The present invention generally relates to microfluidic droplets and, in particular, to multiple emulsion microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, multiple emulsion droplets are provided, where an inner shell of the droplet is relatively thin, compared to the outer shell (or other shells) of the droplet. For instance, in one set of embodiments, the inner droplet has an average thickness of less than about 1000 nm. In some cases, the inner shell may be rigidified, e.g., to form a gel or a polymeric layer. This may be useful, for example, for preventing coalescence of fluids within the microfluidic droplet. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such droplets, methods of using such droplets, microfluidic devices for making such droplets, and the like.

The present invention provides resin beads that are capable of realizing a water repellent and oil repellent effect, and further, that are also capable of providing cosmetic materials excellent in persistence of makeup when added and used in cosmetic materials etc. because the resin beads themselves contain silicone in a fixed state, and the present invention also provides a process for producing the resin beads. Resin beads being resin particles (a copolymer) obtained by subjecting a monomer mixture containing a plurality of monomers each having a copolymerizable functional group to suspension polymerization in a state where at least a non-polymerizable silicone is present, the resin particles containing the silicon in a fixed state, and a process for producing the resin beads.

Disclosed is a method for suppressing adhesion of air harmful substances, including applying an external preparation to skin to suppress adhesion of air pollutants to the skin, wherein the external preparation contains the following component (A) and component (B), and the ratio by mass of the content of the component (A) to the content of the component (B) in the external preparation [(A)/(B)] is 0.30 or more and 5.0 or less. Component (A): a metal oxide having an average primary particle diameter d.sub.A of 800 nm or less. Component (B): non-disintegrable particles having an average particle diameter D.sub.B of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

This invention provides particles encapsulating active agent that do not produce functional effects or remove functional effects until they are triggered by contacting with at least one exogenous source. The particles in this invention minimize toxic effects to the body of the active agent and the material that interacts with an exogenous source as well as minimize body chemicals from degrading both the active agent and the material that interacts with an exogenous source inside the particle.

Alkali-swellable rheology modifier comprising a core-shell polymer comprising a core polymer and a shell comprising at least one shell copolymer layer at least partially cross-linked and containing a mole percent of crosslinking agent greater than the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer, provided if the mole percent of crosslinking agent in the core polymer is zero, then either the core polymer is greater than 60 wt % of the core-shell polymer; the core polymer comprises at least one associative monomer; at least one shell copolymer layer copolymer comprises at least one associative monomer; and/or the at least one shell copolymer layer that is at least partially cross-linked comprises greater than 3 mole % crosslinking agent. Aqueous compositions comprising the alkali-swellable rheology modifier include personal care formulations, healthcare formulations, agricultural formulations, paint formulations, coating formulations, laundry and fabric care formulations, household cleaning formulations, and industrial and institutional cleaning formulations.

Described is an encapsulated composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule. The at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core. The shell comprises a polymeric stabilizer that is formed by combination of a polymeric surfactant with at least one aminosilane. Disclosed are also a method of preparing an encapsulated composition and a use of such an encapsulated composition to enhance the performance of perfume and/or cosmetic ingredients in consumer goods.

Disclosed are: a particle-containing composition that contains inorganic particles (A) and particles (B) other than the particles (A), wherein the inorganic particles (A) are at least one selected from the group consisting of easily disintegrable inorganic particles (A1) having an average particle diameter D.sub.A1 of 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and having a surface roughness Ra of 10 nm or more and 50 nm or less, and inorganic particles (A2) having an average particle diameter D.sub.A2 of less than 1 μm, and having an average primary particle diameter d.sub.A2 of 3 nm or more and 50 nm or less, and the particles (B) are particles having an average particle diameter D.sub.B of 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and coated on the surfaces thereof with a polymer (C) having a hydrogen bond-accepting bond or a hydrogen bond-accepting functional group; and a method for producing the particle-containing composition, and a method for suppressing adhesion of air harmful substances using the particle-containing composition.

Skin tightening compositions for application to the skin for providing an instantaneous and dramatic improvement to the appearance of skin. The skin tightening compositions typically include an aqueous phase comprising about 5 to about 40 wt. % of water, one or more water dispersible pigments; and an oil phase comprising at least 5 wt. % of one or more hydrophobic film forming polymers, from about 1 to about 40 wt. % of one or more thickening agents, from about 30 to about 85 wt. % of one or more volatile hydrocarbon oils.

Core-shell particles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The core is formed of or contains one or more hydrophobic materials or more hydrophobic materials. The shell is formed of or contains hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG). The HPG coating can be modified to adjust the properties of the particles. Unmodified HPG coatings impart stealth properties to the particles which resist non-specific protein absorption and increase circulation in the blood. The hydroxyl groups on the HPG coating can be chemically modified to form functional groups that react with functional groups and adhere the particles to tissue, cells, or extracellular materials, such as proteins.

In a zinc oxide powder of the present invention, a content of a water-soluble substance is 0.30% by mass or less, and a mass ratio between an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal which are included in the water-soluble substance is in a range of 1:2 to 10:1.