Abstract: A hybrid shellfish cooling system employs DC and AC cooling units using both solar power and AC electrical supply as energy sources. As temperature control and uniform temperature distribution in the cooling system are critical factors in reducing vibrio growth on raw oysters and reducing energy consumption, the system is equipped with a divider that optimizes airflow through the cooling system interior cabinet to achieve uniform temperature distribution in six individual internal compartments. Tests indicated that an average of 130 min. cooling was required to reach the suggested oyster temperatures of 7.2° C. and meet the cooling time requirement (i.e., 10 h or less). Airflow is further optimized via fan location and airflow direction, whereby configuration of a circulation fan on a lower part of the 12-volt DC section with an air supply from the 12-volt DC section to the 110-volt AC section achieves relatively uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: A hybrid shellfish cooling system employs both DC and AC cooling units that use both solar power and AC electrical supply as energy sources. As temperature control and uniform temperature distribution in the cooling system are critical factors in reducing vibrio growth on raw oysters and reducing energy consumption, the hybrid shellfish cooling system is equipped with a specially configured divider that optimizes airflow through the cooling system interior cabinet to achieve uniform temperature distribution in six individual internal compartments inside of the cooling system. Test results indicated that an average of 130 min. cooling was required to reach the suggested oyster temperatures of 7.2° C. and meet the cooling time requirement (i.e., 10 h or less).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the combustion of biomass material employing a swirling fluidized bed combustion (SFBC) chamber, and preferably a second stage combustion carried out in a cyclone separator. In the combustion chamber, primary air is introduced from a bottom air box that fluidizes the bed material and fuel, and staged secondary air is introduced in the tangential direction and at varied vertical positions in the combustion chamber so as to cause the materials in the combustion chamber (i.e., the mixture of air and particles) to swirl. The secondary air injection can have a significant effect on the air-fuel particle flow in the combustion chamber, and more particularly strengthens the swirling flow, promotes axial recirculation, increases particle mass fluxes in the combustion chamber, and retains more fuel particles in the combustion chamber. This process increases the residence time of the particle flow.

Abstract: A self-cure, dual-cure or tri-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with at least one functional chemical. The dental composition is divided into a three-part composition to avoid stability issues caused by degradation and/or loss of function of one component in the extended presence of another component, and the three parts are packaged in a tri-barrel syringe or cartridge delivery system to avoid premature chemical interaction between the functional chemical, redox initiator and/or acid/base.

Abstract: The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition includes an acidic polymer; an acidic polymerizable monomer selected from 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic anhydride, 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic acid, and a combination thereof; a non-acidic polymerizable monomer; a fluoroaluminosilicate glass filler; water; and at least one polymerization initiator system. The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition is useful for a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, and/or an orthodontic composition, and provides significantly enhanced adhesive property toward tooth structure.

Abstract: A self-cure or dual-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with a redox indicator. The composition exhibits an initial first color upon mixing of the two parts and then changes to a second color that is noticeably different from the first color during the curing or polymerization of the composition initiated through the redox initiator system. Advantageously, the first color may be distinctively different from tooth structure and can be easily noticed. The second color may be essentially colorless, a neutral color, or a non-visually observable color in reference to the tooth structure.

Abstract: The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition includes an acidic polymer; an acidic polymerizable monomer selected from 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic anhydride, 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic acid, and a combination thereof; a non-acidic polymerizable monomer; a fluoroaluminosilicate glass filler; water; and at least one polymerization initiator system. The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition is useful for a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, and/or an orthodontic composition, and provides significantly enhanced adhesive property toward tooth structure.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: A self-cure, dual-cure or tri-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with at least one functional chemical. The dental composition is divided into a three-part composition to avoid stability issues caused by degradation and/or loss of function of one component in the extended presence of another component, and the three parts are packaged in a tri-barrel syringe or cartridge delivery system to avoid premature chemical interaction between the functional chemical, redox initiator and/or acid/base.

Abstract: A dental material is provided that exhibits a color change upon or after mixing or contacting components of the composition. The composition includes an acidic component in one part, and a basic component in another part that upon contact with the acidic component initiates a chemical reaction thereof that alters the pH of the composition. An acid or base sensitive color change agent is present in the composition that registers the change in pH by changing color as the pH changes.

Abstract: A self-cure or dual-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with a redox indicator. The composition exhibits an initial first color upon mixing of the two parts and then changes to a second color that is noticeably different from the first color during the curing or polymerization of the composition initiated through the redox initiator system. Advantageously, the first color may be distinctively different from tooth structure and can be easily noticed. The second color may be essentially colorless, a neutral color, or a non-visually observable color in reference to the tooth structure.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition comprises: (A) polymerizable monomer(s) selected from hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate phosphate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate phosphate, phenyl (meth)acryloxyethyl phosphate, and a combination thereof; (B) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 100-250, at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; (C) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 270-900, at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and no acidic functional group; (D) photo-initiator(s); and (E) filler(s) each having a mean particle size of more than 0.005 microns and less than 70 microns. The weight ratio of (A+B):(C) ranges from 30:70 to 90:10, and the composition has a shear bond strength of at least 10MPa to both dentin and enamel after being light-cured.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition comprises: (A) polymerizable monomer(s) selected from hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate phosphate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate phosphate, phenyl (meth)acryloxyethyl phosphate, and a combination thereof; (B) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 100-250, at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; (C) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 270-900, at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and no acidic functional group; (D) photo-initiator(s); and (E) filler(s) each having a mean particle size of more than 0.005 microns and less than 70 microns. The weight ratio of (A+B):(C) ranges from 30:70 to 90:10, and the composition has a shear bond strength of at least 10 MPa to both dentin and enamel after being light-cured.

Abstract: A one-component self-etching self-priming dental adhesive composition is disclosed. The composition comprises glycerol phosphate di(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one mono-functional polymerizable monomer having just one ethylenically unsaturated group, at least one multi-functional polymerizable monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, at least one aprotic solvent, at least one protic solvent, and at least one polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition comprising: (A) polymerizable monomer(s) having at least one phosphorus-containing acidic moiety and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; (B) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 100-250, at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; (C) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 270-900, at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and no acidic functional group; (D) photo-initiator(s); and (E) filler(s) each having a mean particle size of more than 0.005 microns and less than 70 microns. The weight ratio of (A+B):(C) ranges from 30:70 to 90:10, the concentration of (A) is 10-50 wt. %, the concentration of (B) is 15-60 wt. %, and the composition has a shear bond strength of at least 10 MPa to both dentin and enamel. Also provided is a method for filling a dental cavity with the composition without first treating the dental cavity with an etchant, a primer and/or an adhesive.

Abstract: A one-component self-etching self-priming dental adhesive composition is disclosed. The composition comprises glycerol phosphate di(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one mono-functional polymerizable monomer having just one ethylenically unsaturated group, at least one multi-functional polymerizable monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, at least one aprotic solvent, at least one protic solvent, and at least one polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A method for temporarily widening a gingival sulcus is provided using an uncured composition comprising a polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, a photo polymerization initiator, a fine inorganic powder, and an astringent. The uncured composition is inserted within a gingival sulcus to be widened, and the composition is thereafter irradiated in situ to polymerize the composition. The result is a rubbery material that is easily removable from the widened sulcus.