NEW PRODUCT IDEA

BASF’s patent US20110046284 deals with novel treated mineral pigments for aqueous based barrier coatings.

Corrugated fiberboard containers are used in many high humidity bulk packaging applications such as for fresh fruit and produce items. To overcome the known impairment in the strength of corrugated fiberboard in high humidity service, it is customary to treat such containers, or the corrugated fiberboard sheets or blanks from which the containers are formed, by impregnating them with a material resistant to moisture.

Applications can also include films for food items such as cookie and cracker packaging. In these particular cases, the object of the package is not only to hold the contents, but also to provide resistance to moisture vapor transmission (from the environment to inside the package) which would otherwise diminish the shelf life of the contained cookies, crackers, or the like, where the shelf life is determined by the time it takes the products to pick up sufficient moisture to render them stale. In cookie and cracker packaging applications, for example, the general object of the barrier layer is to substantially keep moisture out or to slow its ingress.

In the past, external coating layers of higher density polyethylenes (HDPE) were needed to achieve a target water vapor transmission resistance (WVTR). Practice often included the addition of a second coating layer to provide other desired properties. These were often relatively poor in HDPE to achieve physical properties such as tear resistance, and/or mechanical properties such as heat seal. Such combinations typically result in added costs and may affect other important properties necessary to the packaging industry. Therefore, a need exists for a moisture barrier film or container fabricated such that the article will have relatively low WVTR combined with improved physical properties.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

This invention is directed to high performance pigment containing coating systems for use in aqueous-based barrier coatings. Specifically, the invention consists of novel pigments and pigment systems and blending technologies applied to aqueous based coating systems that will provide desired properties in paper and paper board based packaging.
This invention is directed to novel pigments, pigment systems (including components not classified as pigments) and formulations for use in an aqueous coating system applied onto cellulosic (paper and/or paperboard) and non-cellulosic substrates (polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), etc.) to impart barrier properties. This invention is also directed to a paper or paperboard coated with a pigment system in an aqueous coating system.
An embodiment of this invention is directed to a method for preparing an aqueous based coating system for coating onto paper and/or paperboard for providing barrier to liquid, moisture vapor, oil and grease, which comprises mixing a polymer emulsion system or natural-based binding system with a pigment system.
Another embodiment of this invention is directed to an aqueous based coating system for coating onto paper and/or paperboard for providing barrier to liquid, moisture vapor, oil and grease, which comprises a polymer emulsion system or natural-based binding system and a pigment system.
Yet another embodiment of this invention is directed to a coating system for coating onto a paper and/or paperboard comprising a pigment system, a crosslinker, a polymer emulsion or natural-based binding system that has been hydrophobized by the addition of materials selected from the group consisting of silanes, siloxanes, siloxane/silicone resin blends, and their carbon-based analogs and optionally, a defoaming agent.
Another embodiment of this invention is directed to a coating system for coating onto a paper and/or paperboard comprising
a hydrophobized pigment system; a water based binder system, a defoaming agent, a thickening agent and optionally, a crosslinker.
Yet another embodiment of this invention is directed to a coating composition for improving the sealability of paper and/or paperboard comprising a pigment system whereby a pigment in the pigment system has been thermally treated prior to surface treatment with a poly-dimethylsiloxane/high molecular weight silicone resin blend.
As used herein, the term pigment refers to minerals as known to one skilled in the arts as, for example, kaolin, bentonite, mica, talc, attapulgite and zeolite, in their natural or synthetic form and any combination thereof. Pigment systems refer to pigments that have been surface treated to enable or improve barrier properties. The surface treatment comprises of various materials known to one skilled in the art, for example, surfactants, hydrophobically-modified polymers, styrene-acrylic resin emulsion, styrene-butadiene latex emulsions, blends of styrene acrylic and styrene butadiene latex emulsions, and silanes, siloxanes, siloxane/silicone resin blends, and their carbon-based analogs. The term pigment and pigment system may at times be used interchangeably, as the person skilled in the art will appreciate the terms as used in their respective contexts.
As used herein, the term polymer emulsion or latex includes materials such as styrene-acrylic resin emulsion, styrene-butadiene latex emulsions, and blends of styrene acrylic and styrene butadiene latex emulsions. Monomers suitable for use in the production of emulsion systems for paper coating or binding formulation can generally be ethylenically unsaturated monomers including styrene, butadiene, vinyl acetate, carboxylic acids, (meth)acrylic acid esters, (meth)acrylamide, and (meth)acrylonitrile. As used herein, the term natural-based binding system is known to one skilled in the art as, for example, starches, proteins and caseins. Polymer emulsion system refers to polymer emulsions and various additives, such as a cross linker or a defoamer, that when combined with the pigment system make the coating system.
As used herein, the term emulsion system refers to various emulsions for combining with the pigment system to develop the coating system. Emulsion systems (also commonly referred to as latexes) comprise styrene-acrylic resin emulsion, styrene-butadiene latex emulsions, blends of styrene acrylic and styrene butadiene latex emulsions etc. Monomers suitable for use in the production of emulsion systems for paper coating or binding formulation can generally be ethylenically unsaturated monomers including styrene, butadiene, vinyl acetate, carboxylic acids, (meth)acrylic acid esters, (meth)acrylamide, and (meth)acrylonitrile.
As used herein, the term inorganic materials includes materials such as carbides, oxides and nitrides.

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BASF’s patent US20110046413 deals with process for preparing 4-pentenoic acid.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-pentenoic acid, at least comprising the oxidation of a mixture (G) comprising 4-pentenal, 3-methyl-2-butanone and cyclopentene oxide, and to the use of a mixture (G) comprising 4-pentenal, 3-methyl-2-butanone and cyclopentene oxide for preparing 4-pentenoic acid. In the context of the present invention, the mixture (G) is preferably obtained as a by-product of the oxidation of cyclopentene to cyclopentanone by means of dinitrogen monoxide.

4-Pentenoic acid and its esters find use as odorants and flavorings, especially in milk and cheese products. In addition, 4-pentenoic acid and 4-pentenoates are also known as pharmacologically active substances which are capable of inducing hypoglycemia (see, for example, H. Sherratt, H. Osmundsen,Biochemical Pharmacology(1976) 25(7), 743-750).

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-pentenoic acid, at least comprising the oxidation of a mixture (G) comprising 4-pentenal, 3-methyl-2-butanone and cyclopentene oxide, and to the use of a mixture (G) comprising 4-pentenal, 3-methyl-2-butanone and cyclopentene oxide for preparing 4-pentenoic acid. In the context of the present invention, the mixture (G) is preferably obtained as a by-product of the oxidation of cyclopentene to cyclopentanone by means of dinitrogen monoxide.
It has been found that, surprisingly, even such contaminated 4-pentenal can be oxidized selectively. The present invention therefore offers the great advantage that no distillative removal of pure 4-pentenal is needed before the corresponding use thereof, which is all the more advantageous in that the boiling points of 4-pentenal (98.5 C.), cyclopentene oxide (100.8 C.) and 3-methyl-2-butanone (94.4 C.) are very close to one another and hence a distillative purification of 4-pentenal is possible only with a high level of complexity.
The present invention therefore relates to a process for preparing 4-pentenoic acid, at least comprising step (a)(a) oxidizing a mixture (G) comprising 4-pentenal, 3-methyl-2-butanone and cyclopentene oxide.

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BASF’s patent US20110047645 deals with compositions and methods of using rna interference for control of nematodes.

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that feed on the roots, leaves and stems of more than 2,000 row crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants, causing an estimated $100 billion crop loss worldwide. A variety of parasitic nematode species infect crop plants, including root-knot nematodes (RKN), cyst- and lesion-forming nematodes. Root-knot nematodes, which are characterized by causing root gall formation at feeding sites, have a relatively broad host range and are therefore pathogenic on a large number of crop species. The cyst- and lesion-forming nematode species have a more limited host range, but still cause considerable losses in susceptible crops.

Pathogenic nematodes are present throughout the United States, with the greatest concentrations occurring in the warm, humid regions of the South and West and in sandy soils. Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), the most serious pest of soybean plants, was first discovered in the United States in North Carolina in 1954. Some areas are so heavily infested by soybean cyst nematode (SCN) that soybean production is no longer economically possible without control measures. Although soybean is the major economic crop attacked by SCN, SCN parasitizes some fifty hosts in total, including field crops, vegetables, ornamentals, and weeds.

Signs of nematode damage include stunting and yellowing of leaves, and wilting of the plants during hot periods. However, nematode infestation can cause significant yield losses without any obvious above-ground disease symptoms. The primary causes of yield reduction are due to root damage underground. Roots infected by SCN are dwarfed or stunted. Nematode infestation also can decrease the number of nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots, and may make the roots more susceptible to attacks by other soil-borne plant pathogens.

The nematode life cycle has three major stages: egg, juvenile, and adult. The life cycle varies between species of nematodes. For example, the SCN life cycle can usually be completed in 24 to 30 days under optimum conditions whereas other species can take as long as a year, or longer, to complete the life cycle. When temperature and moisture levels become favorable in the spring, worm-shaped juveniles hatch from eggs in the soil. Only nematodes in the juvenile developmental stage are capable of infecting soybean roots.

The life cycle of SCN has been the subject of many studies, and as such are a useful example for understanding the nematode life cycle. After penetrating soybean roots, SCN juveniles move through the root until they contact vascular tissue, at which time they stop migrating and begin to feed. With a stylet, the nematode injects secretions that modify certain root cells and transform them into specialized feeding sites. The root cells are morphologically transformed into large multinucleate syncytia (or giant cells in the case of RKN), which are used as a source of nutrients for the nematodes. The actively feeding nematodes thus steal essential nutrients from the plant resulting in yield loss. As female nematodes feed, they swell and eventually become so large that their bodies break through the root tissue and are exposed on the surface of the root.

After a period of feeding, male SCN nematodes, which are not swollen as adults, migrate out of the root into the soil and fertilize the enlarged adult females. The males then die, while the females remain attached to the root system and continue to feed. The eggs in the swollen females begin developing, initially in a mass or egg sac outside the body, and then later within the nematode body cavity. Eventually the entire adult female body cavity is filled with eggs, and the nematode dies. It is the egg-filled body of the dead female that is referred to as the cyst. Cysts eventually dislodge and are found free in the soil. The walls of the cyst become very tough, providing excellent protection for the approximately 200 to 400 eggs contained within. SCN eggs survive within the cyst until proper hatching conditions occur. Although many of the eggs may hatch within the first year, many also will survive within the protective cysts for several years.

A nematode can move through the soil only a few inches per year on its own power. However, nematode infestation can be spread substantial distances in a variety of ways. Anything that can move infested soil is capable of spreading the infestation, including farm machinery, vehicles and tools, wind, water, animals, and farm workers. Seed sized particles of soil often contaminate harvested seed. Consequently, nematode infestation can be spread when contaminated seed from infested fields is planted in non-infested fields. There is even evidence that certain nematode species can be spread by birds. Only some of these causes can be prevented.

Traditional practices for managing nematode infestation include: maintaining proper soil nutrients and soil pH levels in nematode-infested land; controlling other plant diseases, as well as insect and weed pests; using sanitation practices such as plowing, planting, and cultivating of nematode-infested fields only after working non-infested fields; cleaning equipment thoroughly with high pressure water or steam after working in infested fields; not using seed grown on infested land for planting non-infested fields unless the seed has been properly cleaned; rotating infested fields and alternating host crops with non-host crops; using nematicides; and planting resistant plant varieties.

Methods have been proposed for the genetic transformation of plants in order to confer increased resistance to plant parasitic nematodes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,589,622 and 5,824,876 are directed to the identification of plant genes expressed specifically in or adjacent to the feeding site of the plant after attachment by the nematode. The promoters of these plant target genes can then be used to direct the specific expression of detrimental proteins or enzymes, or the expression of antisense RNA to the target gene or to general cellular genes. The plant promoters may also be used to confer nematode resistance specifically at the feeding site by transforming the plant with a construct comprising the promoter of the plant target gene linked to a gene whose product induces lethality in the nematode after ingestion.

Recently, RNA interference (RNAi), also referred to as gene silencing, has been proposed as a method for controlling nematodes. When double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) corresponding essentially to the sequence of a target gene or mRNA is introduced into a cell, expression from the target gene is inhibited (See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,559). U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,559 demonstrates the effectiveness of RNAi against known genes in Caenorhabditis elegans, but does not demonstrate the usefulness of RNAi for controlling plant parasitic nematodes.

A number of models have been proposed for the action of RNAi. In mammalian systems, dsRNAs larger than 30 nucleotides trigger induction of interferon synthesis and a global shut-down of protein syntheses, in a non-sequence-specific manner. However, U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,559 discloses that in nematodes, the length of the dsRNA corresponding to the target gene sequence may be at least 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 bases, and that even larger dsRNAs were also effective at inducing RNAi inC. elegans.It is known that when hairpin RNA constructs comprising double stranded regions ranging from 98 to 854 nucleotides were transformed into a number of plant species, the target plant genes were efficiently silenced. There is general agreement that in many organisms, including nematodes and plants, large pieces of dsRNA are cleaved into 19-24 nucleotide fragments (siRNA) within cells, and that these siRNAs are the actual mediators of the RNAi phenomenon.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

The present invention provides double stranded RNA compositions and transgenic plants capable of inhibiting expression of essential genes in parasitic nematodes, and methods associated therewith. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of RNA interference to inhibit expression of a target essential nematode gene, which is a nematode innexin-like, pas-1, tep-1, snurportin-1 like, pol delta S, prs-4, rtp-1 or rpn-5 gene, and relates to the generation of plants that have increased resistance to parasitic nematodes,
The present invention provides nucleic acids, transgenic plants, and methods to overcome or alleviate nematode infestation of valuable agricultural crops such as soybeans. The nucleic acids of the invention are capable of decreasing expression of parasitic nematode target genes by RNAi. In accordance with the invention, the parasitic nematode target gene is selected from a group consisting of a parasitic nematode innexin-like gene, a parasitic nematode gene encoding a polymerase delta small subunit (pol delta S), a parasitic nematode gene homologous to theC. eleganstcp-1 gene, a parasitic nematode gene homologous to theC. eleganspas-1 gene, a parasitic nematode snurportin-1 like gene, a parasitic nematode gene homologous to theC. elegansrpt-1 gene, a parasitic nematode gene encoding a 26S proteasome regulatory subunit 4 (prs-4), and a parasitic nematode gene homologous to aC. elegansrpn-5 gene.

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BASF’s patent US7897077 deals with process for pelletizing polymer melts comprising low-boiling substances.

During continuous pelletizing operations, a liquid at increased pressure generally flows through the pelletizing chamber. The liquid flowing through the chamber is generally water. The pelletizing process is therefore also termed underwater pelletizing.

By way of example, the underwater pelletizing process is used when pellets are produced from plastics which can still comprise residual monomer, water, or other low-boiling substances through the production process. This can lead to foaming of the plastic during pelletization at ambient pressure. By virtue of the increased pressure in the pelletizing chamber, expansion of the plastic during the pelletizing process is prevented.

A process for production of expandable plastics pellets is described by way of example in EP-A 0 305 862. In that process, a polymer base material or a polymer mixture is fed to an extruder and melted in the extruder. The extruder has an injector for addition of a blowing agent to the melt. This blowing agent is added under pressure. The melt, with the blowing agent dissolved therein, is pelletized in a pelletizing chamber through which water flows. The pellets are entrained by the stream of water and introduced into a dryer in which the pellets are dried. Examples of polymer compositions mentioned as suitable are aromatic alkenyl polymers or copolymers, e.g. polystyrene, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polycarbonate, polyester, polyetherimide, polysulfone, and polyphenyl ether.

From polyamide preparation, it is known that water arising during the poly-condensation of dicarboxylic acid with diamine dissolves in the polyamide. This water leads to foaming of the polyamide during pelletization without devolatilization. Large undesired bubbles can also arise in the pellets. The current method of devolatilization uses a vented extruder which necessitates high capital expenditure and high maintenance costs, or a separator, which rapidly suffers from encrusting and then has to be cleaned out.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

The invention relates to a process for pelletizing polymer melts, at above ambient pressure, in a pelletizing chamber into which a cutting apparatus has been inserted. In a first step, the pelletizing chamber is flooded with a gas which is inert toward the polymer melt and whose pressure is that at which the pelletizing process is carried out. The polymer melt is then injected into the pelletizing chamber. Finally, the gas is displaced from the pelletizing chamber via a liquid as soon as the polymer melt begins to flow through the cutting apparatus, this melt being cut into pellets.
It is an object of the invention to provide a process in which the abovementioned prior-art disadvantages are eliminated.
The object is achieved via a process for pelletizing polymer melts, at above ambient pressure, in a pelletizing chamber into which a cutting apparatus has been inserted, which comprises the following steps:(a) flooding the pelletizing chamber with a gas which is inert toward the polymer melt and whose pressure is that at which the pelletizing process is carried out,(b) injecting the polymer melt into the pelletizing chamber,(c) displacing the gas from the pelletizing chamber via a liquid as soon as the polymer melt begins to flow through the cutting apparatus, this melt being cut into pellets.

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BASF’s patent US20110055971 deals with sugar and lipid metabolism regulators in plants iii.

The study and genetic manipulation of plants has a long history that began even before the framed studies of Gregor Mendel. In perfecting this science, scientists have accomplished modification of particular traits in plants ranging from potato tubers having increased starch content to oilseed plants such as canola and sunflower having increased or altered fatty acid content. With the increased consumption and use of plant oils, the modification of seed oil content and seed oil levels has become increasingly widespread (e.g. Tpfer et al. 1995, Science 268:681-686). Manipulation of biosynthetic pathways in transgenic plants provides a number of opportunities for molecular biologists and plant biochemists to affect plant metabolism giving rise to the production of specific higher-value products. The seed oil production or composition has been altered in numerous traditional oilseed plants such as soybean (U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,650), canola (U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,650), sunflower (U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,164) and rapeseed (Tpfer et al. 1995, Science 268:681-686), and non-traditional oil seed plants such as tobacco (Cahoon et al. 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:11184-11188).

Plant seed oils comprise both neutral and polar lipids (see Table 1). The neutral lipids contain primarily triacylglycerol, which is the main storage lipid that accumulates in oil bodies in seeds. The polar lipids are mainly found in the various membranes of the seed cells, e.g. the endoplasmic reticulum, microsomal membranes and the cell membrane. The neutral and polar lipids contain several common fatty acids (see Table 2) and a range of less common fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of membrane lipids is highly regulated and only a select number of fatty acids are found in membrane lipids. On the other hand, a large number of unusual fatty acids can be incorporated into the neutral storage lipids in seeds of many plant species (Van de Loo F. J. et al. 1993, Unusual Fatty Acids in Lipid Metabolism in Plants pp. 91-126, editor TS Moore Jr. CRC Press; Millar et al. 2000, Trends Plant Sci. 5:95-101).

TABLE 1Plant Lipid ClassesNeutral LipidsTriacylglycerol (TAG)Diacylglycerol (DAG)Monoacylglycerol (MAG)Polar LipidsMonogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG)Digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG)Phosphatidylglycerol (PG)Phosphatidylcholine (PC)Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)Phosphatidylinositol (PI)Phosphatidylserine (PS)Sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

Isolated nucleic acids and proteins associated with lipid and sugar metabolism regulation are provided. In particular, lipid metabolism proteins (LMP) and encoding nucleic acids originating fromArabidopsis thalianaare provided. The nucleic acids and proteins are used in methods of producing transgenic plants and modulating levels of seed storage compounds. Preferably, the seed storage compounds are lipids, fatty acids, starches or seed storage proteins.
This invention relates generally to nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins that are related to the presence of seed storage compounds in plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding sugar and lipid metabolism regulator proteins and the use of these sequences in transgenic plants. The invention further relates to methods of applying these novel plant polypeptides to the identification and stimulation of plant growth and/or to the increase of yield of seed storage compounds.
The present invention provides novel isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences associated with the metabolism of seed storage compounds in plants.
The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid fromArabidopsisencoding a Lipid Metabolism Protein (LMP), or a portion thereof. These sequences may be used to modify or increase lipids and fatty acids, cofactors and enzymes in microorganisms and plants.

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BASF’s patent US20110055979 deals with protein kinase stress-related proteins and methods of use in plants.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins that are associated with abiotic stress responses and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. In particular, this invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins that confer drought, cold, and/or salt tolerance to plants.

2. Background Art

Abiotic environmental stresses, such as drought stress, salinity stress, heat stress, and cold stress, are major limiting factors of plant growth and productivity. Crop losses and crop yield losses of major crops such as rice, maize (corn) and wheat caused by these stresses represent a significant economic and political factor and contribute to food shortages in many underdeveloped countries.

Plants are typically exposed during their life cycle to conditions of reduced environmental water content. Most plants have evolved strategies to protect themselves against these conditions of desiccation. However, if the severity and duration of the drought conditions are too great, the effects on plant development, growth and yield of most crop plants are profound. Furthermore, most of the crop plants are very susceptible to higher salt concentrations in the soil. Continuous exposure to drought and high salt causes major alterations in the plant metabolism. These great changes in metabolism ultimately lead to cell death and consequently yield losses.

Developing stress-tolerant plants is a strategy that has the potential to solve or mediate at least some of these problems. However, traditional plant breeding strategies to develop new lines of plants that exhibit resistance (tolerance) to these types of stresses are relatively slow and require specific resistant lines for crossing with the desired line. Limited germplasm resources for stress tolerance and incompatibility in crosses between distantly related plant species represent significant problems encountered in conventional breeding. Additionally, the cellular processes leading to drought, cold and salt tolerance in model, drought- and/or salt-tolerant plants are complex in nature and involve multiple mechanisms of cellular adaptation and numerous metabolic pathways. This multi-component nature of stress tolerance has not only made breeding for tolerance largely unsuccessful, but has also limited the ability to genetically engineer stress tolerance plants using biotechnological methods.

Drought, cold as well as salt stresses have a common theme important for plant growth and that is water availability. Plants are exposed during their entire life cycle to conditions of reduced environmental water content. Most plants have evolved strategies to protect themselves against these conditions of desiccation. However, if the severity and duration of the drought conditions are too great, the effects on plant development, growth and yield of most crop plants are profound. Since high salt content in some soils result in less available water for cell intake, its effect is similar to those observed under drought conditions. Additionally, under freezing temperatures, plant cells loose water as a result of ice formation that starts in the apoplast and withdraws water from the symplast. Commonly, a plant’s molecular response mechanisms to each of these stress conditions are common and protein kinases play an essential role in these molecular mechanisms.

Protein kinases represent a super family and the members of this family catalyze the reversible transfer of a phosphate group of ATP to serine, threonine and tyrosine amino acid side chains on target proteins. Protein kinases are primary elements in signaling processes in plants and have been reported to play crucial roles in perception and transduction of signals that allow a cell (and the plant) to respond to environmental stimuli. In particular, receptor protein kinases (RPKs) represent one group of protein kinases that activate a complex array of intracellular signaling pathways in response to the extracellular environment (Van der Gear et al., 1994 Annu. Rev. Cell Biol. 10:251-337). RPKs are single-pass transmembrane proteins that contain an amino-terminal signal sequence, extracellular domains unique to each receptor, and a cytoplasmic kinase domain. Ligand binding induces homo- or hetero-dimerization of RPKs, and the resultant close proximity of the cytoplasmic domains results in kinase activation by transphosphorylation. Although plants have many proteins similar to RPKs, no ligand has been identified for these receptor-like kinases (RLKs). The majority of plant RLKs that have been identified belong to the family of Serine/Threonine (Ser/Thr) kinases, and most have extracellular Leucine-rich repeats (Becraft, P W. 1998 Trends Plant Sci. 3:384-388).

Another type of protein kinase is the Ca+-dependent protein kinase (CDPK). This type of kinase has a calmodulin-like domain at the COOH terminus which allows response to Ca+ signals directly without calmodulin being present. Currently, CDPKs are the most prevalent Ser/Thr protein kinases found in higher plants. Although their physiological roles remain unclear, they are induced by cold, drought and abscisic acid (ABA) (Knight et al., 1991 Nature 352:524; Schroeder, J I and Thuleau, P., 1991 Plant Cell 3:555; Bush, D. S., 1995 Annu. Rev. Plant Phys. Plant Mol. Biol. 46:95; Urao, T. et al., 1994 Mol. Gen. Genet. 244:331).

Another type of signaling mechanism involves members of the conserved SNF1 Serine/Threonine protein kinase family. These kinases play essential roles in eukaryotic glucose and stress signaling. Plant SNF1-like kinases participate in the control of key metabolic enzymes, including HMGR, nitrate reductase, sucrose synthase, and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS). Genetic and biochemical data indicate that sugar-dependent regulation of SNF1 kinases involves several other sensory and signaling components in yeast, plants and animals.

Additionally, members of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) family have been implicated in the actions of numerous environmental stresses in animals, yeasts and plants. It has been demonstrated that both MAPK-like kinase activity and mRNA levels of the components of MAPK cascades increase in response to environmental stress and plant hormone signal transduction. MAP kinases are components of sequential kinase cascades, which are activated by phosphorylation of threonine and tyrosine residues by intermediate upstream MAP kinase kinases (MAPKKs). The MAPKKs are themselves activated by phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues by upstream kinases (MAPKKKs). A number of MAP Kinase genes have been reported in higher plants.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

A transgenic plant transformed by a Protein Kinase Stress-Related Protein (PKSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the plant results in increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant. Also provided are agricultural products, including seeds, produced by the transgenic plants. Also provided are isolated PKSRPs, and isolated nucleic acid coding PKSRPs, and vectors and host cells containing the latter.
This invention fulfills in part the need to identify new, unique protein kinases capable of conferring stress tolerance to plants upon over-expression. The present invention provides a transgenic plant cell transformed by a Protein Kinase Stress-Related Protein (PKSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the plant cell results in increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant cell. Namely, described herein are the protein kinases: 1) Ser/Thr Kinase and other type of kinases (PK-6, PK-7, PK-8 and PK-9); 2) Calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPK-1 and CDPK-2), 3) Casein Kinase homologs (CK-1, CK-2 and CK-3), and 4) MAP-Kinases (MPK-2, MPK-3, MPK-4 and MPK-5), all fromPhyscomitrella patens.

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BASF’s patent US7901565 deals with reforming sulfur-containing hydrocarbons using a sulfur resistant catalyst.

Natural gas (of which the primary component is CH4) contains lesser amounts of higher hydrocarbons such as alkanes and alkenes (or the general class of C2-C6+ hydrocarbons) which are prone, during catalytic processing such as pre-reforming and reforming reactions, to form coke deposits and deactivate the catalyst.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

A method of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon involves contacting the sulfur containing hydrocarbon with a sulfur tolerant catalyst containing a sulfur tolerant precious metal and a non-sulfating carrier so that the sulfur tolerant catalyst adsorbs at least a portion of sulfur in the sulfur containing hydrocarbon and a low sulfur reformate is collected, and contacting the sulfur tolerant catalyst with an oxygen containing gas to convert at least a portion of adsorbed sulfur to a sulfur oxide that is desorbed from the sulfur tolerant catalyst.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Rather, the sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter.
The subject invention provides for efficient reforming of sulfur containing hydrocarbons without the need for in-process sulfur removal such as catalytic hydrodesulfurization or sulfur adsorbants. Intermittent or continuous reforming methods may be employed.
Aspects of the invention relate to systems and methods of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon involving contacting the sulfur containing hydrocarbon with a sulfur tolerant catalyst containing a sulfur tolerant precious metal and a non-sulfating carrier so that the sulfur tolerant catalyst adsorbs at least a portion of sulfur comprised in the sulfur containing hydrocarbon and a low sulfur reformate is collected. Periodically, the sulfur tolerant catalyst is contacted with a gas containing oxygen to convert at least a portion of adsorbed sulfur to a sulfur oxide that is desorbed and removed from the sulfur tolerant catalyst and specifically the non-sulfating carrier. The resultant sulfur oxide can be discharged to the atmosphere or adsorbed in an alkaline media dependent on local emission regulations.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects and implementations of the invention. These are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon feed and desulfurizing a sulfur tolerant catalyst in one aspect of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon feed and desulfurizing/regenerating a sulfur tolerant catalyst in another aspect of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical diagram of process acts for reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon feed and desulfurizing/regenerating a sulfur tolerant catalyst in one aspect of the invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical diagram of reformate compositions in methods in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical diagram of reformate compositions in methods in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical diagram of reformate compositions in methods outside the scope of the invention. Here Al2O3, a sulfating carrier is used and shows only short term stability.

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BASF’s patent US7901566 deals with reforming sulfur-containing hydrocarbons using a sulfur resistant catalyst.

Natural gas (of which the primary component is CH4) contains lesser amounts of higher hydrocarbons such as alkanes alkenes and aromatics (or the general class of C2-C6+ hydrocarbons) which are prone, during catalytic processing such as pre-reforming and reforming reactions, to form coke deposits and deactivate the catalyst.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

A method of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon involves contacting the sulfur containing hydrocarbon with a sulfur tolerant catalyst containing a non-sulfating carrier and one or more of a sulfur tolerant precious metal and a non-precious metal compound so that the sulfur tolerant catalyst adsorbs at least a portion of sulfur in the sulfur containing hydrocarbon and a low sulfur reformate is collected, and contacting the sulfur tolerant catalyst with an oxygen containing gas to convert at least a portion of adsorbed sulfur to a sulfur oxide that is desorbed from the sulfur tolerant catalyst.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Rather, the sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter.
The subject invention provides for efficient reforming of sulfur containing hydrocarbons without the need for in-process sulfur removal such as catalytic hydrodesulfurization or sulfur adsorbants. Intermittent or continuous reforming methods can be employed.
Aspects of the invention relate to systems and methods of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon involving contacting the sulfur containing hydrocarbon with a non-sulfating carrier and a sulfur tolerant catalyst containing one or more of a sulfur tolerant precious metal, a non-precious metal, and a non-precious metal oxide, (or any metal or metal oxide that adsorbs sulfur compounds) so that the sulfur tolerant catalyst adsorbs at least a portion of sulfur comprised in the sulfur containing hydrocarbon and a low sulfur reformate is collected. Periodically, the sulfur tolerant catalyst is contacted with a gas containing oxygen to convert at least a portion of adsorbed sulfur to a sulfur oxide that is desorbed and removed from the sulfur tolerant catalyst and specifically the non-sulfating carrier. The resultant sulfur oxide can be discharged to the atmosphere or adsorbed in an alkaline media dependent on local emission regulations. It should be understood that the non-precious metal or non-precious metal oxide can have some reforming activity; however, their main function is to adsorb sulfur from the feed gas providing a reservoir for storing sulfur allowing the sulfur tolerant precious metal to continue to reform for extended periods of time before regeneration becomes necessary.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects and implementations of the invention. These are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon feed and desulfurizing a sulfur tolerant catalyst in one aspect of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon feed and desulfurizing/regenerating a sulfur tolerant catalyst in another aspect of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical diagram of process acts for reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon feed and desulfurizing/regenerating a sulfur tolerant catalyst in one aspect of the invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical diagram of reformate compositions in methods in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical diagram of reformate compositions in methods in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical diagram of reformate compositions in methods outside the scope of the invention. Here Al2O3, a sulfating carrier is used and shows only short term stability.

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BASF’s patent US7901940 deals with method for measuring recovery of catalytic elements from fuel cells.

Fuel Cells are devices that release electrical energy using an electrochemical reaction. A major class of fuel cells utilizes hydrogen fuel, and the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen to water is catalyzed using electrodes containing precious metal catalysts. Precious metal catalytic elements for use in precious metal catalysts include, but are not limited to, platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), and rhodium (Rh). It is widely accepted that the high cost and limited supply of platinum and other catalytic elements are obstacles to large scale commercialization of fuel cells.

There are several types of fuel cells. Most common is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The PEM forms the basis for a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which is the structure by which hydrogen can be oxidized to generate electricity. An anode (i.e., a negative electrode) is provided on one side of the PEM and a cathode (i.e., a positive electrode) is provided on the opposite side of the PEM. The anode contains a catalyst, typically comprising platinum, for promoting dissociation of hydrogen into electrons and positive hydrogen ions. The cathode also contains a catalyst, typically comprising platinum, for promoting reduction of oxygen. An MEA typically carries a catalytic element loading between about 0.5 mg/cm2and 4 mg/cm2, although recent research has obtained effective performance with catalytic element loadings as low as 0.15 mg/cm2. Typically, these loadings in current commercial fuel cells translate to about 0.5% to 2.0% by weight of catalytic element in the MEA.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

A method is provided for measuring the concentration of a catalytic clement in a fuel cell powder. The method includes depositing on a porous substrate at least one layer of a powder mixture comprising the fuel cell powder and an internal standard material, ablating a sample of the powder mixture using a laser, and vaporizing the sample using an inductively coupled plasma. A normalized concentration of catalytic element in the sample is determined by quantifying the intensity of a first signal correlated to the amount of catalytic element in the sample, quantifying the intensity of a second signal correlated to the amount of internal standard material in the sample, and using a ratio of the first signal intensity to the second signal intensity to cancel out the effects of sample size.
A method is provided for measuring the concentration of a catalytic element in a fuel cell powder. The method includes depositing on a porous substrate at least one layer of a powder mixture comprising the fuel cell powder and an internal standard material, ablating a sample of the powder mixture using a laser, and vaporizing the sample using an inductively coupled plasma. The method further includes quantifying the intensity of a first signal correlated to the concentration of catalytic element in the sample, quantifying the intensity of a second signal correlated to the concentration of internal standard material in the sample, and calculating a normalized concentration of catalytic element in the sample based on the ratio of the first signal intensity to the second signal intensity.
The step of depositing a layer of powder mixture on a porous substrate can include forming a first slurry comprising the fuel cell powder, forming a second slurry comprising the internal standard material, mixing the first slurry and the second slurry into a substantially uniform slurry mixture having a liquid portion and a solids portion, and exposing the slurry mixture to the porous substrate so that the liquid portion passes through the porous substrate and the solids portion is deposited on the porous substrate to form the layer of powder mixture.
A method is provided for measuring the recovery of a catalytic element from a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly powder. The method includes depositing on a porous substrate a layer of a first powder mixture comprising the fuel cell powder, ablating a first sample of the first powder mixture using a laser, vaporizing the first sample using an inductively coupled plasma, and quantifying the concentration of catalytic element in the first sample. After extracting at least a portion of the catalytic element from the fuel cell powder to create a depleted fuel cell powder, the method further comprises depositing on a porous substrate a layer of a second powder mixture comprising the depleted fuel cell powder, ablating a second sample of the second powder mixture using a laser, vaporizing the second sample using an inductively coupled plasma, and quantifying the concentration of catalytic element in the second sample.

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BASF’s patent US7902092 deals with exterior finishing system and building wall containing a corrosion-resistant enhanced thickness fabric and method of constructing same.

The present invention relates to exterior insulation and finish systems and building walls including an enhanced thickness fabric that is useful in reinforcing a matrix of exterior finishing materials, and especially, to a corrosion resistant lath for supporting exterior finishing materials, such as stucco.

Hard coat stucco has been in use since ancient time, while synthetic stuccos and exterior insulation and finishing systems (EIFS) have been used on construction in North America and Europe since World War II. The most common EIFS is formed around a polystyrene board which is adhered or fastened to a substrate, such as oriented strand board (OSB) gypsum or plywood sheathing. The polystyrene board is then coated with a base coat layer of at least 1/16 inch in thickness which contains cement mixed with an acrylic polymer. The base coat is generally layered with an embedded glass fiber reinforced mesh which helps to reinforce it against cracking. A finish coat, typically at least 1/16 inch or more in thickness, is either sprayed, troweled, or rolled onto the base coat. The finish coat typically provides the color and texture for the structure.

For stucco applications, the lath or wire mesh is typically applied to the surface of the polystyrene board, or any other surface that would otherwise not provide adequate mechanical keying for the stucco. Metal-lath reinforcement is often used whenever stucco is applied over open frame construction, sheathed frame construction, or a solid base having a surface that provides an unsatisfactory bond. When applied over frame construction, the two base coats of plaster should have a total thickness of approximately to approximately inches (19 mm) to produce a solid base for the decorative finish coat.

Metal lath reinforcement is also recommended for the application of stucco and plaster to old concrete or masonry walls, especially if the surface has been contaminated, or is lacking in compatibility with the base layer. There are also plastic laths available for the same purpose.

According to the International Conference of Building Officials Acceptance Criteria for Cementitious Exterior Wall Coatings, AC 11, effective Oct. 1, 2002, and evaluation report NER-676, issued Jul. 1, 2003, wire fabric lath should be a minimum of No. 20 gauge, 1 inch (25.4 mm) (spacing) galvanized steel woven-wire fabric. The lath must be self-furred, or furred when applied over all substrates except unbacked polystyrene board. Self-furring lath for coatings must comply with the following requirements: (1) the maximum total coating thickness of inch (25.4-50.8 mm); (2) furring crimps must be provided at maximum 6 inch intervals each way; and (3) the crimps must fur the body of the lath a minimum of inch (3.18 mm) from the substrate after installation. In addition to the NER-676 code, lath for stucco systems typically must be at least 0.125 inches thick in order to meet the building codes for metal lath (ASTM C847-95), for welded wire lath (ASTM C933-96A), and for woven wire plaster base (ASTM C1032-96).

While galvanized metal lath can substantially prevent stucco from sloughing or sagging until it has set, it contains steel which can eventually rust and cause discoloration in the finish coat. In fact, one drawback of metal lath for use in stucco in shore communities is that salt water and driving rain accelerate the corrosion of steel components. Another drawback to wire lath is that cutting and furring often exposes sharp metal wire which can penetrate the skin or a glove of a construction worker.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved lath for stucco systems which is corrosion resistant and easier to install with a minimal risk of injury.

The BASF patent solves the following problem:

A corrosion-resistant lath is provided for use in exterior finishing systems, such as stucco systems and exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). The lath includes in a first embodiment an open, woven fabric comprising weft and warp yarns containing non-metallic fibers, such as glass fibers. A portion of the weft yarns are undulated, resulting in an increased thickness for the fabric. The fabric is coated with a polymeric resin for substantially binding the weft yarns in the undulated condition. This invention also includes methods for making an exterior finish system and building wall including an exterior finish system using such a lath.
An exterior finish system, such as a stucco system or an exterior insulation and finish system, which includes an enhanced thickness fabric for reinforcing or supporting a matrix of exterior finishing materials. The enhanced thickness fabric may in the form of an enhanced thickness lath for use in a stucco system or an enhanced thickness reinforcing mesh for exterior insulation and finish systems.
In a first embodiment, an exterior finishing system including a corrosion-resistant lath is provided. The lath includes a porous layer containing non-metallic fibers; and a polymeric coating disposed over at least a portion of the fibers. The polymeric coated porous layer has a thickness of at least about 0.125 inches (3.18 mm) and is capable of retaining and supporting the weight of exterior finishing materials, for example, wet stucco matrix or EIFS base coats applied thereto, without sloughing or sagging.
The corrosion-resistant lath structures eliminate rusting and subsequent discoloration problems inherent in steel mesh or steel lath installations. These structures are also much easier to cut and install than steel lath and minimize the risk of damage to the skin of workers. Another advantage of the lath of non-metallic fibers resides in the fact that the ease of cutting and manipulation of the lath results in a much quicker installation, as compared to traditional metal lath and wire mesh. These lath structures have thicknesses which are sufficient to meet minimum building codes, yet they are made in a cost-effective way so as to render them competitive with steel lath.
In a preferred embodiment, an exterior finishing system is provided, which includes a lath comprising an open-woven fabric comprising high-strength non-metallic weft and warp yarns, whereby a portion of the yarns are mechanically manipulated to increase the fabric’s thickness by at least about 50%, and preferably, greater than about 100%. The lath of this embodiment is capable of retaining and supporting the weight of exterior finishing materials, such as, for example, wet stucco applied to its surface until the stucco sets.
In further embodiments of this invention, a leno weave fabric consisting of warp (machine direction yarns), twisted around weft yarns (cross-machine direction yarns) is provided. The weft yarns are preferably inserted through the twisted warp yarns at regular intervals and are mechanically locked in place. When tension is applied to the warp yarns they are inclined to untwist themselves, thus creating a torque effect on the weft yarns. As each warp yarn untwists due to this torque effect, each weft yarn assumes a sinusoidal pattern when viewed in the plane of the fabric, or the front plan view of FIG. 3. The thickness of the fabric thus increases, with only a small loss in the width of the fabric. Such a thickening effect can also be produced with an unbalanced fabric construction, such as when the combined weight of the warp yarns is greater than the combined weight of the weft yarns, so the ability of the weft yarns to resist deformation due to torque under normal manufacturing conditions is reduced. Another way to accomplish thickening is to use heavier warp yarn, and less of them in the warp direction. This creates greater tension per warp yard and a wider span of weft yarn for the tensile force to act upon. The result is an increased torque effect, also under normal manufacturing conditions, with an accompanying increase in fabric thickness. The use of both tension and unbalanced fabric constructions at the same time is also useful.
The yarns or fibers of the open-woven fabric component of the exterior finishing systems are coated to hold them in a fixed or bound position. The resinous coatings selected by this invention are preferably rigid and resist softening by, or dissolving in, exterior finishing materials, such as wet stuccos and EIFS base and finish coats. Suitable polymers for the resinous coating include styrene/butadiene and styrene/acrylic polymers of high styrene content or any alkali resistant polymer of similar high stiffness. The type of fiberglass selected is also important when glass fibers are used. The glass itself can be selected to resist degradation in alkaline environments. For example, when the lath is used in a stucco system including stucco manufactured from higher Portland cement content, alkali resistant or AR glass is a suitable choice.

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