An algae-based thermoplastic foam is provided having a protein-rich algae biomass selected from either microalgae, macroalgae or combinations thereof. The protein content is greater than or equal to 15% by weight of the algae biomass and the algae biomass is dried to a moister content of less than or equal to 15% by weight having an average particle size of up to 200 microns. The composition includes a resin configured to exhibit rheological properties suitable for blending with algae including a melting temperature less than 250° C. and a melt flow rate in excess of 0.01 g/10 min. The foam includes a foaming ingredient selected from the group consisting of crosslinkers, compatibilizers, plasticizers, accelerants, catalysts, blowing agents, other ingredients, and combinations thereof.

A protein/polysaccharide/essential oil nano-edible film. The essential oil nano-edible film includes the following raw materials in parts by weight: 1-8 parts of a quinoa protein-Atrina pectinata polysaccharide nanocomposite, 2-11 parts of an Atrina pectinata polysaccharide-essential oil nanocomposite, 1-12 parts of a quinoa protein, 2-16 parts of Atrina pectinata polysaccharide, and 5-53 parts of water. The present invention helps to solve the problem, in a conventional protein film, of the loss of flavor and even toxic side effects caused by the adding of a plasticizer and a crosslinking agent to improve the mechanical strength, the use of a lipid substance that has the capability to easily form a dense molecular network structure to improve the water and gas barrier properties, and the migration of an additive, the plasticizer, or a polymer degradation by-product thereof generated in reaction, and a solvent remaining in the polymerization reaction from the film to food.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for fabricating anisotropic polymer materials. According to various embodiments, a fluidic device is employed to distribute a polymer solution and a flow-confining solution in order to generate a layered flow, where the layered flow is formed such that a polymer liquid sheet is sheathed on opposing sides by flow-confining liquid sheets. The fluidic device includes first and second fluid conduits, where the first fluid conduit receives the layered flow. The second fluid conduit has a reduced height relative to the first fluid conduit, such that the layered flow is constricted as it flows through the second fluid conduit. The constriction formed by the second flow conduit causes hydrodynamic focusing, reducing the thickness of the polymer liquid sheet, and inducing molecular alignment and anisotropy within the polymer liquid sheet as it is hardened and as strain is applied during extrusion of the sheet.

An algae-based thermoplastic composition is provided that includes a protein-rich algae biomass selected from either microalgae, macroalgae or combinations thereof. The protein content is greater than or equal to 15% by weight of the algae biomass and the algae biomass is dried to a moisture content of less than or equal to 15% by weight and having a particle d99 of up to 200 microns. The dried algae biomass is at least 5% by weight of the thermoplastic composition. The composition includes a biodegradable resin configured to exhibit rheological properties suitable for blending with algae including a melting temperature less than 250° C. and a melt flow rate in excess of 0.01 g/10 min.

A method for preparing a multifunctional hydrogel by yeast fermentation is provided. According to the present disclosure, graphene oxide is reduced by polydopamine to obtain a reduced graphene oxide solution first, and then a certain concentration of a gelatin-PCA-glucose mixed solution and an activated yeast liquid are prepared. The three solutions are uniformly mixed and stirred by a one pot reaction method, poured into a mold, and subjected to fermentation in a 30° C. water bath for a certain period of time, so as to obtain a Gel-PrGO-PCA-yeast multifunctional hydrogel material. The method is simple, convenient, rapid, and efficient. The obtained hydrogel has good air permeability, superior mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility, and can be applied to different skin locations to achieve electrocardiograph and electromyographic detection.

A packaging material and a process of making this material are provided. The material contains an organic additive that promotes oxidative degradation and the subsequent bio-degradation of polyolefin polymers. This material and process are believed to be superior to existing materials and processes in terms of enhancing plastic degradation. The packaging material is formed from a composition that includes calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3), a polymer and casein and/or caseinate.

The present invention relates to a masterbatch composition comprising high concentration of biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity and uses thereof for manufacturing biodegradable plastic articles.

Ultra-stable aqueous foam comprises hydrophobic silica particles residing within bubbles in an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic polymer, a protein, or aqueous dispersible colloidal particles. The combination of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components stabilizes the foam interfaces to result in long term stability of the foam. The foams can be crosslinked to stable monolithic foams and used for structural foams, coatings, and thermal insulating for construction.

The present invention relates to a biopolymer-based hydrogel as a functional biomaterial produced by crosslinking in the presence of a photopolymerization initiator. The hydrogel of the present invention is elastic so as to be adapted to various shapes in both in vivo and in vitro applications. It is biocompatible, achieving maximum effects on wound healing as wound dressing and tissue adhesion preventing material. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the biocompatible hydrogel.

Reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks, including reversibly crosslinkable hydrogel networks are provided. Also provided are methods of making the polymeric networks and methods of using the hydrogel networks in tissue engineering applications. The reversibly crosslinkable polymeric networks are composed of polymer chains that are covalently crosslinked by azobenzene boronic ester bonds that can be reversibly formed and broken by exposing the polymeric networks to different wavelengths of light.