Abstract: Biopolymer catalysts, methods of synthesizing a biopolymer catalyst, and methods of catalyzing the hydrolysis of cellulose with a biopolymer catalyst are described.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions including hereocyclic fused thiophene based compounds, polymers based on fused thiophene compounds, and methods for making the monomer and polymer along with uses in thin film-based and other devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite product comprising organic natural fiber material and matrix material, wherein the method comprises mixing the organic natural fiber material with the matrix material in a primary mixing stage to form a mixture. The primary mixing stage comprises a contacting step in which the organic natural fiber material comes in contact with the matrix material that is at least partly in a form of melt, and bulk density of the organic natural fiber material is less than 500 kg/m3. The method further comprises forming a composite product comprising the mixture. Further, the invention relates to a composite product, a use of the composite product, and a system for manufacturing a composite product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process tor the production of precipitated lignin from black liquor wherein the process comprises the steps of providing a black liquor stream treating the black liquor at an increased temperature and precipitating the lignin from the heat treated black liquor. The present invention further relates to precipitated lignin produced according to the process and use of the precipitated lignin produced.

Abstract: A bio-oil formulation, useful as an asphalt binder substitute in pavement and roofing shingles, includes bio-oil and a polymer additive. The bio-oil binder can include an asphalt additive. The bio-oil binder can be emulsified with water and a surfactant for use as a weatherproofing sealant or as an adhesive. A method for making the bio-oil binder is disclosed.

Abstract: A friction material containing, as a binder, a lignin-phenol resin having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or less or a cardanol-modified lignin-phenol resin having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or less. The friction material is produced by a method including: reacting a lignin having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or less, a phenol, an aldehyde, and optionally a cardanol, in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorine-containing silicon compound represented by the general formula (1), wherein each R1 independently represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; each R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and n is an integer satisfying 0?n?2. There can be provided a fluorine-containing silicon compound having good storage stability and useful as a raw material of a composition for forming a silicon-containing intermediate film and a silicon-containing photoresist composition used for a fine processing in the manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: Provided are methods for aqueous isolation of depolymerized lignin in high yield from a lignin-containing biomass composition, comprising positioning a lignin-containing biomass composition into a flowthrough thermal reactor chamber to provide for passage of an aqueous fluid therethrough, contacting the lignin biomass composition with the aqueous fluid under elevated temperature conditions sufficient to provide for lignin release and depolymerization, flowing the aqueous fluid through the reactor chamber under the elevated temperature conditions, to provide an output aqueous fluid comprising released depolymerized lignin, and collecting the depolymerized lignin.

Abstract: A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof to cellulose or a derivative thereof with the use of a cellulose hydroxy group of the cellulose or a derivative thereof and the phenolic hydroxy group of the cardanol or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Novel acenaphthylene imide-derived semiconductor materials, including small molecule compounds, polymers and oligomers. Also provided are methods for making the novel semiconductor materials and the use of the novel semiconducting materials in electronic or optoelectronic device. In some embodiments, the novel semiconducting materials are used as n-channel component in organic field-effect transistors as well as complementary electronic circuits including inverters. High mobility can be achieved.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyether ether ketone is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: a) causing a disubstituted benzophenone of the general formula (I) to react with a benzene derivative of the general formula (II), wherein A is a carbon atom provided with a protecting group; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, each independently of one another, are H, D, OH, X, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C5-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted C6-C10-aryl; X is F, Cl, Br or I; Z, Z?, Z?, Z??, each independently of one another, are OH, OMe, Me(OH)m MeR13m or Me; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R13 is metal, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and Me is metal, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. Subsequently, the product formed in step a) is deprotected in step b) in order to obtain a polyether ether ketone of the general formula (III): wherein G, G?, each independently of one another, are O or C and n is an integer which is greater than 10.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of lignin from lignocellulosic material by pulping with alcohol, in particular with a C1-4 alcohol, water and a base, in particular NaOH, at a temperature below 100° C., in particular from 40° C. to 90° C., in particular from 50° C. to 70° C., characterized in that 3 to 12 parts of base, in particular 4 to 10 parts of base, in particular preferable 5 to 8 parts of base, are used per 100 parts of the dry lignocellulosic material to be pulped.

Abstract: A cellulose resin produced by binding a hydrogenated cardanol containing 3-pentadecylcyclohexanol, and cellulose or a derivative thereof through the reaction between a hydroxy group of the hydrogenated cardanol, a hydroxy group of the cellulose or a derivative thereof and isocyanate groups of a diisocyanate compound.

Abstract: Methods for microfabricating composite materials and composite materials prepared there from are described herein. The sacrificial material can be etched or patterned to create a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional sacrificial material structure. The resulting sacrificial material structure can be embedded in one or more embedding materials. The sacrificial material(s) are materials whose solubility can be altered by application of a stimulus typically pH, and/or temperature, light, pH, pressure, presence of absence of ions, and combinations thereof. The embedding materials can contain one or more additives that modify one or more properties of the embedding materials, such as degradation properties, porosity, mechanical properties, viscosity, conductive properties, and combinations thereof. The composite materials can be used in tissue engineering, drug screening, toxin detection, drug delivery, filtrations, bioseparations, and as microfluidic devices for fluid mixing and structural repair.

Abstract: A blue ink for postage printing, which contains a blue pigment, a black dye, and an aqueous carrier, wherein the weight ratio of blue pigment to black dye is in the range of 50:1 to 2:1. The blue pigment is a copper phthalocyanine pigment or an anthraquinone pigment, and the black dye is an azo dye.

Abstract: A powder composition includes starch, acrylic acid homopolymer salt, and clay. The powder composition forms an aqueous dispersion having a neutral pH when added to water and is capable of clinging to a surface.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that includes a water insoluble polymer, a polycarboxy functional polymer, and a water insoluble epoxide functional compound, the water insoluble polymer including at least one of polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene copolymer, acrylate copolymer, and polyurethane.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel corrosion inhibitors which are capable of sequestering metal ions such as calcium and magnesium and are derived in part from renewable carbohydrate feedstocks. The corrosion inhibitors are mixtures containing one or more hydroxycarboxylic acid salts and one or more suitable oxoacid anion salts.

Abstract: In a method of producing a polymer composite, a polymer is provided in a liquid state such as a molten state. A plant material, such as soymeal, is provided that includes protein and carbohydrate. The plant material has a particle size less than 50 microns. A reactive protein denaturant is also provided. A dispersion of the plant material and the reactive protein denaturant is formed in a matrix of the liquid polymer. The plant material is reacted to bond with the reactive protein denaturant, and the reactive protein denaturant is reacted to bond with the polymer. The polymer is solidified to produce the polymer composite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formed article, or more specifically a transparent substrate, which effectively utilizes a natural stuff and which has a low linear expansion coefficient, a high light transmittance and an appropriate level of moisture permeability. The transparent substrate includes at least an oxidized polysaccharide and has a linear expansion coefficient of 50 ppm/° C. or less at 30-150° C. and a light transmittance of 70% or more at 660 nm. Its manufacturing method includes an oxidation process in which cellulose reacts with TEMPO or its derivatives as a catalyst to be oxidized in water under the presence of a co-oxidant, along with a fiberizing process in which the oxidized cellulose is fiberized in water to form a cellulose fiber, and a substrate-forming process in which a transparent substrate is formed from a cellulose dispersion liquid containing the cellulose fiber.