Abstract: Fire retardant or flame retardant additives are incorporated into thermoplastic, thermoset, and/or elastomeric polymer materials to form polymer compositions having improved fire retardant properties. More particularly, the polymer compositions of the present invention comprise additive compositions which have the effect of improving the FR effectiveness, the additive compositions comprising a mesoporous silicate additive. In addition, the polymer compositions of the present invention comprise additive compositions comprising a mesoporous silicate additive and a filler, wherein the filler is a flame retardant addition, an inert filler, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Fire retardant or flame retardant additives are incorporated into thermoplastic, thermoset, and/or elastomeric polymer materials to form polymer compositions having improved fire retardant properties. More particularly, the polymer compositions of the present invention comprise additive compositions which have the effect of improving the FR effectiveness, the additive compositions comprising a mesoporous silicate additive. In addition, the polymer compositions of the present invention comprise additive compositions comprising a mesoporous silicate additive and a filler, wherein the filler is a flame retardant addition, an inert filler, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Surfactant-templated mesoporous silicates and mesoporous layered silicate clays having certain porosity parameters are used as reinforcing agents for polymers to make composites. The combination of porosity parameters that allows mesoporous silicates to be competitive with organoclays for the reinforcement of engineering polymers include an average mesopore size of at least 2 nm, a surface are of more than about 50 square meters per gram, a total pore volume of more than about 0.33 cubic centimeters per gram, wherein at least 20% of the total pore volume is due to mesopores about 2 to about 50 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides efficient, inexpensive, and environmental friendly catalysts and catalyst systems. The catalysts can be used to catalyze esterification and/or transesterification reactions, for example, for the preparation of biodiesel. Kiln dust, such as cement kiln dust (CKD) or lime kiln dust (LKD) can be used to convert a variety of feedstock acids and/or esters to biodiesel in high yield under mild conditions. The CKD and LKD catalyst systems are recyclable esterification or transesterification catalysts that can be used to prepare biodiesel, such as methyl soyate, from various feedstocks, including vegetable oils and animal fats.

Abstract: The invention provides efficient, inexpensive, and environmental friendly catalysts and catalyst systems. The catalysts can be used to catalyze esterification and/or transesterification reactions, for example, for the preparation of biodiesel. Kiln dust, such as cement kiln dust (CKD) or lime kiln dust (LKD) can be used to convert a variety of feedstock acids and/or esters to biodiesel in high yield under mild conditions. The CKD and LKD catalyst systems are recyclable esterification or transesterification catalysts that can be used to prepare biodiesel, such as methyl soyate, from various feedstocks, including vegetable oils and animal fats.

Abstract: A method for the removal of arsenic ions from water with a porous silica composition with an organofunctional moiety comprising a thio which binds the arsenic ion and is then removed from the water. The method comprises the quality of the water.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer-based coatings and materials comprising (i) a polymeric composition including a polymer having side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, at least two of the side chains being substituted with a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus and combinations thereof; and (ii) a plurality of metal species distributed within the polymer. At least a portion of the heteroatoms may form part of a chelation complex with some or all of the metal species. In many embodiments, the metal species are present in a sufficient concentration to provide a conductive material, e.g., as a conductive coating on a substrate. The conductive materials may be useful as the thin film conducting or semi-conducting layers in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices and organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing photooxidation or air oxidation in susceptible materials such as food, plastics or pharmaceuticals comprising mixing the material with an antioxidation composition comprising at least one amino acid, at least one metal ion, and at least one carboxylic acid in an amount effective to reduce photooxidation in the material.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer-based coatings and materials comprising (i) a polymeric composition including a polymer having side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, at least two of the side chains being substituted with a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus and combinations thereof; and (ii) a plurality of metal species distributed within the polymer. At least a portion of the heteroatoms may form part of a chelation complex with some or all of the metal species. In many embodiments, the metal species are present in a sufficient concentration to provide a conductive material, e.g., as a conductive coating on a substrate. The conductive materials may be useful as the thin film conducting or semi-conducting layers in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices and organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: A composition including: an intense sweetener, a gum; a food additive comprising an amino acid, an acid selected from organic acids, inorganic acids and mixtures thereof, and a metal ion; and an agent that masks or blocks the taste of bitter substances is disclosed. The composition may be incorporated into a beverage (such as a carbonated soft drink and flavored water). The components in the composition other than the intense sweetener eliminate the off flavors due to the intense sweetener. The components in the composition other than the intense sweetener improve the shelf life, enhance the mouth-feel, eliminate the off flavors of the intense sweetener, and improves the time-intensity profile of a beverage or other oral use product.

Abstract: A stable mixture of milk, juice, and polysaccharide/cereal is disclosed. In a preferred version of the present invention, composition containing an amino acid, an organic or inorganic acid and a metal ion is added to further stabilize the milk proteins in the mixture.

Abstract: A method and test kit for the detection of hydroxy substituted aromatic compounds using a titanium film (12, 23) which reacts with the compound to change the light absorbance. Preferred films are prepared by reaction of a titanium alkoxide with an aliphatic carboxylic acid. The change in light absorbance of the film is preferably detected with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Preferably the film is provided on a transparent slide (22) or on an inside wall of a spectrophotometer cell (10). The cells (10 and 20) are provided with covers (13 and 14) for holding the solution to allow the hydroxy substituted compounds to react with the film.

Abstract: A method and test kit for the detection of hydroxy substituted aromatic compounds using a titanium film (12, 23) which reacts with the compound to change the light absorbance. Preferred films are prepared by reaction of a titanium alkoxide with an aliphatic carboxylic acid. The change in light absorbance of the film is preferably detected with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Preferably the film is provided on a transparent slide (22) or on an inside wall of a spectrophotometer cell (10). The cells (10 and 20) are provided with covers (13 and 14) for holding the solution to allow the hydroxy substituted compounds to react with the film.

Abstract: Edible, low calorie compositions contain, in addition to an active ingredient, such as flavoring agents, sweetening agents, therapeutic agents, cosmetic agents and luminescent agents, a gel or glass carrier which is the amorphous reaction product of a basic amino acid, a carboxylic acid, a source of metallic ions and water. Methods of making the compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luminescent materials, phosphors, and compositions containing phosphors and methods of their use. More particularly, it relates to organic phosphors which are amino acid salts and methods of using those phosphors and compositions to make objects photo-luminescent.

Abstract: A method and test kit for the detection of hydroxy substituted aromatic compounds using a titanium film (12, 23) which reacts with the compound to change the light absorbance. Preferred films are prepared by reaction of a titanium alkoxide with an aliphatic carboxylic acid. The change in light absorbance of the film is preferably detected with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Preferably the film is provided on a transparent slide (22) or on an inside wall of a spectrophotometer cell (10). The cells (10 and 20) are provided with covers (13 and 14) for holding the solution to allow the hydroxy substituted compounds to react with the film.