Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide solution in which a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence derived from type I keratin that belongs to Cluster Ia is dissolved in a solvent including a formic acid or a solvent including an aprotic polar agent having a dipole moment of 3.0 D or more and an inorganic salt.

Abstract: A textile fabric of aramid fibers has a water-repellent finish, wherein the water-repellent finish includes a mixture of a component A, a component B and a component C, wherein the component A is a reaction product of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with a methylol melamine, the component B is a paraffin wax, and the component C is an ester wax C1 and/or another paraffin wax C2. The water-repellent finish preferably is free of fluorine. Additionally, a method for producing the textile fabric is described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are sealing solutions for sealing water-soluble films, in particular aqueous mixtures including one or more polymeric solvents such as polyols. Aqueous sealing solutions including a relatively dilute solvent for one or more polymeric components of the water-soluble film (e.g., water-soluble polymeric components thereof, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH)) can exhibit one or more benefits, including a reduction in dissolution of the film by the sealing solution and an increase in seal strength. Also disclosed are sealed articles formed with the sealing solutions, for example water-soluble packets containing various liquid or solid compositions.

Abstract: Graft polymerization is fulfilled on a functionalized substrate. The functionalized substrate is prepared from a disulfide bond-containing feedstock and has been prepared for polymerization through the introduction of one or more polyfunctional monomers containing a disulfide bond breaking material functional group.

Abstract: A polypeptide solution of the present invention is a polypeptide solution in which a polypeptide derived from natural spider silk proteins is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent contains at least one selected from the following (i)-(iii): (i) DMSO; (ii) DMSO with an inorganic salt; and (iii) DMF with an inorganic salt. Further, in the present invention, an artificial polypeptide fiber is obtained by: using the polypeptide solution as a dope solution; and extruding the dope solution from a spinneret into a desolvation bath so as to eliminate the solvent from the dope solution and form a fiber to produce an undrawn yarn. Moreover, in the present invention, a polypeptide is purified by subjecting the polypeptide solution to heat treatment and thereafter removing an undissolved substance therefrom.

Abstract: Hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions, especially hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a composite material that includes a first material and a second material. In some implementations, the composite material is a metamaterial. The first material includes a chiral polymer (e.g., crystalline chiral helical polymer, poly-?-benzyl-L-glutamate (PBLG), poly-L-lactic acid (PLA), polypeptide, and/or polyacetylene). The second material is within the chiral polymer. The first material and the second material are configured to provide an effective index of refraction value for the composite material of 1 or less. In some implementations, the effective index of refraction value for the composite material is negative. In some implementations, the effective index of refraction value for the composite material of 1 or less is at least in a wavelength of one of at least a visible spectrum, an infrared spectrum, a microwave spectrum, and/or an ultraviolet spectrum.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for manufacturing plastic materials from decolorized blood protein. The method includes the following steps: contacting the blood protein an oxidizing agent to form a blood protein composition that includes unreacted oxidizing agent; removing at least a portion of the unreacted oxidizing agent from the blood protein composition to form a decolorized blood protein composition; and treating the decolorized blood protein composition in the presence of a plasticizer with sufficient pressure and temperature to form the plastic material. The present disclosure also provides a plastic material including a blood protein residue having a percent whiteness of 35%-100% and a plasticizer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wheat gluten based compositions having improved mechanical properties as well as articles formed therefrom, and methods of making the same. More particularly, the compositions also include fibrous reinforcing material and may be formed into a variety of products, including but not limited to particle board.

Abstract: Hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions, especially hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided.

Abstract: Hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions, especially hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising from 5-15% by weight prolamine, from 5 to 15% by weight surfactant and from 70-90% by weight water is provided along with methods of sizing substrates. Particularly preferred are compositions further comprising glyoxal or other crosslinking agents. Also provided are coating compositions comprising from 5 to 30% surfactant by weight with water and an antifoam agent and further comprising a carbohydrate The compositions are optionally applied with additional coating ingredients including carbohydrates including starches as well as binders, minerals and pigments and antifoam agents.

Abstract: Aqueous paper coating compositions containing at least one of a clay, a starch, casein, a resin, and a wax; and wherein the composition contains from about 0.

Abstract: A nongermicidal composition which comprises an aqueous solution of an organic polymer, wherein the solution when applied to a substrate prevents the growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: A coating composition for use in forming an overcoat layer in a photographic element, said composition comprising an aqueous solution of: a mixture of two or more surfactants; a hydrophilic binder; matte beads; and a lubricating agent; wherein one of the surfactants is represented by the following Formula (I):

Abstract: A gelatin based photographic coating contains at least gelatin and colloidal alumina particles less than 0.2 &mgr;m. Additionally, the coating may contain any photographic addenda that may be important to the performance of a photographic product, as well as a chemical hardening agent that forms crosslinks in the coating. The alumina filled gelatin coating, when swollen with water or a photo processing solution yields an increase in wet durability in the form of an increased wet scratch resistance.