A compound having Formula (I), nC.sub.7—H.sub.15—O-(G).sub.p-H, where G is a reducing sugar residue, and p is a decimal number ≧1.05 and ≦5. The method for preparing the compound and its use as a hydrotropic surfactant by making soluble, in an aqueous alkaline composition, at least one non-ionic surfactant having Formula (II), R—(O—CH(R′)—CH2)n-(0-CH2-CH2)m-0-H, where R is a straight, branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical including 8-14 carbon atoms, R′ is a methyl or ethyl radical, n and m are whole numbers ≧0 and ≦15, assuming that n+m≧0. Cleaning compositions containing 0.5% to 20% of compounds of Formula (I), 0.5% to 80% of compounds of Formula (II), 10-50 wt % of at least one alkaline agent, 15-89 wt % of water, and optionally, 10-50 wt % of at least one anti-limescale agent are useful for cleaning hard surfaces.

A compound having Formula (I), nC.sub.7—H.sub.15—O-(G).sub.p-H, where G is a reducing sugar residue, and p is a decimal number ≧1.05 and ≦5. The method for preparing the compound and its use as a hydrotropic surfactant by making soluble, in an aqueous alkaline composition, at least one non-ionic surfactant having Formula (II), R—(O—CH(R′)—CH2)n-(0-CH2-CH2)m-0-H, where R is a straight, branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical including 8-14 carbon atoms, R′ is a methyl or ethyl radical, n and m are whole numbers ≧0 and ≦15, assuming that n+m≧0. Cleaning compositions containing 0.5% to 20% of compounds of Formula (I), 0.5% to 80% of compounds of Formula (II), 10-50 wt % of at least one alkaline agent, 15-89 wt % of water, and optionally, 10-50 wt % of at least one anti-limescale agent are useful for cleaning hard surfaces.

Hydrophobic CNCs were successfully prepared by grafting amine- and thiol terminated hydrocarbons to CNCs that have been previously coated with plant polyphenols. Hydrocarbons of various chain lengths can be used to tune the hydrophobicity of the modified CNCs. After the surface modification process, CNCs can be easily redispersed in nonpolar solvents highlighting the potential of the hydrophobic CNCs in, for example, CNC reinforced nanocomposites and non-aqueous formulations.

The present invention relates to an ultra-thin film silk fibroin/collagen composite implant for tissue engineering and a manufacturing method therefor. The ultra-thin film silk fibroin/collagen silk fibroin/collagen composite implant according to the present invention has no cytotoxicity and can minimize the influence on cell growth, due to the combined use of a refined silk fibroin aqueous solution, collagen and various biomaterials, and thus can be widely used as an ultra-thin film implant for implanting.

The present invention relates to an ultra-thin film silk fibroin/collagen composite implant for tissue engineering and a manufacturing method therefor. The ultra-thin film silk fibroin/collagen silk fibroin/collagen composite implant according to the present invention has no cytotoxicity and can minimize the influence on cell growth, due to the combined use of a refined silk fibroin aqueous solution, collagen and various biomaterials, and thus can be widely used as an ultra-thin film implant for implanting.

A bioplastic composition may contain certain biodegradable and renewable components. In some examples, the bioplastic composition includes at least one kind of aquatic macrophyte biomass, which may contain a native composition of protein and carbohydrates, in a blend with one or more types of biodegradable or durable thermoplastic polymers. The aquatic macrophyte composition may provide a balance of both polymeric and reinforcing properties to the blended bioplastic not typically exhibited by terrestrial feedstock such as soy meal or corn starch. Such a bioplastic composition may be formed into molded articles using extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, or the like.

A bioplastic composition may contain certain biodegradable and renewable components. In some examples, the bioplastic composition includes at least one kind of aquatic macrophyte biomass, which may contain a native composition of protein and carbohydrates, in a blend with one or more types of biodegradable or durable thermoplastic polymers. The aquatic macrophyte composition may provide a balance of both polymeric and reinforcing properties to the blended bioplastic not typically exhibited by terrestrial feedstock such as soy meal or corn starch. Such a bioplastic composition may be formed into molded articles using extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, or the like.

An electrode for an electrochemical element with an organic electrolyte includes a polymeric material containing or composed of subunits according to general formulae (I) and/or (II):

##STR00001##

wherein n is an integer >2, Y represents an amide group (—NH—CO— or —CO—NH—), an ester group (—O—CO— or —CO—O—) or a urethane group (—NH—CO—O— or —O—CO—NH—), R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent H, alkyl (preferably —CH.sub.3, —C.sub.2H.sub.5), Alkoxy-(preferably —OCH.sub.3, —OC.sub.2H.sub.5), -halogen or —CN, Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.4 independently represent a bridging aryl group, Ar.sub.e and Ar.sub.a independently represent a non-bridging aryl group, and R.sub.5 is a bridging alkyl, alkene or aryl group, wherein Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.4 in structures (I) and (II) independently represent a bridging aryl group.

An electrode for an electrochemical element with an organic electrolyte includes a polymeric material containing or composed of subunits according to general formulae (I) and/or (II):

##STR00001##

wherein n is an integer >2, Y represents an amide group (—NH—CO— or —CO—NH—), an ester group (—O—CO— or —CO—O—) or a urethane group (—NH—CO—O— or —O—CO—NH—), R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent H, alkyl (preferably —CH.sub.3, —C.sub.2H.sub.5), Alkoxy-(preferably —OCH.sub.3, —OC.sub.2H.sub.5), -halogen or —CN, Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.4 independently represent a bridging aryl group, Ar.sub.e and Ar.sub.a independently represent a non-bridging aryl group, and R.sub.5 is a bridging alkyl, alkene or aryl group, wherein Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.4 in structures (I) and (II) independently represent a bridging aryl group.

The present invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a vinylidene fluoride polymer, to a polymer obtainable via said process and to an article comprising the same.