Sulfur copolymers having high sulfur content for use as raw materials in 3D printing. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by melting and copolymerizing one or more comonomers with cyclic selenium sulfide, elemental sulfur, elemental selenium, or a combination thereof. Optical substrates, such as films and lenses, are constructed from the sulfur copolymer via 3D printing and are substantially transparent in the visible and infrared spectrum. The optical substrates can have refractive indices of about 1.75-2.6 at a wavelength in a range of about 500 nm to about 8 m.

Sulfur copolymers having high sulfur content for use as raw materials in 3D printing. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by melting and copolymerizing one or more comonomers with cyclic selenium sulfide, elemental sulfur, elemental selenium, or a combination thereof. Optical substrates, such as films and lenses, are constructed from the sulfur copolymer via 3D printing and are substantially transparent in the visible and infrared spectrum. The optical substrates can have refractive indices of about 1.75-2.6 at a wavelength in a range of about 500 nm to about 8 m.

An insect trap includes a lure having one or more attractant compounds. The attractant compounds optionally including compounds of different volatility. The lure including a membrane configured to control release rates of the attractant compounds such that a release rate of a compound having greater volatility has its release rate lowered by a greater percentage or amount than a release rate of a compound having lower volatility. Inclusion of the membrane allows for adjustment of the relative release rates such that both compounds are released together over a longer time than would occur without the membrane. The lure is optionally disposed in a trap.

An insect trap includes a lure having one or more attractant compounds. The attractant compounds optionally including compounds of different volatility. The lure including a membrane configured to control release rates of the attractant compounds such that a release rate of a compound having greater volatility has its release rate lowered by a greater percentage or amount than a release rate of a compound having lower volatility. Inclusion of the membrane allows for adjustment of the relative release rates such that both compounds are released together over a longer time than would occur without the membrane. The lure is optionally disposed in a trap.

In one aspect of the invention, provided herein an agricultural composition comprising a synergistically effective amount of a sulfide compound and of a surfactant. Further, a method of using the composition of the invention such as for enhancing or inducing bud break in a plant, is provided.

In one aspect of the invention, provided herein an agricultural composition comprising a synergistically effective amount of a sulfide compound and of a surfactant. Further, a method of using the composition of the invention such as for enhancing or inducing bud break in a plant, is provided.

Compositions and methods of producing composite materials for use as a cathode in electrochemical cells. Elemental sulfur is mixed with tungsten sulfide (WS.sub.2) to form a composite mixture. Organic comonomers may be added to the composite mixture. The composite mixture is reacted to form the composite material. Electrochemical cells with cathodes containing the composite material demonstrated improved battery performance.

Compositions and methods of producing composite materials for use as a cathode in electrochemical cells. Elemental sulfur is mixed with tungsten sulfide (WS.sub.2) to form a composite mixture. Organic comonomers may be added to the composite mixture. The composite mixture is reacted to form the composite material. Electrochemical cells with cathodes containing the composite material demonstrated improved battery performance.

Sulfur composites and polymeric materials having a high sulfur content and prepared from elemental sulfur as the primary chemical feedstock. The sulfur copolymers are prepared by the polymerization of elemental sulfur with one or more monomers of amines, thiols, sulfides, alkynylly unsaturated monomers, nitrones, aldehydes, ketones, thiiranes, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, or epoxides. The sulfur copolymers may be further dispersed with metal or ceramic composites or copolymerized with elemental carbon, photoactive organic chromophores, or reactive and solubilising/biocompatible moieties. The sulfur composites and polymeric materials feature the ability self-healing through thermal reformation. Applications utilizing the sulfur composites and polymeric materials may include electrochemical cells, optics, H.sub.2S donors and antimicrobial materials.

A method for controlling xylophages (e.g., termites, Asian Beetle, Emerald Ash borer, Weevils, Deathwatch Caterpillars, cockroaches) by inhibiting methane production of methanogenic Archaea in the digestive tract thereof. The inhibiting of the critical biochemical pathways specific to the methanogenic Archaea is achieved by contacting the xylophage with one or more antimethanogenic reagent (AMR) compounds. The AMRs may include, for example, naturally-occurring statins (which may be found in red yeast rice) or derivatives thereof, linoleic acid or related compounds, essential oils, certain synthetic compounds or combinations thereof. As a result, the effectiveness of the methanogenic Archaea to produce methane is compromised. This subsequently results into the malfunctioning of the xylophages' digestive system and provides a safe, natural, green and sustainable means of controlling the xylophages.