An atmospheric pressure plasma processing apparatus and method employing argon as a plasma gas in the absence of helium, including nanosecond pulse-powered electrodes having planar surfaces, and grounded electrodes having planar surfaces parallel to the surfaces of the powered electrodes and spaced-apart a chosen distance therefrom, forming plasma regions, are described. The absence of helium from the plasma discharge has been found not to affect the quality of the resulting plasma-polymerized coatings of the processed substrates.

A process is provided for identifying a production and/or commercial history of a silk fiber or a product made therefrom.

An encapsulation composition is described. The composition comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising an amphiphilic material encapsulating a pyrethroid. The encapsulated pyrethroid has a release rate less than the release rate of the unencapsulated pyrethroid. Coated fabric products are also described.

An encapsulation composition is described. The composition comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising an amphiphilic material encapsulating a pyrethroid. The encapsulated pyrethroid has a release rate less than the release rate of the unencapsulated pyrethroid. Coated fabric products are also described.

A releasable encapsulation composition is described. The composition comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising an amphiphilic material encapsulating a substance, such as an active ingredient. The substance is releasable from encapsulation by a change in the amphiphilic material triggered by a change in the environment around the capsule.

A releasable encapsulation composition is described. The composition comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising an amphiphilic material encapsulating a substance, such as an active ingredient. The substance is releasable from encapsulation by a change in the amphiphilic material triggered by a change in the environment around the capsule.

Disclosed is a method for conferring durable water repellence to woven or non-woven fabric, comprising the steps of: (1) treating the fabric with an aqueous composition, the composition comprising (a) an aqueous solvent comprising at least 80 w/w % water, and 20 w/w % or less of a water miscible organic solvent comprising at least two functional OH groups, and (b) 0.1-40 w/w % of an acrylic ester having the formula 1: wherein A.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3, and A.sup.2 is C.sub.1-C.sub.30 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon that may have an alicyclic or aromatic ring, the acrylic ester being dissolved, emulsified or dispersed in the aqueous solvent, (2) heating the treated fabric to 120-200? C. Further such a composition and fabric treated with such a composition are disclosed.

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Insect repellent compositions are provided for resilient use in fabrics. Compositions include an alcohol solvent and an ethoxylated oil mixed with an insecticidal pyrethroid of at least 25% of the composition. Permethrin, benzyl alcohol, and ethoxylated castor oil may be used in ratios ranging from about 2.5:1.5:1 to about 1:1.2:1.8. An insect repellent fabric is prepared by neutralizing the fabric and treating the fabric with the insect repellent formulation. The formulation may include a padding composition mixed with an insect repellent composition. The padding composition includes a polyglycol ether, an acrylic acid ester, an acrylic ester copolymer in aqueous solution, and a cross linking agent. The fabric may be evenly treated with the mixed padding and repellent composition and then dried. The treating may include impregnating the fabric with microcapsules that elute or diffuse the insect repellent and/or padding composition.

A releasable encapsulation composition is described. The composition comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising an amphiphilic material encapsulating a substance, such as an active ingredient. The substance is releasable from encapsulation by a change in the amphiphilic material triggered by a change in the environment around the capsule.

An encapsulation composition is described. The composition comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising an amphiphilic material encapsulating a pyrethroid. The encapsulated pyrethroid has a release rate less than the release rate of the unencapsulated pyrethroid. Coated fabric products are also described.