Solar cell substrates require high optical transparency, but also prefer high optical haze to increase the light scattering and consequently the absorption in the active materials. Unfortunately there is a tradeoff between these optical properties, which is exemplified by common transparent paper substrates exhibiting a transparency of about 90% yet a low optical haze (<20%). In this work we introduce a novel transparent paper made of wood fibers that display both ultra-high optical transparency (˜96%) and ultra-high haze (˜60%), thus delivering an optimal substrate design for solar cell devices. Compared to previously demonstrated nanopaper composed of wood-based cellulose nanofibers, our novel transparent paper has better dual performance in transmittance and haze, but also is fabricated at a much lower cost. This high-performance, low-cost transparent paper is a potentially revolutionary material that may influence a new generation of environmentally friendly printed electronics.

Solar cell substrates require high optical transparency, but also prefer high optical haze to increase the light scattering and consequently the absorption in the active materials. Unfortunately there is a tradeoff between these optical properties, which is exemplified by common transparent paper substrates exhibiting a transparency of about 90% yet a low optical haze (<20%). In this work we introduce a novel transparent paper made of wood fibers that display both ultra-high optical transparency (˜96%) and ultra-high haze (˜60%), thus delivering an optimal substrate design for solar cell devices. Compared to previously demonstrated nanopaper composed of wood-based cellulose nanofibers, our novel transparent paper has better dual performance in transmittance and haze, but also is fabricated at a much lower cost. This high-performance, low-cost transparent paper is a potentially revolutionary material that may influence a new generation of environmentally friendly printed electronics.

The present invention relates to the technical domain of additives for aqueous high solids suspensions of mineral materials. The inventive additive comprises specific primary amines and is used for increasing the pH-value of the suspension and/or for increasing the wettability of the mineral materials.

The present invention relates to the technical domain of additives for aqueous high solids suspensions of mineral materials. The inventive additive comprises specific primary amines and is used for increasing the pH-value of the suspension and/or for increasing the wettability of the mineral materials.

Disclosed is a method for controlling a biofilm, for removing a formed biofilm and/or for controlling a growth of microorganisms, preferably bacteria, in an aqueous environment of an industrial manufacturing process including cellulosic fibre material. In the method, a composition including a compound selected from a group consisting of 3-[(4-methylphenyl)sulphonyl]-2-propenenitrile and 4-amino-N-2-thiazolyl-benzenesulphonamide is administered to the aqueous environment of the process.

A soft tissue having a soothing feel and method of making the same is disclosed which contains an aqueous softening composition comprising from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a cationic softening compound, such as quaternary ammonium compounds and imidazolinium compounds; from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, and optionally a silicone or glycerin. Examples of the cationic softening compound include tallow- and ester-substituted quaternary ammonium compounds having chloride or methyl sulfate as the anion, and examples of the polyhydroxy compound include polyethylene glycols (PEG) or polypropylene glycols (PPG) having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, such as PEG-1000 and PEG-8000.

A soft tissue having a soothing feel and method of making the same is disclosed which contains an aqueous softening composition comprising from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a cationic softening compound, such as quaternary ammonium compounds and imidazolinium compounds; from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, and optionally a silicone or glycerin. Examples of the cationic softening compound include tallow- and ester-substituted quaternary ammonium compounds having chloride or methyl sulfate as the anion, and examples of the polyhydroxy compound include polyethylene glycols (PEG) or polypropylene glycols (PPG) having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, such as PEG-1000 and PEG-8000.

The invention relates to an agent, in particular a flame retarding agent and/or a fire retarding agent, for reducing the combustibility and flammability of various materials or matters, e.g. like wood and wood products, textiles, paper, cardboard, fibers and fabrics, paints, including composites and/or composite materials therewith, the manufacture of the composition and methods of using the agent and/or the corresponding combination of its constituents to reduce combustibility and flammability. An exemplary composition in dry form (powder) for 1 l of aqueous solvent, in particular for 1 l of water, contains borax in an amount of 30 to 70 wt.-%, boric acid of 30 to 70 wt.-%, sodium chloride (NaCl) in a maximum amount of less than 5 wt.-%, and, if desired, urea in an amount up to 5 g; based in each case on the composition as 100 wt.-%. However, the compositions are preferably free from urea.

The invention relates to an agent, in particular a flame retarding agent and/or a fire retarding agent, for reducing the combustibility and flammability of various materials or matters, e.g. like wood and wood products, textiles, paper, cardboard, fibers and fabrics, paints, including composites and/or composite materials therewith, the manufacture of the composition and methods of using the agent and/or the corresponding combination of its constituents to reduce combustibility and flammability. An exemplary composition in dry form (powder) for 1 l of aqueous solvent, in particular for 1 l of water, contains borax in an amount of 30 to 70 wt.-%, boric acid of 30 to 70 wt.-%, sodium chloride (NaCl) in a maximum amount of less than 5 wt.-%, and, if desired, urea in an amount up to 5 g; based in each case on the composition as 100 wt.-%. However, the compositions are preferably free from urea.

Provided is a paper treatment agent with which improved touch feeling different from smoothness that has been conventionally studied is obtainable when a pressure is applied like nose blowing or the like.

A paper treatment agent of the present invention is a paper treatment agent containing (A) a polyhydric alcohol as a main component, the paper treatment agent contains (B) a sucrose fatty acid ester having an acyl group with more than 12 and less than 22 carbon atoms and an HLB of 11 or more and (C) an ionic surfactant, and it is characterized in that a mass ratio (C/B) of the component (C) to the component (B) is 0.65 to 24. According to the paper treatment agent of the present invention, when a pressure is applied to treated paper like nose blowing or the like, slick texture that is specific and distinctive smoothness which is non-conventional is obtainable.