Abstract: The present invention provides a soil release polyester polymer which is biodegradable and has favorable soil releasing performance. In another aspect the invention also provides a cleaning composition comprising the same.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.

Abstract: Provided are new metal complexes having phenolic and macrocyclic amino ligands as well as to their use, in particular use for bleaching catalyst for detergent compositions and oxidative crosslinking catalyst for resins, containing said metal complexes. A formulation comprises at least a detergent, a metal complex, and optionally a source of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.

Abstract: A seed or seedling is coated with underivatized guar, cationic hydroxypropyl guar, polyacrylamide, poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylic acid), polyacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol), polyethyleneoxide, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polytetrahydrofuran, polyamide, hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar, underivatized starch, cationic starch, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca, waxy maize, sorghum, waxy sarghum, sago, dextrin, chitin, chitosan, xanthan gum, carageenan gum, gum karaya, gum arabic, pectin, cellulose, hydroxycellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl cellulose, the coated seed or seedling having a shelf-life at room temperature in ambient conditions in an unsealed container to at least two months.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising: (a) a quaternary ammonium compound; (b) a cationic polysaccharide; (c) a non-ionic polysaccharide; and (d) an amino silicone compound having a degree of polymerization of 300 to 10,000.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprises a UV filter and a polymer for enhancing SPF of the composition. The use of said polymer is enhancing SPF of cosmetic composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a fabric, notably a method for preventing or recovering degradation of a fabric, by using a cationic polygalactomannan, wherein the cationic polygalactomannan contains non-ionic hydroxyalkyl substituents and has a Brookfield RVT viscosity at 25° C. and 20 rpm greater than 700 mPa·s, at a concentration of 1 wt % in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfate-free aqueous concentrate comprising at least: (i) at least 25% by weight of opacifier particles selected from C16-C22 fatty acid, C16-C22 fatty alcohol, mono-, di- and tri-C16-C22 esters of glycerol, mono- and di-C16-C22 esters of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol, C16-C22 fatty acid alkanolamides and mixtures thereof, with said particles are having a median diameter ranging from 1 to 15 ?m; (ii) an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, (iii) water, with the total amount of surfactants in said aqueous concentrate ranging from 0.5 to 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the aqueous concentrate. It also relates to the use of such an aqueous concentrate as an opacifier. The aqueous concentrate of the invention may be used as an opacifier in a composition, to replace at least some of a styrene opacifier or titanium dioxide in said composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of improving germination rates of plants/crops, as well as preventing or arresting water evaporation loss from targeted soil areas, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by crops, plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Abstract: A seed or seedling is coated with underivatized guar, cationic hydroxypropyl guar, polyacrylamide, poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylic acid), polyacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol), polyethyleneoxide, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polytetrahydrofuran, polyamide, hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar, underivatized starch, cationic starch, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca, waxy maize, sorghum, waxy sarghum, sago, dextrin, chitin, chitosan, xanthan gum, carageenan gum, gum karaya, gum arabic, pectin, cellulose, hydroxycellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl cellulose, the coated seed or seedling having a shelf-life at room temperature in ambient conditions in an unsealed container to at least two months.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.

Abstract: A seed or seedling is coated with underivatized guar, cationic hydroxypropyl guar, polyacrylamide, poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylic acid), polyacrylate, polyethylene glycol), polyethyleneoxide, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polytetrahydrofuran, polyamide, hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar, underivatized starch, cationic starch, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca, waxy maize, sorghum, waxy sorghum, sago, dextrin, chitin, chitosan, xanthan gum, carageenan gum, gum karaya, gum arabic, pectin, cellulose, hydroxycellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl cellulose, the coated seed or seedling having a shelf-life at room temperature in ambient conditions in an unsealed container to at least two months.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising: (a) an anionic surfactant in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.55 g/L; (b) a quaternary ammonium compound in an amount of from 0.005 to 0.45 g/L; (c) a cationic polysaccharide in an amount of from 0.0005 to 0.1 g/L; (d) a non-ionic polysaccharide in an amount of from 0.0005 to 0.1 g/L; and (e) a liquid carrier. Also disclosed is a method of use of the composition.

Abstract: Provided is a method to increase the growth of a plant by coating a seed of said plant with a composition comprising at least one of various cationic compounds; notably permitting to develop its biomass and reach its maturity. Provided also is a seed coating composition used in such a method.

Abstract: Provided is a composition, notably a fabric conditioning composition, comprising (a) a quaternary ammonium compound; (b) a cationic polysaccharide; (c) a first non-ionic polysaccharide; and (d) a second non-ionic polysaccharide, wherein the second non-ionic polysaccharide is different from the first non-ionic polysaccharide and the second non-ionic polysaccharide has a Molar Substitution (MS) in the range of 0.2 to 1.8.