A polymeric blend composition comprising: (a) from about 1 to about 99 wt. % of a polymer; and (b) from about 1 to about 75 wt. % poly alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. The addition of alpha-1,3-glucan as a polymer filler can increase the tensile modulus, tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties of the polymeric blend composition.

Disclosed herein are rubber compositions comprising bio-oil produced by a recombinant cell. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the variability of fatty acid content in bio-oil containing rubber compositions or tires comprising at least one component incorporating the bio-oil containing rubber composition, and a method of providing a bio-oil-containing tire with a reduced carbon footprint.

According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mixed-material layer on the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode mixed-material layer includes a titanium-containing metal oxide and a binder including an acrylic resin. The negative electrode satisfies α/β>1.36×10.sup.−2, where “α” is a peel strength (N/m) between the current collector and the negative electrode mixed-material layer, and “β” is a cutting strength (N/m) according to a surface and interfacial cutting method in the negative electrode mixed-material layer.

According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mixed-material layer on the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode mixed-material layer includes a titanium-containing metal oxide and a binder including an acrylic resin. The negative electrode satisfies α/β>1.36×10.sup.−2, where “α” is a peel strength (N/m) between the current collector and the negative electrode mixed-material layer, and “β” is a cutting strength (N/m) according to a surface and interfacial cutting method in the negative electrode mixed-material layer.

Provided are a white heat-curable epoxy resin composition capable of yielding a cured product that is tough and superior in initial reflection rate and heat resistance; and a semiconductor device with a light receiving element and other semiconductor elements being encapsulated by such cured product. The white heat-curable epoxy resin composition contains: (A) a prepolymer as a molten mixture of (A-1) an epoxy resin: a triazine derivative epoxy resin and/or an alicyclic epoxy compound having an epoxy group and an alicyclic structure in one molecule and being non-fluid at 25° C., (A-2) an acid anhydride having no carbon-carbon double bond and (A-3) an acrylic resin-based modifier having an epoxy group and a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 30,000; (B) a white pigment containing a titanium oxide; (C) an inorganic filler; (D) a curing accelerator; and (E) an antioxidant.

Provided are a white heat-curable epoxy resin composition capable of yielding a cured product that is tough and superior in initial reflection rate and heat resistance; and a semiconductor device with a light receiving element and other semiconductor elements being encapsulated by such cured product. The white heat-curable epoxy resin composition contains: (A) a prepolymer as a molten mixture of (A-1) an epoxy resin: a triazine derivative epoxy resin and/or an alicyclic epoxy compound having an epoxy group and an alicyclic structure in one molecule and being non-fluid at 25° C., (A-2) an acid anhydride having no carbon-carbon double bond and (A-3) an acrylic resin-based modifier having an epoxy group and a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 30,000; (B) a white pigment containing a titanium oxide; (C) an inorganic filler; (D) a curing accelerator; and (E) an antioxidant.

A method and system for customizing vehicle tires based on a purchase order placed by a customer is disclosed. The customer is enabled to place the purchase order through one of a local store, a mail order and an online website. While placing the purchase order, the customer is enabled to provide the requirements regarding the color shade, areas to be colored etc., based on the color of the vehicle. The color shade in the purchase order is any one of primary colors or shades obtained by mixing primary colors excluding black. Once the purchase order is received, the color of the vehicle tires is customized based on the requirements provided by the customer.

A method of and system for adhesive bonding by a) providing a polymerizable adhesive composition on a surface of an element to be bonded to form an assembly; b) irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength capable of vulcanization of bonds in the polymerizable adhesive composition by activation of sulfur-containing compound with at least one selected from x-ray, e-beam, visible, or infrared light to thereby generate ultraviolet light in the polymerizable adhesive composition; and c) adhesively joining two or more components together by way of the polymerizable adhesive composition, and a curable polymer for use therein.

The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive (DRA) that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. More specifically, this dust reduction additive is of sufficiently lighter shade to not impact the shade of the joint compound upon addition. In one embodiment, this invention relates to a non-foaming dust reduction additive that comprises paraffin and/or micro-crystalline wax-based emulsion.

A decorative sheet and a decorative member having high scratch resistance and antiviral properties. The decorative sheet includes a substrate sheet, an adhesive layer, a surface protective layer, and a thermoplastic resin layer, wherein at least one of the surface protective layer and the thermoplastic resin layer contains a nucleating agent or inorganic particles, and the surface protective layer has added thereto an antiviral agent at an amount of 0.2 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less.