Abstract: A method of simultaneously modifying degradation rates of at least two compounds including a first compound having a first unmodified degradation rate constant k1 and a second compound having a second unmodified degradation rate k2 is provided. The method includes combining a first composition including the first compound with a second composition including the second compound, degrading the first compound and forming a first degradation product; and degrading the second compound and forming a second degradation product. The second degradation product modifies the first unmodified degradation rate constant k1 of the first compound to a first modified degradation rate k1? and the first degradation product modifies the second unmodified degradation rate k2 of the second compound to a second modified degradation rate k2?. Compositions resulting from the method are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a compound having the structure of a phenolic with three functional groups, R1 R2, and R3, where R1 includes at least one of a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a first alkoxy group, and/or a first hydrocarbon, R2 includes at least one of a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a second alkoxy group, and/or a second hydrocarbon, R3 includes at least one of a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a third alkoxy group, and/or a third hydrocarbon, and the composition has an LC50 of less than about 150 mg compound per mL of the composition for an organism that includes the genus Leptinotarsa.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously modifying degradation rates of at least two compounds including a first compound having a first unmodified degradation rate constant k1 and a second compound having a second unmodified degradation rate k2 is provided. The method includes combining a first composition including the first compound with a second composition including the second compound, degrading the first compound and forming a first degradation product; and degrading the second compound and forming a second degradation product. The second degradation product modifies the first unmodified degradation rate constant k1 of the first compound to a first modified degradation rate k1? and the first degradation product modifies the second unmodified degradation rate k2 of the second compound to a second modified degradation rate k2?. Compositions resulting from the method are also provided.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a bioderived polymer that includes a first repeat unit that includes where n is an integer between 1 and 1000, and R1 is a first hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a bioderived polymer that includes a first repeat unit that includes where n is an integer between 1 and 1000, and R1 is a first hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method to extract lignin from lignocellulosic biomass using lactic acid.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method to produce a blended polymer by mixing polyamide 11 and polyamide 6, 10. The method may be utilize melt mixing or may utilize blended solutions. The invention also includes a blended polymer, wherein the blended polymer is produced from polyamide 11 and polyamide 6,10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a PLA-graft-lignin polymers and copolymers and methods of making the same. As the lignocellulosic biorefining industry emerges as a viable fuels technology, the availability of the assortment of lignins will also expand. The use of lignins as a copolymer is one area where lignin may be utilized.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method to produce a blended polymer by mixing polyamide 11 and polyamide 6, 10. The method may be utilize melt mixing or may utilize blended solutions. The invention also includes a blended polymer, wherein the blended polymer is produced from polyamide 11 and polyamide 6,10.

Abstract: The development described provides methods of producing functionalized cellulose in a one-step acid treatment process and of using the cellulose so derived to make composite polymer materials. The composite materials may include mixtures of the acid treated cellulose, functionalized cellulose polymers, including but not limited to cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose propionate, methyl cellulose, and ethyl cellulose, biobased and/or biodegradable polymers, impact modifying agents, and other components such as nucleating agents and pigments. The composite materials formed possess thermomechanical properties that differ from those of similar polymer composites made using prior art. In particular, the composite and nanocomposite materials are characterized by increased heat distortion temperatures and improved impact strengths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method to extract lignin from lignocellulosic biomass using lactic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of producing composite polymers by combining fillers with polymers in the presence of pre-formed high molecular weight polymer. Monomer polymerization can be initiated through the addition of initiators or by reactive chemical groups on the surface of the fibers. The composite materials formed possess superior mechanical properties compared to similar polymer composites made by either purely mechanical mixing or solely polymerization of monomers in the presence of the fillers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a PLA-graft-lignin polymers and copolymers and methods of making the same. As the lignocellulosic biorefining industry emerges as a viable fuels technology, the availability of the assortment of lignins will also expand. The use of lignins as a copolymer is one area where lignin may be utilized.

Abstract: Grafting polymer chains onto filler particles is an established methodology for creating superior polymer composite materials. Stereocomplexation is a non-bonded interaction between polymers that leads to a crystalline form having a higher melting temperature than the non-stereocomplexed form; stereocomplexed polymers often have superior properties compared to their non-stereocomplexed constituents. The present application discloses combining grafted filler particles with matrix materials in which the grafted polymer layer forms a stereocomplex with the polymer matrix. The resulting composite materials have properties which exceed both filled polymer systems and stereocomplexed polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing water management and utilization during the process of dewatering and retorting of oil shale. More specifically, the process described relates to co-producing potable and non-potable water, for various uses, during the extraction of petroleum from shale oil deposits. Generally, the process allows the production of multiple streams of waters or varying salinity and pressures at least one of which is of high enough pressure for reinsertion into geological formations or reservoirs, and another which may supply a potable water source. In one embodiment, the high pressure required for reinserting the non-potable water into geological formation or reservoirs may be utilized for producing the potable water supply. In another embodiment, the non-potable water supply may also be used for entraining and sequestering undesired emissions, such as CO2.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of producing composite polymers by combining fillers with polymers in the presence of pre-formed high molecular weight polymer. Monomer polymerization can be initiated through the addition of initiators or by reactive chemical groups on the surface of the fibers. The composite materials formed possess superior mechanical properties compared to similar polymer composites made by either purely mechanical mixing or solely polymerization of monomers in the presence of the fillers.

Abstract: The development provides polymer compositions that may restrict mobility of moving people, animals and objects within an area, including individual combatants and vehicles. The polymer-based compositions create an artificial ice material to directedly and reversibly reduce ground traction. The development also may include a non-toxic reversal agent, matched to the chemical characteristics of the polymer compositions, that restores traction when applied to a surface coated with the initial, traction-reducing polymer.

Abstract: The development described provides methods of producing functionalized cellulose in a one-step acid treatment process and of using the cellulose so derived to make composite polymer materials. The composite materials may include mixtures of the acid treated cellulose, functionalized cellulose polymers, including but not limited to cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose propionate, methyl cellulose, and ethyl cellulose, biobased and/or biodegradable polymers, impact modifying agents, and other components such as nucleating agents and pigments. The composite materials formed possess thermomechanical properties that differ from those of similar polymer composites made using prior art. In particular, the composite and nanocomposite materials are characterized by increased heat distortion temperatures and improved impact strengths.

Abstract: A membrane includes a blend of two or more polymers such that under operating conditions of a separation using the membrane the operating temperature is greater than at least one glass transition temperature of the blend. A membrane includes a blend of polymers exhibiting calculated &dgr;a of the membrane material value is greater than 7.5. A membrane includes a blend of polymers exhibiting a calculated solubility selectivity for a separation of interest greater than 1. A membrane includes a blend of polymers having polar functional groups and non-polar functional groups wherein the composition of the blend is selected so that the interaction of the polar functional groups and the non-polar functional groups with a permeating species leads to preferential solubility selectivity. A polymer blend for performing a separation includes at least one rubbery polymer having a glass transition temperature no greater than 20° C. and at least one glassy polymer having a glass transition temperature above 20° C.