Other

Ion Beam Applications S.a.

Northwest University

Gammatron Pty Ltd

Phillips Hydrocolloids Research Limited

Tjaart Andries Du Plessis

Saphwan Al-Assaf

Glyn Owen Phillips

Horst Seute

Peter Anthony Williams

Leon Van Rensburg

Song Cheng

This invention relates to a plant protective cover of a translucent polymeric material including at least one transmission spectrum modifier for minimizing the transmission in the ultraviolet range up to 350 nm; and for adjusting the transmission in the visible light range between 350 nm and 750 nm in accordance with photosynthetic and photomorphogenic requirements of plants to be cultivated underneath the plant protective cover, to enhance the growth conditions of such plants. The cover further includes a transmission spectrum modifier for minimizing the transmission in the infrared range above 750 nm. The transmission in the visible light range between 350 nm and 750 nm is adjusted by decreasing the transmitted green and yellow wavelengths and by changing the ratio of blue to red wavelengths transmitted towards a 2:3 ratio. The cover optimises growing conditions for plants cultivated underneath the cover thus providing relatively enhanced plant growth and performance.

Plant protective cover

The invention relates to ethylene polymers that are modified by ionizing radiation, prior to article formation, at a temperature less than the crystalline melt temperature and preferably under ambient atmosphere, as well as articles made from said polymers. The irradiated ethylene polymers exhibit enhanced melt strength, tensile strength, impact resistance, tear strength, adhesion to polar substances and thermal stability, decreased elongation, and lower melt flow index, but are easily processed and converted into and onto articles by conventional technologies including injection molding, extrusion, film and bottle blowing and powder coating.

Radiation treated ethylene polymers and articles made from said polymers

Disclosed are modified naturally occurring biocompatible biopolymers of plant and animal origin made by subjecting same to ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas, typically acetylene to enable one to selectively enhance and modify one or more of the physiochemical properties of the starting materials which have a wide range of uses in medicine, food technology and other industrial applications. Notwithstanding the modifications, the biocompatibility of the biopolymer remains unchanged and no new or additional functional groups are introduced into the starting biopolymer.

Biopolymers obtained by solid state irradiation in an unsaturated gaseous atmosphere

Disclosed is a method for modifying naturally occuring biocompatible biopolymers of plant and animal origin by subjecting same to ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas, typically acetylene to enable one to selectively enhance and modify one or more of the physiochemical propserties of the starting materials which have a wide range of uses in medicine, food technology and other industrial applications. Notwithstanding the modifications, the biocompatibility of the biopolymer remains unchanged and no new or additional functional groups are introduced into the starting biopolymer.

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Pretoria, South Africa

Tjaart Andries Du Plessis