Lapol, LLC

United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Zymochem, Inc.

Allison Flynn

Lennard F Torres

William J Orts

Jonathan C Pistorino

William Kelly

Harshal Akshay Chokhawala

Artur P Klamczynski

Among other things, the present disclosure provides technologies useful as super absorbent polymers.

Biodegradable high-performance absorbent polymers and methods thereof

Stereocomplex biopolymer compositions having tunable and improved mechanical properties and methods of making such compositions are disclosed. The biopolymer compositions include combinations of a matrix-forming polylactic acid comprising an essentially pure enantiomer and a tough polyester to form a polylactic acid matrix. The polylactic acid matrix is further combined with a base polylactic acid comprising an essentially pure opposite enantiomer of the first essentially pure enantiomer of the matrix-forming polylactic acid to form the stereocomplex.

High heat deflection temperature polylactic acids with tunable flexibility and toughness

L-Polylactic acid and D-Polylactic acid biodegradable biopolymers are combined with torrefied biomass and a plasticizer to create a biodegradable cardstock composition. The biodegradable cardstock composition provides an alternative to conventional plastic cardstocks, which are manufactured using petroleum-based materials such polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polystyrene (PS). The biodegradable cardstock described herein can be incorporated into a variety of end products such as key cards, driver licenses, security badges, calling cards, and other plastic cards, including those that have a magnetic strip containing stored data such as credit and debit cards.

Biodegrable cardstock composition

A bioderived plasticizer for biopolymers includes a compatibilizing unit and a polyester plasticizing unit. The plasticizer improves the flexibility of biopolymers while not adversely affecting the modulus of the biopolymer. The compatibilizing unit renders the plasticizer more miscible with the desired base biopolymer, and may increase crystallization and includes a lower alkyl (C3 to C) organic acid including enantiomeric isomers of the base polymer. The polyester plasticizing unit is formed from monomers comprising a multifunctional alcohol and an aliphatic anhydride or its equivalent dicarboxylic acid and ester derivatives. The polyester plasticizing unit may optionally include one or more difunctional alcohols in combination with the multifunctional alcohol. The resulting bioderived plasticizer lowers glass transition temperature (Tg), can improve brittleness, may increases heat deflection temperature and improves melt viscosity.

Bioderived compatibilizer for biopolymers

A bioderived plasticizer for biopolymers includes a compatibilizing unit and a polyester plasticizing unit. The plasticizer improves the flexibility of biopolymers while not adversely affecting their modulus. The compatibilizing unit renders the plasticizer more miscible with the desired base biopolymer and includes a lower alkyl (Cto C) organic acid. The polyester plasticizing unit is formed from monomers comprising a multifunctional alcohol and an aliphatic anhydride or its equivalent dicarboxylic acid and ester derivatives. The polyester plasticizing unit may optionally include one or more difunctional alcohols in combination with the multifunctional alcohol. The resulting the bioderived plasticizer has a low glass transition temperature (Tg), preferably between &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. to 30&#xb0; C. The plasticizer is preferably amorphous.

Growing community of inventors

El Cerrito, CA, United States of America

Allison Flynn