A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

The porous-cellulose particles according to the present invention are constituted by gathered crystalline celluloses having a type I crystal form including a glucose molecule as a constitutional unit. That is, porous-cellulose particles having high sphericity have been achieved from a natural raw material. The porous-cellulose particles have an average particle diameter of 0.5 to less than 50 μm, a specific surface area of 50 to 1000 m.sup.2/g, and a sphericity of 0.85 or more. Cosmetic products containing such porous-cellulose particles have excellent texture properties.

An algae-based thermoplastic composition is provided that includes a protein-rich algae biomass selected from either microalgae, macroalgae or combinations thereof. The protein content is greater than or equal to 15% by weight of the algae biomass and the algae biomass is dried to a moisture content of less than or equal to 15% by weight and having a particle d99 of up to 200 microns. The dried algae biomass is at least 5% by weight of the thermoplastic composition. The composition includes a biodegradable resin configured to exhibit rheological properties suitable for blending with algae including a melting temperature less than 250° C. and a melt flow rate in excess of 0.01 g/10 min.

A packaging material and a process of making this material are provided. The material contains an organic additive that promotes oxidative degradation and the subsequent bio-degradation of polyolefin polymers. This material and process are believed to be superior to existing materials and processes in terms of enhancing plastic degradation. The packaging material is formed from a composition that includes calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3), a polymer and casein and/or caseinate.

The present invention relates to a masterbatch composition comprising high concentration of biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity and uses thereof for manufacturing biodegradable plastic articles.

A method (((100))) of obtaining a bioplastic material is disclosed. The method (((100))) includes adding a carbon polymer and a solvent into a batch container then mixing the carbon polymer and the solvent thoroughly to obtain a base mixture, adding a plasticizer complex and an enzyme to the base mixture and mixing thoroughly to obtain a first mixture, adding a fertilizer material to the first mixture and mixing thoroughly to obtain a second mixture, supplying a heat with a predefined temperature to the second mixture, wherein once the second mixture converts to a gel-like semi-solid, then transfer the gel-like semi-solid mixture to a cooling system, incubating the gel-like semi-solid mixture to the cooling system for a predefined period of time. The method further includes molding the incubated gel-like semi-solid mixture into required shapes and forms.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity.

Disclosed are compositions comprising macroparticles of swelled polymer matrix, the macroparticles comprising a thermoplastic biodegradable polymer swelled with at least one non-aqueous polar swelling agent, the macroparticles further comprising a plurality of pigment particles dispersed and embedded therein. The pigment particles may provide a color and/or a radiation protective effect to the composition. Methods of preparation and uses of such compositions are also provided.

A multi-layer polymer film comprising at least one middle layer A, the polymeric constituents of which are soluble in aqueous solution, and at least one substantially water-impermeable covering layer B or C arranged above and/or below the at least one middle layer A, wherein the layers A, B and C independently of each other in each case comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one of the covering layers B and C comprises at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate. Processes for the production of the multi-layer polymer film according to the invention and its use for the production of molded parts, films or bags are furthermore presented and described.

Provided are methods for linking polypeptides (including peptides and proteins) to other moieties using radical imitated thiol-ene chemistries, for example, modifying a polypeptide by introducing reactive thiol groups and reacting the thiol groups with olefin-containing reagents or alkyne-containing reagents under conditions that support radical thiol-ene or thiol-yne reactions. The reactive thiol groups have greater activity for radical thiol-ene reactions that a cysteine thiol group, including thiol groups that are separated from the peptide backbone by at least two carbon atoms, for example, the thiol group of a homocysteine residue. Also provided are compositions and biomaterials containing the linked polypeptides, for example, peptide and protein conjugates, and thiol-ene based biocompatible hydrogel polymers, and their uses in the medical field.