The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) a stable aqueous dispersion of inorganic pigment particles hydrophobically modified with covalently bonded polysiloxane or silyl groups; and b) a polymeric anionic dispersant; wherein the hydrophobically modified inorganic pigment particles have an average particle size in the range of from 200 nm to 10 m, and the solids content of the hydrophobically modified inorganic pigment particles is from 10 to 80 weight percent, based on the weight of inorganic pigment particles and water. The composition of the present invention provides a way to improve water resistance in coatings formulations.

The present invention relates to coated dehydrated microorganisms comprising a dehydrated microorganism surrounded by at least one coating, said coating comprising by dry weight at least 25% of hygroscopic salt(s) and wherein the pH of the coating is compatible with viability of the coated dehydrated microorganism. The coating can be partially crystalline, the salt(s) in the coating having preferably a crystallinity degree of up to 60% once applied onto the dehydrated microorganism. The present invention also relates to liquid coating compositions, methods for coating and protecting a dehydrated microorganism. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of food products, feed products, consumer healthcare products or agri-products as well as to a food product, feed product, a consumer healthcare product or an agri-product containing such coated dehydrated microorganisms.

Provided is a stabilized slurry composition having enhanced barrier properties. The slurry includes a pigment having a BET surface area of greater than 15 m.sup.2/g and a composite of a microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. The slurry can be used to formulate barrier coatings to be applied to the surface of a paper or paperboard product to enhance and improve the barrier properties of the product.

Provided is a stabilized slurry composition having enhanced barrier properties. The slurry includes a pigment having a BET surface area of greater than 15 m.sup.2/g and a composite of a microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. The slurry can be used to formulate barrier coatings to be applied to the surface of a paper or paperboard product to enhance and improve the barrier properties of the product.

The present invention relates to a water absorbing, electrically conductive composition comprising a) a water soluble and/or water swellable and/or water absorbing resin; b) an electrically conductive filler; and c) a solvent. The water absorbing, electrically conductive composition according to according to the present invention can be used as a sensor for erosion and/or corrosion monitoring.

The present invention relates to a water absorbing, electrically conductive composition comprising a) a water soluble and/or water swellable and/or water absorbing resin; b) an electrically conductive filler; and c) a solvent. The water absorbing, electrically conductive composition according to according to the present invention can be used as a sensor for erosion and/or corrosion monitoring.

The present invention is directed to a coated paper substrate that is particularly suitable for metallization and other nano-coatings that provide barrier properties and are applied using vacuum deposition techniques. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing the coated paper substrate. The invention is also directed to a packaging material comprising the coated paper substrate.

A tungsten oxide coating material for an electrochromic device that is a coating material for forming a tungsten oxide thin film having electrochromic characteristics, the coating material comprising: a solvent; tungsten oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the solvent; and a binder, wherein in the tungsten oxide nanoparticles, a half-value width of a peak detected at 291 in X-ray diffraction analysis (20) is 2 or less, and a primary particle size is 5 to 25 nm.

Provided is an electrode slurry carbon nanotube liquid dispersion which improves charge/discharge cycle characteristics. An electrode slurry carbon nanotube liquid dispersion which is one aspect of the present disclosure and contains 0.1-1.5 mass % of carbon nanotubes, a dispersion medium, and carboxymethyl cellulose, the viscosity of which at 100s.sup.1 in a 3% aqueous solution is 2-200 mPa.Math.s, wherein: the carboxymethyl cellulose content constitutes 50-250 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of carbon nanotubes; the viscosity at 100s.sup.1 is 50-200 mPa.Math.s in a state in which the carbon nanotubes are dispersed; and the particle distribution according to the laser diffraction method exhibits a D10 of 0.3-1.0 m, a D50 of 3-10 m and a D90 of 60 m or less in a state in which the carbon nanotubes are dispersed.

The present disclosure provides a surface layer protection film for an inorganic materials; an etching method for a surface layer of an inorganic material; and a method for producing an inorganic material having a surface layer that has been etched.