Abstract: A method of recycling a polyester includes the steps of providing the polyester, preparing a solution containing water and an alcohol, submerging the polyester in the solution, and hydrolytically depolymerizing the polyester while the polyester is submerged in the solution.

Abstract: A method of recycling a polyester includes the steps of providing the polyester, preparing a solution containing water and an alcohol, submerging the polyester in the solution, and hydrolytically depolymerizing the polyester while the polyester is submerged in the solution.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A package providing a storage space with features capable of affecting atmospheric conditions therein, comprising a body having a first and at least one second storage space adjacent thereto, wherein the first storage space is defined by sidewalls, and the at least one second storage space is defined by sidewalls including at least a portion thereof which further defines the first storage space, the second storage space providing a reservoir for containing an antimicrobial agent therein, wherein the antimicrobial agent includes a precursor to chlorine dioxide gas and the portion of the sidewall which further defines the first storage space is configured to allow for the delivery of the chlorine dioxide gas from the second storage space into the first storage space.

Abstract: A package providing a storage space with features capable of affecting atmospheric conditions therein, comprising a body having a first and at least one second storage space adjacent thereto, wherein the first storage space is defined by sidewalls, and the at least one second storage space is defined by sidewalls including at least a portion thereof which further defines the first storage space, the second storage space providing a reservoir for containing an antimicrobial agent therein, wherein the antimicrobial agent includes a precursor to chlorine dioxide gas and the portion of the sidewall which further defines the first storage space is configured to allow for the delivery of the chlorine dioxide gas from the second storage space into the first storage space.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A composite of polymer and metallic organic framework materials to form porous, multidimensional structures which is exposed to a contaminated fluid for promoting the sorption of contaminants thereto.

Abstract: Packaging systems (304) are provided for preventing post harvest microbial, including but not limited to fungal, diseases of food systems, such as but not limited to fresh produce, such as but not limited to berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, and/or the like). For example, various anti-microbial (e.g., anti-fungal) compounds (including multi-component compositions that can be selectively activated) can be incorporated into a container or sachet (26, 112) that in turn can be incorporated into a package insert (10, 100, 202, 300). The package insert (10, 100, 202, 300) can include various surfaces that are provided with a plurality of holes (22, 108, 204) formed therein for allowing the anti-microbial (e.g., anti-fungal) compounds to diffuse through the package insert (10, 110, 202, 300) and out through the plurality of holes (22, 108, 204).

Abstract: A composite material and method of forming the same which is useful in a variety of applications, including modified atmosphere packaging, that involves the preparation and characterization of solid, that is, without void spaces, polylactide (PLA) composites containing nanoporous zeolites, among other things.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming bio-based microperforated packages substantially composed of poly(lactic acid) which are particularly useful for storing respiring products in that the respiration rate (i.e., CO2 and O2 fluxes) can be controlled and the water vapor transmission rates reduced, thus inhibiting weight loss and prolonging the quality and shelf life of such respiring products, by, among other things, varying the amount of microperforations in the package.

Abstract: The use of ?-CDs as nucleating agents for PLA to provide an increase in polymer crystallinity is described. The improvement in increased crystallinity is related to the percentage of ?-CDs used. For the analyzed films, crystallinity was approximately 1.47% in the absence of a nucleating agent, and approximately 17.85% in the presence of the maximum amount of nucleating agent tested (e.g., 30%). Thus, improvement in processability, producability, and heat resistance of PLA will depend on the amount of ?-CDs loaded. Additionally, loading PLA with ?-CDs carrying an antifungal volatile is an effective way to increase PLA crystallinity besides avoiding fungal development when used in active packaging. In this case, the antifungal volatiles, along with changes in headspace concentration because of changes in crystallinity, may prolong the fresh produce shelf life.

Abstract: Systems are provided for preventing post harvest fungal diseases of food systems, such as but not limited to fresh produce, such as but not limited to berries (e.g., blueberries). For example, various anti-fungal compounds can incorporated or encapsulated into cyclodextrins, such as but not limited to ?, ? and/or ? cyclodextrins. The encapsulated anti-fungal materials can be used alone (e.g., brought into proximity to the produce) or incorporated into film and/or packaging materials that are used in the packing and/or storing of produce. By way of a non-limiting example, the anti-fungal compounds can include volatile compounds such as but not limited to acetaldehyde, hexanal and 2E-hexenal. The cyclodextrins provide controlled release of the volatiles over a period of at least several days such that they prevent or inhibit fungal growth, including but not limited to several species of the Colletotrichum, Altermaria, Botrytis, Penicillium and/or Aspergillus genera.