Abstracts


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Intercalating Cyanine Dyes for Nucleic Acid Detection
Todor G. Deligeorgiev, Stefka Kaloyanova and Juan J. Vaquero

The intercalating non-covalent binding fluorescent cyanine dyes for nucleic acid detection are reviewed and the patent literature for the last two decades (since their discovery) is included. The synthetic methods for the preparation of unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that are useful as nucleic acid probes are presented. Most of the specific applications of such fluorescent cyanine dyes are reviewed and these include flow cytometry, PCR reactions, sequencing, hybridization, gel electrophoresis, capillary gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, quantification of DNA and RNA in solution, disinfection of blood products, diagnosis of different infections and diseases, melting curve analysis, covalent labeling for oligonucleotides and the application of such labeled nucleotides in clinical assays, staining and assessing the viability of the cells, chromosome staining etc. The outlook for current and future developments in this area is also outlined.


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Applications of Jatropha Oil Seed Crop
Maddur N. Satheesh Kumar, Zahira Yaakob and Siti R. S. Abdullah

Jatropha, belonging to the family of Euphorbiace, is a plant of Latin American origin, spreads throughout the arid and semi-arid tropical regions of the world. The oil seed of Jatropha plant is a known feed stock for biodiesel production. The farming community has yet to explore jatropha as an alternate or commercial crop. The government and non governmental institutions/organisations have started the development program for jatropha plantation. Traditionally, jatropha plants have been used as a fence for all agricultural crops. Few reasons for the cultivation of this non food crop are the diminution of fossil fuel reserves, increased green house gas emission and the utilisation of food crops for biofuel production. Due to the technical and economic reasons, the full potential of jatropha plant has not been utilised. In addition to biodiesel production from jatropha seeds, the various parts of jatropha plant can find useful applications in different areas like medicine, polymeric materials, fertiliser, fence, etc. The innovation of value added application for this versatile and potentially useful crop may improve the economic health of the farmers and provide a competitive biodiesel. The present review article discussed the reported research in recent patens and journals on the utilisaton of various parts of jatropha plant for different applications.


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Recent Patents on Aromatic Polyamides
Miriam Trigo-Lopez, Pedro Estevez, Noelia San-Jose, Ana Gomez-Valdemoro, Felix C. Garcia, Felipe Serna, Jose L. de la Pena and Jose M. Garcia

Aromatic polyamides are high performance materials with superior thermal and mechanical properties which make them extremely useful for advanced technologies. These polymers can be transformed into high-tensile strength synthetic fibers and into flame and cut-resistant materials that have technological applications in the field of coatings and fillers in the aerospace and armaments industry, in asbestos substitutes, electrical insulation, bullet-proof body armor, industrial filters, and sports fabrics, among others. This article sets out to review the existing literature and recent patent claims that describe the design, the preparation and the applications of wholly aromatic polyamides, semiaromatic polyamides and poly(amide imide)s.


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Patenting Activity in Manufacturing Organoclays for Nanocomposite Applications
Elodie Naveau, Christophe Detrembleur, Christine Jerome and Michael Alexandre

For the last two decades, intensive research has been focused on developing reinforced polymers with incorporation of nanometric fillers. Amongst the different types of nanofillers, those based on layered silicates (commonly known as clays), have been most widely investigated. Dispersing clay sheets on a nanoscopic scale (so-called exfoliation) indeed allows materials with enhanced thermal, mechanical, rheological, flame retardancy and barrier properties to be produced. However, the nanocomposite performances are strongly dependent upon the extent of clay exfoliation. In order to enhance the compatibility between the pristine clay, hydrophilic, and the polymer, hydrophobic, and to achieve a good delamination of the nanolayers, an organo-modification of the clay is most usually necessary. This mini-review will provide an outline of patenting activity in the field of manufacturing organoclays through ionic exchange. The variety of organic modifiers and the diverse processing techniques will be detailed, aiming to extract the most relevant organoclays for successful nanocomposite formation at industrial scale.


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Recent Developments in Thermo-Mechanical Processing of Proteinous Bioplastics
Casparus J.R. Verbeek and Lisa E. van den Berg

Proteinous bioplastics have received renewed interest over the last decade due to an awareness of the environmental impact of conventional plastics. In the second half of the previous century, further development of proteinous bioplastics was overshadowed by the fast growth in synthetic polymer technology. Today, proteins are considered a sustainable source for producing biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics. Proteins are complex hetero-polymers, offering a number of different functional side groups capable of forming strong intermolecular bonds. Denaturing, cross-linking and plasticization are the most important aspects of protein processing. Typically, proteins and plasticizers are blended prior to thermo-processing, during which a highly viscous melt should be formed. The softening temperature of proteins is often above their decomposition temperatures, thereby making processability dependant on the type and amount of plasticizer. Generally, increasing the amount of plasticizer will lower the softening temperature and viscosity of the blend. Extrusion is particularly suitable for processing proteins, but excessive aggregation should be avoided by judicial use of chemicals, such as denaturants, plasticizers and reducing agents. Current technology described in recent patents mostly involves chemical modification of protein structures, incorporation of novel plasticizers and developing new process and specialized equipment. These are discussed further in the text.

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Recent Progress on Development of TiO2 Thin Film Photocatalysts for Pollutant Removal
Radhiyah A. Aziz and Iis Sopyan

This review paper is to give an overview of the recent progress on the development of TiO2 thin film photocatalysts for pollutant removal. Photocatalysis process involves the photoinduced oxidation and reduction reactions in the photocatalyst that has the ability in degrading most organic compounds into carbon dioxide, water and any harmless substances. Upon the exposure of ultraviolet light of wavelength Δ < 390nm, the photocatalyst plays its role in degrading any kind of pollutants either in liquid or gaseous phase. One of the most outstanding photocatalysts that has received particular attention in application is titanium dioxide due to its high chemical stability and photocatalytic activity. The development of the photocatalyst in the form of a thin film is due to the impractical use of conventional powder photocatalyst in certain environmental applications. Recent patents of the thin film photocatalyst as well as some environmental applications have also been reviewed. Also included are techniques for modifying thin film characteristics, film deposition methods and variation in types of substrates used for improved photocatalytic properties of the TiO2 thin film.

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Research Development on (KxNa1-x)NbO3-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics
Jiagang Wu, Dingquan Xiao and Jianguo Zhu

Perovskite Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 piezoelectric ceramics were widely used. However, these ceramics with lead element cause a serious environmental pollution. In recent years, some countries have required all new electronic products to be lead-free for the environmental protection and human health. As a result, it is necessary to rapidly develop the lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with excellent properties to replace the lead-based ceramics. Over the past few years, considerable attention for the lead-free piezoelectric ceramics has been given to (KxNa1-x)NbO3 (KNN)-based piezoelectric ceramics for their good electrical and environmentally friendly properties. This review will cover patent and paper progress in the field of KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics achieved during the past few years. Current researches and achievements fully indicated that the KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics can be commercially produced in the near future.

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Ferritic Stainless Steels for High Temperature Applications in Oxidizing Environments
Daniela Pilone

Ferritic stainless steel containing more than 7 wt. % of Al represents an interesting material for the production of components working at high temperature. To meet industrial needs of increased operating temperatures, many studies have been carried out to design FeCrAl(RE) alloys that are suitable for applications where the components have to work in oxidative environments for extended periods of operation, often at very high temperatures ( > 1000 °C) under cyclic operating conditions. Although a very good protectiveness against oxidation can be achieved for Al concentrations higher than 7 wt.%, mechanical properties of FeCrAl alloys are known to be poor at high temperature. High temperature strength and creep resistance can be improved by reducing grain boundary areas and by precipitating stable particles in the bulk alloy: this practice prevents grain boundary slip and dislocation movement. This paper reviews the patented progresses in the field of the production of FeCrAl alloys for high temperature applications such as heating elements and substrate of catalytic converters.

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A Review of Recent Patents on Trivalent Chromium Plating
Zhixiang Zeng, Aiming Liang and Junyan Zhang

Conventional Cr-matrix coatings electrodeposited from hexavalent Cr baths have been widely used for decoration and anti-wear. Electrodeposition of Cr from hexavalent Cr needs to be replaced by another material system due to the intense toxicity and carcinogenicity of hexavalent Cr. Trivalent Cr plating is considered to be a promising ‘environmental acceptable’ replacement technology for hexavalent Cr plating. This paper gives a review of patents and publications in the field of trivalent Cr plating. We primarily introduce the discharge mechanism of trivalent Cr, development of trivalent Cr electrolytes, anodic materials for the trivalent Cr plating, elimination of hexavalent Cr produced on the anode as a result of trivalent Cr oxidation and the electrodeposition of functional thick Cr coatings and black Cr coatings from trivalent Cr baths.