Abstract: A protective layer can be deposited on a surface of an porous polymer separator placing on a Li-metal electrode to protect against adverse electrochemical activity in a battery. The protective layer can be a multilayered structure including graphene oxide.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an automated apparatus capable of spray depositing polyelectrolytes via the LbL mechanism with minimal or no human interaction. In certain embodiments, the apparatus sprays atomized polyelectrolytes onto a vertically oriented substrate. To counteract the effects of irregular spray patterns, the substrate is preferably slowly rotated about a central axis. In certain embodiments, the apparatus also includes a forced pathway for the droplets, such as a pathway created by using a vacuum. In this way, a thicker or three-dimensional substrate can be coated. In certain embodiments, the apparatus is designed so as to be scalable. Thus, through the use of multiple instantiations of the apparatus, a large or irregularly shaped substrate can be coated. Rolls of textile can therefore be coated using the apparatus. Additionally, the present invention includes a method to uniformly coat a substrate, such as a hydrophobic textile material, using aqueous solutions of polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: Virus multilayers can be used as templates for growth of inorganic nanomaterials. For example, layer-by-layer construction of virus multilayers on functionalized surfaces form nanoporous structures onto which metal particles or metal oxide nanoparticles can be nucleated to result in an interconnected network of nanowires.

Abstract: A method of a general biological approach to synthesizing compact nanotubes using a biological template is described.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis (RO) membrane can include a porous substrate, a multilayer film arranged on the substrate, which includes a first layer including a polyelectrolyte and a second layer including a plurality of clay particles, where the first layer is arranged adjacent to the second layer. The multilayer film can be prepared by a spray-LbL process. The resulting RO membrane can provide high water permeability combined with high salt rejection.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides certain systems comprising a multi-layer decomposable film coating composition on a substrate, where the coating composition includes one or more releasable agents in at least one of its layers, and decomposes layer-by-layer to release such agent(s) over time. In some embodiments, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) system comprising an IOL coated with a multi-layer decomposable film coating composition is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of a general biological approach to synthesizing compact nanotubes using a biological template is described.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell can include a plurality of a plasmon-forming nanostructures. The plasmon-forming nanostructures can include a metal nanoparticle and a semiconducting oxide on a surface of the metal nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, am ng other things, a coated device comprising: a porous substrate; a film coating at least part of the substrate, which film comprises a multilayer unit comprising a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a first polymeric material and at least first interacting moiety, wherein the second layer comprises a second polymeric material and at least second interacting moiety, and wherein the interacting moieties on adjacent layers interact with one another so that the adjacent layers are associated with each other into the film; and an agent for delivery associated with the coated device, such that decomposition of one or more layers of the film results in release of the agent.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a coated device comprises: a substrate; a film coating at least part of the substrate, which film comprises a multilayer unit comprising a first layer and a second layer associated with one another via a hydrogen bond, wherein the first layer comprises a first natural polymeric material and a hydrogen bond donor and wherein the second layer comprises a second natural polymeric material and a hydrogen bond acceptor; and an agent for delivery associated with the coated device. In various embodiments, a coated device comprises: a substrate; a film coating at least part of the substrate, which film comprises a multilayer unit comprising a tetralayer with alternating layers of opposite charge; and an agent for delivery associated with the coated device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an automated apparatus capable of spray depositing polyelectrolytes via the LbL mechanism with minimal or no human interaction. In certain embodiments, the apparatus sprays atomized polyelectrolytes onto a vertically oriented substrate. To counteract the effects of irregular spray patterns, the substrate is preferably slowly rotated about a central axis. In certain embodiments, the apparatus also includes a forced pathway for the droplets, such as a pathway created by using a vacuum. In this way, a thicker or three-dimensional substrate can be coated. In certain embodiments, the apparatus is designed so as to be scalable. Thus, through the use of multiple instantiations of the apparatus, a large or irregularly shaped substrate can be coated. Rolls of textile can therefore be coated using the apparatus. Additionally, the present invention includes a method to uniformly coat a substrate, such as a hydrophobic textile material, using aqueous solutions of polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: A method of a general biological approach to synthesizing compact nanotubes using a biological template is described.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an automated apparatus capable of spray depositing polyelectrolytes via the LbL mechanism with minimal or no human interaction. In certain embodiments, the apparatus sprays atomized polyelectrolytes onto a vertically oriented substrate. To counteract the effects of irregular spray patterns, the substrate is preferably slowly rotated about a central axis. In certain embodiments, the apparatus also includes a forced pathway for the droplets, such as a pathway created by using a vacuum. In this way, a thicker or three-dimensional substrate can be coated. In certain embodiments, the apparatus is designed so as to be scalable. Thus, through the use of multiple instantiations of the apparatus, a large or irregularly shaped substrate can be coated. Rolls of textile can therefore be coated using the apparatus. Additionally, the present invention includes a method to uniformly coat a substrate, such as a hydrophobic textile material, using aqueous solutions of polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: A process of the present invention is directed toward conducting highly selective, high yield post-polymerization reactions on polypeptides to prepare functionalized polypeptides. In certain embodiments, the polypeptides can be prepared by ring opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides. In certain embodiments, the post-polymerization reaction is a “click chemistry” reaction. In certain embodiment, the “click chemistry” reaction is a triazole-forming reaction involving an alkyne on the polypeptide and an azide.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, multilayer film coating compositions, coated substrates and methods thereof In some embodiments, a structure, comprising a substrate and a multilayer film on the substrate, wherein the multilayer film comprises a first plurality of first units, each first unit comprising a protamine polypeptide. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a microneedle substrate and a multilayer film coated on at least portion of the microneedle substrate, wherein the multilayer film comprises an agent for release and a first plurality of first unit; each first unit comprising a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are associated with one another.

Abstract: A decomposable thin film comprising a plurality of polyelectrolyte layers of alternating charge, wherein decomposition of the thin film is characterized by degradation of at least a portion of the polyelectrolyte layers.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides ion-exchange and gas-diffusion membranes, fabricated by a layer-by-layer approach, for use, e.g., in electrochemical cells; a process for making membrane electrode assemblies fabricated using porous frameworks, LBL composite membranes and LBL carbon-Polymer electrodes; and the application of the membrane and electrode assemblies to a variety of devices, both electrochemical and otherwise.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward systems and methods for the formation of two dimensional monolayer structures of ordered biomacromolecules, such as viruses, atop cohesive polyelectrolyte multilayers to create functional thin films. Methods for the formation of such thin films are disclosed that involve an interdiffusion-induced assembly process of the biomacromolecules. The inventive systems provide a general platform for the systematic incorporation and assembly of organic, biological and inorganic materials and will enable many potential technological applications such as, for example, chemical and biological sensors, power devices and catalytic membranes.

Abstract: A process of the present invention is directed toward conducting highly selective, high yield post-polymerization reactions on polypeptides to prepare functionalized polypeptides. In certain embodiments, the polypeptides can be prepared by ring opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides. In certain embodiments, the post-polymerization reaction is a “click chemistry” reaction. In certain embodiment, the “click chemistry” reaction is a triazole-forming reaction involving an alkyne on the polypeptide and an azide.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for installing coatings of different morphology and function within a single textile membrane. Remarkably, the methods described herein enable one to engineer the properties of a material at the nanoscopic level and produce the material in commercially viable quantities. For example, by simply controlling the flow rate of charged species passing through an electrospun material during spray-assisted Layer-by-Layer (Spray-LbL) deposition, individual fibers within the matrix can be conformally functionalized for ultra-high surface area catalysis, or bridged to form a networked sublayer with complimentary properties.