Provided herein is a molded cellulose foam having a smooth, dense surface fiber layer and a low density, open-cell structure interior, a process for compression-molding fiber foam into such molded cellulose foam, articles prepared with such foam, and articles prepared by such process.

A method of forming a core-shell polymer nanoparticle encapsulating an active agent is disclosed, including the use of a multi-solvent system in which to dissolve the active agent and a polymer prior to their precipitation using an antisolvent. The preferred use of an organic solvent system comprising two or more organic solvents allows for a high degree of control, as compared with the use of a single solvent, and enables the active agent to be precipitated more or less simultaneously with, or just prior to, the polymer.

The invention provides moisture-resistant foam compositions comprising at least one fiber component; at least one foaming agent; at least one wax binder; and optionally at least one dispersant, where the at least one fiber component, the at least one foaming agent, the at least one wax binder, and when present the at least one dispersant are uniformly dispersed throughout a matrix, wherein the matrix is a foam.

A method of forming a core-shell polymer nanoparticle encapsulating an active agent is disclosed, including the use of a multi-solvent system in which to dissolve the active agent and a polymer prior to their precipitation using an antisolvent. The preferred use of an organic solvent system comprising two or more organic solvents allows for a high degree of control, as compared with the use of a single solvent, and enables the active agent to be precipitated more or less simultaneously with, or just prior to, the polymer.

A container that dissolves. A shell defining the container sized to accommodate a volume of a consumable. The shell is water soluble. The shell defines walls extending upward from a closed bottom. The container includes a first water insoluble layer coating an exterior surface of the walls of the shell. One or more portions of the exterior surface are not coated with the first water insoluble layer promoting the dissolution of the container. The container includes a second water insoluble layer coating an interior of the shell.

A biodegradable and dissolvable container may include a biodegradable and water soluble shell defining the container sized to accommodate a volume of a liquid, the shell having walls extending upward from a closed bottom; an exterior water insoluble layer coating an exterior surface of the walls of the shell; and an inner water insoluble layer coating an interior of the shell, wherein the container may completely dissolve in water over a predetermined period of time.

Disclosed herein are sugar-based composites that are a recyclable and environmentally friendly replacement for plastics. The sugar-based composites are a renewable, recyclable, degradable, energy-efficient, and lightweight replacement of plastics in short term use applications. The sugar-based composites comprise small molecule sugar compounds. Methods of preparing and methods of recycling the sugar-based composites are also disclosed.

A method for reducing friability and/or mineral dusting of a mineral loaded polymer is provided. The method includes providing a mineral loaded polymer article made from a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer and an active agent. The active agent is in the form of minerals. The article has an external surface onto which a film coating is applied using a liquid solution that solidifies to form the film coating. The film coating substantially prevents release of the minerals outside of the article while at the same time provides gas permeability to facilitate transmission of a gas between an environment external to the film coating and the minerals loaded within the article.

A container that dissolves. A shell defining the container sized to accommodate a volume of a consumable. The shell is water soluble. The shell defines walls extending upward from a closed bottom. The container includes a first water insoluble layer coating an exterior surface of the walls of the shell. One or more portions of the exterior surface are not coated with the first water insoluble layer promoting the dissolution of the container. The container includes a second water insoluble layer coating an interior of the shell.