Abstract: Methods are provided according to aspects of the present invention for making starch fiber or particle compositions by wet-electrospinning or wet-electrospraying including providing a solution or dispersion of starch in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant, where the starch is present at a concentration above the critical entanglement concentration, with the proviso that the aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant does not consist only of water; heating the solution or dispersion of starch to a temperature above the crystallization temperature of the starch; electro spinning or electro spraying the heated solution or dispersion of starch to produce starch fibers or starch particles, respectively; and contacting the starch fibers or starch particles with a coagulation bath fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling scrap rubber comprising the steps of pyrolyzing scrap rubber to obtain a char material and milling the thus obtained char material. The present invention also relates to carbon black powders and carbon black pellets obtained by the method according to the invention. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of said carbon black powder and to compositions comprising said carbon black powders.

Abstract: A modeling compound and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compound, in some embodiments, comprises about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compound.

Abstract: Ready-for-use film forming solid compositions for producing film coating dispersions for solid- or semisolid-form substances comprising a film forming ingredient of pregelatinized cereal or tuberous hydroxypropyl starches, fatty plasticizers, fillers of non pregelatinized modified and native starches and, substances for improving the final appearance of the film coating characterized in that the viscosity of said cold-regenerated solutions or dispersions is less than 1000 centipoises at a solid matter concentration greater than 20%, wherein said viscosity is obtainable by using natural film-forming agents which are cold-soluble and exhibit a low viscosity in an aqueous medium at high concentrations.

Abstract: A modeling compound and methods for making the same are described. The modeling compound, in some embodiments, comprises about 20% to about 40% by weight starch-based binder, and about 0.15% to about 1.2% by weight microspheres dispersed throughout the compound.

Abstract: The method for preparing a homogeneous biodegradable mixture is described for production of shape-bodies. Reinforce fillers are fibers from various natural sources especially those wastes from varieties of manufacturing. Long thin fibers are obtained by longitudinal abrasion of bamboo waste. Boiling the fibers in water for 20 minutes at pH 8 where supernatant is decanted helps getting rid of chlorophyll. Fibers are further ground to preferable length of 2-4 mm. The treated fibers were mixed with all other ingredients in a rotor, spinning at a speed 1,800-2,000 rpm at ambient temperature for 510 minutes. Starch particles and other ingredients penetrate and mix thoroughly with the fibrous materials. Water is gradually added while kneading to form a perfect dough ready for manufacturing of the desired shape bodies.

Abstract: Media coating composition and inkjet recording media including it. An example composition includes a total solid content ranging from about 10 to about 65 weight percent by total weight of the composition. The solid content includes from about 80 to about 99 weight percent of insoluble starch nanoparticles having a particle size ranging from about 50 to about 300 nm and from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of fillers by total weight of the solid content. A disclosed example inkjet recording media includes a supporting substrate, and the coating composition disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: A modeling composition which is a non-toxic, malleable modeling compound for molding, extruding or sculpting use. Composition generally comprises wax, water, starch, filler, emulsifier, lubricant and coloring. When dried this modeling composition also creates a crayon.

Abstract: Provided are novel devices and methods for making a variable density preform, the methods comprising obtaining a slurry comprising a reinforcement particle component and a liquid component; obtaining a die cavity having at least one inlet opening and at least one exit opening defining at least one die cavity flow path therebetween directed toward the exit opening, the at least one exit opening suitably sized or configured to provide for exit of the at least one liquid component while impeding or blocking exit of the at least one reinforcement particle component; and introducing the slurry under pressure, and for a sufficient time period, through the inlet orifice into the die cavity flow path to provide for a decreasing pressure gradient along the flow path direction, to provide for a variable density of the at least one particle component, the particle density increasing in the at least one flow path direction.

Abstract: An un-reacted substantially formaldehyde free curable binder solution for binding loose matter consists essentially of a solution obtainable by dissolving a reducing sugar, an ammonium salt acid precursor, optionally a carboxylic acid or a precursor thereof and optionally ammonia in water.

Abstract: A highly homogeneous starch-based glue composition is obtained by enzymatic modification of the starch with a branching enzyme which is supplied in an enzymatically modified starch with high long-term stability. The starch has a viscosity stability index SI of less than or equal to 1.3, calculated by the quotient of viscosity after 14 days and by viscosity after 2 hours after preparation of the starch. The starch is suitable for liquid storage, which is stable in the long-term, of a ready-to-use paste with a high bonding strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopolymer based barrier coating composition wherein said biopolymer based barrier coating composition comprises a plasticizer, a nano-sized clay and a biopolymer comprising a native starch and/or a de-graded starch and/or a chemically modified starch. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the biopolymer based barrier coating composition as well as to a method for coating a cellulose based substrate with the biopolymer based barrier coating composition. Finally, the present invention relates to a cellulose based substrate coated with said biopolymer based barrier coating composition.

Abstract: A biodegradable starch film is provided. The biodegradable starch film includes a starch which is cross-linked by means of a cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent comprises glycidyl methacrylate 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate (GMA), octenyl succinyl anhydride (OSA), or dodecyl succinic anhydride (DDSA) or combinations thereof. The cross-linking agent is 1 to 10 weight parts based on the starch of 100 weight parts. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing starch foam is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides modeling play materials comprising cooked tapioca starch, water, salt, lubricant, foaming agent, thickener, and filler. With higher amount of foaming agent, the play material can be molded as any designed shape of soap. The dough of the invention is excellent in formability, shape preservation of the molded shape in both two dimensional and three dimensional.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing corrugated board uses acid treated zeolite to maintain the freshness of various natural food products for an extended period of time. The method of manufacturing corrugated board using acid treated zeolite comprises a zeolite acid treating process, an adhesive making process, an adhesive applying process, and a board assembling process wherein a corrugated sheet is layered between an upper liner sheet and a lower liner sheet which is then bonded to form a corrugated board. A significant advantage of this invention is that removing the filth or dirt by pre-processing the zeolite with acid treatment maximizes the freshness of food products stored in the corrugated box.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and food areas, in particular to compositions for coating tablets, capsules and other solid- or semisolid-form substances currently used in different application fields. More specifically, said invention relates to solid ready-for-use compositions for producing laminating solutions or dispersions for solid- or semisolid-form substances and is characterised in that the viscosity of said cold-regenerated solutions or dispersions is less than 1000 centipoises at a solid matter concentration greater than 20%, wherein said viscosity is obtainable by using natural film-forming agents which are cold-soluble and exhibit a low viscosity in an aqueous medium at high concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging powder for dental restoration using a CAD/CAM device, wherein the powder has improved properties as compared to existing contrast media. The present invention also relates to a method of making and using the imaging powder for use with the CAD/CAM dental imaging device.

Abstract: A composition for surface treatment of paper which includes a nanoparticle fraction, and a carrier fraction for detaining the nanoparticles in the surface layer. The carrier fraction includes plate-like pigment particles, and at least one binder. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the composition and to its use.

Abstract: An in situ ionic interaction between two additives, one a cationic strength enhancing additive and one an anionic crosslinking additive, is used to improve the mechanical properties of an article formed from a composite material. The composite has a discrete phase bound together with a film of the additives, such as gypsum crystals bound together by a film of substituted starch or cellulose ether.

Abstract: A sand sculpting composition including approximately 100 parts by dry weight of sand, between 0.1 part and 5 parts by dry weight of at least one non-toxic cold water-soluble adhesive agent selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized starches, chemically modified starches and chemically modified celluloses, and between 6 and 25 parts by weight water. The adhesive agent has been combined with the sand and an amount of water sufficient to both dissolve the adhesive agent and allow the adhesive agent to coat the particles of sand. A coloring agent may be added to the adhesive agent.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of water-soluble polysaccharide derivatives as dispersing agents for mineral binder suspensions. A partially hydrolyzed cellulose containing carboxyl groups and optionally hydroxyalkyl and/or sulfate groups and/or a partially hydrolyzed amylose-rich starch which also has sulfoalkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms is used as the polysaccharide derivative. These polysaccharide derivatives have a low viscosity and an excellent plasticizing effect in mineral binder suspensions, especially in those based on cement, lime and/or gypsum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating for inkjet media, which includes at least one hydrophobic filler particle; and a binder. Another embodiment of the invention provides an inkjet media, which includes the above-described coating coated on a substrate. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of inkjet printing, which includes inkjet printing at least one inkjet ink onto a substrate coated with the above-described coating.

Abstract: Coating composition comprising mineral pigment, for creating a matt or silk coated paper with decreased ink scuff tendency. The coating composition also comprises organic particles, which particles in an amount of 0.5-9.5 weight-% calculated on said mineral pigment, exhibit a particle size of more than 2 &mgr;m and at the most 50 &mgr;m. The invention also relates to a paper which is coated with said coating composition.

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 provides an aqueous dispersion comprising fumed silica particles, colloidal silica particles, and water. The fumed silica particles have a BET surface area of about 70 to about 140 m2/g, and the colloidal silica particles have a BET surface area of about 110 to about 150 m2/g. Also, the total amount of silica in the dispersion is about 35% to about 60% by weight, and the fumed silica particles comprise about 25% to about 80% by weight of the total amount of silica in the dispersion. The invention also provides a coating composition and a recording medium incorporating the inventive dispersion.

Abstract: Coating composition comprising mineral pigment, for creating a matt or silk coated paper with decreased ink scuff tendency. The coating composition also comprises organic particles, which particles in an amount of 0.5-9.5 weight-% calculated on said mineral pigment, exhibit a particle size of more than 2 &mgr;m and at the most 50 &mgr;m. The invention also relates to a paper which is coated with said coating composition.

Abstract: A sand sculpting composition including approximately 100 parts by dry weight of sand, between 0.1 part and 5 parts by dry weight of at least one non-toxic cold water-soluble adhesive agent selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized starches, chemically modified starches and chemically modified celluloses, and between 6 and 25 parts by weight water. The adhesive agent has been combined with the sand and an amount of water sufficient to both dissolve the adhesive agent and allow the adhesive agent to coat the particles of sand. A coloring agent may be added to the adhesive agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for both a composition and method for producing a scratch resistant coating applied to an acoustical panel. The coating primarily comprises binder, filler and mica and is typically applied as a spray. The coating can be characterized as a discontinuous film, whereby sound can pass through the coating to the panel for attenuating sound. The coating is thus enabled to provide a finish and color without compromising the acoustical performance of the substrate. The process primarily comprises combining and mixing the dry components of filler, binder and mica and then combining the same with water and mixing to create an aqueous mix that can be applied to the acoustical panel and dried.

Abstract: The problems of applying ink jet inks to various known coating surfaces so as to overcome smearing, poor resolution and attack by water etc., is overcome by the use of the new ink jet receptive media. The media comprises in combination: (1) a waterproof ink jet receptive coating, (2) a primer coating, (3) a non-porous substrate, (4) a pressure sensitive adhesive coating, (5) a silicone coating and (6) a backer layer. The receptive coating comprises the combination of: (1) binder, (2) charge control agent, (3) cross-linking agent, (4) adhesion enhancing agent and (5) dispersant. The absorption of the ink jet ink to the substrate is maximized, thus attracting and fixing the ink and providing a waterproofing effect.

Abstract: A method of vacuum forming of aqueous, fibrous slurries and products produced thereby are disclosed. The method entails forming an aqueous slurry of ceramic fiber, cationic starch and silica sol. The silica has, based on total weight of the sol, about 50% silica having a particle size range of from about 7 nm to about 200 nm and a specific surface area of about 100 m2/gm to about 10 m2/gm. The slurry is passed through a porous screen under a vacuum pressure deposit the solids content onto the screen to produce high strength products.