Abstract: A large variety of electroprocessed capsules can be produced to encapsulate a variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured capsule. Furthermore, the manufactured capsules can be arranged within a filter of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospraying or electrospinning processes, capsules can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. A capsule produced by electrospraying comprises at least one polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant within the capsule. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant additive.

Abstract: A large variety of electrospun fibers can be produced to encapsulate a large variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured electrospun fiber. Furthermore, the manufactured electrospun fibers can be electrostatically arranged within a filter component of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospinning process, a diverse set of electrospun fibers can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. The electrospun fiber produced by electrospinning comprises at least one type of polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant within the electrospun fiber. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoresponsive hydrogels. The compositions disclosed herein can be prepared by polymerizing a hydrogel precursor and a spiropyran. The properties of the disclosed compositions can be changed by exposure to light, pH, and temperature. Methods of using the disclosed compositions to deliver pharmaceutical actives are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to metastable mineral-amino acid complexes that are formed by combining a mineral oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate an amino acid and an organic acid. The complexes may be used to fortify a variety of food and beverage products.

Abstract: A device that prolongs the life of a shaving blade including a condenser, a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel copper plates adapted to receive the shaving blade between the plates, a source of DC of 1.5V and a conductor of electricity that leads electrical energy from the source to the copper plates.

Abstract: Mineral complexes, especially calcium complexes, of lactobionic acid which are especially useful for mineral fortification of food and beverage products are provided. The preferred calcium complex of lactobionic acid provided in the present invention delivers a soluble, stable, clean tasting calcium source suitable for calcium fortification of a wide variety of food and beverage products. The mineral complexes are prepared by mixing lactobionic acid, a mineral source, (e.g., mineral hydroxide), and an edible acid (e.g., citric acid) in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A cellulose/silica composite useful as a filter material is highly selective towards a solute that has been molecularly imprinted upon an inorganic gel coating formed on the cellulose. The filter material provides dual filtering functionality, as both a selective molecular sieve and as a particulate filter. A unique method for making the filter material is also set forth that imparts these attributes and performance capabilities.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to systems and methods for the formation and/or control of fluidic species, and articles produced by such systems and methods. In some cases, the invention involves unique fluid channels, systems, controls, and/or restrictions, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention allows fluidic streams (which can be continuous or discontinuous, i.e., droplets) to be formed and/or combined, at a variety of scales, including microfluidic scales. In one set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be produced from a channel, where a cross-sectional dimension of the fluidic stream is smaller than that of the channel, for example, through the use of structural elements, other fluids, and/or applied external fields, etc. In some cases, a Taylor cone may be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides halogenated calixpyrrole, calixpyridinopyrrole, and calixpyridine macrocycles having 4–12 pyrrolic rings with greater stability, enhanced anion and neutral molecule binding affinity, and different binding selectivites as compared to their non-halogenated congeners as judged from 1H NMR, 19F NMR and fluorescence emission spectroscopic analyses.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of capsules or particles of micro and nanometric size, for introduction into food, using stable electrified coaxial jets of two immiscible liquids with diameters in the micro and nanometric range. An aerosol of charged structured droplets forms when the jets dissociate by capillary instabilities. The structured droplets, which are mono-dispersed in size, contain a first liquid (generally the material desired to be added) that is surrounded by a second liquid. Generally the second liquid provides a barrier or protective coating which allows the addition of the first liquid to a food product without adversely affecting the organoleptic or other properties of the food product.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of capsules or particles of micro and nanometric size, for introduction into food, using stable electrified coaxial jets of two immiscible liquids with diameters in the micro and nanometric range. An aerosol of charged structured droplets forms when the jets dissociate by capillary instabilities. The structured droplets, which are mano-dispersed in size, contain a first liquid (generally the material desired to be added) that is surrounded by a second liquid. Generally the second liquid provides a barrier or protective coating which allows the addition of the first liquid to a food product without adversely affecting the organoleptic or other properties of the food product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to metastable mineral-amino acid complexes that are formed by combining a mineral oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate an amino acid and an organic acid. The complexes may be used to fortify a variety of food and beverage products.

Abstract: Beverages and powdered beverage mixes fortified with ferric EDTA as an iron source are provided. The beverages and beverage mixes fortified with ferric EDTA according to this invention have superior iron bioavailability and excellent storage stability. The present invention also is directed to a method of using such ferric EDTA-fortified beverages to prevent or treat iron-deficiency anemia in individuals by administering the iron fortified beverage of the invention in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: A cellulose/silica composite useful as a filter material is highly selective towards a solute that has been molecularly imprinted upon an inorganic gel coating formed on the cellulose. The filter material provides dual filtering functionality, as both a selective molecular sieve and as a particulate filter. A unique method for making the filter material is also set forth that imparts these attributes and performance capabilities.

Abstract: Stable cellulosic fiber material for use in forming zeolite/cellulose composites is prepared by suspending loose cellulose fibers in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium silicate, stirring the resulting suspension until it reaches a macroscopically homogenous appearance, heating the resulting mixture at a temperature of 323-423 K until only dry solids remain, contacting the resulting mixture with excess distilled water to remove physically adsorbed or trapped sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium silicate from the fibers, and heating the resulting fiber material at 323-423 K to dry the fiber material. Stable zeolite/cellulose composite material characterized in that leaching of the zeolite phase does not occur upon contact of the composite with water at approximately 373 K comprises a zeolite and a stable cellulosic fiber prepared as described above, the composite material being formed by contacting a zeolite with the stable fiber material.

Abstract: Mineral complexes, especially calcium complexes, of lactobionic acid which are especially useful for mineral fortification of food and beverage products are provided. The preferred calcium complex of lactobionic acid provided in the present invention delivers a soluble, stable, clean tasting calcium source suitable for calcium fortification of a wide variety of food and beverage products. The mineral complexes are prepared by mixing lactobionic acid, a mineral source, (e.g., mineral hydroxide), and an edible acid (e.g., citric acid) in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of capsules or particles of micro and nanometric size, for introduction into food, using stable electrified coaxial jets of two immiscible liquids with diameters in the micro and nanometric range. An aerosol of charged structured droplets forms when the jets dissociate by capillary instabilities. The structured droplets, which are mano-dispersed in size, contain a first liquid (generally the material desired to be added) that is surrounded by a second liquid. Generally the second liquid provides a barrier or protective coating which allows the addition of the first liquid to a food product without adversely affecting the organoleptic or other properties of the food product.

Abstract: Stable cellulosic fiber material for use in forming zeolite/cellulose composites is prepared by suspending loose cellulose fibers in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium silicate, stirring the resulting suspension until it reaches a macroscopically homogenous appearance, heating the resulting mixture at a temperature of 323-423 K until only dry solids remain, contacting the resulting mixture with excess distilled water to remove physically adsorbed or trapped sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium silicate from the fibers, and heating the resulting fiber material at 323-423 K to dry the fiber material. Stable zeolite/cellulose composite material characterized in that leaching of the zeolite phase does not occur upon contact of the composite with water at approximately 373 K comprises a zeolite and a stable cellulosic fiber prepared as described above, the composite material being formed by contacting a zeolite with the stable fiber material.