Hollow microparticles of polyvinyl chloride are disclosed, having low volumetric densities useful for reducing mass per unit volume of polymer or inorganic articles and apparatus having such microparticles compounded into thermoplastic or thermoset polymers. A double emulsion polymerization process is also disclosed as the process to produce the hollow microparticles.

A fluid storage media includes a plurality of microspheres. Each microsphere includes a porous core with a porous core material and having an exterior surface. A stored fluid is within the porous core. A coating layer covers all of the exterior surface of the porous core. The coating layer includes a coating material which transitions from a first state to a second state, wherein in the first state the coating material is permeable to the stored fluid, and in the second state the material is impermeable to the stored fluid. The coating material in the second state is configured to encapsulate and maintain the stored fluid inside the porous core. A method of making a fluid storage media, a method of delivering a fluid and a method of delivering a biologically active fluid medication to a patient are also disclosed.

The present specification relates to a negative electrode active material which includes a silicon-based composite represented by SiO.sub.a (0≤a<1), and a carbon coating layer distributed on a surface of the silicon-based composite, and which has a bimodal pore structure including nanopores and mesopores. In a lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode active material, an oxygen content in the silicon-based composite can be controlled to improve initial efficiency and capacity characteristics, and a specific surface area can also be controlled, and thus a side reaction with electrolyte can be reduced.

The present specification relates to a negative electrode active material which includes a silicon-based composite represented by SiO.sub.a (0≤a<1), and a carbon coating layer distributed on a surface of the silicon-based composite, and which has a bimodal pore structure including nanopores and mesopores. In a lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode active material, an oxygen content in the silicon-based composite can be controlled to improve initial efficiency and capacity characteristics, and a specific surface area can also be controlled, and thus a side reaction with electrolyte can be reduced.

Disclosed are microcapsule compositions and their preparation methods. The microcapsule composition has a microcapsule dispersed in an aqueous phase. The microcapsule has a microcapsule core and a microcapsule wall encapsulating the microcapsule core. The microcapsule core contains an active material selected from the group consisting of a fragrance, cosmetic active, malodor counteractant, and combinations thereof. The microcapsule wall is formed of a polymeric network comprising of at least three moieties: (i) a first moiety derived from a chitosan, (ii) a second moiety derived from a polyisocyanate, and (iii) a third moiety derived from a polyphenol. Also disclosed are consumer products contain such a microcapsule composition.

Microparticles comprising carboxylated, sulfated, or phosphated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and pigment nanoparticles are provided. In these particles, the cellulose nanocrystals and the pigment nanoparticles are agglomerated together thereby forming said microparticle, and wherein the pigment nanoparticles are bound to the surface of the cellulose nanocrystals. Cosmetic preparations comprising these microparticles are also provided. Finally, a method for producing the microparticles is provided. The method comprises the steps of a) producing an aqueous suspension of carboxylated, sulfated, or phosphated CNCs with pigment nanoparticles bound thereto; and b) drying said aqueous suspension to produce the microparticles.

A composition, method, and article of manufacture are disclosed. The microcapsule includes a polymer shell encapsulating a core component. The polymer shell includes light upconversion molecules. The article of manufacture includes the microcapsule. The method includes obtaining light upconversion molecules having sidechains with reactive functional groups, and forming a microcapsule. The microcapsule includes a polymer shell encapsulating a core component. The polymer shell includes light upconversion molecules. The article of manufacture includes the microcapsule.

A composite material for gas capture, notably CO.sub.2 capture and storage. The composite material includes a mixture of a solid or liquid reactive filler and a gas-permeable polymer such that the reactive filler forms micron-scale domains in the polymer matrix.

The present invention provides an organic-inorganic composite particle that is excellent in the reflectivity of visible light and near infrared light, and has high light diffusing property and opacifying property, a method for producing the same, and use thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite particle comprising an outer shell composed of a crosslinked polymer, and a cavity that is partitioned with the outer shell, wherein the composite particle contains, inside the cavity, a porous structure in which silica particles as a first inorganic particle are interconnected, and a second inorganic particle other than a silica particle, and has a volume average particle diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm, a method for producing the same, and use thereof.

The invention relates to the field of protecting plants against pests, and more particularly to a method of protecting plants against pests, which can be used for industrial and scientific purposes, in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The method of protecting plants against pests according to the present invention comprises applying a biologically active preparation pre-activated in an aqueous medium to a plant, the preparation comprising microcontainers and a biological insecticide, wherein the microcontainers are made from a polymeric material in the form of a hollow receptacle with at least one opening, via which the biological insecticide is placed inside the microcontainers. The invention also provides a microcontainer and a preparation for realisation of the stated method. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for producing a microcontainer and the aforementioned preparation.