Abstract: A method for monitoring a gas sensor (14) which comprises two electrochemical measuring cells (20, 30) and which is arranged in an exhaust tract (10) of an internal combustion engine (11), wherein the sensor elements (20, 30) exhibit a substantially identical sensitivity towards a first gas component and a different sensitivity towards a second gas component and are insensitive towards further gas components. In an operating state in which an exhaust gas stream at the gas sensor (14) contains less of the second gas component than of the first gas component a concentration of the first gas component is calculated from each of the sensor signals from the sensor elements (20, 30) and a defect in a sensor element (20, 30) is deduced from the concentrations of the first gas component.

Abstract: The teachings of present disclosure may be embodied in gas sensors for detecting oxygen and methods for detecting oxygen in a gas mixture. For example, a gas sensor for detecting oxygen in a gas mixture may include: an oxygen ion conductor; at least two electrodes arranged on the oxygen ion conductor, the at least two of the electrodes arranged to come into contact with the gas mixture during operation of the gas sensor; a control device applying a polarization voltage or a polarization current to the at least two electrodes during a polarization period; a measuring device for measuring the current or the voltage at the at least two electrodes; and an evaluation device for calculating the oxygen content from the measured voltage or the measured current. Calculating the oxygen content may be based on: a current measured during the polarization period, or a charge which has flowed over the polarization period, or a voltage measured directly after the polarization period.

Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting nitrogen oxides in a gas mixture may include at least two electrodes of the same material arranged on an oxygen ion conductor. When the gas sensor is operated, both electrodes come into contact with the gas mixture. The gas sensor is then heated from a first temperature to a second temperature. The second temperature of the gas sensor is maintained for a maximum of 15 minutes. The gas sensor is then cooled from the second temperature to the first temperature. During the heating, maintaining and/or cooling of the temperature, a cyclical polarisation is performed with alternating polarity including a polarisation voltage below the reduction voltage of the oxygen ion conductor.

Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting nitrogen oxides in a gaseous mixture, including an oxygen ion conductor and at least two electrodes mounted on the oxygen ion conductor, the electrodes consisting of the same material, and wherein the gas sensor is designed so that during operation of the gas sensor both electrodes come into contact with the gaseous mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chocolate composition comprising a milk fat fraction wherein the milk fat fraction has a SFC25 of at least 30%. It was found that adding a milk fat fraction to a chocolate composition reduces the oil migration of the filling of filled chocolates to the surface of the chocolate coating. Oil migration in filled chocolates is a cause for migration fat bloom on filled chocolates.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a chocolate composition comprising a milk fat fraction wherein the milk fat fraction has a SFC30 of less than 30%. It was found that softer milk fractions are effective in inhibiting or reducing migration bloom that occurs in filled chocolates or pralines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for encapsulating a liquid, which method comprises the steps of providing a suspension of droplets of the liquid to be encapsulated; stabilizing the suspension of droplets with a surfactant; adding a layered inorganic material to the stabilized suspension; and subjecting the suspension to a treatment which establishes that a shell of a hybrid material is formed around the droplets, which hybrid material comprises at least part of the inorganic material and at least part of the surfactant. The invention further provides encapsulated liquid droplets obtainable by said method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for encapsulating a liquid, which method comprises the steps of providing a suspension of droplets of the liquid to be encapsulated; stabilizing the suspension of droplets with a surfactant; adding a layered inorganic material to the stabilized suspension; and subjecting the suspension to a treatment which establishes that a shell of a hybrid material is formed around the droplets, which hybrid material comprises at least part of the inorganic material and at least part of the surfactant. The invention further provides encapsulated liquid droplets obtainable by said method.

Abstract: Starch can be gelatinised more efficiently by a thermomechanical treatment, if a dialdehyde polysaccharide with a relatively low degree of oxidation is added to the starch. This thermomechanical treatment can be carried out at a temperature below 115 DEG C., or even below 100 DEG C., and with a high throughput rate. With this treatment a granulate or other semi-finished product is obtained that can be shaped to produce an article that has excellent dimensional stability in water. By adding dialdehyde polysaccharide with a low degree of oxidation to starch it is possible to blow transparent films based on thermoplastic starch which have improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: Starch can be gelatinised more efficiently by a thermomechanical treatment, if a dialdehyde polysaccharide with a relatively low degree of oxidation is added to the starch. This thermomechanical treatment can be carried out at a temperature below 115 DEG C., or even below 100 DEG C., and with a high throughput rate. With this treatment a granulate or other semi-finished product is obtained that can be shaped to produce an article that has excellent dimensional stability in water. By adding dialdehyde polysaccharide with a low degree of oxidation to starch it is possible to blow transparent films based on thermoplastic starch which have improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A biodegradable thermoplastic material comprising a natural polymer, a plasticizer and an exfoliated clay having a layered structure and a cation exchange capacity of from 30-250 milliequivalents per 100 grams and a process of preparing a biodegradable thermoplastic material comprising preparing a suspension of clay, combining said suspension with a natural polymer and a plasticizer and extruding the resultant composition at a temperature of 35-200° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable thermoplastic material comprising a natural polymer, a plasticizer and a clay.