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

Invista North America S.a.r.l.

Invista Technologies S.a.r.l.

Gordon W Selling

George F Fanta

Nathan E Houser

William T Hay

Christopher D Skory

Frederick C Felker

Elizabeth Todd Singewald

Steven F Vaughn

Fred J Eller

Beverly Jean Selle

Robert Dewhurst

Mark A Berhow

Steven C Peterson

Sean X Liu

Kristen K Woods

Susan L Meyer

Steven Peter Pardini

Inga A Zasada

Jill K Moser

The invention relates to absorbent compositions comprising soybean hulls and soybean hull biochar, methods of preparing such absorbent compositions, and methods of using such compositions in the preparation of articles of manufacture.

Absorbent material

Provided herein are methods for killing nematodes, said method comprising contacting said nematodes with an effective nematodes killing amount of a fatty-ammonium salt polysaccharide inclusion complex, and optionally a carrier. The fatty-ammonium salt starch inclusion complexes comprise one or more of a variety of fatty amines.

Methods of killing nematodes

Provided herein are fatty-ammonium salt/starch inclusion complexes comprising one or more of a variety of fatty amines. Such complexes can be combined with film-forming agents, such as poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVOH) and plasticizing agents. The inclusion complexes of the present invention can be utilized as antimicrobial agents, preventing microbial growth on organic and inorganic surfaces. In specific embodiments, inclusion complexes of the present invention are applied to vegetable or fruit surfaces in order to impede microbial growth. Inclusion complexes of the present invention can be applied to wood in order to impede microbial growth and insect consumption and to wound dressings.

Fatty ammonium salt starch complexes as antimicrobials, plant wound, and wood protectants

Disclosed are methods of increasing the surface hydrophobicity of the surface of a cellulosic article involving applying a solution of amylose-fatty ammonium salt inclusion complex in water to the article and then optionally applying an alkaline solution to the article to neutralize said amylose fatty ammonium salt inclusion complex to form an insoluble amylose fatty amine inclusion complex. Also disclosed are cellulosic articles produced by the methods.

Starch amine complexes for increased water resistance of paper

Cross-linked zein articles are prepared by a melt process where zein is mixed with polyethylene maleic anhdyride. The melt processing can be conducted as a batch process (e.g., as in a torque rheometer) or as a continuous process (e.g., as in reactive extrusion using a screw extruder). This process provides a zein article that has reduced solubility in acetic acid (a solvent that normally dissolves unaltered zein) and/or increased tensile strength.

Process for producing improved zein articles

Commercial spandex can be prepared with greater efficiency, improved consistency and at lower costs from a high-solids content polyurethaneurea polymer solution. The polyurethaneurea is prepared using a combination of 4,4'-MDI and 2,4&#x2032;-MDI, and an amount of chain extenders and chain terminators such that the polymer solution, prior to spinning, is highly soluble and has an appropriate pre-spun IV and primary amine content. Such spandex fibers, and the fabrics and garments comprising them, have good dyeability and colorfastness, as well as other desirable characteristics.

Dyeable spandex

Zein articles are prepared by a melt process where zein is mixed with glyoxal and an inorganic base solution at temperatures above about 40&#xb0; C. The melt processing can take as a batch process (e.g., as in a torque rheometer) or in a continuous process (e.g., as in reaction extrusion using a screw extruder). This process provides a zein article that has greatly reduced solubility in most of the standard organic solvents that will dissolve unaltered zein.

Processing for producing zein articles with limited solubility

Commercially acceptable spandex can be prepared with greater efficiency, improved consistency and at lower costs from a high-solids content polyurethaneurea polymer solution. The polyurethaneurea is prepared using a combination of 4,4'-MDI and 2,4&#x2032;-MDI, and an amount of chain extenders and chain terminators such that the polymer solution, prior to spinning, is highly soluble and has an appropriate pre-spun IV and primary amine content.

High productivity spandex fiber process and product

The invention provides polyurethane containing The polyurethane of the invention exhibits improved resistance to degradation by chlorine and by atmospheric fumes.

Growing community of inventors

Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Gordon W Selling