Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a paper surface sizing composition, a paper web coated on one or more sides or surfaces with a paper surface sizing composition, and a method for treating one or more sides of the paper web with a paper surface sizing composition to impart benefits relating to one or more of the following properties: (1) brightness; (2) opacity; (3) paper smoothness; (4) print quality; (5) optionally ink dry time (e.g., for ink jet printing where the sizing composition has option); and (6) optionally minimizing or eliminating edge welding (e.g., for paper webs used in, for example, form printing).

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is the use of particular polysaccharides as admixtures for mineral materials, especially as admixtures for mineral binders. These polysaccharides have, characteristically: a weight-average molecular weight Mw of at least 500 g/mol and at most 9000 g/mol, especially between 700 and 7000 g/mol; and a degree of branching DB of at least 10%, especially between 10 and 40%. The invention also relates to the combined use, in mineral materials, including especially mineral binders, of these particular polysaccharides on the one hand and of certain other admixtures on the other hand, for example admixtures, of saccharidic or nonsaccharidic type, having a plasticizing, superplasticizing or other functionality.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for treating a particulate and for dust and erosion control. The compositions comprise a dissolved sugar solid. Preferably, the composition comprises a dissolved sugar solid, further in combination with a salt or a lignin, or combinations thereof.

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: A biodegradable sugar-inorganic hybrid composite comprising a sugar or a sugar derivative uniformly dispersed in a matrix of an inorganic oxide, of which degradation products are suitable for recycling use.

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: A biodegradable sugar-inorganic hybrid composite comprising a sugar or a sugar derivative uniformly dispersed in a matrix of an inorganic oxide, of which degradation products are suitable for recycling use.

Abstract: A ceramic composition having at least one nanometric ceramic powder, at least one lower saccharide, and water. The composition is useful in many industrial applications, including preparation of stronger and substantially defect-free green and sintered ceramic bodies.

Abstract: A coating color composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of (a) a pigment, (b) a binder, (c) a fluorescent whitener and (d) a water-soluble polymer formed from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomer blend, characterised in that the water-soluble polymer consists essentially of, (i) 90 to 100 mole % hydrophilic essentially nonionic repeating units and, (ii) 0 to 10 mole % anionic repeating units and has an average molecular weight of between 50,000 and 500,000.

Abstract: The invention relates to fiber compositions that can be pumped and metered in the fashion of fluid chemical admixtures into a concrete mix, thereby enabling the fibers to be dispensed by concrete ready-mix plant operators who can provide verification of fiber administration and dosage. The fibers, particularly plastic shrinkage control fibers having large cumulative surface area, are suspended in an aqueous medium such that their surface area is already wetted out, thereby virtually assuring that substantial uniform fiber dispersion can be achieved without clumping and the delay that is usually required by fiber intermixing.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the buildup of snow and ice on a surface. The composition includes a sugar-water mixture having approximately 15 to 80 percent by weight of a sugar solid, wherein the sugar solid contains approximately 2-60 percent by weight of a monosaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed are a lithographic dampening solution and a method for dampening a lithographic plate. The solution comprises an aqueous solution of a gum, which may be a corn-hull-derived hemicellulose or the enzyme digestion product of a hemicellulose. The method generally comprises dampening a lithographic plate with the disclosed dampening solution.

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: Powder mixtures and a method of forming and shaping the mixtures. The method involves compounding the components of powder materials, binder, solvent for the binder, surfactant, and non-solvent with respect to at least the binder, the solvent, and the powder materials. The non-solvent is lower in viscosity than the binder combined with the solvent. The solvent is present in an amount that is less than the amount that would be present otherwise. The components are mixed and plasticized, and shaped to form a green body. The choice of components results in improved wet green strength in the green body. The method is especially useful for extrusion processing of aqueous binder systems such as water and cellulose ethers and hydrophobic non-solvents, to form structures such as honeycombs. In the body, the ratio, upon subsequent firing, of the isostatic strength to the A-axis strength is at least about 20% higher than in bodies made without the mixture composition of the invention.

Abstract: A biodegradable sugar-inorganic hybrid composite comprising a sugar or a sugar derivative uniformly dispersed in a matrix of an inorganic oxide, of which degradation products are suitable for recycling use.

Abstract: A temporary dental cement composition temporarily affixes a dental prosthesis or appliance to a tooth or other dental substrate. The dental cement includes a mixture of: (i) an ion leaching agent; (ii) polycarboxylic acid; (iii) sugar; and (iv) water. The sugar is added in a sufficient amount that the ion leaching agent and polycarboxylic acid form a hardenable adhesive having an adhesive matrix which forms a relatively weak, temporary bond, as opposed to a permanent bond. The temporary cement composition is compatible with subsequent deposition of typical bonding materials, such as resin luting agents as well as non-resin permanent cements.

Abstract: Thermoplastic starch compositions that include a particulate filler, e.g. an inorganic filler component, and optional fibrous component The compositions include a thermoplastic phase comprising a thermoplastic starch melt that contains, at a minimum, starch blended with an appropriate plasticizing agent under conditions in order for the starch to form a thermoplastic melt. The thermoplastic phase may also include one or more additional thermoplastic polymers and other optional reactants, liquids or cross-linking agents to improve the water-resistance, strength, and/or other mechanical properties of the thermoplastic melt, particularly upon solidification. The inorganic filler component may affect the mechanical properties but will mainly be added to reduce the cost of the thermoplastic starch compositions by displacing a significant portion of the more expensive starch or starch/polymer melt.