Abstract: A method for manufacturing a workpiece including a first metallic component and a second metallic component, the method comprising: welding the first metallic component to the second metallic component; performing passivation measurements on the workpiece at a plurality of spaced apart locations; creating a record of the passivation measurements on a server arrangement; making the record created in the server arrangement available to a purchaser of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a workpiece including a first metallic component and a second metallic component, the method comprising: welding the first metallic component to the second metallic component; performing passivation measurements on the workpiece at a plurality of spaced apart locations; creating a record of the passivation measurements on a server arrangement; making the record created in the server arrangement available to a purchaser of the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing quantitative detection and analysis of cleanliness and cleanliness levels of components, or pieces of equipment, are disclosed. A cleaning system may have a cleanliness information acquisition module which may acquire, inter alia, optical information about a piece of equipment and a computer-based processing unit may determine a level of cleanliness, an extent to which the piece of equipment is contaminated with a contaminant, and an appropriate cleaning methodology to employ to clean the piece of equipment, using, for example, a cleaning composition which may include a cleaning agent. The cleaning system may execute the cleaning methodology, and once again determine the cleanliness level of the piece of equipment. The cleaning system may also detect the presence or the absence of defects in the piece of equipment. The information collected may also be stored in a database for future reference.

Abstract: The formation of a cream and gel is described using a biopolymer, such as a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a polylactide (PLA), a polylactideglycolide (PLGA) and a polyglycoside (PGA), or a derivative thereof, in a latex form with the addition of a binder, which is generally an amphiphilic chemical entity. An hydrophobic domain of the amphiphilic chemical entity interacts with at least one biopolymer forming a water soluble complex, while the hydrophilic domain of the amphiphilic chemical entity maintains the soluble complex in suspension in an aqueous solution, which after proper heating becomes a gel or a cream. As a result, a versatile gel or cream is created with different compositions and textures that are obtained based on the nature of the binder used and the ratio of biopolymers and binder(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexographic water based ink in which a biodegradable polymer, such a polyhy-droxyalkanoate (PHA), replaces conventional poorly or non-biodegradable organic polymeric resins for example. PHAs are used as a latex suspension in water, thus the present invention relates to a novel pigment/latex mixture. PHA in a latex form is a fluid vehicle in which all the other components necessary to provide a flexographic ink are added, i.e., pigments, wax and/or binder, as well as a solvent, if necessary. The PHAs are mainly responsible for the biodegradability of the flexographic water based ink. The present invention relates also a method to produce a flexographic water based composition with enhanced biodegradability properties.

Abstract: A method has been developed for the control of both molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) produced by bacterial strains. The control is exerted once the biopolymer has been accumulated intracellularly through a fermentation process by a chemical, enzymatic or irradiation treatment. More particularly, the control of both molecular weight and molecular weight dispersity is achieved by keeping the biopolymer in its native state during the whole process. This implies that no or little or no crystallization has occurred. In another embodiment, the decrease of the molecular weight can be achieved during the extraction and purification process.

Abstract: A method for allowing consumers to accumulate points, miles or other promotional currency (106) by acquiring an instrument (1A) (1B) capable of storing a certain amount of the promotional currency (106) and an additional amount of promotional currency or some other offers (112). The additional amount of the promotional currency or other offers (112) is stored on the instrument (1A) (1B) and hidden therein by some cloaking means (111), wherein the additional promotional currency (112) may be provided to the customer during a redemption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the solvent content from a biodegradable polymer in a composition or a preparation. The process comprises drying the biopolymer composition by submitting it to microwaves for a time to achieve removal of the solvent at desired levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexographic water based ink in which a biodegradable polymer, such a polyhy-droxyalkanoate (PHA), replaces conventional poorly or non-biodegradable organic polymeric resins for example. PHAs are used as a latex suspension in water, thus the present invention relates to a novel pigment/latex mixture. PHA in a latex form is a fluid vehicle in which all the other components necessary to provide a flexographic ink are added, i.e., pigments, wax and/or binder, as well as a solvent, if necessary. The PHAs are mainly responsible for the biodegradability of the flexographic water based ink. The present invention relates also a method to produce a flexographic water based composition with enhanced biodegradability properties.

Abstract: The formation of a cream and gel is described using a biopolymer, such as a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a polylactide (PLA), a polylactideglycolide (PLGA) and a polyglycoside (PGA), or a derivative thereof, in a latex form with the addition of a binder, which is generally an amphiphilic chemical entity. An hydrophobic domain of the amphiphilic chemical entity interacts with at least one biopolymer forming a water soluble complex, while the hydrophilic domain of the amphiphilic chemical entity maintains the soluble complex in suspension in an aqueous solution, which after proper heating becomes a gel or a cream. As a result, a versatile gel or cream is created with different compositions and textures that are obtained based on the nature of the binder used and the ratio of biopolymers and binder(s).