Abstract:
Methods for producing dissolving grade pulp and microcrystalline cellulose from tobacco are provided. The methods include chemical pulping a tobacco input to form a tobacco pulp. Chemical pulping the tobacco input includes combining the tobacco input with a strong base defining a weight from about 5% to about 50% of the tobacco input, and heating the tobacco input and the strong base with an H-factor from about 500 to about 3,300. Further, the methods include bleaching the tobacco pulp to produce a dissolving grade pulp. Bleaching the tobacco pulp may include chlorination of the tobacco pulp with a chlorine dioxide solution, and caustic extraction of the tobacco pulp with a second strong base. A related tobacco-derived microcrystalline cellulose product is also provided, which can be used as a binder, a filler, and/or a texturizer in a tobacco product, such as a smokeless tobacco product.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an automotive tire containing from 0.1 wt % to 50 wt % hydrophobic nanocellulose. Hydrophobic nanocellulose may include lignin-coated nanocellulose and/or a chemically modified surface to increase hydrophobicity. The nanocellulose may include cellulose nanofibrils and/or cellulose nanocrystals. The nanocellulose may be introduced into tire components such as inner liner, body ply, sidewall, beads, apex, belts, treads, cushion gum, and textile fabric. The nanocellulose may be obtained from a biomass-fractionation process utilizing an acid catalyst, a solvent for lignin, and water to generate a lignin-containing nanocellulose precursor, followed by mechanical treatment of the nanocellulose precursor to produce the nanocellulose. For example, the nanocellulose may be obtained from the AVAP® process. The tire may further include one or more additional components derived from lignocellulosic biomass. For example, the tire may contain lignin-derived carbon black, lignin-derived antioxidants, biomass-derived silica. The tire may also contain synthetic polymers derived from biomass sugars.
Abstract:
Surgical devices and methods are provided for preventing the formation of post-operative adhesions. In one device, an envelope of material defines at least one opening, and another layer of adhesion- preventing material is disposed on an exterior surface of the envelope. A rigid or semi-rigid barrier member is at least partially disposed in a space inside the envelope, without adhering to the envelope such that the barrier member can be pulled out of the envelope through the opening.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a process for reducing particle agglomeration and/or increasing porosity of agglomerated particles, a method for enhancing dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, and thermoplastic or thermoset nanocomposites comprising nanoparticles.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a hemostatic material comprising a scaffold and a galvanic particulate. The galvanic particulate comprises particles made of at least two dissimilar metals. The scaffold is preferably a biocompatible polysaccharide-based hemostatic, such as a chitosan or cellulosic based hemostatic like ORC.
Abstract:
A method for producing a rubber composition include a mixing step, a drying step, and a dispersion step. In the mixing step, an aqueous solution that includes at least one of oxycellulose fibers and cellulose nanofibers is mixed with rubber latex to obtain a first mixture. In the drying step, the first mixture is dried to obtain a second mixture. In the dispersion step, the second mixture is tight-milled using an open roll to obtain a rubber composition. The rubber composition does not include an aggregate that includes at least one of the oxycellulose fibers and the cellulose nanofibers, and has a diameter of 0.1 mm or more.
Abstract:
The invention provides articles and methods for making such articles including a substrate coated on at least one region thereof with a layer of nanocomposites nano-cellulose materials and nanoparticles.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a reduced crystallinity cellulose comprising mixing cellulose with a fluid and a proppant; partially solvating the cellulose with the fluid to form a partially solvated cellulose; mixing the partially solvated cellulose with a supercritical fluid under conditions effective to maintain the supercritical fluid in a supercritical state; where the supercritical fluid is immiscible with the fluid; and changing the pressure so that the supercritical fluid is no longer in the supercritical state.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a formed article, or more specifically a transparent substrate, which effectively utilizes a natural stuff and which has a low linear expansion coefficient, a high light transmittance and an appropriate level of moisture permeability. The transparent substrate includes at least an oxidized polysaccharide and has a linear expansion coefficient of 50 ppm/° C. or less at 30-150° C. and a light transmittance of 70% or more at 660 nm. Its manufacturing method includes an oxidation process in which cellulose reacts with TEMPO or its derivatives as a catalyst to be oxidized in water under the presence of a co-oxidant, along with a fiberizing process in which the oxidized cellulose is fiberized in water to form a cellulose fiber, and a substrate-forming process in which a transparent substrate is formed from a cellulose dispersion liquid containing the cellulose fiber.
Abstract:
Ultra-fine microcrystalline cellulose compositions are disclosed which comprise co-attrited microcrystalline cellulose and a hydrocolloid. The compositions have a mean particle size of less than 10 microns. The compositions are prepared by subjecting a high solids mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and a hydrocolloid to high shear forces in the presence of an anti slip agent preferably an aqueous solution of an inorganic salt. The compositions are especially useful in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic and industrial applications.