Abstract: A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: There are described magnetic nanoparticles the surface of which is functionalized with catechol and constructs comprising a plurality of said nanoparticles encapsulated in a biocompatible polymer matrix, wherein a molecule with therapeutic action is optionally dispersed, said polymer matrix optionally being in turn further functionalized; there are further described cells of the immune system incorporating said polymeric constructs giving rise to their engineering.

Abstract: A supercondenser includes at least two electrodes separated by at least one separator having a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and at least one electrolyte, and relative production process. The supercondenser is flexible, biodegradable, and biocompatible, and can be made with reduced manufacturing costs and can be integrated, for example, in electronic devices that must be used inside biological organisms.

Abstract: A process for producing particles of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), the particles having an average diameter (d50) greater than or equal to 0.1 ?m and less than or equal to 100 ?m, may include: providing an aqueous suspension of the at least one PHA; and subjecting the aqueous suspension of the at least one PHA to a process of atomization by spray drying. A process for producing particles of at least one PHA, the particles having an average diameter (d50) greater than or equal to 0.1 ?m and less than or equal to 100 ?m, may include: atomizing an aqueous suspension of the at least one PHA by spray drying the aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A process for producing a filter element suitable for use in smoking articles may include: embedding a bundle of cellulose acetate fibers with an aqueous suspension of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) to obtain a wet bundle of the cellulose acetate fibers covered by the aqueous suspension of the PHA; shaping the wet bundle in a form of a continuous elongated element; heating the continuous elongated element to temperature greater than or equal to 140° C. and less than or equal to 180° C. for time sufficient to melt the PHA and to evaporate water from the continuous elongated element; cooling the heated continuous elongated element to obtain crystallization of the PHA; and cutting the so-obtained continuous elongated element into segments of predetermined length.

Abstract: A smoking device including a tubular element containing tobacco and a filtering element connected to an end of the tubular element. The filtering element includes at least one breakable flavouring capsule which includes at least one core having at least one lipophilic substance and at least one flavouring agent dispersed or dissolved in the lipophilic substance; at least one breakable coating which coats the core and which has at least one chitosan having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) between 25 kDa and 400 kDa. Preferably, the breakable coating further includes at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The frangible coating that coats the core is able to preserve its hardness, and therefore its breakability, during use by the smoker, i.e. in the presence of humidity and heat that develop from the combustion of tobacco.

Abstract: Powdered composition comprising: (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in the form of particles having an average diameter (d50) from 1 ?m to 100 ?m, preferably from 5 ?m to 60 ?m; (b) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight, of at least one silicate or silica. The powdered composition, having a relatively low abrasivity index and high flowability, can be used in air-polishing without causing excessive abrasion of the enamel and of the root cementum and without causing sticking in the device. Furthermore, the presence of PHA, being a polymer characterized by high biodegradability, makes the powdered composition particularly suitable for use in the oral cavity.

Abstract: A process for producing porous particles of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) includes the following steps: providing a spray drying atomization chamber heated to an operating temperature comprised between 50° C. and 300° C.; providing an aqueous suspension having the PHA and an expanding agent which decomposes at the operating temperature of the atomization chamber, with the formation of at least one gaseous compound; and injecting the aqueous suspension into the atomization chamber provided at the operating temperature, so as to cause instantaneous evaporation of the aqueous suspension and decomposition of the expanding agent, with formation of the porous PHA particles. The particles obtained from said process can be used to obtain cosmetic compositions that are soft to the touch, with high oil absorbing capacities and high flow index, able to generate a uniform, filling effect for wrinkles and skin furrows, making the skin more glossy and compact.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a membrane having fibres of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), having average diameter between 100 nm and 2000 nm, and at least one oxide having piezoelectric properties in a subdivided form having at least one average size between 1 nm and 100 nm. Preferably, the PHA fibres are produced by electrospinning. Advantageously, demonstrating good piezoelectric properties and considering that the piezoelectric device includes PHA, a biodegradable and biocompatible material, the device can be used in biological systems, for example in flexible micro-actuator systems for drug delivery and in the engineering of biological tissues (such as, for example, in pacemaker devices).

Abstract: A supercondenser includes at least two electrodes separated by at least one separator having a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and at least one electrolyte, and relative production process. The supercondenser is flexible, biodegradable, and biocompatible, and can be made with reduced manufacturing costs and can be integrated, for example, in electronic devices that must be used inside biological organisms.

Abstract: A slow release fertilizer composition includes particles of a nitrogen fertilizer coated with at least one layer having at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), the at least one layer having an average thickness between 1 ?m and 200 ?m. The relative production process is also described. The slow release fertilizer composition provides for the use of biodegradable and biocompatible materials that allow a slow release of the fertilizer in the culture medium, according to the current regulations, without causing the accumulation of products which are harmful for the environment.

Abstract: Biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles may include: a biocompatible polymer and/or functional metal nanostructures. The biocompatible polymer may be a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The functional metal nanostructures may include at least one noble metal, at least one magnetic metal oxide, or mixtures thereof. The biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles may have an average size less than or equal to 200 nanometers (nm).

Abstract: A membrane for re-establishing the continuity of injured biological tissues includes a non-woven fabric of fibres of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing 3-hydroxybutyrate monomer units, wherein the fibers have an average diameter between 800 nm to 3500 nm. Preferably, the PHA is a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate homopolymer and at least one active ingredient is associated with the fibers of the non-woven fabric. The membrane has the advantages of promoting the healing of injured biological tissues relatively quickly, without inducing excessive inflammatory or rejection reactions, thus demonstrating a high biocompatibility, thereby providing a valid support in the healing process of biological tissue injuries and preventing the formation of dehiscences and incisional hernias.

Abstract: There are described magnetic nanoparticles the surface of which is functionalized with catechol and constructs comprising a plurality of said nanoparticles encapsulated in a biocompatible polymer matrix, wherein a molecule with therapeutic action is optionally dispersed, said polymer matrix optionally being in turn further functionalized; there are further described cells of the immune system incorporating said polymeric constructs giving rise to their engineering.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing monomer units of 3-hydroxybutyrate for use, by oral administration, in the prevention or treatment of an overweight or obesity condition, or of metabolic dysfunctions related to the condition. A marked effect was observed on the reduction of the body weight, both in the case of a standard diet and in the case of a diet rich in fats, a reduction that can be attributed to an increase in lipid oxidation to the detriment of the deposit of excess lipids, as confirmed by the decrease in the body weight and by analyses of the body composition. A positive effect on the metabolic dysfunctions related to an overweight or obesity condition has also been verified, in particular on dyslipidemias, such as the blood level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) and triglycerides, as well as an improvement in the inflammatory state.

Abstract: Powdered composition comprising: (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in the form of particles having an average diameter (d50) from 1 ?m to 100 ?m, preferably from 5 ?m to 60 ?m; (b) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight, of at least one silicate or silica. The powdered composition, having a relatively low abrasivity index and high flowability, can be used in air-polishing without causing excessive abrasion of the enamel and of the root cementum and without causing sticking in the device. Furthermore, the presence of PHA, being a polymer characterized by high biodegradability, makes the powdered composition particularly suitable for use in the oral cavity.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition may include: greater than or equal to 70% by weight and less than or equal to 99.9% by weight of a cosmetically acceptable base formulation comprising an oily phase; and greater than or equal to 0.1% by weight and less than or equal to 30% by weight of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in a form of particles having an average diameter (d50) greater than or equal to 0.1 microns (?m) and less than or equal to 100 ?m. The percentages may be expressed with respect to a total weight of the composition.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating article may include: an aerosol-forming substrate; and/or at least one element including at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The at least one element may be downstream with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may include: an aerosol-forming substrate; a support element immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the support element; and/or an outer wrapper circumscribing the aerosol-forming substrate, the support element, and the aerosol-cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element may include at least one PHA. A method for quenching reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an aerosol produced by an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate may include: providing the aerosol-generating article with at least one element including at least one PHA. The at least one element is downstream with respect to the aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: There are described magnetic nanoparticles the surface of which is functionalized with catechol and constructs comprising a plurality of said nanoparticles encapsulated in a biocompatible polymer matrix, wherein a molecule with therapeutic action is optionally dispersed, said polymer matrix optionally being in turn further functionalized; there are further described cells of the immune system incorporating said polymeric constructs giving rise to their engineering.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) for use in prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) by oral administration can include: 3-hydroxybutyrate monomeric units. A method for prevention of CRC can include: orally administering to a subject an effective amount of PHA containing 3-hydroxybutyrate monomeric units. A method for prevention of CRC can include: orally administering to a subject a daily dosage of PHA containing 3-hydroxybutyrate monomeric units.