Abstract: The invention is directed to fertilizers and manufacturing methods using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules that incorporate a coating of one or more layers containing a bioactive agent in a carrier. The bioactive agent may be an herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Manufacture of conventional fertilizers involves stresses such as pH, heat, and pressure that are overcome by providing a protective carrier that facilitates and extends functional survival/effectiveness. Many carriers, such as liquefied dried milk, bind actively to the granule surface and contribute to the total carbon base. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the fertilizer granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate-based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate-based granules which are manufactured with sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to fertilizers and manufacturing methods using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules that incorporate a coating of one or more layers containing a bioactive agent in a carrier. The bioactive agent may be an herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Manufacture of conventional fertilizers involves stresses such as pH, heat, and pressure that are overcome by providing a protective carrier that facilitates and extends functional survival/effectiveness. Many carriers, such as liquefied dried milk, bind actively to the granule surface and contribute to the total carbon base. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the fertilizer granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate-based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate-based granules which arc manufactured with sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate based granules which are manufactured with sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to coated fertilizer granules and methods for manufacturing granules and using organically enhanced inorganic fertilizer granules, which incorporate a coating of one or more concentric layers over a core such that the coating contains a bioactive agent such as a herbicide, pesticide, plant growth regulator, microorganism, or beneficial element. Application of the coating to the fertilizer granule preferably involves binding of the bioactive agent to the surface of granule or to the organic components within the granule. The release of the bioactive agent from the coating and or the surface of the granule preferably results in a two-phased release, a first fast release and a second extended or slow-release of the bioactive agent into the soil metering the bioavailability of the bioactive agent for crop growth or protection, and/or for controlling unwanted vegetation or pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated granular fertilizer, preferably wherein granules are sulfate-based or phosphate-based. When sulfate based granules, as in ammonium sulfate, the coating substance is an inorganic salt of alkaline earth elements, preferably calcium, such that when applied to the surface of fertilizers, forms calcium sulfate, preferably a calcium sulfate-dihydrate, as a protective coating. For a reactive coating of a thiosulfate, free sulfuric acid present on the granule reacts to provide an elemental sulfur coating. For ammonium phosphate-based granules, coatings may comprise compounds of Ca++, Al+++ and/or Fe+++ salts thereby forming a calcium, an aluminum, an iron, or mixed cation phosphate protective coating. Thiosulfate is also effective with phosphate based granules which are manufactured with sulfuric acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid polyelectrolyte polymer film which comprises a polymer, a plasticizer for the polymer, an epoxidized vegetable oil, and an electrolyte.

Abstract: This invention relates to a static dissipative laminate film produced by: coating a surface of a first plasticized thermoplastic film with graphite or carbon; overlaying the coated surface of the first film with a second plasticized thermoplastic film; and pressing the first and second films together to form a laminate film.

Abstract: This invention relates to a secondary battery comprised of a polymer film, and first and second collector plates. The polymer film comprises a polymer, a plasticizer for the polymer, an epoxidized vegetable oil, graphite and a salt disassociatingly solubilized by the plasticizer. The salt has the formula MX.sub.a, wherein X is chloride, bromide or iodide, M is a metal ion having a reduction-oxidation potential greater than that of X and a is the oxidation number of M.

Abstract: This invention relates to a secondary battery comprised of three polymer films, the third containing an electrolyte and the first and second containing an electrochemical species which may be in an anodic or a cathodic state depending upon whether the battery is discharging or is being recharged. The third polymer sheet is substantially not electrically conductive under battery discharge voltages, but is electrically conductive under battery recharge voltages. The first and second sheets are electrically conductive under both the discharge and recharge voltages. In a preferred form, the electrolyte and the electrochemical species are uniformly distributed within their respective films by dissolving the electrolyte and the species in a plasticizer which is incorporated within the polymer films.

Abstract: A composition having utility as a plasticizer for halogen-containing resins is a mixture of (a) at least two diesters of terephthalic acid or (b) at least two triesters of trimellitic acid. The diesters of terephthalic acid are represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.m, wherein n is an integer of 1 through 8 inclusive and m is equal to 2n+1; R.sub.2 is either hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having one, two, three or four carbon atoms; x is an integer of 2 to 4 inclusive; y is an integer of 2 to 4 inclusive.The trialkyl esters of trimellitic acid are represented by the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.m wherein n is an integer of 1 through 8 inclusive and m is equal to 2n+1; R.sub.

Abstract: A composition having utility as a plasticizer for halogen-containing resins is a mixture of (a) at least two diesters of terephthalic acid or (b) at least two triesters of trimellitic acid. The diesters of terephthalic acid are represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.m, wherein n is an integer of 1 through 8 inclusive and m is equal to 2n+1; R.sub.2 is either hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having one, two, three or four carbon atoms; x is an integer of 2 to 4 inclusive; y is an integer of 2 to 4 inclusive;The trialkyl esters of trimellitic acid are represented by the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.m wherein n is an integer of 1 through 8 inclusive and m is equal to 2n+1; R.sub.

Abstract: A molten substituted phenol and an aqueous caustic solution are reacted at temperatures from 170.degree. C. to 190.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure to form an aqueous solution of an alkali metal phenate. By employing a rapid drying process such as flashing the water vapor from the reactor to cool the mixture, alkali metal phenate solids are produced with low levels of toxic by-products.