{ "vercy": "1.0-draft", "publication": { "status": "research-draft", "adjudicationStatus": "unreviewed", "publishableCanonical": false, "generatedAt": "2026-09-12T10:20:55Z", "providers": [ "Codex" ], "breadth": "recalled by Codex without web access - no source was read", "missingProviders": [], "pass": 2, "cost": { "grok": { "seconds": 28.8, "error": "Reading additional input from stdin...\nOpenAI Codex v0.153.4\n--------\nworkdir: R:\\02_PROJECTS\\02_Meta_Models_Platforms\\Ver.cy\\current\\thing-registry-backlog\nmodel: gpt-6-astra\nprovider: openai\napproval: never\nsandbox: read-only\nreasoning effort: none\nreasoning summaries: none\nsession id: 01a09521-6fff-7cb3-8d77-3f2b504fd83f\n--------\nuser\nDescribe what is already known about one registered thing. Answer as JSON only, no prose around it.\n\nThing: humectant\nSense to describe: (none recorded)\nDomain code: PHY.MAT\nAlso known as: (none)\n\n\nContext for this batch of 1001 things:\n# Batch 043: 1001 regis", "usd": 0.0, "recall": true }, "codex": { "seconds": 64.3, "error": "Reading additional input from stdin...\nOpenAI Codex v0.153.4\n--------\nworkdir: R:\\02_PROJECTS\\02_Meta_Models_Platforms\\Ver.cy\\current\\thing-registry-backlog\nmodel: gpt-6-astra\nprovider: openai\napproval: never\nsandbox: read-only\nreasoning effort: none\nreasoning summaries: none\nsession id: 01a09521-7008-7d53-9ee0-6b53430926fa\n--------\nuser\nYou are drafting a Vercy meta-model for one registered thing. Answer as JSON only, no prose around it.\n\nThing: humectant\nRegistry id: vr.tr.humectant\nPlane / domain: PHY / PHY.MAT\nRegistry definition: (none recorded)\nNames folded into this entry: (none)\n\n\nCont" } }, "enrichment": { "pass": 3, "engine": "claude", "producedAt": "2026-10-06T12:00:00Z", "ingestedAt": "2026-10-06T08:42:12+00:00", "fields": [ "agent_conduct", "ethics", "failure_modes_and_hazards", "owners", "standards_and_regulation", "visual_identification" ] }, "gate": { "passed": true, "version": "1.0", "at": "2026-10-07T10:10:33+00:00", "evidence": [ "completeness 1.00", "sense: Wikidata description", "2 live sources", "review by codex: pass" ] } }, "metaModel": { "id": "THING-Q911854", "registryId": "vr.tr.humectant", "name": "humectant", "version": "0.1.0-research.1", "entryKind": "thing", "family": "Thing Registry", "domain": [ "PHY.MAT" ], "status": "research-draft" }, "canonicalUrl": "https://ver.cy/models/thing/q911854/", "model": { "registry_id": "vr.tr.humectant", "name": "humectant", "purpose": "Enable an agent to recognise a material acting as a humectant, assess its moisture-retention performance under specified conditions, and judge its suitability for an intended formulation.", "definition": "A humectant is a substance used to attract and retain water in a material or formulation, helping control its moisture content and resistance to drying.", "scope_statement": "This model owns humectant as a functional material role, including the identity and grade of the material performing that role, its interaction with water, and evidence of performance and suitability in a defined application.", "in_scope": [ "Identity, composition, purity and grade of a candidate humectant", "Evidence that the material attracts or retains water in its intended matrix", "Dependence of moisture behaviour on concentration, temperature and relative humidity", "Effects on water activity, texture and formulation stability", "Application-specific compatibility, exposure and permitted-use constraints" ], "out_of_scope": [ "Complete models of individual chemical substances used as humectants", "Whole-product formulation design and manufacturing operations", "Desiccant systems whose purpose is to remove moisture from a protected environment", "Emollient and occlusive functions except where they overlap with humectancy", "Finished-product preservation, clinical efficacy or shelf-life certification" ], "distinguishing_features": [ "The classification depends on an intended water-attraction or water-retention function; chemical identity alone does not establish performance in every application.", "A material used to retain moisture in a target matrix has a humectant role, whereas the same material used to dry a surrounding space may have a desiccant role.", "Evidence of softening or lubrication alone does not establish humectancy; water uptake, retention or availability must be assessed.", "A reduction in evaporation through a barrier alone supports an occlusive function; a humectant assessment must establish the material's interaction with water.", "Humectant denotes a functional class rather than a single substance with one formula, CAS number or hazard classification." ], "characteristics": [ { "name": "Material identity and composition", "kind": "relation", "unit_or_values": "Links to identified substances or mixtures, component mass fractions and applicable identifiers", "why_it_matters": "Connects the functional role to the actual material without assigning a single chemical identity to the class." }, { "name": "Grade and impurity specification", "kind": "category", "unit_or_values": "Supplier grade, applicable specification, assay basis and impurity limits", "why_it_matters": "Determines whether a particular supplied material is suitable for the intended application." }, { "name": "Humectant concentration", "kind": "measurement", "unit_or_values": "Mass fraction or % w/w, specifying active-material versus supplied-material basis", "why_it_matters": "Makes performance comparisons and use-limit checks interpretable." }, { "name": "Moisture sorption behaviour", "kind": "measurement", "unit_or_values": "g water/g dry material against relative humidity (%) at stated temperature (°C), with adsorption or desorption branch", "why_it_matters": "Describes moisture exchange under conditions relevant to use and storage." }, { "name": "Water activity in the target matrix", "kind": "measurement", "unit_or_values": "Dimensionless aw from 0 to 1 at stated temperature and composition", "why_it_matters": "Distinguishes water availability from total water content without treating humectancy as proof of preservation." }, { "name": "Moisture-retention performance", "kind": "measurement", "unit_or_values": "Water content or water loss over time, with units, control formulation and exposure conditions", "why_it_matters": "Establishes whether the material delivers the intended function in the actual matrix." }, { "name": "Physical state and incorporation behaviour", "kind": "state", "unit_or_values": "Solid, liquid or solution; dissolved, dispersed, crystallised or phase-separated at stated conditions", "why_it_matters": "Indicates whether the humectant remains available and compatible throughout processing and storage." }, { "name": "Application suitability", "kind": "relation", "unit_or_values": "Intended use, exposure route, jurisdiction, dated requirement and supporting assessment", "why_it_matters": "Prevents suitability in one product category from being assumed in another." } ], "affordances": [ "Classify a material's humectant role for a specified application using functional evidence.", "Compare candidate materials at defined concentrations and environmental conditions.", "Specify moisture-sorption and retention tests with appropriate formulation controls.", "Identify compatibility or handling conditions that could undermine moisture retention.", "Check whether the material's grade and documented use constraints match the proposed application." ], "agent_conduct": { "may": [ "Identify a humectant in an ingredient list and explain its function.", "Check whether a humectant is permitted for a stated use, such as food or cosmetics." ], "must_not": [ "Recommend an industrial-grade substance for food, medicine or cosmetics.", "Misstate the safety of a humectant for a specific use or population.", "Hide a humectant that a person has declared an allergy or intolerance to." ], "requires_human": [ "Reformulating a food or cosmetic product sold to the public." ] }, "ethics": { "considerations": [ "Consumers rely on honest ingredient information.", "Some humectants are unsafe for pets or certain groups, so context matters." ], "affected_parties": [ "Consumers", "Pets", "Product makers" ] }, "owners": { "steward": "The maker of the product; food and cosmetic regulators set the rules for permitted use.", "master_systems": [] }, "visual_identification": [ "Usually clear syrupy liquids or white crystalline solids, so the label settles identity.", "Named on labels by name or additive number, such as glycerol or sorbitol." ], "failure_modes_and_hazards": [ "Excess intake of some humectants can cause digestive upset.", "Some are toxic to animals or unsafe in certain products." ], "standards_and_regulation": [ "Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, European Union, which lists humectants as a functional class." ], "what_it_is_for": [ "Humectants are used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations to retain moisture and reduce drying.", "They are also used in materials such as paper and textiles where moisture content affects flexibility and handling.", "Their suitability depends on the surrounding humidity, the other ingredients and the moisture balance required by the product." ] }, "sources": [ { "id": "wikidata", "title": "Wikidata item Q911854: humectant", "url": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q911854", "url_status": "live", "what_it_supports": "identity and sense of the item", "checked_by": "wikidata-api" }, { "id": "wikipedia-en", "title": "Wikipedia: Humectant", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humectant", "url_status": "live", "what_it_supports": "general description of the item", "checked_by": "wikidata-api sitelink" } ], "structure": { "bundles": [ { "id": "humectant-role-and-material", "name": "Humectant role and material", "description": "Establishes what material is being assessed and what moisture-related function it is intended to perform.", "rationale": "Humectant is a role shared by different substances and mixtures, so recognition requires both material identity and application context.", "layers": [ { "id": "functional-boundary", "name": "Functional boundary", "description": "Separates humectancy from neighbouring moisture-control and sensory functions.", "findings": [ { "id": "intended-moisture-function", "name": "Intended moisture function", "description": "Record the target that should retain water and the evidence needed to attribute that effect to humectancy.", "questions": [ { "text": "What material or matrix should retain moisture, and what observable result defines successful humectancy?", "kind": "definition", "id": "intended-moisture-function-q01" }, { "text": "Does the proposed use retain water in that target, remove water from its surroundings, reduce evaporation through a barrier, or combine these functions?", "kind": "boundary", "id": "intended-moisture-function-q02" } ] } ] }, { "id": "supplied-material", "name": "Supplied material", "description": "Identifies the substance or mixture that performs the role, including its supplied water content and grade.", "findings": [ { "id": "identity-grade-and-basis", "name": "Identity, grade and concentration basis", "description": "Record the actual supplied composition so that identity, dosing and suitability refer to the same material.", "questions": [ { "text": "Which substance or mixture performs the humectant role, and which supplier specification or analytical record establishes its identity, composition and grade?", "kind": "provenance", "id": "identity-grade-and-basis-q01" }, { "text": "How much water and active humectant does the supplied material contain, and on what basis is the intended dose expressed?", "kind": "measurement", "id": "identity-grade-and-basis-q02" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "water-interaction", "name": "Water interaction", "description": "Characterises moisture uptake, release and water availability under stated conditions.", "rationale": "A humectant cannot be assessed independently of humidity, temperature, concentration and measurement basis.", "layers": [ { "id": "sorption-and-equilibration", "name": "Sorption and equilibration", "description": "Describes how moisture content responds to environmental conditions and exposure history.", "findings": [ { "id": "conditioned-water-exchange", "name": "Conditioned water exchange", "description": "Record water uptake and release with sufficient conditioning detail to distinguish equilibrium behaviour from transient results.", "questions": [ { "text": "What adsorption and desorption data exist across the intended humidity and temperature range, expressed on a defined dry-material basis?", "kind": "measurement", "id": "conditioned-water-exchange-q01" }, { "text": "What initial moisture content, exposure duration and equilibrium criterion were used to obtain those data?", "kind": "provenance", "id": "conditioned-water-exchange-q02" } ] } ] }, { "id": "water-content-and-activity", "name": "Water content and activity", "description": "Separates the amount of retained water from its measured availability in a formulation.", "findings": [ { "id": "matrix-water-status", "name": "Matrix water status", "description": "Record water content and water activity as distinct properties of a specified matrix.", "questions": [ { "text": "What water content and water activity are measured at each relevant humectant concentration and temperature?", "kind": "measurement", "id": "matrix-water-status-q01" }, { "text": "Which conclusions require separate preservation or stability evidence beyond the measured water activity and moisture retention?", "kind": "boundary", "id": "matrix-water-status-q02" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "formulation-performance", "name": "Formulation performance", "description": "Tests whether moisture behaviour produces the intended outcome in the target matrix.", "rationale": "Measurements on an isolated ingredient do not establish useful performance in a finished formulation.", "layers": [ { "id": "retention-benefit", "name": "Retention benefit", "description": "Defines the desired moisture outcome and a comparison that can establish its magnitude.", "findings": [ { "id": "controlled-retention-result", "name": "Controlled retention result", "description": "Record moisture retention over time against an appropriate control and application-specific acceptance criteria.", "questions": [ { "text": "How does water loss or retained moisture compare with a control under the intended exposure duration, humidity, temperature and packaging conditions?", "kind": "measurement", "id": "controlled-retention-result-q01" }, { "text": "What retention threshold and associated texture or handling outcome justify selecting this humectant and dose?", "kind": "action", "id": "controlled-retention-result-q02" } ] } ] }, { "id": "matrix-compatibility", "name": "Matrix compatibility", "description": "Examines incorporation and interactions that may limit an otherwise useful moisture-retention effect.", "findings": [ { "id": "compatibility-and-performance-limits", "name": "Compatibility and performance limits", "description": "Record solubility, physical stability and application-relevant side effects at the proposed concentration.", "questions": [ { "text": "At the intended dose and processing conditions, does the humectant remain incorporated without crystallisation, precipitation or phase separation?", "kind": "measurement", "id": "compatibility-and-performance-limits-q01" }, { "text": "Which observed changes in viscosity, tack, texture or other application-relevant properties require adjusting the dose or choosing another material?", "kind": "action", "id": "compatibility-and-performance-limits-q02" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "use-and-storage-constraints", "name": "Use and storage constraints", "description": "Connects the selected humectant to permitted applications, exposure conditions and controls on moisture exchange before use.", "rationale": "Useful humectancy does not by itself establish acceptable use, and moisture exchange during storage can alter the supplied material.", "layers": [ { "id": "application-and-exposure", "name": "Application and exposure", "description": "Links suitability decisions to the exact material, grade, product category and exposure route.", "findings": [ { "id": "documented-use-envelope", "name": "Documented use envelope", "description": "Record the evidence and requirements governing the proposed use without assigning class-wide safety or regulatory status.", "questions": [ { "text": "Which dated authoritative records establish identity, purity and concentration requirements for this material in the intended product category and jurisdiction?", "kind": "provenance", "id": "documented-use-envelope-q01" }, { "text": "What material-specific hazard and exposure evidence supports or restricts the proposed route, concentration and duration of use?", "kind": "action", "id": "documented-use-envelope-q02" } ] } ] }, { "id": "storage-moisture-control", "name": "Storage moisture control", "description": "Addresses moisture exchange that changes ingredient condition or dosing before incorporation.", "findings": [ { "id": "storage-condition-and-retest", "name": "Storage condition and retest", "description": "Define checks for moisture-related changes that could make an ingredient unsuitable or invalidate its concentration basis.", "questions": [ { "text": "How do storage humidity, temperature and container opening affect measured water content, assay, flow or physical state?", "kind": "measurement", "id": "storage-condition-and-retest-q01" }, { "text": "Which observed changes trigger retesting, dose recalculation or rejection before the material is incorporated?", "kind": "action", "id": "storage-condition-and-retest-q02" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "evidence-and-external-alignment", "name": "Evidence and external alignment", "description": "What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.", "rationale": "A model that cannot be lined up against existing standards, identifiers and practice cannot be adopted by anyone who already uses them.", "layers": [ { "id": "reported-evidence", "name": "Reported evidence", "description": "Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.", "findings": [ { "id": "evidence-confidence-notes", "name": "Check these first", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ "Humectant is a functional material category, not a single chemical substance; it has no universal composition, melting point, boiling point or hazard classification.", "The listed kinds overlap chemically and are practical groupings rather than a mutually exclusive taxonomy.", "This account is recalled knowledge, not source-verified research; check application-specific permissions, grades and performance data first." ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-confidence-notes-q01", "text": "Which of these check these first hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-kinds", "name": "Kinds and varieties", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ "Polyol humectants, such as glycerol and sorbitol", "Glycol humectants, such as propylene glycol", "Urea-based humectants", "Salt humectants, such as sodium lactate", "Polymeric humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and its salts" ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-kinds-q01", "text": "Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-identifiers", "name": "Identifiers and schemes", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ { "scheme": "CAS Registry Number", "value_or_pattern": "Two to seven digits, a hyphen, two digits, a hyphen, one check digit", "note": "Identifies individual substances; the functional category humectant has no single CAS number." }, { "scheme": "International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)", "value_or_pattern": "Ingredient names such as Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate", "note": "Names cosmetic ingredients rather than assigning a unique identity to the humectant function." }, { "scheme": "International Numbering System for Food Additives (INS)", "value_or_pattern": "422 for glycerol; 420(i) for sorbitol", "note": "Identifies individual food additives; an INS number alone does not establish permission for a particular use." } ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-identifiers-q01", "text": "Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-standards-and-regulation", "name": "Standards and regulation", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ "Codex Alimentarius Commission: General Standard for Food Additives (CXS 192-1995), covering food-additive uses including humectants.", "FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): identity and purity specifications for individual evaluated food additives." ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01", "text": "Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-real-world-use", "name": "Real-world use", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ "Maintaining moisture and flexibility in foods such as baked goods and confectionery.", "Supporting hydration in skin-care formulations.", "Reducing drying in toothpaste and other oral-care products.", "Controlling drying and flow in inks and related formulations.", "Maintaining moisture in tobacco products." ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-real-world-use-q01", "text": "Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-measurements", "name": "Typical measurements", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ { "quantity": "Equilibrium moisture uptake at specified temperature and relative humidity", "typical_range": "Substance- and condition-dependent; no class-wide typical range", "unit": "g water/g dry material" }, { "quantity": "Water activity of the finished formulation", "typical_range": "Formulation-dependent; no class-wide typical range", "unit": "dimensionless" }, { "quantity": "Humectant mass fraction in a formulation", "typical_range": "Application-dependent; no class-wide typical range", "unit": "% by mass" } ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-measurements-q01", "text": "Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards", "name": "Failure modes and hazards", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ "Insufficient moisture retention when concentration, ambient humidity or the surrounding formulation is unsuitable.", "Excessive loading can cause tackiness, softening or undesirable changes in texture and viscosity.", "Crystallization of some humectants can alter texture and performance.", "Moisture retention does not establish microbial safety; preservation depends on water activity and the complete formulation.", "Toxicity, irritation and impurity risks depend on the specific substance, grade, dose and exposure route." ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01", "text": "Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-regional-variation", "name": "Regional variation", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ "Permitted food uses, maximum levels and labeling requirements vary by jurisdiction and food category.", "Food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications can require different grades, specifications and labeling for the same substance." ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-regional-variation-q01", "text": "Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] }, { "id": "evidence-neighbours", "name": "Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart", "description": "Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.", "evidence": [ { "name": "Hygroscopic substance", "difference": "Hygroscopicity is a water-uptake property; humectant describes the use of that property to retain moisture in a target material." }, { "name": "Desiccant", "difference": "A desiccant is used to remove moisture from a target environment; a humectant is used to maintain moisture in a target material." }, { "name": "Emollient", "difference": "An emollient softens and smooths skin; a humectant attracts and retains water, although one ingredient may serve both functions." }, { "name": "Occlusive agent", "difference": "An occlusive agent reduces evaporative water loss by forming a barrier; a humectant retains water through water affinity." }, { "name": "Moisturizer", "difference": "A moisturizer is a finished preparation or broader functional category that may combine humectants, emollients and occlusive agents." } ], "questions": [ { "id": "evidence-neighbours-q01", "text": "Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of humectant this model covers, and on what evidence?", "kind": "provenance" } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "openQuestions": [ "Does the registry intend humectant to include functional mixtures and nontraditional water-retaining materials, or a narrower class of ingredients?", "Which application domains need distinct performance criteria, and which humectancy measurements can meaningfully be compared across them?", "Which authoritative methods and reference conditions should govern sorption, moisture-retention and water-activity measurements?", "What minimum evidence distinguishes a demonstrated humectant role from a supplier claim or an inference based only on hygroscopicity?", "Which existing Vercy substance and formulation models should supply chemical identity, hazard and product-level evidence without duplicating those models?" ], "statistics": { "bundles": 5, "layers": 9, "findings": 17, "questions": 25 } }