An easy to use and store environmentally friendly binding agent for cellulose-containing materials, particularly suitable for use in the production of wood composites, and composite material product obtained by the use of this binding agent is disclosed.

An easy to use and store environmentally friendly binding agent for cellulose-containing materials, particularly suitable for use in the production of wood composites, and composite material product obtained by the use of this binding agent is disclosed.

Provided herein is a method for preparing microcarrier particles, comprising the steps of allowing the dispersed phase liquid flow through a multi-hole plate at a low temperature to form liquid microspheres in a continuous phase, and enabling a synthetic polymer and/or natural biological macromolecules within the liquid microspheres to be subject to a curing reaction at a low temperature to form particles. Further provided herein are the method for preparing an emulsion and an apparatus and process system for preparing microcarrier particles, which can be used for preparing emulsions and microcarrier particles on a large scale.

Provided herein is a method for preparing microcarrier particles, comprising the steps of allowing the dispersed phase liquid flow through a multi-hole plate at a low temperature to form liquid microspheres in a continuous phase, and enabling a synthetic polymer and/or natural biological macromolecules within the liquid microspheres to be subject to a curing reaction at a low temperature to form particles. Further provided herein are the method for preparing an emulsion and an apparatus and process system for preparing microcarrier particles, which can be used for preparing emulsions and microcarrier particles on a large scale.

Disclosed herein is a composite material and a skin test platform material in a form of a membrane, comprising silk fibroin and a crosslinking agent, wherein from 4.7 to 14 wt % of the total dry weight of the material is derived from the crosslinking agent. In one embodiment, the crosslinking agent is polyethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether. The membrane has a surface that may be shaped to mimic human skin structures. Also disclosed herein are methods of forming a composite material, a skin test platform material, and determining a property of a test composition such as an anti-bacterial cleansing composition, a skin care product and a perfume.

Aspects of the present disclosure pertain to compositions and methods for preparing silk films for use in food packaging. Exemplary compositions of the present disclosure comprise silk films and packaging coatings as a replacement for traditional food packaging, such as single-use plastic packaging, and/or to extend the shelf-life of foods. The natural bio-based silk coatings of the present disclosure may be odorless, low cost, edible, compostable, come from a renewable source, removable from the packaging for recycling, and are biodegradable. In some embodiments, the silk films and packaging coatings may prolong the shelf-life, enhance or maintain the quality and safety, and/or provide indication of and regulate the freshness of food products.

Aspects of the present disclosure pertain to compositions and methods for preparing silk films for use in food packaging. Exemplary compositions of the present disclosure comprise silk films and packaging coatings as a replacement for traditional food packaging, such as single-use plastic packaging, and/or to extend the shelf-life of foods. The natural bio-based silk coatings of the present disclosure may be odorless, low cost, edible, compostable, come from a renewable source, removable from the packaging for recycling, and are biodegradable. In some embodiments, the silk films and packaging coatings may prolong the shelf-life, enhance or maintain the quality and safety, and/or provide indication of and regulate the freshness of food products.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a synthetic polymer containing a first segment containing a polypeptide skeleton and one or a plurality of second segments bonded directly to the first segment, in which the second segment contains a molecular group having a plasticizing function for the polypeptide skeleton.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a synthetic polymer containing a first segment containing a polypeptide skeleton and one or a plurality of second segments bonded directly to the first segment, in which the second segment contains a molecular group having a plasticizing function for the polypeptide skeleton.

Described herein are fluid complex coacervates that produce solid adhesives in situ. Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes were designed to form fluid adhesive complex coacervates at ionic strengths higher than the ionic strength of the application site, but an insoluble adhesive solid or gel at the application site. When the fluid, high ionic strength adhesive complex coacervates are introduced into the lower ionic strength application site, the fluid complex coacervate is converted to a an adhesive solid or gel as the salt concentration in the complex coacervate equilibrates to the application site salt concentration. In one embodiment, the fluid complex coacervates are designed to solidify in situ at physiological ionic strength and have numerous medical applications. In other aspects, the fluid complex coacervates can be used in aqueous environment for non-medical applications.