A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.

A breakable capsule such as a seamless breakable capsule useful in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco product includes an outer shell formed of a cross-linked agar matrix including at least one filler, and an inner core surrounded by the outer shell which comprises a liquid or gel based composition of a flavorant and/or non-flavorant. The cross-linked agar matrix is reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose that is dispersed throughout the agar matrix so as to fill empty spaces in the agar matrix and inhibit the composition from passing through the empty spaces of the agar matrix.

The present invention provides polymersomes comprising amphiphilic block-copolymers and their use to quantify ammonia in samples (e.g., body fluid samples). More particularly, it provides a polymersome comprising (a) a membrane, which comprises a block copolymer of poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), wherein the PS/PEO molecular weight ratio is higher than 1.0 and lower than 4.0; and (b) a core which encloses an acid and at least one pH-sensitive dye. Compositions, strips and kits comprising the polymersomes are also provided along with methods of quantifying ammonia in a sample using the polymersomes, compositions and kit.

The present disclosure relates to a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly, to a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery comprising a lithium-nickel-based transition metal oxide; and a coating layer formed on the lithium-nickel-based transition metal oxide, the coating layer comprising a metal oxalate compound, and a method of preparing the same.

The present disclosure relates to a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly, to a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery comprising a lithium-nickel-based transition metal oxide; and a coating layer formed on the lithium-nickel-based transition metal oxide, the coating layer comprising a metal oxalate compound, and a method of preparing the same.

Microencapsulation methods are provided using encapsulant, fiber or film forming compositions of a cross-linkable anionic polymer, a multivalent cation salt, a chelating agent, and a volatile base. During the formation of this composition, the generally acidic chelating agent is titrated with a volatile base to an elevated pH to improve ion-binding capability. Multivalent cations are sequestered in cation-chelate complexes. Cross-linkable polymers in this solution will remain freely dissolved until some disruption of equilibrium induces the release of the free multivalent cations from the cation-chelate complex. Vaporization of the volatile base drops the pH of the solution causing the cation-chelate complexes to dissociate and liberate multivalent cations that associate with the anionic polymer to form a cross-linked matrix. During spray-drying, the formation of a wet particle, polymer cross-linking, and particle drying occur nearly simultaneously.

Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.

Porous metal oxide microspheres are prepared via a process comprising forming a liquid solution or dispersion of polydisperse polymer nanoparticles and a metal oxide; forming liquid droplets from the solution or dispersion; drying the liquid droplets to provide polymer template microspheres comprising polymer nanospheres and metal oxide; and removing the polymer nanospheres from the template microspheres to provide the porous metal oxide microspheres. The porous microspheres exhibit saturated colors and are suitable as colorants for a variety of end-uses.

Disclosed herein are nano-encapsulated compositions and systems and methods of preparing the same. The compositions may be obtained through co-axial electrospraying with pulsating voltage. The nano-encapsulated composition exhibit improved pharmacokinetic properties. Various embodiments include systems and methods that apply a constant voltage and/or a pulsating voltage at a frequency to a plate having co-axial outlets through which a core solution and capsule solution flow. In some implementations, the pulsating voltage fluctuates between a minimum pulsating voltage and a maximum pulsating voltage, wherein the minimum pulsating voltage is 0 KV or greater and the maximum pulsating voltage is greater than 0 KV and the minimum pulsating voltage. The constant voltage is greater than 0 KV, and a total maximum applied voltage to the plate is the sum of the maximum pulsating voltage and the constant voltage.

Disclosed herein are nano-encapsulated compositions and systems and methods of preparing the same. The compositions may be obtained through co-axial electrospraying with pulsating voltage. The nano-encapsulated composition exhibit improved pharmacokinetic properties. Various embodiments include systems and methods that apply a constant voltage and/or a pulsating voltage at a frequency to a plate having co-axial outlets through which a core solution and capsule solution flow. In some implementations, the pulsating voltage fluctuates between a minimum pulsating voltage and a maximum pulsating voltage, wherein the minimum pulsating voltage is 0 KV or greater and the maximum pulsating voltage is greater than 0 KV and the minimum pulsating voltage. The constant voltage is greater than 0 KV, and a total maximum applied voltage to the plate is the sum of the maximum pulsating voltage and the constant voltage.