Patent Picks—Renewable Polyphenols, Eco-friendly Gellants, Nano Silver Particles and More

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: July 24, 2012

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This invention relates to a biodegradable polymer film with controlled biodegradability comprising a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol and cellulose polymer, and a preparation method thereof. Hydrophilic methyl cellulose is generally used in glue, thickeners, cosmetics or food, whereas alkali-soluble methyl cellulose is generally used to solidify the edge of textiles, or used for preparation of films. The described invention increases the tensile strength of the film and is safe for the environment.

Electrolysis to produce nano-sized silver particles
US Patent Application
Publication date: April 19, 2012
Assignee: Amogreentech Co., Ltd.

Disclosed in this patent is an eco-friendly method and apparatus for producing silver nanoparticles having uniform shape and size. The method involves: dissolving a reducing agent and an electrolyte into water in a reaction vessel, thereby preparing an electrolytic solution; placing a cathode rod made from a material other than silver to be obtained in the electrolytic solution so as to rotate in the reaction vessel, and placing at least one anode made of silver at a certain distance from the cathode rod; ionizing the silver at the anode by an electrolysis method in which direct current power is applied between the cathode rod and the anode while rotating the cathode rod so as to suppress silver crystals from forming on the surface of the cathode rod while stirring the electrolytic solution, thereby forming silver ions in the electrolytic solution; and reducing the silver ions to form the silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles produced can be used in medical care, clothing and cosmetics as antimicrobial agents for treatments such as wound healing.

Process of manufacturing of fatty acid alkyl esters
US Patent 8124801
Publication date: Feb. 28, 2012
Assignee: Benefuel Inc.

Described by this patent, published early this year, are processes for the preparation of fatty acid alkyl esters. The steps involved include contacting fatty acid glycerides with alcohols in the presence of a catalyst, separating the reaction products from the catalyst, and separating the fatty acid alkyl esters from the reaction products. The catalyst includes a metal from Group VIB of the Periodic Table and an element from Group VA of the Periodic Table. These catalysts are beneficial and lead to an economic and eco-friendly process. The bio-based products derived via this process from vegetable and plant products, such as soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed, etc., are renewable, biodegradable, less environmentally hazardous and safer to handle for applications such as cosmetics and soaps.