Expanded, nanofiber structures are provided as well as methods of use thereof and methods of making.

Described herein are multi-functionalized hollow fiber organocatalysts, processes for producing multi-functionalized hollow fiber organocatalysts, and processes that utilize multi-functionalized hollow fiber organocatalysts for reacting chemicals. A variety of chemical reactions may be enhanced with the multifunctional hollow fiber organocatalysts. The multi-functionalized hollow fiber organocatalysts are particularly advantageous when used as heterogeneous organocatalysts and continuous-flow reactors.

An apparatus and process for disinfecting, and, optionally, sterilizing, fibers and non-woven materials produced from the fibers is disclosed, as well as processes for converting fibers into disinfected and/or sterilized non-woven materials. The process involves contacting the fibers and/or non-woven materials with high temperature steam, and then with UV light, which is preferably UV-C light, or another disinfectant process, such as ozone treatment. The process can also involve process steps such as blending fibers, applying fibers to an air card, subjecting the fibers to one or more carding steps, subjecting the carded fibers to non-woven process steps, and chemically treating the fibers and/or non-woven materials. The resulting non-woven materials can be used, for example, in personal care, baby care (including baby wipes), cosmetic applications, household cleaning, automotive, industrial cleaning applications, industrial uses, and the like.

A fabric suitable as an alcohol repellent fabric is provided. The fabric includes a fibrous substrate including a first outermost surface and a second outermost surface, in which a digitally printed or sprayed alcohol repellent composition is located on at least a portion the first outermost surface, at least a portion of the second outermost surface, or both. The fabric also includes an antistatic composition located on at least a portion the first outermost surface, at least a portion of the second outermost surface, or both.

A process is provided for identifying a production and/or commercial history of a silk fiber or a product made therefrom.

The present invention provides super-hydrophobic fabrics and a preparation method thereof, and belong to the field of textiles. The super-hydrophobic fabrics are obtained by finishing Pickering emulsion formed by amphiphilic particles stabilizing low-surface-energy substances in water. Via a one-step finishing method using Pickering emulsion technology, facile preparation of durable super-hydrophobic fabrics is realized. The static contact angle between the finished fabric surfaces and water droplets is greater than 150 degrees, and the water droplets can roll off easily; and after being subjected to 30 times of standard washing tests, the finished fabrics still maintains excellent water repellency. In addition, the Pickering emulsion preparation and finishing process of the present invention are environmentally friendly, pollution-free, facile to operate and widely applicable.

A coolant includes a refrigerant, a porous plate-shaped heat insulator, and an enclosure in which the refrigerant and the heat insulator are enclosed in a sealed state, and the heat insulator has a thermal conductivity per unit area of 300 W/(K.Math.m.sup.2) or less and a thickness equal to or greater than 0.5 mm and equal to or less than 10.0 mm.

The present invention relates to a method for producing modified cellulose fibers having cellulose I crystal structure, comprising: step A: introducing Substituent Group A to cellulose fibers via an ether bond in a solvent comprising water in the presence of a base, and step B: introducing Substituent Group B to cellulose fibers via an ether bond in a solvent comprising water in the presence of a base, wherein the method includes the steps A and B concurrently, or in the order of the step A and then the step B. The cellulose fibers of the present invention obtained by the method for production of the present invention have favorable dispersibility in a hydrophobic medium and a controlled increase in viscosity.

The present invention relates to a method for producing modified cellulose fibers having cellulose I crystal structure, comprising: step A: introducing Substituent Group A to cellulose fibers via an ether bond in a solvent comprising water in the presence of a base, and step B: introducing Substituent Group B to cellulose fibers via an ether bond in a solvent comprising water in the presence of a base, wherein the method includes the steps A and B concurrently, or in the order of the step A and then the step B. The cellulose fibers of the present invention obtained by the method for production of the present invention have favorable dispersibility in a hydrophobic medium and a controlled increase in viscosity.

An electret is disclosed including: a carrier, and polytetrafluoroethylene having a melting point of 35 C. or higher and 320 C. or lower deposited on the carrier, wherein the electret imparts an electrostatic charge to at least one of the carrier and the polytetrafluoroethylene, and has two or more melting point peaks in simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. An electret filter is disclosed which preferably is used for a filter which requires durability to tobacco smoke. An electret filter is also disclosed having a fluorine-containing component deposited on a fiber surface, wherein an initial QF value is 0.5 mmAq.sup.1 or more in collection efficiency of particles having a particle diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 m at a wind speed of 5 cm/s, and a filter deterioration rate by tobacco smoke loading is 8/(g/m.sup.2) or more.