Abstract: A method for controlling the growth of destructive insects and microorganisms in ground soil, includes the step of adding chitin to ground soil for inducing bacteria in the ground soil to synthesize chitinase for controlling the spread of destructive insects and microorganisms therein. The chitin may be added to the ground soil by distributing it on the upper surface of the soil or, preferably, by incorporating into the soil. In a preferred embodiment, the step of deacetylating the carbohydrate chains of the chitin for is carried out before adding to the ground soil for increasing the aqueous solubility of the chitin by producing smaller polymeric units or by increasing the availability of polar hydroxyl groups on glucosyl moieties thereof. Various bacterial cultures may also be added to the chitin prior to its distribution on, or incorporation in, the ground soil.

Abstract: Blends of a non-halogenated, formaldehyde-cured silicone rubber are described. The blend includes magnesium oxide and zinc borate. The compositions exhibit thermal stability at high temperatures as well as improved chemical resistance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having a matrix polymer and nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of manufacturing an air movement device having dry-mixing about 30% to about 80% by weight matrix polymer and about 2% to about 15% by weight layered clay to form a dry mixture, extruding the mixture to form a polymer nanocomposite, and molding the polymer nanocomposite into an air movement device. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having about 30% to about 80% by weight polypropylene, about 3% to about 10% by weight layered clay, and about 1% to about 10% by weight maleic anhydride grafted polystyrene, wherein the air movement device has a UL 94 5VA flame retardant rating.

Abstract: Clays and organoclays which are treated with resorcinol diphosphate and/or bisphenol diphosphate as general nanoparticle particle dispersants and replacements for quaternary amines. The two compounds are used as self-activating and self-dispersing nanoparticles by localizing themselves on the particle surface in a polymer matrix and acting as a nanoparticle dispersants in general, as well as resulting in exfoliation of clays. The exfoliate clays may be used in polymers in lieu of other organic treatments. When these clays exfoliate poorly in a given thermoplastic, they can be added in high loading rates to polymethylmethacrylate and the PMMA-clay masterbatch added to the plastic where the organoclay performed poorly. The resulting material is a desirable nanocomposite material, with good exfoliation of the organoclay obtained in the final receiving thermoplastic.

Abstract: A fire retardant composition that includes: a polyolefin and an additive package that includes a brominated polystyrene or decabromodiphenyl ether; a nanoclay; and metal oxide fillers in the nanometer particle range. The compositions can have high weight percentages of the additive package because of the compatibilizing effect of the nanoclay. The nanoclay is preferably a quantenary amine treated nanoclay, wherein the quantenary amine causes exfoliation of the nanoclay. The polyolefin is a polyethylene or a polypropylene and the preferred metal oxide is antimony oxide.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having a matrix polymer and nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of manufacturing an air movement device having dry-mixing about 30% to about 80% by weight matrix polymer and about 2% to about 15% by weight layered clay to form a dry mixture, extruding the mixture to form a polymer nanocomposite, and molding the polymer nanocomposite into an air movement device. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an air movement device having about 30% to about 80% by weight polypropylene, about 3% to about 10% by weight layered clay, and about 1% to about 10% by weight maleic anhydride grafted polystyrene, wherein the air movement device has a UL 94 5VA flame retardant rating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of bonding a coating material to concrete The process includes applying a coating material to an inner surface of a mold, applying an aqueous solution of a polymeric material and a clay to the coating material and pouring concrete into the mold. Once the concrete is set, the coated concrete is removed from the mold.

Abstract: Biodegradable compositions of clay, diphosphates and biodegradable polymers are described. The diphosphates may be resorcinol diphosphate or bisphenol diphosphate. The biodegradable polymer may be a cellulose.

Abstract: Alcohol and ester resistant thermoplastic blends are described. The blends include a clay and a triphenyl phosphate or a diphosphate nanocomposite blended with the thermoplastic.

Abstract: The invention is direct to a method of forming a polyolefin blend. First a diphosphate and clay are blended to form an organoclay. The organoclay is blended with a vectoring polymeric material to form a masterbatch. The masterbatch is blended with a polyolefin such as a polyethylene or a polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards additives for thermoplastic polymers and blends thereof to which an organoclays has been added to form microtactoids in the thermoplastic. The Organoclays are blends of one or more clays which have been treated with one or more of, resorcinol diphosphate, bis-phenol diphosphate or bis(3-T-Butyl-4 hydroxyphenyl-2,4 Di-T-butylphenyl) resorcinol diphosphate or hydroxyl-derived ethers, esters, and amides where aliphatic fatty acids are added to the molecule at the hydroxyl site.

Abstract: A method of compatibilizing immiscible polymers using the mechanical deformation of quaternary amine treated organoclay particles is described. The mechanism decreases the interstitial energy resulting from immiscible polymer domain interfaces into stored mechanical energy. The polymer domains in the immiscible blend get smaller and the resulting compatibilized microcomposite/nanocomposite blend has superior mechanical properties over non compatibilized blends controls of the same materials.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: Diphosphate such as resorcinol diphosphate or bis-phenol diphosphate act as an agglomerating agent or binder for quaternary amine treated organoclays. The blends so formed may be used as an additive in thermoplastics to form thermoplastic nanocomposites.

Abstract: Thermoplastic homogeneous blends are disclosed. The blends are made up of one or more thermoplastic polymers, one or more clays, one or more diphosphates and a filler and wherein the diphosphate and the clay become intercalated and exfoliated with said thermoplastic and filler to form a nanocomposite.

Abstract: Nanocomposite thermoplastic blends are disclosed made from a thermoplastic resin, an organoclay and a diphosphate. There blends so formed have superior properties compared to blends of a thermoplastic, an organoclay and a maleic anhydride graft copolymer.

Abstract: Flame retardant compositions of diphosphate coated clays are described. The compositions can be used as additives in polymeric compositions. The flame retardant composition can be used with other flame retardants in the polymeric composition.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: A fire retardant composition that includes: a polyolefin and an additive package that includes a brominated polystyrene or decabromodiphenyl ether; a nanoclay; and metal oxide fillers in the nanometer particle range. The compositions can have high weight percentages of the additive package because of the compatibilizing effect of the nanoclay. The nanoclay is preferably a quantenary amine treated nanoclay, wherein the quantenary amine causes exfoliation of the nanoclay. The polyolefin is a polyethylene or a polypropylene and the preferred metal oxide is antimony oxide.

Abstract: A composite material and a method of making a composite material that includes: a polyolefin; polyvinyl chloride and a compatibilizer, preferably a nanoclay. The polyolefins is preferably polypropylene or polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the composite material includes a polypropylene, a polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and a nanoclay. The nanoclay includes a quaternary ammonium salt based organic group and exfoliates when heated and is most preferably bentonite, smectite, hectorite, sepiolite or montmorillonite.