Compositions comprising complexes of 1-methylcyclopropene and ?-cyclodextrin, and articles including the composition, are provided. Methods for using the compositions and articles in delaying the maturation of fruits, vegetables, and plants are also provided.

Compositions comprising complexes of 1-methylcyclopropene and ?-cyclodextrin, and articles including the composition, are provided. Methods for using the compositions and articles in delaying the maturation of fruits, vegetables, and plants are also provided.

A composition that is liquid at room temperature includes at least one 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol diester (A); and at least one compound (B), selected from modified fatty acids and modified fatty acid esters, the compound including at least one epoxy and/or acetyl function. The liquid composition includes at least 60% by weight of constituents (A) and (B).

Improved materials and compositions for improving materials to enhance their properties; the compositions, in certain aspects, strengthening materials, enhancing bonding between materials, and/or improving properties such as strength, impact resistance, sustainability, protection level, and structural integrity; the material in certain aspects being glass; the compositions including alcohol, glycerol, a silane, acetate adhesive, a surfactant, and carbon nanotubes; and, optionally in certain aspects, no nanotubes and/or no surfactants but with a vinyl acetate monomer. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

A photovoltaic element has high photoelectric conversion efficiency as well as excellent processing properties/low environmental load. The organic semiconductor composition includes as an additive a compound in which one or two aromatic rings are substituted with a predetermined number of alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkanoyl groups, or thioalkyl groups. There is also a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic element which uses the composition.

A photovoltaic element has high photoelectric conversion efficiency as well as excellent processing properties/low environmental load. The organic semiconductor composition includes as an additive a compound in which one or two aromatic rings are substituted with a predetermined number of alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkanoyl groups, or thioalkyl groups. There is also a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic element which uses the composition.

The invention provides protein adhesives, and methods of making and using such adhesives. The protein adhesives contain a protein-bonding agent and plant protein composition, such as an isolated water-soluble protein fraction or ground plant meal obtained from plant biomass. The protein-bonding agent can be an anhydride compound, carboxylic acid compound, carboxylate salt compound, or combinations thereof. The protein adhesives are useful in bonding together lignocellulosic materials and other types of materials.

The invention provides protein adhesives, and methods of making and using such adhesives. The protein adhesives contain a protein-bonding agent and plant protein composition, such as an isolated water-soluble protein fraction or ground plant meal obtained from plant biomass. The protein-bonding agent can be an anhydride compound, carboxylic acid compound, carboxylate salt compound, or combinations thereof. The protein adhesives are useful in bonding together lignocellulosic materials and other types of materials.

Compositions of polymer blends of polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polyoxymethylene (POM) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) are described. In certain embodiments, the PHA is a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate copolymer having a weight percent 4-hydroxybutyrate of 30-45%. In other embodiments the PHA is a multiphase P3HB-4HB copolymer blend having one phase fully amorphous. The PHA is mixed with the PVC or PMMA or POM to optimize its optical, thermal and mechanical properties. In certain embodiments, the polymer is branched with optionally additives that improve properties. Methods of making the compositions of the invention are also described. The invention also includes articles, films and laminates comprising the compositions.

Disclosed is a composition that can rapidly plasticize polymers, including, in relation to the total mass of (A) and (B): between 0.1 and 99 mass-% of at least one ester of 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol (A), having a molar mass varying between 255 and 345 g.Math.mol.sup.1 and selected from among monoesters and diesters of isosorbide, isomannide and isoidide; and between 1 and 99.9 mass-% of at least one compound (B) having a molar mass greater than 345 g.Math.mol.sup.1 and selected from among the esters of 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol, the esters of cyclohexane polycarboxylic acid, the esters of phthalic acid, and glycerol esters. Also disclosed is a method for the production of a plasticized object using constituents (A) and (B), as well as to the use of the ester compound (A) as a polymer gelification accelerator.