Abstract: A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: A supercondenser includes at least two electrodes separated by at least one separator having a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and at least one electrolyte, and relative production process. The supercondenser is flexible, biodegradable, and biocompatible, and can be made with reduced manufacturing costs and can be integrated, for example, in electronic devices that must be used inside biological organisms.

Abstract: A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: A smoking device including a tubular element containing tobacco and a filtering element connected to an end of the tubular element. The filtering element includes at least one breakable flavouring capsule which includes at least one core having at least one lipophilic substance and at least one flavouring agent dispersed or dissolved in the lipophilic substance; at least one breakable coating which coats the core and which has at least one chitosan having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) between 25 kDa and 400 kDa. Preferably, the breakable coating further includes at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The frangible coating that coats the core is able to preserve its hardness, and therefore its breakability, during use by the smoker, i.e. in the presence of humidity and heat that develop from the combustion of tobacco.

Abstract: A medical device having a tubular membrane with openings adapted to receive the ends of an injured nerve and a lumen to allow the regeneration of the nerve, such that the tubular membrane includes fibers of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing 3-hydroxybutyrate monomer units. The fibers have an average diameter from 500 nm to 2000 nm. Preferably, the PHA is a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate homopolymer and the tubular membrane further includes silver nanowires (Ag). The medical device has the advantages of not causing inflammation of the surrounding tissues surrounding the injured nerve, thus demonstrating a high biocompatibility, and at the same time exhibiting high ability to induce the regeneration of the injured nerve, providing a valid support for the maturation of the newly formed nerve fibers.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating article may include: an aerosol-forming substrate; and/or at least one element including at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The at least one element may be downstream with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may include: an aerosol-forming substrate; a support element immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the support element; and/or an outer wrapper circumscribing the aerosol-forming substrate, the support element, and the aerosol-cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element may include at least one PHA. A method for quenching reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an aerosol produced by an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate may include: providing the aerosol-generating article with at least one element including at least one PHA. The at least one element is downstream with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: A filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: cellulose acetate fibers bonded together using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) surrounding the cellulose acetate fibers, bonded together using PHA on surfaces of the cellulose acetate fibers, and/or bonded together using PHA. A process for producing the filter element suitable for use in the smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of the PHA to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension; shaping the wet bundle into a continuous elongated element; heating the elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the elongated element; cooling the heated elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and/or cutting the elongated element into segments.