Abstract: Composition comprising lignin dispersed in a polyisocyanate wherein the (d90) mean particle size of the dispersed lignin is less than 5 ?m, preferably less than 2 ?m, more preferably less than 1 ?m and use of said composition in various polyurethane applications, in particular structural wood adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of reutilization of biomass resources, and more particularly relates to a grafting method for rice straw fiber modification. The pulverized and pretreated straw powder is first reacted with diisocyanate under ultrasonic and microwave treatment, and the resulting product is reacted with PEG to obtain the PEG grafted straw fiber polymer compound. Grafting PEG onto the straw fiber through the bridging of the diisocyanate improves the thermoplasticity of the modified rice straw fiber. The modified straw fiber of the present invention can be hot-pressed to form self-reinforced composite materials without adding additional materials, which overcomes the waste and pollution problem of traditional straw reutilization method, achieving the goal of whole straw utilization.

Abstract: Provided herein are graft co-polymers of lignin and poly(lactic acid) (lignin-g-PLA copolymer), thermoset and thermoplastic polymers including them, methods of preparing these polymers, and articles of manufacture including such polymers.

Abstract: An interconnected microcellular material, a method for preparing said material using low-value waste from the paper industry, such as industrial lignin, and the use thereof for the production of items such as catalysts, filters or absorbent elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for manufacturing bio-based epoxy resins. The raw materials of the resins include lignin, polyol, solvent, catalyst, acid anhydride, and multi-epoxy compound. The methods of manufacturing the resins include evenly mixing the lignin, the polyol, the catalyst, and the solvent together to form a mixture. The acid anhydride is added to the mixture to process esterification for forming an intermediate product. The multi-epoxy compound is added to the intermediate product to process epoxidation for forming the bio-based epoxy resins. The bio-based epoxy resin has excellent compatibility with the solvent, such that the solvent can be added to the bio-based epoxy resins to form coatings having a tunable solid content. As a result, the coating can be applied to the surfaces of every type of base material.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, by using a resin composition including lignin and a curing agent in which the lignin is soluble in an organic solvent and contained in the resin composition in an amount of from 10 to 90% by mass, there are provided a molded product and a composite molded product which are obtained from plant resources as a main raw material and to which a good flame retardance and a good antibacterial property are imparted.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for manufacturing bio-based epoxy resins. The raw materials of the resins include lignin, polyol, solvent, catalyst, acid anhydride, and multi-epoxy compound. The methods of manufacturing the resins include evenly mixing the lignin, the polyol, the catalyst, and the solvent together to form a mixture. The acid anhydride is added to the mixture to process esterification for forming an intermediate product. The multi-epoxy compound is added to the intermediate product to process epoxidation for forming the bio-based epoxy resins. The bio-based epoxy resin has excellent compatibility with the solvent, such that the solvent can be added to the bio-based epoxy resins to form coatings having a tunable solid content. As a result, the coating can be applied to the surfaces of every type of base material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing novel lignin derivatives, which comprises using a lignophenol derivative containing a diphenylpropane unit formed by binding a carbon atom at an ortho-position relative to a phenolic hydroxyl group of a phenol derivative to a carbon atom at a benzyl-position of a phenylpropane fundamental unit of lignin, and binding an oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group and a ?-positional carbon atom under alkali conditions under which the hydroxyl group can dissociate, to obtain an arylcoumaran derivative containing an arylcoumaran unit in which a coumaran skeleton is bound to an aromatic ring of lignin.

Abstract: The adhesive system for use in binding lignocellulosic materials into a composite product, the adhesive system consisting essentially of a first part and one of (a) a second part; (b) a third part, and (c) both the second part and the third part; the first part being selected from the group consisting of powdered tannins, powdered modified tannins, and mixtures thereof; the second part being a powdered component reactive with the first part and selected from the group consisting of aldehyde polymers, phenolic resoles, modified phenolic resoles, and mixtures thereof; the third part being a liquid polymeric isocyanate, wherein: when the system consists essentially of the first part and (a) the second part, the weight ratio of the first part to the second part is from about 1:99 to about 65:35; when the system consists essentially of the first part and (b) the third part, the weight ratio of the first part to the third part is from about 1:99 to about 65:35; and when the system consists essentially of the fir

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate having a main surface; a semiconductor layer of a first conduction type provided on the main surface of said semiconductor substrate; a first buried layer of the first conduction type provided between said semiconductor layer and said semiconductor substrate; a first connection region of the first conduction type provided around said first buried layer, said first connection region extending from the surface of said semiconductor layer to said first buried layer; a switching element provided in the surface region of said semiconductor layer on said first buried layer; and a low breakdown-voltage element provided in a surface region of said semiconductor layer, said low breakdown-voltage element being closer to said first connection region than said switching element and having lower breakdown voltage than that of said switching element.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a foam prepared from a resin comprising: one or more saccharides; one or more isocyanates; one or more resin polyols; and water. The foam may be for example polyurethane foam or polycyanurate foam, either flexible or rigid. Another embodiment includes a method for preparing a foam comprising: forming a resin by mixing one or more saccharides with one or more isocyanates and then mixing the one or more saccharides and the one or more isocyanates with water; and admixing one or more foam polyols to the resin. Another embodiment includes a method for manufacturing a foam derived from an isocyanate, comprising replacing all or a portion of the isocyanate with a resin comprising: one or more saccharides; one or more isocyanates; one or more resin polyols; and water. Another embodiment includes an article of manufacture comprising such foam.

Abstract: A novel resin for binding composite lignocellulosic, cellulosic and non-cellulosic products is disclosed. The resin is comprised of one or more isocyanates, one or more saccharides, one or more polyols, and water. Preferaby, the saccharide is a polysaccharide comprised of corn syrup. Preferably, the isocyanate is a polyisocyanate and the polyol is an ethylene glycol. Also disclosed are methods for preparing and applying the resin as well as the products prepared from the resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for manufacturing ligneous material, characterized in comprising the steps of acetylating wood elements selected from among wood pieces crushed from lumber, thin wood plates peeled from lumber, and wood fiber obtained by means of defibrating lumber, such that the degree of acetylation (weight percent gain) is 7% or greater, and preferably 7 to 18%; and binding the resultant aceylated wood elements, using a binder containing polyisocyanate. Thereby, it is possible to provide inexpensive ligneous material which exhibits only minor dimensional changes from moisture, wherein only a small amount of formaldehyde is released.

Abstract: Building materials based on polyisocyanate-impregnated lignocellulosic substrates provide increased strength and water, fire, insect, and fungi resistance compared to prior art building materials. At the same time, such building materials exhibit an aesthetically pleasing surface and can, therefore, be used in consumer visible applications (such as furniture) as well as in consumer invisible (such as door frames and stiles) applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in the preparation of a hot press molded board from a lignocellulose or an inorganic material as a main raw material, an isocyanate-based binder composition with which a board having eternally good releasability from a hot press plate, excellent physical properties and a low hygroscopic linear expansion coefficient can be obtained with improved productivity. The binder composition comprises (A) a compound having at least two isocyanate groups, (B) a low molecular weight polyethylene and (C) water as indispensable components.

Abstract: Biobased cross-linked compositions, methods of fabrication and structures, in particular biobased printed wiring boards using the compositions and methods of making the structures are described. Biobased materials such as lignin, crop oils, wood resins, tannins, and polysaccharides and combinations thereof are cross-linked, preferably using heat, a cross-linking agent, and an initiator. The materials fabricated have suitable properties for printed wiring boards which are made by impregnating a fiberglass or biobased cloth with an admixture of the biobased material, cross-linking agent and initiator which is processed by conventional methods to produce a printed wiring board.

Abstract: Polyisocyanate composition comprising a Group IVB metal compound, preferably a titanium chelate, optionally in combination with a compatibilizing compound and/or conventional release agents and the use thereof in binding lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: A lignin-polyol mixture is reacted with an isocyanate to produce a urethane material. The rate of the reaction is controlled by the sodium concentration in the lignin-polyol mixture. The lignin includes sodium and it is desirable to have the sodium at concentrations of less than 1% by weight of the lignin. Polyether and polyester polyol, are the preferred polyols in the lignin-polyol mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enzymatic polymerization and/or modification of lignin or lignin containing materials. The invention also relates to the use of this method in the manufacture of wood composites or wood laminates.

Abstract: Polymers containing lignin and organic compounds are produced by polymerizing the lignin with organic compounds containing at least 3 carbon atoms as well as oxygen, nitrogen and/or multiple-linkage functions in the presence of radically oxidizing enzymes and of oxidation products constituting their substrate.

Abstract: A graft copolymer of a vascular plant having a biologically produced part that is the plant or a component thereof and at least one sidechain, Sc, having randomly repeat unit, R.sub.ru, wherein R.sub.ru are formed by the polymerization of at least one substituted ethene polymerable by free radical polymerization. The sidechain repeat unit, R.sup.ru, has the structure ##STR1## such that the side groups, R.sub.i where i=1 to 4, on the sidechain are selected from the group of alkanes, alkenes, amides, alcohols, alkoxides, aromatics, cycloalkanes, esters, halogens, hydrogen, phenols, and nitrile groups and such groups further substituted with one or more groups. The side groups on the sidechain may vary from one repeat unit to another. The number of sidechains on the woody plant fragment can vary from 1 to 500 and the number of repeat units in each sidechain can vary from 1 to 500,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive composition for manufacturing plywood for exterior application including:a) 121 parts by weight phenolic resin;b) 5 to 121 parts by weight isocyanate;c) 1 to 40 parts by weight tannin selected from the group consisting of pine, quebracho, mimosa, and combinations thereof;d) 1 to 15 parts by weight paraformaldehyde or formaldehyde solutions in water;e) 5 to 50 parts by weight of water; andf) an amount of filler comprising inorganic and/or organic materials for providing the composition with the desired viscosity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of polymers containing ammonium groups in which OH-functional polymers are first reacted with isocyanates corresponding to general formula IOCN--R--CH.sub.2 --X Iin which R represents C.sub.2-11 alkylene or arylene and X represents halogen, to form urethanes and the urethanes are subsequently reacted with tertiary aliphatic amines corresponding to formula II ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 may be the same or different.

Abstract: A new polyurethane as well as a process for preparing same is disclosed. The new polyurethane contains therein a hard segment derived from at least one polyhydroxy substance selected from the group consisting of cellulosic substances, hemi-cellulosic substances and lignic substances, and is excellent in mechanical and thermal characteristics as compared with the existing polyurethanes. The new polyurethane can be prepared according to a method known per se, using the polyhydroxy substance alone or in mixture with a polyol compound as reactants to be polycondensed with a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A polymer material of the product of reaction of a grass plant lignin derivative comprising lignin polymer fragments recovered from black liquor obtained in the pulping of grass plant material and containing an average of more than 0.4 sites per phenyl propane unit of the polymer fragments reactive to base catalyzed substitution and condensation reactions, with an electrophilic compound which is capable of reacting twice at one side or at least once at each of two different sites.

Abstract: A water-soluble graft copolymer of lignin-(2-propenamide)-(sodium 2,2-dimethyl-3-imino-4-oxohex-5-ene-1-sulfonate) having a central lignin network and at least one grafted side chain, R, having randomly repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## such that the central lignin network has a molecular weight of about 1,000 to 100,000 and the total number of randomly repeating units in the grafted side chain or chains is in the range of 1,000 to 300,000, such that the total copolymer molecular weight is in the range of 40,000 to 30,000,000.The copolymers of the present invention are useful as thickeners for water and aqueous solutions and may be advantageously used in the recovery of oil from subterranean wells or in the preparation and use of drilling fluid compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid binder composition containing from about 70 to about 98 percent by weight of TDI residue and correspondingly from about 2 to about 30 percent by weight of a select ester derived from a dicarboxylic acid. When the binder composition is used in making lignocellulosic composite materials, such as particle board, the ester acts as an effective internal mold release agent, facilitating release of the composite material from the mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid binder composition containing from about 40 to about 98 percent by weight of an organic polyisocyanate and correspondingly from about 2 to about 60 percent by weight of a select ester derived from a dicarboxylic acid. When the binder composition is used in making lignocellulosic composite materials, such as particle board, the ester acts as an effective internal mold release agent, facilitating release of the composite material from the mold.

Abstract: An adhesive binder composition is provided for the preparation of lignocellulosic composite molded articles such as flake or particle board, made from moldable compositions which comprises an organic di- or polyisocyanate a liquid aromatic epoxide and lignin, for application to the lignocellulosic material prior to the molding process to form the composite product.

Abstract: An improved adhesive binder composition is provided for the preparation of lignocellulosic composite molded articles such as flake or particleboard, made from moldable compositions which comprises an organic di- or polyisocyanate and a cyclic alkylene ester of carbonic acid and optionally lignin, for application to the lignocellulosic material prior to the molding process to form the composite product.

Abstract: An alkali metal broken-down plant silicate polymer is reacted with a Lewis acid and an epoxide compound to produce a polyhydroxy lignin-cellulose polymer which may be reacted with polyisocyanates to prodice polyurethane silicate foam and be used for insulation.

Abstract: An alkali metal broken-down plant silicate polymer is reacted with a Lewis acid and an epoxide compound to produce a polyhydroxy lignin-cellulose polymer which may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethane silicate foam and be used for insulation.

Abstract: An adhesive binder composition is provided for the preparation of lignocellulosic composite molded articles such as flake or particle board, made from moldable compositions which comprises an organic di- or polyisocyanate and a liquid mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate and optionally lignin, for application to the lignocellulosic material prior to the molding process to form the composite product.

Abstract: Small particles of cellulose-containing plants are mixed with an alkali metal hydroxide and an oxidated silicon compound, then heated to 150.degree. C. to 220.degree. C. while agitating, thereby producing a broken-down lignin-cellulose silicate polymer which is then reacted with a substituted organic compound to produce an organic broken-down lignin-cellulose silicate polymer and may be used as molding powder and as a coating agent.