A drinking straw comprising an elongate tubular body of an insoluble material having an internal coating comprising a matrix containing an active agent dispersed within the matrix, the body sized to allow a carrier liquid to be drawn therethrough such that passage of the carrier liquid causes the matrix to release the active agent into the carrier liquid to be consumed by a drinker. The matrix comprises partially hydrolysed guar gum, an acid and a modified cellulose. The active agent includes sweetener, flavour, a nutrient and/or a pharmaceutical and optionally colour. The coating is prepared by mixing the matrix with water to form a paste or syrup and is then used to coat the inside surface of a drinking straw to a thickness of less than 1 mm. Liquid drawn through the straw dissolves or breaks down the coating, releasing the active agent into the liquid for consumption.

An oil repellent agent including a modified natural product having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein a hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group is replaced with an R group represented by —Y—Z, wherein Y represents a direct bond, —C(═O)—, —C(═O)—NR′— or —C(═S)—NR′—, where R′ represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group); and Z represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms and optionally having a substituent or a polysiloxane. The natural material is a natural product other than starch and preferably is a monosaccharide, a polysaccharide, glycerin or polyglycerin. Also disclosed is a textile product to which the oil-resistant agent is attached, an oil-resistant paper and a method of treating paper with the oil-resistant agent.

The disclosure provides methods for producing plant-based compositions. The plant-based composition comprises a mixture comprising mucilage derived from Opuntia ficus-indica and polyurethane, wherein the mixture comprises at least about 10 wt % of mucilage. The plant-based composition further comprises a textile support coupled to the mixture, wherein at least a portion of the textile support is saturated by the mixture.

Provided is a bioink comprising a mixture comprising a collagen and a polysaccharide, and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), a hydrogel matrix formed from a bioink comprising a mixture comprising a collagen and a polysaccharide, and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), a 3D biomaterial scaffold comprising a hydrogel matrix of the disclosure as a first hydrogel layer and a hydrogel matrix of the disclosure as a second hydrogel layer, optionally having an intervening layer between the first hydrogel layer and the second hydrogel layer, and methods of forming and using same.

Provided is a bioink comprising a mixture comprising a collagen and a polysaccharide, and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), a hydrogel matrix formed from a bioink comprising a mixture comprising a collagen and a polysaccharide, and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), a 3D biomaterial scaffold comprising a hydrogel matrix of the disclosure as a first hydrogel layer and a hydrogel matrix of the disclosure as a second hydrogel layer, optionally having an intervening layer between the first hydrogel layer and the second hydrogel layer, and methods of forming and using same.

An energy-efficient method of controlling the composite microstructure and resulting thermoelectric (TE) properties of TE composite films. The TE composite films, which include a small amount of naturally occurring chitosan binder that is sufficient to hold TE particles together, are modified by applying uniaxial mechanical pressure at low temperatures for a short duration. The TE composite films have high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity, making them ideal for use into high-performance energy harvesting thermoelectric devices.

An energy-efficient method of controlling the composite microstructure and resulting thermoelectric (TE) properties of TE composite films. The TE composite films, which include a small amount of naturally occurring chitosan binder that is sufficient to hold TE particles together, are modified by applying uniaxial mechanical pressure at low temperatures for a short duration. The TE composite films have high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity, making them ideal for use into high-performance energy harvesting thermoelectric devices.

The disclosure provides methods for producing plant-based compositions. The plant-based composition comprises a mixture comprising mucilage derived from Opuntia ficus-indica and polyurethane, wherein the mixture comprises at least about 50 wt % of polyurethane. The plant-based composition further comprises a textile support coupled to the mixture, wherein at least a portion of the textile support is saturated by the mixture.

A barrier material comprising (a) at least one layer of cellulosic substrate comprising MFC, and (b) a first barrier layer arranged on at least one surface of said cellulosic substrate, is provided, as well as a method for reducing the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of a cellulosic substrate.

A method of treating a surface is provided. The method includes disposing a condensation reduction composition on the surface, thereby treating the surface to reduce formation of condensate and/or an amount of condensate thereon. The condensation reduction composition comprises a surface-active agent comprising an alkyl polyglycoside. The condensation reduction composition may further comprise a preservative, a pH control agent, and/or water. A treated surface prepared in accordance with the method is also provided. The method and treated surface prepared therewith are useful in reducing condensate and/or formation of condensate on surfaces, e.g. by reducing the number of condensate drops falling from the surface, increasing the rate of condensate evaporation on the surface, and/or increasing the rate of water absorption into or through the surface, e.g. upon or during exposure of the treated surface to a condensation condition.