The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation

Other

Absorbent Technologies, Inc.

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

Bradley University

Vjs Investments Limited

William McKee Doane

George F Fanta

Julious L Willett

Steven William Doane

Wayne Xu

Robert E Wing

Edward B Bagley

Jerry E White

Michael N Mang

Milan H Savich

John W Lawton, Jr

Mary Ollidene Weaver

Edward I Stout

Baruch S Shasha

Randal L Shogren

Charles R Russell

Parvinder Singh Walia

Merle E Carr

Lewis A Gugliemelli

Charles L Swanson

Sterling St Lawrence

Gary S Olson

Julius L Willett

Eddie W Clark

Charles R Russell, Deceased

Donald Garlotta

Sukumar Maiti

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) products for use in agricultural applications, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Certain of the SAPs include a monomer or a mixture of monomers, selected from acrylic acid, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylamide, 2-acryloamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, ethyl acrylate, potassium acrylate, derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, that is graft polymerized onto a starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer.

Superabsorbent polymers in agricultural applications

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) products for use in agricultural applications, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Certain of the SAPs include a monomer or a mixture of monomers, other than acrylonitrile, that is graft polymerized onto a starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer that is cross-linked and the SAP product is isolated.

A superabsorbent polymer combined with a beneficial additive and method for administering the same in agricultural applications is disclosed. A method for delivering a beneficial additive in agricultural applications includes obtaining a beneficial additive combined with a superabsorbent starch graft copolymer and dispensing the combined beneficial additive and superabsorbent polymer in an agricultural environment.

Superabsorbent polymer products including a beneficial additive and methods of making and application

A method of and a product formed by entrapping a bioactive, growth-promoting additive in a starch matrix to form a starch-based, superabsorbent polymer product for use in agricultural applications involves (1) graft polymerizing a monomer and a starch to form a starch graft copolymer including a starch matrix; (2) isolating the starch graft copolymer; (3) forming particles of starch graft copolymer; and (4) adding a bioactive, growth-promoting additive such that at least some of the bioactive, growth-promoting additive is entrapped by the starch matrix. Following placement of the starch-based SAP including a bioactive, growth-promoting additive in proximity to a plant, root, seed, or seedling, growth of the plant, root, seed, or seedling is promoted because availability of beneficial nutrients is increased.

Methods of making and using a superabsorbent polymer product including a bioactive, growth-promoting additive

A superabsorbent starch graft copolymer product having particle sizes useful in granule applicators for application to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers applied to field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased yields, and reduced water requirements.

Superabsorbent polymer product and use in agriculture

A polymer composition includes a first component being a hydroxy-functional polymer, a second component being a natural polymer and a third component being a thermoplastic polyester. The first component, second component and third component are compounded to form a polymer composition.

Biodegradable polymer compositions methods for making same and articles therefrom

Methods of making and using a superabsorbent starch graft copolymer involve producing starch graft copolymers having particle sizes useful in granule applicators for application to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers applied to field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased yields, and reduced water requirements.

Methods of forming superabsorbent polymer products for use in agriculture

Methods of making articles are provided in which a self-supporting structure formed of natural polymer has a self-adherent, moisture resistant thermoplastic film comprising gelatinized starch and a hydroxy-functional polyester on the structure surface. The self-supporting structure preferably is a starch and polyvinyl alcohol blend in an expanded form. The articles typically do not delaminate even when soaked in water, and are biodegradable.

Biodegradable polyester and natural polymer laminates

Methods of making and using starch graft copolymers produce particle sizes useful in granule applicators for applying to agricultural fields. Starch graft copolymers on field crops provide excellent anti-crusting properties, increased seed germination and stand, increased crop growth, increased crop yields and reduced water requirements.

Starch graft copolymers and method of making and using starch graft copolymers for agriculture

Biodegradable polymer compositions, methods for making same, and articles therefrom

A method of making a biodegradable polymer composition including the steps of providing a first component being either one of a thermoplastic poly(hydroxy ester ether) or a synthetic, hydroxy-functional polymer and providing a second component being a natural polymer. The method includes the steps of mixing the first component and second component together to form a mixture, compounding the mixture, and pelletizing the compounded mixture to form pellets of a biodegradable polymer composition.

Method of making biodegradable polymer compositions

Biodegradable polymer compositions, methods for making same and articles therefrom

A polymer composition uncludes a first component being a hydroxy-functional polymer, a second component being a natural polymer and a third component being a thermoplastic polyester. The first component, second component and third component are compounded to form a polymer composition.

Compositions of the invention include a hydroxy-functional polyester and a natural polymer. Articles can be made from such a composition so as to have sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils or to have sufficient stretchability so as to form thin wrap films. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Granular starches derived from a grain, a root, a legume, or mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Biodegradable formed article

Articles are provided in which a self-supporting structure formed of natural polymer has a self-adherent, moisture resistant hydroxy-functional polyester on the structure surface. The self-supporting structure preferably is a starch and polyvinyl alcohol blend in an expanded form. The articles typically do not delaminate even when soaked in water, and are biodegradable.

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Morton, IL, United States of America

William McKee Doane