Abstract: A hydrocracking catalyst for petroleum hydrocracking is provided, the hydrocracking catalyst provided in a form of at least one fiber, and the at least one fiber comprising at least one zeolite and at least one metal oxide. Methods are also provided to form the hydrocracking catalyst in the form of at least one fiber, particularly electrospinning.

Abstract: A hydrocracking catalyst for petroleum hydrocracking is provided, the hydrocracking catalyst provided in a form of at least one fiber, and the at least one fiber comprising at least one zeolite and at least one metal oxide. Methods are also provided to form the hydrocracking catalyst in the form of at least one fiber, particularly electrospinning.

Abstract: Water-retaining gel compositions, methods of making water-retaining gel compositions, and the uses thereof for enhancing soils, preparing plant growth media and facilitating the growth of plants therein are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a pharmaceutical tablet comprises (a) combining (i) an aqueous networked cellulose gel with (ii) filler and (iii) an active agent to form a mixture thereof; (b) casting the mixture to form a wet tablet; (c) drying the wet tablet to form a dry pharmaceutical tablet; and then (d) optionally coating the tablet (e.g., with an enteric coating). Pharmaceutical tablets produced by such methods are also described.

Abstract: Water-retaining gel compositions, methods of making water-retaining gel compositions, and the uses thereof for enhancing soils, preparing plant growth media and facilitating the growth of plants therein are disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane is provided herein having the ability to remove/prevent membrane fouling. This novel membrane consists of a thin electrically conductive layer deposited on the membrane surface. This unique membrane can be used as an electrode in an electrochemical system that consists of the membrane, the salty water as an electrolyte and a counter electrode that can be inserted in the saline feed solution. A periodic electrolysis can be performed. Electrolysis will generate gases (e.g., Cl2 and O2) and the periodic gases evolution at the membrane surface acts to clean and prevent both fouling and scaling of the membrane surface. The new system enables on-line self-cleaning mechanism of the membrane, which is useful for, inter alia, use of such a membrane in a system for the desalination of saline water or wastewater.

Abstract: A method of making a biodegradable composite is carried out by: (a) providing an aqueous mixture comprising partially hydrolyzed cellulose in a dissolution media; (b) providing a solution comprising a aliphatic polyester in a polar organic solvent; (c) combining the mixture with the solution to form a precipitate; (d) washing the precipitate with water to remove solvent and dissolution media and form a wet biodegradable composite; and then (e) drying the wet biodegradable composite to form a dry biodegradable composite. Composites made from the method are also described.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composition is made by hydrolyzing cellulose in a dissolution media to form a first mixture; then combining said first mixture with an antisolvent to form a precipitate; and then (in any order) separating said precipitate from excess antisolvent and excess dissolution media; optionally adjusting or neutralizing the pH of said precipitate; optionally washing said precipitate with water; combining said precipitate with an electrolyte salt and a hydrophilic polymer to form a wet polymer electrolyte composition; and then drying said wet polymer electrolyte composition to produce a solid polymer electrolyte composition. Solid polymer electrolyte compositions produced by the process, along with films formed therefrom and devices containing the same, are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a biodegradable composite is carried out by: (a) providing an aqueous mixture comprising partially hydrolyzed cellulose in a dissolution media; (b) providing a solution comprising a aliphatic polyester in a polar organic solvent; (c) combining the mixture with the solution to form a precipitate; (d) washing the precipitate with water to remove solvent and dissolution media and form a wet biodegradable composite; and then (e) drying the wet biodegradable composite to form a dry biodegradable composite. Composites made from the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a pharmaceutical tablet comprises (a) combining (i) an aqueous networked cellulose gel with (ii) filler and (iii) an active agent to form a mixture thereof; (b) casting the mixture to form a wet tablet; (c) drying the wet tablet to form a dry pharmaceutical tablet; and then (d) optionally coating the tablet (e.g., with an enteric coating). Pharmaceutical tablets produced by such methods are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing crystalline sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization from spent liquors of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis of cellulose has been discovered. The method involves: 1) separating the spent liquors from the hydrolysed, acid-insoluble, cellulose I materials by dilution from, for example, a 64% H2SO4 hydrolysis medium to a residual sulphuric acid concentration of 10-50% with 0-40% H2SO4, followed by settling (or centrifuging) and decanting; 2) adding the diluted spent liquors to water or heating the diluted spent liquors at 30-80° C. for ?48 h; and 3) recovering the recrystallized sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization either by filtration and washing or by washing and freeze drying. The method can be used to concurrently produce both crystalline, sulphated cellulose I and the crystalline, sulphated cellulose II materials.

Abstract: A method for producing crystalline sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization from spent liquors of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis of cellulose has been discovered. The method involves: 1) separating the spent liquors from the hydrolysed, acid-insoluble, cellulose I materials by dilution from, for example, a 64% H2SO4 hydrolysis medium to a residual sulphuric acid concentration of 10-50% with 0-40% H2SO4, followed by settling (or centrifuging) and decanting; 2) adding the diluted spent liquors to water or heating the diluted spent liquors at 30-80° C. for ?48 h; and 3) recovering the recrystallized sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization either by filtration and washing or by washing and freeze drying. The method can be used to concurrently produce both crystalline, sulphated cellulose I and the crystalline, sulphated cellulose II materials.