This invention relates to biodegradable starch-based pellets which foamable by irradiation, which are particularly suitable for the manufacture of foam articles, characterised in that they have a porous structure with a low porous external skin. This invention also relates to foam articles obtained from these.

The present disclosure relates to polymer coatings covalently attached to the surface of a substrate and the preparation of the polymer coatings, such as poly(N-(5-azidoacetamidylpentyl)acrylamide-co-acrylamide) (PAZAM), in the formation and manipulation of substrates, such as molecular arrays and flow cells. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing a substrate surface by using beads coated with a covalently attached polymer, such as PAZAM, and the method of determining a nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide attached to a substrate surface described herein.

A piece, in particular for jewellery or timepieces, is made of a material comprising a synthetic matrix loaded with particles of a precious or semi-precious stone. The particles have a particle size d90 between 50 μm and 2 mm, preferably between 100 μm and 1 mm, and more preferably between 150 μm and 500 μm.

Process for the preparation of a vinylidene chloride polymer composite comprising a solid particulate encapsulated in the vinylidene chloride polymer. The process comprises providing a dispersion of a solid particulate material in a liquid phase, said dispersion comprising a RAFT/MADIX agent; providing vinylidene chloride and optionally one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith to said dispersion; and polymerizing vinylidene chloride and said optionally present one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomer under the control of said RAFT/MADIX agent to form polymer at the surface of said solid particulate material.

The present invention generally relates to reducing the mucoadhesive properties of a particle. In some embodiments, the particle is coated with and/or associated with a (poly(ethylene glycol))-(poly(propylene oxide))-(poly(ethylene glycol)) triblock copolymer. Methods for preparing inventive particles using a poly(ethylene glycol)-vitamin E conjugate as a surfactant are also provided. In some embodiments, methods are provided comprising administering to a subject a composition of particles of the present invention. Such particles with reduced mucoadhesive properties are useful in delivering agents to mucosal tissues such as oral, ophthalmic, gastrointestinal, nasal, respiratory, and genital mucosal tissues.

Artificial turf for use with an artificial turf system, which may also include a base layer and a support layer. The artificial turf comprising a backing supporting pile tufts of between ¼″ to 4″ in length, in position on its upper surface. The backing may comprise a porous synthetic foam or backing sheet. A filler of particles shaped to have no sharp edges and of substantially equal size are interspersed over the backing and about the tufts up to at least half thick length. The artificial turf substantially retains its resiliency, porosity and equal density throughout.

A polyisocyanate composition is produced by reaction of bis(isocyanatomethyl) cyclohexane with trimethylolpropane, and contains a trimethylolpropane-monomolecular-body obtained by reaction of three molecules of bis(isocyanatomethyl) cyclohexane with one molecule of trimethylolpropane, and a trimethylolpropane-bimolecular-body obtained by reaction of five molecules of bis(isocyanatomethyl) cyclohexane with two molecules of trimethylolpropane; and the molar ratio of trimethylolpropane-monomolecular-body relative to trimethylolpropane-bimolecular-body (trimethylolpropane-monomolecular-body/trimethylolpropane-bimolecular-body) contained in the polyisocyanate composition is 1.5 or more and 4.5 or less.

Solar-reflective roofing granules having deep-tone colors are formed by coating base mineral particles with a coating composition including an infrared-reflective pigment. Color is provided by a colored infrared pigment, a light-interference platelet pigment, or a metal oxide.

Provided are a polybutylene terephthalate resin composition which is excellent in mold releasability and which can suppress deterioration in molding stability and aggregation of the polybutylene terephthalate resin composition due to blooming of a mold release agent; and a pellet thereof. The polybutylene terephthalate resin composition contains 0.01 to 5.0 parts by mass of (B) a saturated fatty acid ester of a polyglycerol represented by formula (I) described below with respect to 100 parts by mass of (A) a polybutylene terephthalate resin. In formula (I), R.sup.1s each may be the same or different and are C.sub.19-30 saturated aliphatic acyl groups, and n is an integer from 1 to 10. ##STR00001##

A composite particle includes a discrete, hollow, ceramic spheroid and a fluoropolymer layer disposed thereon. The fluoropolymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether; a perfluoroalkoxy vinyl ether; at least one fluoroolefin independently represented by formula C(R).sub.2═CF—Rf, wherein Rf is fluorine or a perfluoroalkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen, fluorine, or chlorine; or a combination thereof. Methods of making the composite particles, composite materials, and articles including them are also disclosed.