Abstract: Disclosed herein is a degradable cellulose ester. The cellulose ester may be formed into tow for use in cigarette filters or into articles, such as molded articles. A basic material, an enzymatic material, or combinations thereof is included in the cellulose ester in order to degrade the cellulose ester.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed formed from a cellulose ester polymer, a plasticizer, and at least one strength adjuvant. The strength adjuvant can comprise filler particles. The filler particles are added to the polymer composition in relatively great amounts, such as in amounts greater than 30% by weight.

Abstract: A multi-layered, engineered-wood composite shake or shingle siding with weather-tight connections, edge-to-edge, between adjacent shakes or shingle siding planks or pieces. One or more water drainage grooves or channels may be machined or cut into the faces of underlap and/or overlap portions. A shake generally is delineated by a pressed-in groove or a machine-cut gap (e.g., “keyway”). For a shake near the end of a panel, a false keyway or partial keyway may be cut or machined into the end, thereby giving the appearance of a keyway when two ends are fitted together to form a lap joint. The number of shakes on a panel may vary.

Abstract: A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing cellulose acetate in combination with one or more impact modifiers is described. The polymer composition can also contain a plasticizer and a bio-based polymer in addition to the cellulose acetate. The polymer composition is formulated so as to have properties similar to petroleum-based polymers for producing, for example, single-use biodegradable articles.

Abstract: Provided is a radar and communications enhanced sail for a sailboat, sail ship, or sail drone. The sail includes a first sail section comprising an active communication system, a second sail section comprising a passive communication system, or a combination thereof. The active communication system includes an antenna array (transceiver) and a software-defined radio (SDR), while the passive communication system comprises a reflective panel or sections and/or array of reflector panels or sections. The active system utilizes its SDR and transceiver to communicate back and forth with an onshore SDR and transceiver to provide information as necessary. The passive system receives a radar signal via the reflective material on the sail and reflects the signal back at the radar, which produces a radar cross section indicating that there is an object (in this case the sailboat) in the ocean.

Abstract: A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed formed from at least one bio-based polymer and at least one odor masking agent. The odor masking agent is designed to control odors by masking the odors during melt processing of the composition without significantly interfering with the optical and/or mechanical characteristics of the composition.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising a cellulose ester polymer combined with at least one salt additive. The salt additive can be combined with the cellulose ester polymer in order to decrease the melt flow rate of the polymer and improve melt processing of the polymer for forming molded articles.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a fleet of aircraft batteries located at multiple airports. The system may be configured to obtain charge information and battery health information for individual batteries within the fleet of aircraft batteries from charging containers located at individuals ones of the multiple airports. The charge information may include charge statuses of the individual batteries and/or the battery health information may characterize the degradation of the individual batteries over time. The system may determine predictions of one or more batteries to be re-allocated and/or to receive maintenance based on the battery health information. The system may generate a battery management plan including the one or more predictions recommending one or more batteries to be re-allocated and/or to receive maintenance.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising a cellulose ester polymer in combination with a property enhancing agent. The property enhancing agent is combined with the cellulose ester polymer in an amount sufficient to improve at least one physical property. For instance, in one aspect, the melt processing characteristics of the polymer composition can be improved. Alternatively or in addition, molded articles made from the polymer composition can have improved surface characteristics. The property enhancing agent can be an acidic species, such as a diprotic, organic acid.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing cellulose acetate in combination with one or more bloom resistant or bio-based plasticizers and optionally one or more bio-based polymers is described. The polymer composition is formulated so as to have properties similar to petroleum-based polymers for producing, for example, single-use biodegradable articles.

Abstract: Provided herein are cellulose acetate tow bands having less than 0.1 wt. % titanium dioxide, wherein the content of titanium dioxide is measured by ashing and/or by titanium particle count density. Also provided herein is a method of measuring the titanium dioxide content of cellulose acetate tow by ashing. Also provided herein is a method for measuring the color of cellulose acetate tow.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing a cellulose ester polymer in combination with one or more plasticizers. The plasticizer can comprise a polyethylene glycol and/or triacetin. The polyethylene glycol plasticizer can have a number average molecular weight that has been found to improve one or more properties of the composition or of articles made from the composition.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing a cellulose ester polymer in combination with one or more plasticizers. One of the plasticizers can be polyethylene glycol. The polyethylene glycol plasticizer can have a number average molecular weight that has been found to improve one or more properties of the composition or of articles made from the composition.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising a cellulose ester polymer in combination with a chain scission agent. The chain scission agent reacts with the cellulose ester polymer and decreases the intrinsic viscosity of the polymer. In this manner, the flow properties of the cellulose ester polymer can be dramatically improved. For instance, the melt flow rate of the polymer can increase making the polymer more amenable to molding processes.

Abstract: Provided herein are cellulose acetate tow bands having less than 0.1 wt. % titanium dioxide, wherein the content of titanium dioxide is measured by ashing and/or by titanium particle count density. Also provided herein is a method of measuring the titanium dioxide content of cellulose acetate tow by ashing. Also provided herein is a method for measuring the color of cellulose acetate tow.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing the reaction product of a cellulose ester polymer and a reactive flow aid. The reactive flow aid can be a polyester oligomer and can be chemically associated with the cellulose ester polymer by being melt blended with the polymer in the presence of a catalyst, such as an acid species. The polymer composition of the present disclosure has excellent flow properties and is well suited for producing molded articles, such as injection molded articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a degradable cellulose ester. The cellulose ester may be formed into tow for use in cigarette filters or into articles, such as molded articles. A basic material, an enzymatic material, or combinations thereof is included in the cellulose ester in order to degrade the cellulose ester.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for combining a cellulose ester polymer with a plasticizer. The cellulose ester polymer is in the form of particles and is combined with a wetting agent and the plasticizer while mixing. The wetting agent dramatically improves the ability of the cellulose ester particles and plasticizer to form a homogeneous mixture. During melt processing, in one embodiment, the wetting agent is volatilized and does not remain in the final product.