A gas barrier film including a substrate film containing a resin, and a gas barrier layer that has oxygen barrier properties and is in contact with at least one surface of the substrate film, a surface of the gas barrier layer has a flat portion, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the flat portion. The number of protrusions that satisfy the following formula (1) is 0 to 200 per mm.sup.2, and the number of protrusions that satisfy the following formula (2) is 20 or more per mm.sup.2: d×2≤f (1); and 0.2≤f<d×2 (2), where d represents a thickness (μm) of the gas barrier layer, and f represents a height (μm) of each of the plurality of protrusions.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

Microporous sheet product and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, the microporous sheet product is made by a process that includes melt-extruding a sheet material using an extrusion mixture that includes a thermoplastic polymer, a superabsorbent polymer, and a compatibilizing agent. After extrusion, the compatibilizing agent may be removed from the sheet material. When the sheet product is imbibed with a polar or ion-containing liquid, the superabsorbent polymer swells, causing a reduction in the pore size of the sheet product. The exposure also causes some of the superabsorbent polymer to migrate to the exterior of the microporous sheet product. The microporous sheet product may be used, for example, as a battery separator, as a food packaging material, as a diffusion barrier in the ultrafiltration of colloidal matter, and in disposable garments.

Provided is a sandbag which is unlikely to break down even when using water-absorbing resin particles therein. A sandbag having a water-permeable bag and water-absorbing resin particles stored in the bag, wherein the pure-water absorption factor of the water-absorbing resin particles is at least a factor of 1,000, and the compression-breaking stress of the water-absorbing resin particles when swollen with pure water is at least 0.1N.

The hydrogel includes a first network structure and a second network structure. The second network structure is entwined with the first network structure. The first network structure contains a polymer crosslinked with a first crosslinking agent. The second network structure contains a polymer crosslinked with a second crosslinking agent. 50 mol % or more of the first crosslinking agent does not contain a decomposable bond. 50 mol % or more of the second crosslinking agent does not contain a decomposable bond.

A water-based hydrogel polymer coating and a method of application to natural rubber or other elastomeric latex products are provided. The water-based hydrogel polymer is mixed with a blend of at least one elastomeric material to provide a hydrogel polymer blend composition. The water-based hydrogel polymer blend composition is applied in a single application to an elastomeric article, such as gloves, without additional solvents in the polymer blend composition and without a separate acid or chemical priming step. The water-based hydrogel coating herein provides increased lubricity to facilitate improved wet and dry donning of the elastomeric article.

Provided is a water-absorbent resin dispersion that is capable of maintaining the dispersibility of a water-absorbent resin more readily than conventional dispersions.

The water-absorbent resin dispersion of the present invention comprises a water-absorbent resin, a thickener, and an organic solvent, the thickener being dissolved in the organic solvent, and the water-absorbent resin being dispersed in the organic solvent. The water-absorbent resin dispersion of the present invention is capable of maintaining the dispersibility of a water-absorbent resin more readily than conventional dispersions.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a hydrogel particle which can be taken into a cell by the action of the cell and can control the release of a magnetic particle enclosed therein into the cell so as to retain the magnetic particle in the cell for a long period; a method for producing the hydrogel particle; a cell or a cell structure each enclosing the hydrogel particle therein; and a method for evaluating the activity of a cell using the hydrogel particle. The present invention solves the problem by a hydrogel particle including: a domain which is composed of a first hydrogel; a matrix which encloses the domain and is composed of a second hydrogel having a different crosslinking degree or composition from that of the first hydrogel; and a magnetic particle which is supported by at least the first hydrogel.

A hydrogel composite draw material for forward osmosis comprising: a porous elastic polymeric foam element including a three-dimensional continuous network of pores interpenetrated with a polymer hydrogel. In use, the hydrogel composite draw material draws a water flux of at least 3.5 L/m.sup.2h.

The disclosure provides an anti-adhesive composition for unvulcanized rubbers which enables a reduction in anti-adhesive-induced dusting, can exhibit high anti-adhesive properties even in a small application amount, and brings about high slipperiness. The anti-adhesive composition for unvulcanized rubbers includes (A) a water-soluble polymer, (B) particles of a water-insoluble organic polymer, (C) a metal soap, (D) a surfactant and water. The anti-adhesive composition for unvulcanized rubbers includes, with respect to the whole mass of the components excluding the water, 30 mass % or more the component (A), 1-20 mass % the component (B), 20-50 mass % the component (C), and 10-20 mass % the component (D).