Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable composites based on blends of a thermoplastic polymer material with cellulosic materials, useful for several industrial and packaging applications, in particular for the manufacture of biodegradable films and articles of complex shape, having improved mechanical properties, oxygen barrier properties, biodegradation and heat resistance; and to a process for the manufacture of these biodegradable composites.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing ferrite nanocrystals. The method includes providing a solution including a fatty acid, an aliphatic amine and an alcoholic solvent, adding at least one organometallic precursor compound including a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co and Zn and an aromatic organic molecule to the solution thereby obtaining a reaction mixture, transferring the reaction mixture to a sealed reactor, thereby obtaining a filling percentage of the sealed reactor between 20 and 70 vol. %, and heating the sealed reactor to a temperature between 160° C. and 240° C. for at least 3 hours.

Abstract: Globular microstructures comprising a liquid core and a solid shell that envelops the core comprising polymeric micro- or nanofibers, preferably obtained by electrospinning, comprising a hydrophobic polymer or a mixture of hydrophobic polymer with polymers derived from cellulose or with polyacrylates; the microstructures may have a further coating of nanoparticles or polymeric coating. The microstructures have applications similar to those of “liquid marbles” with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: Process for producing a hydrophobic composite bioelastomer, comprising a cross-linked bioelastomer matrix in which an organic phase is dispersed, comprising the reaction of cross-linking of a hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane with a silane coupling agent, comprising an acetoxysilane, to obtain a cross-linked polysiloxane with release of acetic acid. The reaction of cross-linking is carried out in the presence of starch to cause at least partial in situ acetylation by the acetic acid released from said starch that is incorporated in the cross-linked bioelastomer matrix.

Abstract: A composite material for the production of a medical device having an antiseptic action includes a matrix of alginate in which the complex of iodopovidone is dispersed. The composite material is used particularly for the production of films, micro-capsules, and suture threads with iodine controlled release.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive system comprising at least one nanoparticle bound covalently to at least one thermolabile molecule comprising an azo —N?N— functional group —N?N— in turn bound covalently to at least one active molecule selected from a fluorophore molecule and a drug is disclosed. The system converts an electromagnetic radiation into thermal energy exposed to an alternating magnetic field. Uses of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the production of a biodegradable plastics material obtained from plant waste materials are provided which include the steps of dissolving plant waste material in an anhydrous solvent which includes anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid in order to dissolve a cellulose fraction of the material, the waste material being at least partly dehydrated in such a way that its water content is not likely to cause hydrolysis of the cellulose fraction, and removing the solvent from the solution containing the non-hydrolyzed cellulose fraction.

Abstract: Laser device characterized in that it comprises, as gain medium, a film of colloidal nanocrystals of semiconductor material, wherein said nanocrystals are two-dimensional nanocrystals suitable for forming quantum wells for confinement of the charge carriers in the nanocrystals and having a biexciton gain mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to the controlled realization of ordered superstructures of octapod-shaped colloidal nanocrystals, formed either in the liquid phase or on a solid substrate. These structures can be applied in many fields of technology.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of poly(cyanoacrylate) micro- or nanofibers which include mixing the cyanoacrylate monomer with a dipolar aprotic solvent to form a poly(cyanoacrylate) gel, dissolving the gel in a solvent for acrylates to form a solution suitable for electrospinning, and submitting the solution thus obtained to electrospinning to form said micro- or nanofibers. The micro- or nanofibers thus obtained can be used to form coatings that adhere to a substrate as a result of thermal treatment.

Abstract: Laser device characterized in that it comprises, as gain medium, a film of colloidal nanocrystals of semiconductor material, wherein said nanocrystals are two-dimensional nanocrystals suitable for forming quantum wells for confinement of the charge carriers in the nanocrystals and having a biexciton gain mechanism.

Abstract: Process for treating a fibrous material, to make said material hydrophobic and/or water-repellent, comprising the operation of impregnating said material with a suspension comprising nanoparticles of a hydrophobic material and a cyanoacrylate in an organic solvent and causing the crosslinking of said cyanoacrylate; the process uses an amount of cyanoacrylate and a weight ratio with the nanoparticles such as to produce complete or partial coating of the fibrous material with a matrix of crosslinked cyanoacrylate in which said nanoparticles are dispersed.

Abstract: Globular microstructures comprising a liquid core and a solid shell that envelops the core comprising polymeric micro- or nanofibres, preferably obtained by electrospinning, comprising a hydrophobic polymer or a mixture of hydrophobic polymer with polymers derived from cellulose or with polyacrylates; the microstructures may have a further coating of nanoparticles or polymeric coating. The microstructures have applications similar to those of “liquid marbles” with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: Methods for the production of a biodegradable plastics material obtained from plant waste materials are provided which include the steps of dissolving plant waste material in an anhydrous solvent which includes anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid in order to dissolve a cellulose fraction of the material, the waste material being at least partly dehydrated in such a way that its water content is not likely to cause hydrolysis of the cellulose fraction, and removing the solvent from the solution containing the non-hydrolysed cellulose fraction.

Abstract: Methods for producing lithium iron phosphate or lithium manganese phosphate or lithium iron manganese phosphate, by colloidal synthesis are provided. Such methods include the operation of reacting a lithium salt, an iron(II) halide (and/or a manganese(II) halide) and a phosphorus compound, which, under the reaction conditions, is capable of releasing the phosphate ion, in the presence of an organic surfactant or a mixture of organic surfactants including an alkylamine or alkenylamine, in which the surfactant or mixture of surfactants is capable of dissolving the lithium salt and the iron halide (and/or the manganese halide), where used, in an organic solvent, which is liquid at room temperature, in which the surfactant or mixture of surfactants is soluble, the reaction being performed at a temperature not lower than 250° C.

Abstract: Methods of making iron-based ferrite nanocrystals are provided. In such methods the ferrite may include iron oxides and iron/cobalt or iron/manganese mixed salts. The method may include thermal decomposition of one or more precursors of the ferrite, consisting of an organic salt of the metal or metals constituting the ferrite of interest, comprising the operation of heating a solution comprising said precursor(s) in the presence of a surfactant and of a non-aqueous organic solvent comprising an ether, at temperature sufficient to cause thermal decomposition of said precursor, wherein the solvent may further comprise a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, liquid at temperatures above 45° C. and having a boiling point above the boiling point of the ethereal solvent.

Abstract: Process for producing a hydrophobic composite bioelastomer, comprising a cross-linked bioelastomer matrix in which an organic phase is dispersed, comprising the reaction of cross-linking of a hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane with a silane coupling agent, comprising an acetoxysilane, to obtain a cross-linked polysiloxane with release of acetic acid. The reaction of cross-linking is carried out in the presence of starch to cause at least partial in situ acetylation by the acetic acid released from said starch that is incorporated in the cross-linked bioelastomer matrix.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of poly(cyanoacrylate) micro- or nanofibers which include mixing the cyanoacrylate monomer with a dipolar aprotic solvent to form a poly(cyanoacrylate) gel, dissolving the gel in a solvent for acrylates to form a solution suitable for electrospinning, and submitting the solution thus obtained to electrospinning to form said micro- or nanofibers. The micro- or nanofibers thus obtained can be used to form coatings that adhere to a substrate as a result of thermal treatment.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive system comprising at least one nanoparticle bound covalently to at least one thermolabile molecule comprising an azo —N?N— functional group —N?N— in turn bound covalently to at least one active molecule selected from a fluorophore molecule and a drug is disclosed. The system converts an electromagnetic radiation into thermal energy exposed to an alternating magnetic field. Uses of the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is described for determining the dissolution kinetics of colloidal nanoparticles in respective derivation ions in a solution, which comprises a dissolution compartment containing the solution, and feedable with the colloidal nanoparticles; an analysis compartment separate from the dissolution compartment; a fixed filtering membrane which separates the dissolution compartment from the analysis compartment, is selectively permeable to the derivation ion and is adapted to filter the solution; compressing means to induce passage of the solution from the dissolution compartment to the analysis compartment through the filtering membrane; a determination device for determining the quantity of the derivation ion; the device furthermore comprises mixing means associated to the dissolution compartment and distinct from the compressing means and the filtering membrane has pores of size smaller than 10 nm.