A novel thermoplastic material including polylactic acid (PLA) and calcium hydroxide is provided, the material having an elevated glass transition temperature (T.sub.g). Methods of making this novel material, and articles of manufacture made from it are also provided.

Disclosed herein are biodegradable coating and paint compositions comprising 1,3-propanediol, wherein the 1,3-propanediol in said biodegradable composition has a bio-based carbon content of about 1% to 100%. In addition, it is preferred that the 1,3-propanediol be biologically-derived, and wherein upon biodegradation, the biologically-derived 1,3-propanediol contributes no anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

Bioplastic compositions containing between 2 wt. % and 25 wt. % of at least one starch, between 40 wt. % and 65 wt. % of at least one plasticizer, and between 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of at least one acid are used as insulation materials. A method of making a bioplastic composition includes the steps of heating a first aqueous mixture containing at least one plasticizer and at least one acid; adding at least one starch to the first aqueous mixture to produce a second aqueous mixture; heating and mixing the second aqueous mixture to produce a precipitate; and separating the precipitate from residual liquid of the second aqueous mixture to produce a bioplastic composition.

Described herein are improved surgical fixation devices and methods of making the same. The methods comprise mechanochemical processing and vacuum annealing of biocompatible polymer-nanomaterial mixtures to form composites exhibiting superior mechanical properties.

A bio-derived wearable film includes an acid-hydrolyzed palm stem pith, a starch, a cellulose, a synthetic polymer, a plant hydrogel, glycerin, and a dye, and a method of producing the bio-derived wearable film. The bio-wearable film has a water absorption of 0.00 to 0.16% measured according to ASTM D570; a carbonate content of 100 to 200 ppm; and shows no cracks when tested according to ASTM D5419.

The invention provides a tea fiber/PHBV/PBAT ternary composite and its preparation method and application. Comprising the components in parts by weight, the composite contains 30-80 parts of a blending polymer of poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), 20-70 parts of tea powder, 1-19 parts of a plasticizer, 0.6-6 parts of an interface modifier, 3.3-10 parts of an auxiliary packing and 0.7-2 parts of a nucleating agent. The composite is environmental-friendly and cost-effective, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties such as hardness, compressive strength, and ductility. It can be used to manufacture environmental-friendly cups, tableware, compost bags, trash bags, shopping bags, electronic packaging bags, mulch films, 3D printing materials, foaming materials, and other plastic products.

The present invention relates to composite polymer surfaces which are endowed with antimicrobial and antiviral properties. In the present invention, polymer composites containing additives are obtained, wherein combinations (comprising at least two or more substances) of boron compounds and/or zinc pyrithione made with chlorhexidine gluconate and/or triclosan are used. The invention enables to prevent biodegradation or biocontamination occurring on surfaces. The invention is for controlling the pathogen factors (bacteria, yeasts, fungi and viruses), which are the causes for surface-borne hygiene, allergy and infectious diseases, in sectors (particularly agriculture, health, food and defense) where polymer composites are widely used.

An object of the present invention is to: improve slowness of crystallization that is a drawback of polyhydroxyalkanoate; suppress bloom of a nucleating agent or the like; and improve surface smoothness and mold transferability of an obtained molded body. The present invention provides an aliphatic polyester resin composition including polyhydroxyalkanoate (A), pentaerythritol (B), and a filler (C).

The invention relates to a ball, comprising a biodegradable polymer and one or more additives, such as an electrostatic charge eliminating additive, a density increasing additive, a strength/hardness modifier and/or the like added to the polymer mass during the compounding step. The ball is manufactured by a process generally applicable to the manufacture of polymers, such as injection molding, into a substantially spherical shape and grinding and/or polishing it to its final shape by means of double-sided lapping, barrel tumbling and/or the like. The biodegradable polymer used in the ball is polybutylene succinate (PBS).

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti-jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.