This invention discloses a reticulated film composite and a method of fabricating the reticulated film composite suitable as a separator in electrochemical cells as sound absorbing films, or as high efficiency filtering media. The reticulated film composite is produced by casting and drying of a slurry which exhibits a high yield stress (i.e. greater than 50 dyne/cm2) and comprised of a high MW resin dissolved in a solvent (i.e. having solution viscosity of higher than 100 cp at 5% in NMP or in water at room temperature) and dispersed nanoparticles with high specific surface areas (i.e. greater than 10 m2/g) such as fumed alumina, or fumed silica, or fumed zirconia or mixture thereof. This reticulated film composite exhibits superior cycling properties and high ionic conductivity with a porosity up to 80% while maintains a high dimensional stability (i.e. less than 10% shrinking) at elevated temperatures (up to 140° C.). The reticulated composite separator coating can be used in combination with an electrode coating either in two separate process steps, or in a one-step process by having a simulations multi-layer casting of electrode and separator to manufacture a lithium ion battery.

The present disclosure relates to powdered, rehydratable, bacterial cellulose formulations comprising methods of production and uses thereof. In particular the use of the formulation as a colloid stabilizer, foam stabilizer, or as a thickener, as a reinforcer material (as a filler), a dietary fibre, a foodstuff, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, a composite, among others. An aspect of the present subject matter discloses a powdered formulation, comprising bacterial cellulose and an additional component (or third component) selected from the following list: sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, xanthan, methylcellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, tylose, glycerol, saccharose, or mixture thereof; wherein the powdered formulation is dispersible in an aqueous media, at 20° C., with low shear mixing.

The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

The disclosure provides a very simple and convenient method for producing a porous material of a water-soluble polymer. The herein disclosed method for producing a porous material of a water-soluble polymer includes a step of preparing a solution in which a water-soluble polymer is dissolved in a mixed solvent of water mixed with a solvent having a boiling point higher than that of water, and a step of evaporating and thereby removing the mixed solvent from the solution. The solubility of the water-soluble polymer in the solvent having a boiling point higher than that of water is lower than the solubility of the water-soluble polymer in water. Voids are formed, in the step of evaporating and thereby removing the mixed solvent, by the solvent having a boiling point higher than that of water.

This cellulose composition contains: (A) a water-soluble cellulose ether, (B) water-insoluble cellulose particles and (C) water. The cellulose composition serves as a novel biomass material which uses biodegradable cellulose that places little burden on the environment, and exhibits excellent shape retention properties.

A method for stabilization of collagen matrices and of condensation of natural and synthetic polymers that uses 2-halo-4, 6-dialkoxy-1, 3, 5-triazines in the presence of one or more amines as activating agents for reactions of crosslinking, condensation, grafting, and curing of collagen matrices, cellulose, modified celluloses, polysaccharides, acid unsaturated polymers, and chiral and non-chiral amines, etc. Forming an integral part of the present invention is also the method for production on an industrial scale of 2-halo-4, 6-dialkoxy-1, 3, 5-triazines.

The present disclosure relates to compounds comprising β-hydroxybutyric acid, and a weakly basic polymer. The disclosure also includes methods for inducing nutritional ketosis comprising administering the compounds or compositions comprising the compounds to a mammal in need thereof.

The present disclosure relates to remediation of contaminated environmental sites. In particular, the present disclosure relates to passive control compositions and their use in remediation.

The present invention relates to superabsorbent biobased hydrogels prepared with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) cross-linked with either citric acid, succinic acid, or sebacic acid. The swelling ratio of the superabsorbent hydrogels of the invention was dependent on the cross-linker used, the concentration of the cross-linker, and the cross-linking temperature.

A structured material is provided that includes a substrate and a porous structured polymer layer disposed thereon. The porous structured polymer layer includes a plurality of voids, and has a high hemispherical reflectance a high a hemispherical thermal emittance. The structured material is thus particularly advantageous for cool-roof coatings, enabling surfaces coated by the material to stay cool, even under strong sunlight. The material can be produced via structuring of polymers in a mixture including a solvent and a non-solvent. Sequential evaporation of the solvent and the non-solvent provide a polymer layer with the plurality of voids.