Abstract: Natural oil based fatty acid wax compositions and their methods of making are provided. The methods comprise providing a natural oil, and hydrogenating and metathesizing the natural oil, and then converting the hydrogenated metathesized natural oil to obtain a fatty acid wax comprising free fatty acids and/or salts of fatty acids, glycerol and/or alcohol, and paraffin, wherein the fatty acid wax has at least 50 wt % of carbon chain compositions with at least 18 carbon atoms. The compositions may comprise 85-100 wt % long-chain fatty acids, 0-15 wt % esters, wherein the fatty acid comprises between 15-60 wt % long chain di-acids and 40-85 wt % long chain mono-acids. The compositions may comprise about 50-100 wt % long-chain fatty acids and about 0-50 wt % esters, wherein the fatty acid may comprise between about 15-80 wt % long chain di-acids and about 20-85 wt % long chain monoacids.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for two-way call back between a control panel of a home automation system and a central station. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for two-way call back in a home automation system includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by the processor to identify an active alarm condition, initiate a two-way call with a central station, and receive an incoming call from the central station if the two-way call is terminated and the alarm condition is still active.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a surface, the method including steps of applying a surface treatment composition to a surface, wherein the surface treatment composition includes a substantially phenol-free cleansing agent and an antimicrobial agent, the antimicrobial agent comprising 9-decenoic acid, a salt of 9-decenoic acid, an ester of 9-decenoic acid, or a combination thereof, wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to control microbial growth. Also described are methods for treating a surface that include the step of applying a surface treatment composition having a pH in the range of 4.1 to 8.5 to a surface, wherein the surface treatment composition includes a cleansing agent and an antimicrobial agent, the antimicrobial agent comprising 9-decenoic acid, a salt of 9-decenoic acid, an ester of 9-decenoic acid, or a combination thereof, wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to control microbial growth.

Abstract: A process for producing industrially important chemicals from renewable resources is disclosed. This “biobased” process employs readily available, renewable resources comprising fatty acids rather than exploiting fossil sources, such as coal and petroleum. In one embodiment of the process 1-octene, along with methyl-9-decenoate and butadiene, is produced from linoleic acid via an enzymemediated isomerization reaction, followed by a metathesis reaction with ethylene. Linoleic acid can be isolated from vegetable oils, such as soybean oil.

Abstract: The invention provides surface coating compositions comprising a preservative comprising 9-decenoic acid, salts of 9-decenoic acid, esters of 9-decenoic acid, or combinations thereof. The surface coating compositions may be water-based coatings (e.g., a latex paint) or solvent-based coatings (e.g., a solvent-based paint). The surface coating compositions may be paints, stains, varnishes, concrete coatings, anti-graffiti coatings, and the like. Methods for protecting a surface coating composition from in-can spoilage and protecting a coating of the surface coating composition from deterioration by the action of microorganisms are also described.