Abstract: Regioselectively substituted cellulose esters having a plurality of aryl-acyl substituents and a plurality of alkyl-acyl substituents are disclosed along with methods for making the same. Such cellulose esters may be suitable for use in optical films, such as optical films having certain Nz values, ?A optical films, and/or +C optical films. Optical films prepared employing such cellulose esters have a variety of commercial applications, such as, for example, as compensation films in liquid crystal displays and/or waveplates in creating circular polarized light used in 3-D technology.

Abstract: A polarizer protective film containing a cellulose acylate of such that when two polarizers are arranged on both sides of the film so as to block a transmitted light from running through the film and when the film is irradiated with a light on one side thereof and observed with an optical microscope where the object lens has 10 magnifications and the eye lens has 10 magnifications, on the opposite side thereof, the number of the bright spots existing therein and having a diameter of from 0.1 ?m to less than 10 ?m is at most 500/cm2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot melt adhesive, comprising at least one polysaccharide ester gained by a reaction of a polysaccharide with an imidazolide in melted imidazole. The invention relates, further, to a process for producing the hot melt adhesive, in which imidazole is melted, and an acid chloride and/or an acid anhydride and/or a lactone is reacted in and with the melted imidazole to form an imidazolide, whereby at least one polysaccharide is added to the melted imidazole, whereby the polysaccharide is reacted with the imidazolide to form a polysaccharide ester.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more halide ionic liquids and at least one binary component. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can have a degree of substitution (“DS”) of at least 1.5 and can comprise a plurality of ester substituents, where at least 50 percent of the ester substituents comprise alkyl esters having a carbon chain length of at least 6 carbons.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by subjecting a cellulose-ionic liquid solution comprising cellulose, one or more ionic liquids, and one or more co-solvents to esterification to thereby produce an esterified medium comprising a cellulose ester. The co-solvents employed in the present invention can be either miscible or immiscible with the cellulose-ionic liquid solution but can be readily dispersed or soluble in the esterified medium.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by subjecting a cellulose-ionic liquid solution comprising cellulose, one or more ionic liquids, and one or more co-solvents to esterification to thereby produce an esterified medium comprising a cellulose ester. The co-solvents employed in the present invention can be either miscible or immiscible with the cellulose-ionic liquid solution but can be readily dispersed or soluble in the esterified medium.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more ionic liquids. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can be contacted with at least one bleaching agent to produce bleached cellulose esters having a ?E value of less than 30.

Abstract: A thermo-molding material contains a water-insoluble cellulose derivative, wherein the water-insoluble cellulose derivative comprises: A) a hydrocarbon group; B) a group containing an acyl group: —CO—RB1 and an alkyleneoxy group: —RB2—O— (RB1 represents a hydrocarbon group, and RB2 represents an alkylene group having 3 carbon atoms); and C) an acyl group: —CO—RC (RC represents a hydrocarbon group).

Abstract: A cellulose ester film has a front retardation Re of from 20 nm to 100 nm relative to light having a wavelength of 590 nm at 25° C. and 60% RH; a retardation Rth in a film thickness direction of from 60 nm to 400 nm relative to light having a wavelength of 590 nm at 25° C. and 60% RH; and a shrinkage factor in a slow axis direction of less than 1% in the range of from a glass transition temperature to a temperature of 40° C. higher than a glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing porous polymer particles with improved filterability is described. One or more first water phases are formed comprising an anionic hydrocolloid with a mass-per-charge value of less than 600 and a relatively minor amount, compared to the anionic hydrocolloid, of at least one of a nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic, or weakly anionic water soluble or dispersible polymer, where the weakly anionic water soluble or dispersible polymer has a mass-per-charge value of larger than 600. A water-in-oil emulsion is formed by dispersing the one or more first water phases into an organic phase comprising at least one of either (i) preformed polymer dissolved in an organic solvent or (ii) polymerizable monomers, and homogenizing. A water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion is formed by dispersing the water-in-oil emulsion into a second water phase containing a stabilizing agent and homogenizing.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more halide ionic liquids and at least one binary component. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can have a degree of substitution (“DS”) of at least 1.5 and can comprise a plurality of ester substituents, where at least 50 percent of the ester substituents comprise alkyl esters having a carbon chain length of at least 6 carbons.

Abstract: Processes for recycling an ionic liquid comprising employing an initial ionic liquid as a solvent and/or reagent resulting in a modified ionic liquid and thereafter subjecting at least a portion of the modified ionic liquid to at least one anion exchange process to produce a reformed ionic liquid. The initial ionic liquid can be employed in a cellulose esterification process, thereby producing the modified ionic liquid. At least a portion of the reformed ionic liquid can be recycled to a point upstream in the cellulose esterification process.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: A method of coating hydroxylated surfaces by gas phase grafting is described. Especially acyl groups, silyl groups and/or alkyl groups are located on the surface of materials by gas phase grafting. The grafting method is a dry process. The material to coat can be organic or inorganic materials. The produced surface coated material are strong and durable and material normally not water-proof can be water-proof due to the surface treating. Examples of items produced from surface treated material may be water-proof cardboard boxes, other containers, furniture, interior for cars and boats. Items produced from organic materials such as from plant parts are biodegradable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retardation film having biaxial characteristics or an achromatic property, which is obtained by uniaxially stretching of a film composed of cellulose derivatives in which a hydroxyl group of cellulose is substituted by an acyl group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms or cross-linked compounds of cellulose derivatives, said retardation film is a superior retardation film which has negative birefringence and excellent optical characteristics and also can be easy to obtain by uniaxially stretching, and in addition, the heat resistance, tearing strength and the like which are weaknesses of cellulose ester are improved.

Abstract: A process of producing a cellulose acylate film is disclosed. The process comprises a forming step of forming a web of a fluid, comprising a cellulose acylate, aromatic group-containing oligomer and solvent, by casting the fluid onto a support, a stretching step of stretching the web, thereby to align molecules of the aromatic group-containing oligomer along the stretching direction, and a heat-treatment step of subjecting the stretched web to a heat treatment, thereby to at least increase the alignment degree of molecules of the aromatic group-containing oligomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to biomaterial compositions, methods and kits for producing hydrogels with tunable physico-chemical properties. Specifically, the invention relates to producing cellulosic hydrogels having optimized physico-chemical properties enabling support of cell growth or as replacement or filler for tissue repair, reconstruction or augmentation.

Abstract: A protective film to a polarizer including a cellulose acylate and satisfying the following requirement (1) or (2): (1): The surface of the film has a pH of from 3.0 to 4.5. (2): The surface of the film has a pH of more than 4.5 and at most 6.0, and the film has a moisture permeability of at least 2800 g/m2·day.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film, comprising a cellulose acylate having at least one substituent (Substituent A) comprising an aromatic group having at least one C4 or longer aliphatic group, is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose acylate film comprising a cellulose acylate satisfying relations of 2.0?A+B?2.45, (II): and 0.8?A?1.4, and (III): 0.6?B?1.65 where “A” represents a degree of acetyl substitution of hydroxy in a glucose unit of cellulose acylate; and “B” represents a degree of with C3 or longer acyl substitution of hydroxy in a glucose unit of cellulose acylate; and satisfying relations of 50 nm?Re(590)?70 nm, 100 nm?Rth(590)?120 nm, and (VI): 1.4?Rth(590)/Re(590)?2.6.

Abstract: A novel anionic polysaccharides functionalized by at least one hydrophobic acid derivative. These novel anionic polysaccharides including hydrophobic groups have good biocompatibility and their hydrophobicity can be easily adjusted without detrimentally affecting the biocompatibility or the stability. A method of synthesis which makes it possible to produce them and to pharmaceutical compositions including them.

Abstract: A plastic film having an internal haze of at most 0.08 and a total haze of at least 0.41 is, when attached to a polarizer and incorporated in a display device as a retardation film therein, effective for bettering the contrast of the device, and has good film handling characteristics during transport.

Abstract: A transglycosylation product, a method of producing the same and use of the product. The transglycosylation product comprises an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl glycoside of a cellulose ester or ether, wherein the alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of the glycoside residue comprise a carbon chain having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and having 0 to 2 free hydroxyl groups and being attached to the 1-carbon of the anhydroglucose unit via an oxy group. The product can be produced by mixing the cellulose derivative with mono-, di- or triol to form a reaction mixture, after which the reaction mixture is heated and the reaction is continued until a clear mixture is obtained. After cooling the recoverable product is suitable for use for example as an adhesive or as a hydrophobic coating.

Abstract: Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film of which the difference between the in-plane retardation at a wavelength of 630 nm and the in-plane retardation at a wavelength of 450 nm is 1 to 15 nm, and satisfying the following formula (2) both in the film traveling direction and in the direction perpendicular thereto: ?0.5%?{(L??L0)/L0}×100?0.5% ??(2), wherein L0 means the length of the film before the lapse of time of 24 hours at 60° C. and 90% RH; and L? means the length of the film after the lapse of time of 24 hours at 60° C. and 90% RH followed by humidity conditioning for 2 hours.

Abstract: A process for producing a glucan derivative modified with a cyclic ester with a highly suppressed homopolymerization of a cyclic ester is provided. In a production process for a modified glucan derivative, by allowing a glucan derivative having a hydroxyl group to react with a cyclic ester in a solvent in the presence of a ring-opening polymerization catalyst to give a modified glucan derivative in which the cyclic ester is graft-polymerized to the glucan derivative, (1) the ring-opening polymerization catalyst is a metal complex which by itself does not initiate the polymerization of the cyclic ester; and (2) the solvent comprises a nonaromatic hydrocarbon solvent having a solubility in water of not more than 10% by weight at 20° C.

Abstract: Cellulose ester and film thereof useful for remarkably improving optical properties, e.g., optical isotropy. The cellulose ester has a degree of substitution from 2.90 to 2.965, a total of degrees of substitution at 2- and 3-positions ?1.97, and a half height width of chemical composition expressed in degree of substitution of ?0.09. The cellulose ester maybe produced by (i) acylating a cellulose with an acylating agent in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst, and (ii) hydrolyzing the acylated product in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst, wherein the acylation carried out with 1.40 to 2.0 molar equivalents of the acylating agent relative to 1 mol of a hydroxyl group in the cellulose in the presence of 6.5 to 9.5 parts by weight of the sulfuric acid catalyst relative to 100 parts by weight of the cellulose in the acylating step (i).

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose ester film for optical use which contains an ultraviolet absorbent and hardly suffers from retardation fluctuations. The cellulose ester film is excellent in spectral absorption property as an optical film. In addition, the cellulose ester film is free from coloration and has excellent transparency, which having sufficient ultraviolet absorption and excellent long-term light resistance. Also disclosed are a polarizing plate and liquid crystal display wherein high contrast is maintained by using such a cellulose ester film for optical use. Specifically disclosed is a cellulose ester film for optical use which is characterized by containing at least one compound represented by one of the general formulae 1-3. Also specifically disclosed are a polarizing plate and liquid crystal display using such a cellulose ester film for optical use.

Abstract: A method according to one of the aspects of the present invention, for longitudinally stretching a thermoplastic resin film by drawing the thermoplastic resin film by a pair of rolls rotating at different circumferential velocities is characterized in that an draw initiation position is set between the pair of the rolls, and that the thermoplastic resin film is longitudinally stretched, while being heated locally and rapidly by contact-free local and rapid heating device installed at the draw initiation position along the film width direction in a range from Tg of the resin film ?5° C. or higher to Tg +30° C. or lower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a series of oxidized cellulose esters suitable for use as a drug carrier in the development of biodegradable controlled and/or sustained release pharmaceutical, agricultural, and veterinary compositions, such as films, compacts, microspheres, and pellets. The esters are prepared by acylation of oxidized cellulose having at least 3% carboxyl groups. The resulting oxidized cellulose esters are soluble in aqueous alkaline solutions, water, and a variety of organic solvents.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the adaptability to producing the cellulose acylate film and the surface properties of the cellulose acylate film produced by means of the melt film-forming method can be remarkably improved. Accordingly, there is also improved the surface properties of a stretched cellulose acylate film produced by stretching such an unstretched cellulose acylate film.

Abstract: A new cellulose excipient, OCCAE, suitable for use as a binder, filler, and/or disintegrant in the development of solid dosage forms and as a bodying agent or a drug carrier in the preparation of topical formulations is described. The cellulose excipient is formed by reacting an oxidized cellulose ester with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The invention also describes the formation of controlled release microspheres using OCCAE and/or oxidized cellulose esters that may be used to control the release of drug in a patient over a time period of several hours to several days.

Abstract: Carbohydrates having functional groups, such as carboxylic acid groups and methods of making such carbohydrates.

Abstract: A process for producing a cellulose ester film that is produced by a melt casting method using no solvent at film formation, and that attains reduction of bright spot foreign matter, excelling in planarity, and that attains reduction of staining, excelling in dimensional stability. It is also intended to provide such a cellulose ester film, a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display unit. There is provided a process for producing a cellulose ester film, characterized by forming into a film a material containing a cellulose ester and an ester compound of 1 to 7.5 distribution coefficient obtained by condensation of a polyhydric alcohol and an organic acid of the general formula: (1) according to a melt casting method.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a film is formed from a powdered cellulose acylate resin using a twin-screw extruder which has complete-mating-type screws and whose L/D is set in the range of 20 to 55, while setting the temperature of the resin in the extruder in the range of Tm+10° C. to Tm+70° C., keeping the average residence time of the cellulose acylate resin within 5 minutes, and drawing a vacuum so that the degree of vacuum in extruder after the powdered cellulose acylate resin has been melted is kept at 100 Torr or lower, whereby the color change or deterioration in mechanical strength of the resin can be decreased, and thus, a high-quality and high-functionality film which is good for the optical application can be provided.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film capable of providing a film capable of suppressing the occurrence of retardation and having excellent optical characteristics by reducing the occurrence of strain caused by the polishing roller method, and a method for producing the film are provided. A molten resin is extruded from a die in a sheet shape, supplied between a pair of polishing rollers sandwiched by pressure with the pair of polishing rollers and cooled to form a cellulose acylate film. At least one polishing roller is composed of a metal elastic roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a series of oxidized cellulose esters suitable for use as a drug carrier in the development of biodegradable controlled and/or sustained release pharmaceutical, agricultural, and veterinary compositions, such as films, compacts, microspheres, and pellets. The esters are prepared by acylation of oxidized cellulose having at least 3% carboxyl groups. The resulting oxidized cellulose esters are soluble in aqueous alkaline solutions, water, and a variety of organic solvents.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment of acne or rosacea on the skin are described. Also provided are methods of forming the compositions as well as the treatment itself. The composition includes as an active ingredient cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP).

Abstract: Cellulose acylate grains having a heat quantity of crystalline fusion of at most 10 J/g. A film prepared by melt-casting the grains is free from the problem of yellowing when built in liquid-crystal display devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a cellulose acylate film which can prevent the generation of foreign matter problems and can produce a high-quality film. A cellulose acylate resin is molten in a twin-screw extruder and extruded from a die to form a cellulose acylate film. The average residence time of the resin in the extruder is set at 5 minutes or less.

Abstract: A high-quality cellulose acylate film and saturated norbornene resin film which are produced by a melt film formation method and can be inhibited from having steak failures. Also provided is a process for producing the cellulose acylate film or the saturated norbornene resin film. The process, which is for producing a cellulose acylate film (12) or a saturated norbornene resin film, comprises melting a cellulose acylate resin or saturated norbornene resin with an extruder (22), feeding the molten resin to a die (24) through a piping (23), and ejecting the melt in a sheet form from the die (24) onto a cooled support (26) which is running or rotating to thereby cool and solidify the sheet. Thus, a cellulose acylate film (12) or saturated norbornene resin film is formed. In the process, a static mixer (27) is disposed in the piping (23) and the molten resin flowing in the piping (23) is statically stirred.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose acylate film, comprising heat-treating a cellulose acylate film having a haze, at a temperature T (unit, ° C.) satisfying the condition of the following formula (I): Tc?T<Tm0??(I) wherein Tc means the crystallization temperature (unit, ° C.) of the cellulose acylate film before the heat treatment; Tm0 means the melting point (unit, ° C.) of the cellulose acylate film before the heat treatment.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film, comprising a cellulose acylate having at least one substituent (Substituent A) comprising an aromatic group having at least one C4 or longer aliphatic group, is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the modification of amines and alcohols, comprising (i) providing a substrate having amino groups or alcohol groups, wherein said substrate is, e.g., a polysaccharide; (ii) providing a modifying agent which is a lactone, an ester, a polyester, a carbonate, a polycarbonate, a lactide, a glycolide, an anhydride, an acid, a thioester or a carbamate; (iii) providing a catalyst which is, e.g., a amino acid or an organic acid; and (iv) reacting the substrate with the modifying agent in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film that has: an in-plane orientation coefficient fxy and a thickness-direction orientation coefficient fxz falling within a range represented by following relationships; and an in-plane retardation Re (?) falling within a range of 30 nm?Re (590)?200 nm and a thickness-direction retardation Rth (?) falling within a range of 70 nm?Rth (590)?350 nm at 25° C., 60% RH: |fxy|<0.15 |fxz|<0.15 wherein fxy and fxz are calculated from infrared absorption spectroscopy measurement data based on C?O expansion/contraction mode of a ester group, and wherein Re (?) represents an in-plane retardation (Re) value (unit: nm) at a wavelength of ? nm; and Rth (?) represents a thickness-direction retardation (Rth) value (unit: nm) at a wavelength of ? nm.