Treating hemp fibers provides a compositional contrast between polymeric materials on the surface, as shown by Rowan W. Truss, Barry Wood, and Ron Rasch on page 43023 (1 of 9). The cover image depicts an energy filtered, in-lens, backscattered electron SEM micrograph of a caustic washed and stained hemp fiber. The specimen is uncoated and imaged in a low voltage, charge balance mode; therefore, the image contrast is due to the natural polymer material and extractives left on the fiber surface after the washing process. (DOI: 10.1002/app.43023)

On page 43039 (1 of 8), Fernanda Vitória Leimann and co-workers present antimicrobial polymer sheets coated with silver nanoparticles. The cover image depicts an extruded sheet composed of poly(lactic acid), thermoplastic starch, and gelatin. The sheet was dipped into a solution of gelatin, transglutaminase, and colloidal silver nanoparticles, and then dried to produce a crosslinked layer on the surface. The final material presents antimicrobial activity against four tested bacteria and interesting mechanical and water vapor permeability properties. (DOI: 10.1002/app.43039)