Methods of preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) preparing a mixture of solids comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a meltable solvent and a polyester; and (b) melt-compounding said mixture of solids; thereby preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition. Fibers produced by the methods are also described, as are yarns and fabrics comprising the fibers.

Cardiac tissue-on-a-chip platforms aimed at mimicking human cardiac tissue structures, are valuable tools to model, and serve as preclinical platforms for drug testing or therapies for cardiac repair. We have developed three types of electrospun scaffolds including furfuryl gelatin (f-gelatin) alone, with polycaprolactone (PCL) in the ratio of f-gelatin and PCL (1:1), and coaxial scaffolds with PCL (core) and f-gelatin (sheath). Scaffolds were developed through single nozzle electrospinning and coaxial electrospinning, respectively, to serve as scaffolds for cardiac tissue-on-a-chip platforms.

An aqueous dispersion includes precrosslinked organopolysiloxanes, emulsifiers, and water. The precrosslinked organopolysiloxanes include units of the formula R.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 (I), and on average at least one structural unit of the formula SiR.sup.1O.sub.2/2—Y—SiR.sup.1O.sub.2/2 (III) where Y is a divalent radical of the formula —R.sup.2—[NR.sup.3—R.sup.4—].sub.nNR.sup.3—C(O)—C(O)—NR.sup.3—Z—NR.sup.3—C(O)—C(O)—NR.sup.3—[R.sup.4—NR.sup.3—].sub.nR.sup.2—.

Problem To provide a polyurethane elastic yarn having good heat setting properties in a wide temperature range and high thermal adhesive strength in a wide temperature range while also maintaining its elastic properties (permanent deformation and elongation). Solution A polyurethane elastic yarn comprising polyurethane polymer [A] and polyurethane polymer [B] below, wherein the ratio of polyurethane polymer [A] to polyurethane polymer [B] in terms of parts by mass is from 1:99 to 30:70 or from 70:30 to 99:1, the exothermic peak (crystallization peak) of the polyurethane elastic yarn as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is in the range from 110° C. to 210° C., and the heat capacity at the exothermic peak is 3.0 J/g or more and 100 J/g or less. Polyurethane polymer [A]: a polyurethane polymer using as starting materials polymer diol A whose main chain repeating unit is an ether or an ester, diisocyanate A whose main skeleton is aromatic or aliphatic, and a single low molecular weight diol A having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms CA serving as a chain extender. Polyurethane polymer [B]: a polyurethane polymer using as starting materials polymer diol A, diisocyanate A, and a single low molecular weight diol B having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms CB more than CA serving as a chain extender.

The disclosure provides embodiments of environmentally acceptable fishing lines or fishing nets. Embodiments of the disclosed fishing line or net may comprise a degradable polymer having components derived from i) biomass sources, ii) protein, fatty acid or lipid sources, iii) microbial-based monomers and polymers, iv) agro-based monomers and polymers, v) sugar or starch based monomers and polymers, or combinations thereof, as well as fishing lines and nets that further comprise an additive having components derived from i) polyol sources, ii) citrate sources, iii) fatty acid sources, iv) biomass oil sources, or combinations thereof. Some of the embodiments of the disclosed fishing lines or nets may have a suitable fiber core, while other embodiments of the disclosed fishing lines or nets are degradable over a predetermined period of time. The disclosed embodiments are preferred because of the low environmental impact of the disclosed fishing lines or nets.

An enzymatically produced soluble α-glucan fiber composition is provided suitable for use as a digestion resistant fiber in food and feed applications. The soluble α-glucan fiber composition can be blended with one or more additional food ingredients to produce fiber-containing compositions. Methods for the production and use of compositions comprising the soluble α-glucan fiber are also provided.

A spunbond non-woven fabric includes a plurality of fibers. The fibers are formed from a polymer blend that includes at least one first polymer and at least one second polymer. A melt flow rate of the at least one first polymer is greater than a melt flow rate of the at least one second polymer, and the melt flow rate of the at least one second polymer is about 9 g/10 min to less than 18 g/10 min. The blend may include a percentage by weight of the second polymer that is greater than a percentage by weight of the first polymer.

A polyvinyl chloride-based fiber for artificial hair that has excellent low glossiness and grip performance when woven and can be stably spun. Configuring a fiber for artificial hair using a polyvinyl chloride-based resin composition, wherein the polyvinyl chloride-based resin includes, at predetermined blending amounts, a polyvinyl chloride-based resin (A) having a viscosity-average polymerization degree of 450-1,700 and a crosslinked vinyl chloride-based resin (B) in which the viscosity-average polymerization degree of a component that dissolves in tetrahydrofuran is 1,800-2,300, the difference between the viscosity-average polymerization degree of the polyvinyl chloride-based resin (A) and the viscosity-average polymerization degree of the THF-soluble component of the crosslinked vinyl chloride-based resin (B) is in a predetermined range, and the cross-sectional shape of the fiber for artificial hair has a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection and the lengths and widths thereof satisfy predetermined conditions.

The present disclosure provides a polymeric plasticized film or sheet having one or more apertures to reduce the amount of material needed, as well as overall weight, per desired volume of material required. The polymeric plasticized film or sheet may also be capable of folding and keeping the crease for a desired amount of time. The polymeric plasticized film or sheet may be biodegradable.

A polymer composition for producing gel extruded articles is described. The polymer composition contains polyethylene particles combined with a plasticizer and an acid scavenger. In accordance with the present disclosure, the acid scavenger is an inorganic compound that is insoluble in the plasticizer and/or any extractions solvents used during the process. In one embodiment, the acid scavenger is a magnesium aluminum hydroxide carbonate.