The invention relates to aqueous binder-free pigment dispersions containing (A) at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment, (B) one or more dispersing agents and/or surfactants, (C) at least one base of formula (I), where R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH or CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)OH, (D) optionally, one or more polyalkylene glycols, (E) optionally, other additives commonly used for making aqueous pigment dispersions, and (F) water. ##STR00001##

A thermal inkjet dye sublimation ink consists of a cyan disperse dye colorant dispersion, glycerol, a water soluble or water miscible organic solvent, a chelating agent, additive(s), and water. The colorant dispersion is present in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % actives to about 7 wt % actives. Glycerol is present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 22 wt %, and the water soluble or miscible organic solvent is present in an amount ranging from 0 wt % to about 7 wt %. The chelating agent is present in an amount greater than 0 wt % actives and less than 0.1 wt % actives. The additive is selected from the group consisting of a buffer, a biocide, a surfactant, and combinations thereof.

A technical problem of the present invention is to provide a condensed polycyclic organic pigment having excellent dispersion properties and dispersion stability. More specifically, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide a condensed polycyclic organic pigment in which a practically sufficient viscosity is achieved in terms of both the initial viscosity of a base ink and the viscosity over time of a base ink when used in the printing ink application. As a result of thorough studies on the surface state of organic pigment particles and interaction among components constituting a printing ink, it has been found that the technical problem can be solved by using a polyvalent metal inorganic salt in a condensed polycyclic organic pigment, thus accomplishing the present invention.

A water-based coloring composition contains a metal pigment, water, and an organic solvent. The metal pigment is surface-treated with a first surface treatment agent and a second surface treatment agent, the first surface treatment agent contains a phosphonic-acid-based compound denoted by Formula (1) or a phosphoric-acid-based compound denoted by Formula (2), the second surface treatment agent contains a phosphonic-acid-based compound denoted by Formula (3) or a phosphoric-acid-based compound denoted by Formula (4), and the carbon number of R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 of the first surface treatment agent is higher than the carbon number of R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 of the second surface treatment agent.

A method for increasing a detection distance of a surface of an object illuminated by near-IR electromagnetic radiation, including: (a) directing near-IR electromagnetic radiation from a near-IR electromagnetic radiation source towards an object at least partially coated with a near-IR reflective coating that increases a near-IR electromagnetic radiation detection distance by at least 15% as measured at a wavelength in a near-IR range as compared to the same object coated with a color matched coating which absorbs more of the same near-IR radiation, where the color matched coating has a E color matched value of 1.5 or less when compared to the near-IR reflective coating; and (b) detecting reflected near-IR electromagnetic radiation reflected from the near-IR reflective coating. A system for detecting proximity of vehicles is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to [1] a process for producing a pigment water dispersion liquid of polymer particles containing an azomethine metal complex pigment (A), said process including the step of subjecting a mixture containing the azomethine metal complex pigment (A), an uncrosslinked aromatic group-containing polymer (b) and water to dispersion treatment using a medialess disperser at an accumulated input energy of not more than 5.0 kWh/kg, [2] a pigment water dispersion liquid containing an azomethine metal complex pigment (A) and a polymer dispersant (B), in which in an optical absorption spectrum of the pigment water dispersion liquid, a ratio of a maximum absorbance (A1.sub.max) in a wavelength range of not less than 440 nm and less than 465 nm to a maximum absorbance (A2.sub.max) in a wavelength range of not less than 420 nm and less than 440 nm [(A1.sub.max)/(A2.sub.max)] is not less than 1.000, and [3] a water-based ink for ink-jet printing, containing the aforementioned pigment water dispersion liquid.

The present application relates to the field of black coloring of materials made from wood, such as reconstituted wood panels or paper/cardboard. The black coloring composition for wood-based materials includes a black pigment, a reactive type black dye and water. It is also possible to prepare a dry extract for some special applications.

The present invention provides a pigment dispersant: that is capable of remarkably ameliorating fluidity of a liquid product, such as an ink or a paint, which contains particles of a pigment, such as a black azo pigment, in a dispersed state; that can suppress aggregation of piment particles; that prevents occurrence of foreign substances; and that is capable of producing a colored article excellent in optical density. Provided is a pigment dispersant being a compound represented by the following formula (1).

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a group obtained by eliminating one hydrogen atom from an amino group of an amine compound containing a basic nitrogen atom, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a hydroxy group.

A tint paste includes a solvent, a pigment, and a dispersant composition. The dispersant composition includes a plurality of dispersants including: a first dispersant including an acrylic co-polymer, where the first dispersant includes a nitrogen-containing anchor group; and a second dispersant including an acrylic co-polymer free of a nitrogen-containing anchor group. A coating composition including a resin and the tint paste is also disclosed.

A continuous bubbling fluid bed process converts biomass feedstocks into energy/heat, engineered biochar particles (including nanoparticles) and a vapor stream of organic compounds. The products have a multitude of applications determined by the specific conditions at which the process was operated, specifically controlling: temperature, catalysts, residence time, element and compound concentrations, and withdraw of products from various points in the system. The introduction of air, steam, and various gases into the vessel at selected locations and at controlled rates enables the economic, dependable and consistent production of these products.