A prosthetic socket includes a conical cup, an outer layer on the outer surface of the conical cup, and a reinforcement layer on the inner surface of the conical cup. The prosthetic socket is shapeable after being heated to a shaping temperature. The outer layer is less malleable than the conical cup at the shaping temperature, but has a higher rigidity than the conical cup at the shaping temperature and has smoother outer surface than an outer surface of the conical cup. The reinforcement layer has a higher resistance against circumferential stress than the conical cup. A residual limb or a model of a residual limb can be inserted into the preformed prosthetic socket. The prosthetic socket is then heated to the shaping temperature and molded to conform to the contour of the residual limb or the model to form a prosthetic socket.

Novel granular fertilizers and methods of making those fertilizers are provided. The method utilized involves recycling streams, including one that provides water having dissolved solids therein, with that water being used during the mixing and granulation process. This method results in a low-moisture, hard, substantially spherical granule, which can include any number of macronutrients and/or micronutrients. Advantageously, the granular fertilizer can be applied to the soil around plants to supply those plants with the necessary nutrients.

A process of manufacturing a coated fertilizer comprising: providing at least partially coated fertilizer granules having an at least partial coating comprising a polymer and a wax; and conditioning the at least partially coated fertilizer granules at a temperature of 40 to 130 C. for a time of 1 minute to 4 hours, to form a coating comprising interpenetrating domains comprising polymer domains and wax domains.

A process of manufacturing a coated fertilizer comprising: providing at least partially coated fertilizer granules having an at least partial coating comprising a polymer and a wax; and conditioning the at least partially coated fertilizer granules at a temperature of 40 to 130 C. for a time of 1 minute to 4 hours, to form a coating comprising interpenetrating domains comprising polymer domains and wax domains.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for coating a material by contacting the material with a coating material and a solvent are disclosed herein. The coated material can be obtained by evaporating the solvent: by heating the coated material directly or indirectly with electromagnetic radiation; by heating with heat generated from a heat source that heats an internal container for the material to be coated and/or coated material; and/or in an interior volume of a coating container having a side wall, by heating a portion of the side wall of the coating container and/or internal container with a heat source that is positioned outside of the interior volume of the coating container.

A controlled-release fertilizer composition includes coated fertilizer particles having granules substantially encapsulated with a polyurethane coating layer formed from cardanol-based polyols and an isocyanate curing agent. Methods of making and using the controlled-release fertilizer compositions are also disclosed.

A controlled-release fertilizer composition includes coated fertilizer particles having granules substantially encapsulated with a polyurethane coating layer formed from a polyol composition and an isocyanate curing agent. The polyurethane coating layers include inorganic particles. Methods of making and using the controlled-release fertilizer compositions are also disclosed.

A granular composition for agricultural is disclosed. The granular composition is made up of a plurality of granulates having a biodegradable coating applied over the granulates. The granulates are selected from the group consisting of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The biodegradable coating is made up of polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates. A method for making the coated granular composition and a method for controlled release of the granular material in the field are also disclosed.

A granular composition for agricultural coatings is disclosed. The granular composition is made up of a plurality of granulates having at least one biodegradable coating applied over the granulates. The granulates are selected from the group consisting of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The biodegradable coating is made up of polyhydroxyalkanoates, such as monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate and monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate. A method for making the coated granular composition and a method for controlled release of the granular material in the field are also disclosed.

A fertilizer that is suitable for use all year long that is comprised of extruded or agglomerated pellets having fertilizer and iron, and further comprised of gypsum, seaweed, seaweed extract, humic substances, or a combination of same.