Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods comprising a composition for light filtering. An example composition comprises a plurality of metal nanoparticles, at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles having an anisotropic shape; and a stabilizing mechanism disposed to selectively couple with at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles, wherein the composition exhibits a peak light filtering value in the range of about 600 nm to about 850 nm.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods which can be used to indicate the period of time elapsed since the occurrence of a triggering event. More particularly, this application relates to systems and methods which can be used to visually indicate the time period elapsed since an article has been removed from its packaging. The system can include an indicator disposed on or within the article and a trigger disposed within the receptacle and in contact with the indicator. The article may be enclosed within a sealable receptacle of the package. The indicator is responsive to a change in a concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator. The removal of the article from the receptacle can induce a change in concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator. The change in the concentration of the trigger can induce a change in color in the indicator. The color change indicates a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the article has been removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods which can be used to indicate the period of time elapsed since the occurrence of a triggering event. More particularly, this application relates to systems and methods which can be used to visually indicate the time period elapsed since an article has been removed from its packaging. The system can include an indicator disposed on or within the article and a trigger disposed within the receptacle and in contact with the indicator. The article may be enclosed within a sealable receptacle of the package. The indicator is responsive to a change in a concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator.

Abstract: A composition for light filtering, the composition comprising: a base material comprising a HEMA-based material; a plurality of metal nanoparticles dispersed in the base material, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles exhibit a peak light absorption value in the range of about 500 nm to about 600 nm; an anchoring mechanism dispersed in the base material, the anchoring mechanism comprising methacryloyl-derived monomer; and a nanoparticle coating material disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods comprising a composition for light filtering. An example composition comprises a plurality of metal nanoparticles, at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles having an anisotropic shape; and a stabilizing mechanism disposed to selectively couple with at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles, wherein the composition exhibits a peak light filtering value in the range of about 600 nm to about 850 nm.

Abstract: A composition for light filtering, the composition comprising: a base material; a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the base material, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles exhibit a peak light absorption value in the range of about 650 nm to about 800 nm; a chemical dye dispersed in the base material, the chemical dye having a spectral peak that is at least partially quenched by the filtering of the spectral curve of the nanoparticles; an anchoring mechanism dispersed in the base material, the anchoring mechanism comprising methacryloyl-derived monomer; and a nanoparticle coating material disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A composition for light filtering, the composition comprising a base material; a plurality of metal nanoparticles dispersed in the base material; a stabilizing mechanism disposed to selectively couple with at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles to enhance stability of at least the portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles in the base material; and an anchoring mechanism disposed to promote chemical conjugation of at least a portion of the plurality of metal nanoparticles to the base material, wherein the composition exhibits a peak light filtering value in the range of about 600 nm to about 1000 nm, and wherein the composition exhibits a filtering spectrum having a full width at half maximum of about 58 nm-70 nm.

Abstract: A composition for light filtering, the composition comprising: a base material; a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the base material, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nanoparticles have an anisotropic shape; a stabilizing mechanism disposed to selectively couple with at least a portion of the plurality of nanoparticles to enhance stability of at least the portion of the plurality of nanoparticles in the base material, wherein a molecular weight of the stabilizing mechanism is selected to control thermal reshaping of the anisotropic shape of at least the portion of the plurality of nanoparticles; and wherein the composition exhibits a peak light absorption value in the range of about 600 nm to about 1000 nm, and wherein the composition exhibits an absorption spectrum having a full-width at half maximum of about 58 nm-70 nm.

Abstract: A composite material for use in water treatment. The composite material includes a porous matrix including a resin capable of retaining a catalyst and magnetic material therein, and includes a density regulating portion disposed therein. The catalyst is capable of facilitating a chemical reaction involving a contaminants in the water. The magnetic material and density regulating portion can be used to separate the composite material from treated water. Systems and methods of use involving passive water treatment, continuous water treatment, solar light exposure, UV light exposure, and electrochemical cells, employing photochemical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical reactions are described. Methods of manufacture are described.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods which can be used to indicate the period of time elapsed since the occurrence of a triggering event. More particularly, this application relates to systems and methods which can be used to visually indicate the time period elapsed since an article has been removed from its packaging. The system can include an indicator disposed on or within the article and a trigger disposed within the receptacle and in contact with the indicator. The article may be enclosed within a sealable receptacle of the package. The indicator is responsive to a change in a concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator. The removal of the article from the receptacle can induce a change in concentration of the trigger in contact with the indicator. The change in the concentration of the trigger can induce a change in color in the indicator. The color change indicates a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the article has been removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: Described are core-shell particles which exhibit tunable photophysical properties, allowing them to absorb, scatter, and/or extinguish specific wavelengths of light (e.g., specific wavelengths of blue light). The core-shell particles can be incorporated as tunable optical filters in optically transparent substrates to produce devices, including ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses.

Abstract: A composite material for use in water treatment. The composite material includes a porous matrix including a resin capable of retaining a catalyst and magnetic material therein, and includes a density regulating portion disposed therein. The catalyst is capable of facilitating a chemical reaction involving a contaminants in the water. The magnetic material and density regulating portion can be used to separate the composite material from treated water. Systems and methods of use involving passive water treatment, continuous water treatment, solar light exposure, UV light exposure, and electrochemical cells, employing photochemical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical reactions are described. Methods of manufacture are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a mucoadhesive nanoparticle delivery system. The nanoparticles are formed from amphiphilic macromolecules conjugated to a mucosal targeting moiety in such a manner that the surface of the nanoparticle is coated with the targeting moiety. The surface density of the targeting moiety can be tuned for adjustable targeting of the nanoparticles to a mucosal site without substantially compromising the stability of the particles. The particles were found to have high loading efficiency and sustained release properties at the mucosal site. The present disclosure also relates to polymers and macromolecules useful in the preparation of the mucoadhesive nanoparticles, as well as compositions, methods, commercial packages, kits and uses related thereto.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed at a microparticle for use in water treatment comprising a core layer; a shell layer, deposited on and encasing the core layer; and a photoactive layer surrounding the shell layer. The disclosure also provides a method for producing same.

Abstract: A method of preparing a hydrogel for delivery of an active agent. The method includes providing an aqueous solution that includes the active agent; dispersing or dissolving a gel-forming polymer in the aqueous solution to form a polymer solution; and cross-linking the polymer in the polymer solution to form the hydrogel which encapsulates the active agent.

Abstract: A bio-nanowire device includes a substrate having a first surface, a first conductor, a second conductor, and a bio-nanowire. The first and second conductors are disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and are spaced apart from each other. The bio-nanowire has two ends respectively connected to the first and second conductors, and includes a nucleic acid molecule having two nucleotide segments, and a plurality of metal ions bonded between the two nucleotide segments of the nucleic acid molecule. The two nucleotide segments form a double helix structure via base pairs. When a voltage or a current is applied to the bio-nanowire, the oxidation state of the metal ions can be changed such that the non-linear electroconductive characteristic of the bio-nanowire can be controlled.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a nanoparticle delivery system. The nanoparticles are formed from amphiphilic block copolymers comprising polylactide and dextran. The dextran may be conjugated to a targeting moiety in such a manner that the surface of the nanoparticle is coated with the targeting moiety. The size and targeting of the nanoparticles can be tuned by controlling surface density of the targeting moiety. The present disclosure also relates to polymers and macromolecules useful in the preparation of the mucoadhesive nanoparticles, as well as compositions, methods, commercial packages, kits and uses related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polymers and macromolecules, in particular, to block polymers useful in particles such as nanoparticles. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of developing nanoparticles with desired properties. In one set of embodiments, the method includes producing libraries of nanoparticles having highly controlled properties, which can be formed by mixing together two or more macromolecules in different ratios. One or more of the macromolecules may be a polymeric conjugate of a moiety to a biocompatible polymer. In some cases, the nanoparticle may contain a drug. The moiety, in some embodiments, may have a molecular weight greater than about 1000 Da; for example, the moiety may include a polypeptide or a polynucleotide, such as an aptamer. The moiety may also be a targeting moiety, an imaging moiety, a chelating moiety, a charged moiety, or a therapeutic moiety.