract: A substrate for biochips, in which carboxyl groups are immobilized on a substrate whose surface at least is composed of carbon; and a method for producing the substrate are disclosed. The substrate for biochips comprises a substrate whose surface at least is composed of carbon; and an acrylic polymer having free carboxyl groups in the molecular structure thereof, which acrylic polymer is immobilized on the surface of the substrate. The method for producing the substrate comprises irradiating the substrate whose surface at least is composed of carbon with ultraviolet light during the acrylic polymer having free carboxyl groups in the molecular structure thereof contacts the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to compositions comprising lignocellulosic biomass and an organic solvent wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises 35% or greater of lignin material. The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to compositions comprising lignocellulosic biomass and an organic solvent wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises 50% or less of carbohydrate. In certain embodiments the present compositions may have a viscosity of 5000 cps or less.

Abstract: To provide a radiation-curable silicone composition which provides a cured product whose odor is decreased, particularly is odorless, and has excellent curability and releasing properties. A radiation-curable silicone composition including the following components (A) and (B): (A) an epoxy group-containing cation-polymerizable organopolysiloxane which is represented by the following average composition formula (1): R1aR2bSiO(4-a-b)/2 (1) and (B) an iodonium salt having a cation moiety represented by the following general formula (2) in an effective amount to cure said component (A), [(R3)—I—(R3)]+ (2) wherein R3 is, independently of each other, a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 15 to 26 carbon atoms, wherein said component (A) may be accompanied by any other compounds volatilizing during heating at 105 degrees C. for 3 hours, a content of said compounds is at most 2.0 mass %, based on a total amount of component (A) and said compound.

Abstract: A thermo-set resin composition comprising a Quebracho wood tannin extract, a furfuryl alcohol, a neoprene compound, a dimethicone, polyethylene glycol, abrasive particles, and a glycerol phosphate acidic ester and/or graphite. Further, a method of preparing the thermo-set resin composition including mixing Quebracho wood tannin extract with a furfuryl alcohol to form a primary mixture, adding additives and abrasive particles to the primary mixture, and reacting the primary mixture by adding a catalyst. The thermo-set resin composition is molded into a shape under heat and pressure to a Brinell hardness 8.5 daN/mm2 and 48 daN/mm2 and can be incorporated into a friction pad of a brake pad.

Abstract: The invention refers to a Process for preparing a bio-resorbable polyester the form of a powder with a bulk density of 0.3 g/ml or more, a tapped density of 0.4 g/ml or more and a specific surface area of 2.0 m2/g or less comprising the steps a. dissolving a bio-resorbable polyester in a first solvent to form a polymer solution, b. contacting the polymer solution with a second solvent which is a non-solvent for the bioresorbable polyester and which is mainly water to result the precipitation of the bio-resorbable polyester in the form of a wet polymer mass, c. pre-drying the wet polymer mass at a temperature below the TgO of the bio-resorbable polyester, d. comminuting the pre-dried polymer mass to polymer particles with a size below 10 mm, e. drying the comminuted polymer particles below the TgO of the bio-resorbable polyester to a residual water content of 1% or less by weight/weight, f.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for preparing high density membrane protein membranes by slow, controlled removal of detergent from mixtures of detergent, block copolymers and membrane protein mixtures. Membranes created by this method are also provided. The structure of these membranes may be varied by varying the amount of membrane protein.

Abstract: There is disclosed a formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of an indirect printing system, including: (a) a carrier liquid: (b) a positively chargeable polymeric chemical agent having amine functional groups; and (c) a resolubilizing agent selected to improve resolubilization of said chemical agent. Method of use thereof is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides adhesives comprising at least one polymer component which contains at least 65 weight percent propylene, at least one nucleator and at least one functionalized wax. The inventive adhesives have increased heat resistance and decreased set-time, making them particularly well suited for assembly and packaging applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of processing lignocellulosic material to obtain hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose and other high-value products. Also provided are hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose, and other high-value products.

Abstract: Polymer composites are provided, and more particularly, polymer composites of ground date pits disposed in a polymer matrix. The composites can be formed by a process of preparing reinforced polymer composites having a fibril melt fracture surface, including blending a mixture of date pit particulate with a thermoplastic polymer; melting the mixture; and forcing the melt through a die to produce the polymer composite having a fibril containing surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of amino terminated phosphonamides and their oligomers, as flame retardant additives for a variety of polymers to impart flame retardancy while maintaining or improving processing characteristics and other important properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article of manufacture, which can be a fiber and or a film. In one aspect, the fiber or the film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and an inorganic filler comprising particles having an average diameter of less than about 20 micrometers. The PVOH has a degree of hydrolysis of greater than about 95% and is present in a range between about 20 wt. % and about 99 wt. % based on the total fiber weight. Methods of making the fibers and films are also disclosed.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes inserting a chemical reagent into a process stream that contains one or more lignins to form one or more modified lignins. The formed one or more modified lignins are different than the one or more lignins in the process stream. The one or more modified lignins can be formed in the process stream before a precipitation stage and then separated from the process stream. Also, contaminates can be removed from the separated one or more modified lignins and the one or more modified lignins can be pressed and dried.

Abstract: The method is for separation of lignin from original black liquor (BLIN) that has a first precipitation phase (PR1/PR2) for precipitation of lignin by a first acidification using acidifier, CO2, at alkaline conditions, then separating a lignin cake with subsequent suspension of the lignin cake in a strong acid in order to leach out metals from the lignin followed by dewatering and obtaining a clean lignin product LP. Lignin germ particles (LG) are added to the original black liquor in the first precipitation stage, preferably between two phases in said precipitation stage, in order to increase lignin particle growth on such lignin germ particles instead of spontaneous nucleation of lignin particles in said original black liquor. This results in improved filterability in subsequent dewatering and lignin cake formation and hence an increased lignin yield.

Abstract: Low molecular weight sulfated beta-O4 lignin (SbO4L) are potent inhibitors of coagulation with high selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer comprising a unit of formula, wherein R1 and R2 are independently from each other C1-30-alkyl, C2-30-alkenyl, C2-30-alkynyl, phenyl or a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring system, wherein each of the C1-30-alkyl, C2-30-alkenyl or C2-30-alkynyl group may be substituted with 1 to 10 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, —CN, —NO2, —OH, —NH2, —NH(C1-20-alkyl), —N(C1-20-alkyl)2, —NH—C(O)—(C1-20-alkyl), —S(O)2OH, —CHO, —C(O)—C1-20-alkyl, —C(O)OH, —C(O)—OC1-20-alkyl, —C(O)NH2, —CO(O)NH—C1-20-alkyl, —C(O)N(C1-20-alkyl)2, —O—C1-20-alkyl, —O—C(O)—C1-20-alkyl, —SiH3, SiH2(C1-20-alkyl), SiH(C1-20-alkyl)2, Si(C1-20-alkyl)3, C4-8-cycloalkyl, phenyl and a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring system, and phenyl and the 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring system may be substituted with 1 to 5 C1-16-alkyl groups, is 1, 2 or 3 and n is an integer from 2 to 10'000, a process for the preparation of the polymer and an electronic device comprising the p

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a precursor for the production of carbon—and activated carbon fibers according to the wet—or air-gap spinning method, in which a solution of lignin and a fiber-forming polymer in a suitable solvent is extruded through the holes of a spinning nozzle into a coagulation bath, the formed thread is stretched and subsequently treated, dried at an elevated temperature and then wound up. The lignin-containing thread is an economical starting material for the production of carbon—and activated carbon fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the steps of: i) dissolving isolated lignin into an alkali solution; ii) adding to the solution C1-C4-alcohol in an amount of less than 30% by weight, based on the dry weight of the isolated lignin; and iii) re-precipitating lignin by acidifying the solution. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odor obtained and/or obtainable by the method and to the use of the obtained lignin as a component in polymer blends, an additive or filler in building materials, as binding agent in adhesives, and/or for the production of a carbon fiber, especially in indoor applications.