Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for creating an environment in a container that is suitable for growing anaerobic bacteria. The device utilizes exothermic chemistry to deplete oxygen and drive the decomposition of a bicarbonate present in the closed system. The decomposition of the bicarbonate results in the release of carbon dioxide. The result of this exothermic reaction and decomposition of the bicarbonate in the closed system results in a suitable oxygen depleted, carbon dioxide enriched atmospheric environment for the growth of anaerobic bacteria. The device is formed of an air permeable package containing a heat generating composition and a bicarbonate. The air-permeable package is contained within an outer wrap that forms an air barrier to the air-permeable package. To activate the heat generating composition, the outer wrap is removed to expose the air-permeable package to the oxygen within the container.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an oxygen scavenging composition, comprising (i) an oxygen scavenging polymer comprising units having structure I: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —NCO—, and —NR—, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of —H and —C1-C6 alkyls; (ii) a transition metal oxidation catalyst; and (iii) an energy-absorbing compound selected from the group consisting of microwave reactive materials and photoinitiators having a wavelength of maximum absorption of electromagnetic radiation from about 200 nm to about 750 nm. The oxygen scavenging composition can be used to form an oxygen scavenging packaging article.

Abstract: A method for the remediation of contaminated soil directly and effectively removes the contaminants such as organic halides from the contaminated soil, using remediation agents for soil. In more detail, the agents include a slurry of fine iron particles in which the fine iron particles having average particle size less than 10 &mgr;m are dispersed in water; and an aqueous suspended liquid that contains fine iron particles having average particle size less of 1 to 200 &mgr;m and a hydrophilic binder; and these agents are employable for the method for the remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing propellant compacts for use in gas generators for safety devices in motor vehicles by extrusion, comprising the following steps: mixing the constituents of the propellant and stirring the mixture into a paste with a solvent so as to form a plasticizable mass, extruding the plasticizable mass in order to form propellant compacts, and drying the propellant compacts in order to remove the solvent, a thickening agent which increases the viscosity being added to the solvent prior to pasting in a proportion of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, relative to the solvent, and the dried propellant compacts having a density of at least 70% of the theoretical density. The invention further relates to propellant compacts obtainable in accordance with this method.

Abstract: A reductive system including a silane, preferably PMHS, and an active zinc compound, which is monomeric and not a hydride, wherein a reduction of a carbonyl substrate to a corresponding alcohol is achievable.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen or air. A method of bleaching a substrate is provided that comprises applying to the substrate, in an aqueous medium, a specified ligand from a selected class which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by atmospheric oxygen. Also provided is an aqueous bleaching composition substantially devoid of peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or -generating bleach system.

Abstract: The invention effectively prevents occurrence of corrosion in water tubes or the like of boilers. The invention provides a method for operating a boiler, including regulating a concentration of sulfate ions SO42− in boiler water to under 500 ppm, and a method for injecting a sulfite base oxygen scavenger, including setting a concentration of residual dissolved oxygen in boiler feed water to 2-4 ppm. The invention further provides a sulfite base oxygen scavenger composition comprising: 3-30 weight % of at least one selected from a group consisting of Na2SO3, K2SO3, NaHSO3 and KHSO3; 1-20 weight % of NaOH or KOH; 0.2-2 weight % of potassium sorbate; and 5-500 ppm of CoSO4.

Abstract: An improvement in a method of bonding copper and a resin together wherein a copper oxide layer is formed on the surface of copper by the oxidation of metallic copper, the copper oxide layer is reduced to metallic copper with an aqueous reducing solution containing at least one amine borane represented by the general formula: BH3NHRR′ (wherein R and R′ are each a member selected from the group consisting of H, CH3, and CH2CH3), and the metallic copper is bonded to a resin. According to the improvement, a reducing stabilizer is added to the reducing solution in an amount sufficient to decrease consumption of the amine borane during reduction to a level less than that consumed in the absence of the reducing stabilizer during the course of the copper oxide reduction process, wherein the stabilized reduction process is initiated in a reasonable time and the metallic copper layer resulting from the stabilized reduction process is resistant to acid attack.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenger composition, for use in or with plastics materials, includes a polymer or oligomer having at least one cyclohexene group or functionality. The composition produces only low levels of volatile or extractable (from a plastics material in which it is incorporated) products as a consequence of oxygen scavenging.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenger composition, for use in or with plastics materials, includes a polymer or oligomer having at least one cyclohexene group or functionality. The composition produces only low levels of volatile or extractable (from a plastics material in which it is incorporated) products as a consequence of oxygen scavenging.

Abstract: A multicomponent kit for coloring and later removing color from fibers is described, which consists of a first component and a second component. The first component includes a composition for oxidative dyeing of hair and the second component includes an aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic composition for reductive removal of color from dyed hair. The composition for reductive removal of color from hair has a pH of from 1.8 to 6 and is in the form of a gel, cream, emulsion, foam or solution. It contains from 1 to 50% by weight of one or more reductones, advantageously ascorbic and/or isoascorbic acid or salts thereof, and, in addition to the reductones, from 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more thiols or a combination of from 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more thiols and from 0.001 to 5% by weight of one or more sulfites. It also includes one or more pH adjusting agents and standard cosmetic additive ingredients.