Abstract: A peat moss composition having improved water holding capacity, hydrophilicity, and/or anti-leaching properties comprising one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives, is disclosed. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving germination rates of plants or crops, and of preventing or arresting water evaporation loss from targeted soil areas by use of soil additives, which allow for improved water utilization by crops, plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Abstract: A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilized article includes (a) a substrate having a hydrophobic surface, and (b) a hydrophilizing layer disposed on at least a portion of the hydrophobic surface of the substrate. said layer comprising an organophosphorus material or a vinyl alcohol material, or a mixture of an organophosphorus material and a vinyl alcohol material.

Abstract: Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for the treatment of a hydrophobic surface by a liquid film comprising an aqueous phase comprising the coating of said surface by the liquid whose aqueous phase comprises an effective amount of an agent of modification of the properties of surface and an active agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed are soil additives comprised of self-situating, stimuli-responsive polymer compositions and methods of their use. In one embodiment, the polymer composition or polymer network comprises permanent cross-links and non-permanent cross-links, wherein the non-permanent cross-links are capable of being removed upon application or exposure to a stimulus, typically located within the soil. In another embodiment, the method of increasing water retention in soils includes applying a soil additive, comprising polymer networks of the present invention admixed with an aqueous solution to form a colloidal dispersion solution or suspension, to a soil surface. The suspension or colloidal dispersion solution facilitates penetration of the polymer composition through the soil surface and into the soil, migrating typically to lower water potential areas and, more typically, along drainage channels located within the soil.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices that can improve water usage by plants and grasses by, for example, inducing preferential root tropism and assisting in redistributing water within the soil.

Abstract: A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor in oilfield applications. Such methods typically comprising the steps of introducing an oil well fluid into a microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a mixture of an asphaltene deposition inhibitor and carrier into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; introducing a precipitating agent, typically comprising heptane, into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; and optionally introducing toluene into the microfluidic/millifluidic system; then observing the presence or absence of asphaltene aggregation within the microfluidic/millifluidic system.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for transferring dry or semi-dry nanoparticles onto a substrate. In one embodiment, this includes the steps of providing a roller comprising an elastomeric stamp; transferring nanoparticles in a dry or semi-dry state, and which contact the surface of a donor substrate, from the donor substrate onto the elastomeric stamp; and depositing the dry or semi-dry nanoparticles from the elastomeric stamp onto a receiver substrate by rolling the elastomeric stamp onto the receiver substrate. The substrate, in other embodiments, can have a relief structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving germination rates of plants or crops, and of preventing or arresting water evaporation loss from targeted soil areas by use of soil additives, which allow for improved water utilization by crops, plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for the treatment of a hydrophobic surface by a liquid film comprising an aqueous phase comprising the coating of said surface by the liquid whose aqueous phase comprises an effective amount of an agent of modification of the properties of surface and an active agent.

Abstract: A peat moss composition having improved water holding capacity, hydrophilicity, and/or anti-leaching properties comprising one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives, is disclosed. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of decomposing stubble, which is crop residue left on the ground, and a composition for treating the stubble are disclosed. The method comprises treating the stubble with the composition comprising a) polysaccharide-degrading enzyme; b) wetting agent; and, optionally, c) water and allowing the treated stubble to remain on the ground and decompose.

Abstract: A surface modified substrate includes a substrate having a surface, a layer of nanoscale inorganic oxide particles disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, said layer of nanoscale inorganic oxide particles comprising sites bearing an electric charge of a first polarity, and a monolayer of a polymer disposed on a least a portion of the layer of nanoscale inorganic oxide particles, said monolayer of polymer comprising sites bearing an electric charge of a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is the opposite of the first polarity.

Abstract: Coating compositions and methods of use, allowing for improved water and/or nutrient usage by seeds, plants, shrubs, and vegetation, among others, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for the treatment of a hydrophobic surface by a liquid film comprising an aqueous phase comprising the coating of said surface by the liquid whose aqueous phase comprises an effective amount of surface properties modifying agent and an active agent.

Abstract: A co-assembly method includes, in an aqueous polyelectrolyte composition comprising: (a) a first polyelectrolyte dispersed in the composition and having a net electric charge of a first polarity, (b) a second polyelectrolyte dispersed in the composition and having a net electric charge of a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is opposite the first polarity, and (c) an electrolyte dissolved in the composition in a concentration effective to prevent co-assembly of the polyelectrolytes, the step of allowing co-assembly of the polyelectrolytes by: (1) decreasing the concentration of the electrolyte, or (2) forming an interface between the aqueous polyelectrolyte composition and a surface of a solid substrate or of a second liquid phase, wherein the surface has an affinity for at least one of the polyelectrolytes, or (3) decreasing the concentration of the electrolyte and forming such an interface.