Provided is a hard capsule. The provided hard capsule includes water-soluble cellulose ether, about 0.5 parts by weight to about 1.5 parts by weight of a gelation agent based on 100 parts by weight of the water-soluble cellulose ether, and about 0 parts by weight to about 0.3 parts by weight of a gelation aid based on 100 parts by weight of the water-soluble cellulose ether, wherein the hard capsule comprises a body and a cap that seals the body, and a ratio of a maximum thickness to a minimum thickness of the body and the cap is each 2.5 or less.

The present invention relates to a method of providing thermal and/or acoustic insulation to a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate which comprises fibres; applying the substrate to the structure; blending the substrate with a binder composition before, during or after application of the substrate to the structure; allowing curing of the binder composition after the substrate and the binder composition have been applied to the structure; wherein the binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid. The present invention also relates to an insulated structure obtainable by said method.

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

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.

The invention relates to a process for producing a pulverulent composition comprising at least one polymeric dispersant (PD) which comprises structural units having anionic and/or anionogenic groups and structural units having polyether side chains, and at least one polysaccharide (PS). The process here comprises the process steps: a) production of an aqueous dispersion having a viscosity of the dispersion of less than 10 000 mPa.Math.s, comprising the at least one polymeric dispersant (PD) and the at least one polysaccharide (PS) and b) spray drying of the aqueous dispersion produced in process step a). Furthermore, the use of the pulverulent composition according to the invention in inorganic binder compositions, especially as a rheological additive, is disclosed.

This invention provides a preparation, composition, product, and application of a photo-coupled synergistically crosslinked hydrogel material. The preparation includes dissolving Component A including a photosensitive polymer derivative having o-nitrobenzyl phototriggers and Component B including a polymer derivative having amine or alkene (double group) or sulfhydryl group in a biocompatible medium to obtain solution A and solution B, respectively; mixing the solution A and solution B homogeneously to obtain a hydrogel precursor solution; initiating photo-coupled synergistic crosslinking under an irradiation of a UV light to form the hydrogel. The irradiation causes the o-nitrobenzyl phototriggers to generate an aldehyde group/keto group or a nitroso group to initiate photo-coupled synergetic crosslinking. The photo-coupled synergistically crosslinked hydrogel has applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, 3D printing and as a carrier of cell, protein or drug.

A method for determining hydration of a polymer includes mixing a water-soluble, powdered dye with a powdered polymer and introducing the mixed water-soluble, powdered dye and powdered polymer into a water-based fluid. Full hydration of the powdered polymer is determined when the mixed water-soluble, powdered dye, powdered polymer and water-based fluid comprises substantially no internal optical contrast.

Carrageenan-based compositions containing a carrageenan, a starch, a plasticizer, water, and an optional buffer are disclosed, in which the carrageenan has both a potassium content of less than 4 wt. % and a viscosity configured to produce capsules on pressure-free rotary die equipment. Films and capsules can be formed from the carrageenan-based compositions.

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 fire-protecting insulation product has air-laid mineral wool fibres and a binder. The binder is the result of curing a binder composition comprising at least one hydrocolloid. The product further comprises a particulate endothermic material.