Abstract: The present technology provides a latex comprising: a mixture of microgels and sol polymers of an acrylic copolymer, wherein the Mc of the acrylic copolymer is greater than or equal to the Me thereof; the Mw of the sol polymers is greater than or equal to twice the Me of the acrylic copolymer; the amount of sol polymer having a Mw less than twice the Me of the acrylic copolymer is about 20 wt % or less than 20 wt %. Such lattices may be used to form films for use as adhesives such as pressure sensitive adhesives. Also provided are methods for manufacturing the films and adhesives.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel or fuel additive comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising oil and an alcohol in an oil-in-alcohol emulsion and a catalyst for converting the oil to the fuel or the fuel additive. The oil and the alcohol are reacted in the presence of the catalyst, at a concentration below that used in a conventional batch process, to produce the fuel or fuel additive. This low level of catalyst reduces the formation of diols and oxidation products that can diminish the quality of the fuel or fuel additive. The fuel or fuel additive produced is continuously removed during the reaction, effectively de-coupling the concentration of catalyst used from the rate of the two phase reaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive from plant-derived oils, animal fats or a mixture thereof, suitable for use in a diesel engine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a porous membrane for separating a reaction mixture from a permeate, the reaction mixture comprising an alcohol, a feedstock comprising plant-derived oils, animal fats or mixture thereof, and a catalyst for converting said feedstock to a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive, wherein said porous membrane is substantially impermeable to the feedstock and substantially permeable to said bio-fuel or bio-fuel additive. A method using said porous membrane in the production of a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present technology provides a latex comprising: a mixture of microgels and sol polymers of an acrylic copolymer, wherein the Mc of the acrylic copolymer is greater than or equal to the Me thereof; the Mw of the sol polymers is greater than or equal to twice the Me of the acrylic copolymer; the amount of sol polymer having a Mw less than twice the Me of the acrylic copolymer is about 20 wt % or less than 20 wt %. Such lattices may be used to form films for use as adhesives such as pressure sensitive adhesives. Also provided are methods for manufacturing the films and adhesives.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel or fuel additive comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising oil and an alcohol in an oil-in-alcohol emulsion and a catalyst for converting the oil to the fuel or the fuel additive. The oil and the alcohol are reacted in the presence of the catalyst, at a concentration below that used in a conventional batch process, to produce the fuel or fuel additive. This low level of catalyst reduces the formation of diols and oxidation products that can diminish the quality of the fuel or fuel additive. The fuel or fuel additive produced is continuously removed during the reaction, effectively de-coupling the concentration of catalyst used from the rate of the two phase reaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive from plant-derived oils, animal fats or a mixture thereof, suitable for use in a diesel engine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a porous membrane for separating a reaction mixture from a permeate, the reaction mixture comprising an alcohol, a feedstock comprising plant-derived oils, animal fats or mixture thereof, and a catalyst for converting said feedstock to a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive, wherein said porous membrane is substantially impermeable to the feedstock and substantially permeable to said bio-fuel or bio-fuel additive.