The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising at least one hydrocolloid.

A packaging material composition may be biodegradable and water-soluble. The packaging material may include a biodegradable nonionic polysaccharide, a biodegradable ionic polysaccharide, and a plasticizer. Optionally, additional components may be added to the packaging material for a desired purpose. Additional components may include a biocide, clay, metal oxides (i.e. titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), modified nanoclays, one or more crosslinkers, other functional agents, and residual solvent from the packaging material production process.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

A photocurable composite hydrogel matrix precursor, a preparation method thereof and a scaffold with same. The photocurable composite hydrogel matrix precursor includes gelatin methacrylate, sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and chondroitin sulfate, where the mass ratio of a photoinitiator to the gelatin methacrylate to the sodium alginate to the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to the chondroitin sulfate is (0.2-0.3):(8-10):(1-3):(0.6-0.8):(0.05-0.07). By adoption of the precursor, a cell-loaded printing hydrogel scaffold can be obtained through an extrusion-based 3D bio-printing technology, and the scaffold is controllable in form, good in moldability, high in precision, and has good stability; the biocompatibility and bioactivity are high, so that a good growing environment can be provided for fibroblasts; and the preparation process is simple and can be completed within a short time, moreover, the porosity and mechanical performance of the 3D printing hydrogel scaffold can be adjusted by adjusting the raw material ratio.

The invention includes simple NCE-based materials comprising a simple NCE-based matrix, wherein the simple NCE-based matrix comprises a population of redispersible NCEs treated with a drying/dispersal additive; wherein the matrix provides an architectural framework for the simple NCE-based material; and wherein the simple NCE-based material comprises a barrier formulation. The invention also includes foamed composite NCE-containing materials comprising a composite NCE-containing matrix, wherein the composite NCE-containing matrix comprises a population of redispersible NCEs treated with a drying/dispersal additive, and an existing matrix; wherein the NCEs are integrated into the existing matrix, and wherein the existing matrix provides an architectural framework for the composite NCE-containing material; wherein the composite NCE-containing material comprises a barrier formulation. The invention further includes articles of manufacture, comprising the NCE-containing materials, formed articles made therefrom, and methods of their manufacture.

Disclosed herein are hydrogels comprising a polynucleotide-based structural component. Methods of altering a property of a hydrogel based on user-defined nucleic acid input sequences are also disclosed. In addition, various applications are described that utilize these hydrogels and methods.