The present invention relates to a new process for improving runnability and dimensional stability when manufacturing a film comprising high amounts of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) without negatively impacting the film properties. According to the present invention a high amount of nanoparticles is used as an additive, optionally together with a retention polymer.

The present application relates to copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels as well as methods for the preparation thereof. The methods comprise hydrolyzing a silica precursor in an organic solvent to obtain a partially polymerized silica wet gel, reacting the partially polymerized silica wet gel with a copolymer of Formula (II) to obtain a copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel, reacting the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel with a surface passivation agent and removing solvent from the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel to obtain the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogel. The mechanical properties of the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels can be further improved by blending cellulose nanofibrils into the hybrid aerogels. (II)

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A cellulose fiber composite recycled resin having excellent strength, and a method for producing the same. The cellulose fiber composite recycled resin contains a recycled resin and a mixture of fibrous cellulose, at least one of resin powders and resin pellets, and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of phthalic acid, phthalates, derivatives of phthalic acid, and derivatives of phthalates. For producing this composite resin, at least one of resin powders and resin pellets are added to a slurry of cellulose fibers to obtain a first mixture, a recycled resin is mixed into the first mixture to obtain a second mixture, and the second mixture is kneaded, wherein part or all of the cellulose fibers are fine fibers.

The present invention relates to a method of making a foamed cellulosic fiber-thermoplastic composite article. The method includes the steps of providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamable article in a molding or extruding operation. The method is characterized in that at least 10% of the cellulosic fibers have been thermally modified prior to being combined with the copolymer composition.

Systems and methods are provided that involve a subcritical water reaction to recycle the cellulose and polyester components of waste cotton and cotton/polyester blend textiles that would otherwise be discarded or disposed of. Specifically, the disclosed methods provide for treatment of the waste textiles to produce advanced materials including cellulose and terephthalic acid (TPA) with a low environmental impact. The cellulose and TPA that are produced are of a high quality allowing for production of regenerated cellulose and regenerated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) suitable for fiber spinning and textile applications.

A method of producing a resin modifier, the method comprising a process of polymerizing an ethylene unsaturated monomer in the presence of a cellulose nanofiber, the cellulose nanofiber being reacted with an amine or a quaternary ammonium salt compound.

A film including a surface layer is described. In particular, the surface layer includes a low gloss layer including a binder containing a resin and resin beads having an average particle size of 4 μm to 20 μm, and a printed pattern partially covering the low gloss layer, a region of the low gloss layer not covered with the printed pattern exhibits a matte appearance with 1.5 GU or less at 60 degrees of a surface glossiness, a surface glossiness of a region of the printed pattern is higher than the surface glossiness of the region not covered with the printed pattern, and the film has a visible texture.

The present invention relates to the treatment or prevention of skeletal disorders, at particular skeletal diseases, developed by patients that display abnormal increased activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), in particular by expression of a constitutively activated mutant of FGFR3.

The invention pertains to a layered high-void-fraction material comprising a composite surface layer comprising structural material and a polyester derived from an aliphatic polyol with 2-15 carbon atoms and an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid with 3 to 15 carbon atoms, wherein the surface layer is connected to a high-void-fraction layer of structural material. As compared to a high-void-fraction material without the composite surface layer, the material has, among others, improved surface properties, and improved bending stiffness, while insolation properties for both sound and heat are maintained. The material may be used, e.g., as insulating material, as filtration material, or in hydroponics.

It has been found that certain silica/cellulose hybrid compositions can be incorporated into rubber formulations with excellent compatibility between the filler and the rubber being attained. These rubber formulations also offer excellent rubber performance characteristics for utilization in tires and other rubber products. These silica/cellulose compositions are made by (1) dispersing sodium silicate or an alkoxy silane into an aqueous cellulose slurry to make an aqueous cellulose dispersion; (2) maintaining the aqueous cellulose dispersion under agitation for a time which is sufficient to allow the sodium silicate or the alkoxy silane to react with the cellulose; (3) adding an acid to the cellulose dispersion in an amount which is sufficient to reduce the pH of the cellulose dispersion to no more than about 8 to produce the silica/cellulose hybrid; and (4) recovering the silica/cellulose hybrid from the water.