Abstract: A bioassay, which is a segregative phase separation system (SPSS) where a bioassay signal intensifier is presented. The bioassay signal intensifier is an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) component that causes the signal to intensify in one aqueous phase of a plurality of phases formed from the bioassay composition. The source of the signal resulting from the inclusion of a test sample is selectively partitioned into one phase that can be of significantly lesser volume than in the bioassay absent the bioassay signal intensifier, such the signal's source is concentrated in that phase, and the signal is intensified.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a new method for measuring the elastic properties of microfibers by rope-coiling. Rope-coiling refers to the buckling of a slender elastic fiber caused by axial compression. A continuous flow microfluidic method enables the high-throughput measurement of the elasticity of microfibers by rope-coiling, where sample loading and unloading are not needed between consecutive measurements. In certain embodiments the coiling radius can be directly proportional to the elastic modulus of the fiber, facilitating calibration to measure fiber elasticity for high-throughput applications. Throughput can be thousands of times higher than that of a tensile tester, making possible an in situ, on-line measurement in a microfluidic production line, which couples the making of microfibers and the measurement of elasticity on the same line. The new method can also measure certain fibers with local variations in elasticity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to vesicles such as liposomes, colloidosomes, and polymersomes, as well as techniques for making and using such vesicles. In some cases, the vesicles may be at least partially biocompatible and/or biodegradable. The vesicles may be formed, according to one aspect, by forming a multiple emulsion comprising a first droplet surrounded by a second droplet, which in turn is surrounded by a third fluid, where the second droplet comprises lipids and/or polymers, and removing fluid from the second droplet, e.g., through evaporation or diffusion, until a vesicle is formed. In certain aspects, the size of the vesicle may be controlled, e.g., through osmolarity, and in certain embodiments, the vesicle may be ruptured through a change in osmolarity. In some cases, the vesicle may contain other species, such as fluorescent molecules, microparticles, pharmaceutical agents, etc., which may be released upon rupture.

Abstract: Methods for preparing capsules, such as micro- and/or nanocapsules from all-aqueous emulsions are described herein. The method includes mixing, combining, or contacting a first electrically charged phase containing a first solute with at least an optionally charged second phase containing a second solute. The solutes are incompatible with each other. The electrostatic forces between the two solutions induce the formation of droplets of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase. The droplets are then solidified to form the capsules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating droplets with a high level of uniformity in liquid systems that present a low interfacial tension. This method and apparatus utilize the breakup of the dispersed phase in a controlled fashion by periodically varying the pressure that drives the fluids so as to successfully generate emulsions with a good control over the size. The method and apparatus can be used for the formation of simple emulsion or double emulsion where a larger droplet contains one or more smaller droplets.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle body assembling method and a vehicle body assembling apparatus which allow a simple configuration in the vicinity of the connecting portion between an upper jig and a lower jig and allow an increase in the efficiency of assembling work (welding work

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mixing highly viscous fluids to form a mixture. The mixture is created rapidly and has a high level of uniformity. The mixture is created by utilizing induced viscous fluid folding under the influence of an electric field. The electric field is introduced by connecting a nozzle dispensing the fluids in parallel to a voltage supply and grounding a collection plate located below the nozzle. When a certain voltage is applied the co-flow viscous fluids start to fold because the electric field exerts stress on the surface of the fluids, which results in changes of the geometry and dynamics of the viscous fluids. Control of the electric field provides great control over the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to vesicles such as liposomes, colloidosomes, and polymersomes, as well as techniques for making and using such vesicles. In some cases, the vesicles may be at least partially biocompatible and/or biodegradable. The vesicles may be formed, according to one aspect, by forming a multiple emulsion comprising a first droplet surrounded by a second droplet, which in turn is surrounded by a third fluid, where the second droplet comprises lipids and/or polymers, and removing fluid from the second droplet, e.g., through evaporation or diffusion, until a vesicle is formed. In certain aspects, the size of the vesicle may be controlled, e.g., through osmolarity, and in certain embodiments, the vesicle may be ruptured through a change in osmolarity. In some cases, the vesicle may contain other species, such as fluorescent molecules, microparticles, pharmaceutical agents, etc., which may be released upon rupture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating droplets with a high level of uniformity in liquid systems that present a low interfacial tension. This method and apparatus utilize the breakup of the dispersed phase in a controlled fashion by periodically varying the pressure that drives the fluids so as to successfully generate emulsions with a good control over the size. The method and apparatus can be used for the formation of simple emulsion or double emulsion where a larger droplet contains one or more smaller droplets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating droplets with a high level of uniformity in liquid systems that present a low interfacial tension. This method and apparatus utilize the breakup of the dispersed phase in a controlled fashion by periodically varying the pressure that drives the fluids so as to successfully generate emulsions with a good control over the size. The method and apparatus can be used for the formation of simple emulsion or double emulsion where a larger droplet contains one or more smaller droplets.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to vesicles such as liposomes, colloidosomes, and polymersomes, as well as techniques for making and using such vesicles. In some cases, the vesicles may be at least partially biocompatible and/or biodegradable. The vesicles may be formed, according to one aspect, by forming a multiple emulsion comprising a first droplet surrounded by a second droplet, which in turn is surrounded by a third fluid, where the second droplet comprises lipids and/or polymers, and removing fluid from the second droplet, e.g., through evaporation or diffusion, until a vesicle is formed. In certain aspects, the size of the vesicle may be controlled, e.g., through osmolarity, and in certain embodiments, the vesicle may be ruptured through a change in osmolarity. In some cases, the vesicle may contain other species, such as fluorescent molecules, microparticles, pharmaceutical agents, etc., which may be released upon rupture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mixing highly viscous fluids to form a mixture. The mixture is created rapidly and has a high level of uniformity. The mixture is created by utilizing induced viscous fluid folding under the influence of an electric field. The electric field is introduced by connecting a nozzle dispensing the fluids in parallel to a voltage supply and grounding a collection plate located below the nozzle. When a certain voltage is applied the co-flow viscous fluids start to fold because the electric field exerts stress on the surface of the fluids, which results in changes of the geometry and dynamics of the viscous fluids. Control of the electric field provides great control over the mixture.

Abstract: Methods for preparing capsules, such as micro- and/or nanocapsules from all-aqueous emulsions are described herein. The method includes mixing, combining, or contacting a first electrically charged phase containing a first solute with at least an optionally charged second phase containing a second solute. The solutes are incompatible with each other. The electrostatic forces between the two solutions induce the formation of droplets of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase. The droplets are then solidified to form the capsules.

Abstract: Described herein is a drug delivery system, which is based on a novel polymer namely hypromellose-graft-chitosan (HC), useful to deliver a drug to a patient in sustained and controlled release fashion. HC is highly water soluble across the pH range from 1.2 to 10, and has a high pH buffering capacity to provide a pH-stable environment for drug delivery. In addition, the drug delivery system provided herein exhibited a drug loading efficiency of over 90% in all drugs tested, which is 1-2 fold higher than the efficiency attainable by conventional chitosan, and achieved a 2-3 fold longer duration of sustained drug release.

Abstract: Methods for preparing capsules, such as micro- and/or nanocapsules from all-aqueous emulsions are described herein. The method includes mixing, combining, or contacting a first electrically charged phase containing a first solute with at least an optionally charged second phase containing a second solute. The solutes are incompatible with each other. The electrostatic forces between the two solutions induce the formation of droplets of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase. The droplets are then solidified to form the capsules.

Abstract: Methods for preparing all-aqueous emulsions, including stable emulsions or emulsions having high viscosity and/or ultra-low interfacial tension are described. The method includes mixing, combining, or contacting a first electrically charged phase containing a first solute (e.g., dispersed phase) with at least a second phase containing a second solute (e.g., continuous phase). The solutes are incompatible with each other. The electrostatic forces between the two phases induce the formation of droplets of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase. The dispersed and continuous phases contain oppositely charged molecules, such as surfactants or other macromolecules and colloids which stabilize the drops of the dispersed phase. Complex coacervation of the oppositely charged molecules or colloids at the interface of the two aqueous phases results in formation of a membrane or barrier which prevents coalescence or aggregation of the droplets.

Abstract: A one-step method for fabricating solidified particles from all-aqueous emulsion droplets involves solidification and drying of the droplets by osmosis. According to this method the fabrication of solidified particles is induced by implementing a high osmotic pressure gradient between the internal phase and external phase of the all-aqueous emulsion. The resultant extraction of water leads to solidification of the emulsion droplets. This approach provides mild conditions for encapsulating bioactive ingredients or other delicate components to conveniently fabricate bio- and cyto-compatible particles because it does not involve the introduction of external energy used in conventional drying. Such conventional external energy inputs are time-consuming, so the method is more efficient.

Abstract: Described herein is a drug delivery system, which is based on a novel polymer namely hypromellose-graft-chitosan (HC), useful to deliver a drug to a patient in sustained and controlled release fashion. HC is highly water soluble across the pH range from 1.2 to 10, and has a high pH buffering capacity to provide a pH-stable environment for drug delivery. In addition, the drug delivery system provided herein exhibited a drug loading efficiency of over 90% in all drugs tested, which is 1-2 fold higher than the efficiency attainable by conventional chitosan, and achieved a 2-3 fold longer duration of sustained drug release.

Abstract: A one-step method for fabricating solidified particles from all-aqueous emulsion droplets involves solidification and drying of the droplets by osmosis. According to this method the fabrication of solidified particles is induced by implementing a high osmotic pressure gradient between the internal phase and external phase of the all-aqueous emulsion. The resultant extraction of water leads to solidification of the emulsion droplets. This approach provides mild conditions for encapsulating bioactive ingredients or other delicate components to conveniently fabricate bio- and cyto-compatible particles because it does not involve the introduction of external energy used in conventional drying. Such conventional external energy inputs are time-consuming, so the method is more efficient.

Abstract: Methods for preparing capsules, such as micro- and/or nanocapsules from all-aqueous emulsions are described herein. The method includes mixing, combining, or contacting a first electrically charged phase containing a first solute with at least an optionally charged second phase containing a second solute. The solutes are incompatible with each other. The electrostatic forces between the two solutions induce the formation of droplets of a dispersed phase in a continuous phase. The droplets are then solidified to form the capsules.