Abstract: A particle coated with a nonlamellar crystalline material includes an internal matrix core having at least one nanostructured liquid phase, or at least one nanostructured liquid crystalline phase or a combination of the two is used for the delivery of active agents such as pharmaceuticals, nutrients, pesticides, etc. The coated particle can be fabricated by a variety of different techniques where the exterior coating is a nonlamellar crystalline material.

Abstract: Method for producing novel microparticles, such as 1&mgr; to 20&mgr; diameter glass beads, by coating them to improve their flowability and to enable them to be distributed in predetermined depths of novel plastic coatings, extrusions, molded bodies, etc. The thin microparticle coatings are repellent to each other and to the plastic binder material, to predetermined degrees, to cause the particles to distribute adjacent the surface of the plastic body, or at a predetermined depth therebelow, to produce desired color-enhanced properties.

Abstract: Microspheroidal particles, suitable as fluidized bed catalyst supports, are prepared by incorporating a portion of small, preferably recycled, particles into a slurry of inorganic oxide sol and inorganic particles which is spray dried to form microspheroidal particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for capsulating microbial, plant and animal cells or biological and chemical substances, using a nozzle to obtain small, especially spherical particles by vibrating an immobilisation mixture. According to said method, the immobilisation mixture, especially a laminar fluid jet taking the form of an immobilisation mixture, is divided into equal parts by superimposition of an external vibration. In a device especially well suited to carry out this method a metallic counter-element (18) which is mounted down-stream from the nozzle (16) at a distance (a) to, and on the outside of, the nozzle axis (A) is connected to a high-voltage source (30). The counter-element is to be embodied by a metal ring (18) through whose through hole (20) the nozzle axis (A) extends. The metal ring (18) is radially connected to an insulated support (22, 24).

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a substrate having thereon an image-receiving layer comprising inorganic particles encapsulated with an organic polymer having a Tg of less than about 20° C., the weight ratio of the inorganic particles to the organic polymer being from about 20 to about 0.2.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound is described capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound comprises (1) a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or absorbing energy, and/or scattering or diffracting electromagnetic radiation—when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source or a particle beam; and (2) at least one linking agent, having a first portion linked to the semiconductor nanocrystal and a second portion capable of linking to an affity molecule. The compound is linked to an affinity molecule to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with a detectable substance. Subsequent exposure to excitation energy will excite the semiconductor nanocrystal in he probe, causing the emission of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Carbon black graft polymer which comprises carbon black and a polymer chain grafted thereto, the carbon black having a specific surface area of not more than 120 m2/g.

Abstract: Microcapsules having a wall thickness of no more than 500 nm, and a bulk density of no more than 0.2 g.cm−3, are suitable for therapeutic or diagnostic use. They are aerodynamically light, and can be used for delivery to the lung, or diagnosis by ultrasound.

Abstract: Biodegradable pharmaceutical compositions and method for treating bacterial infections therein.

Abstract: A method of coating a liquid or solid particulate core involves dropping or suspending the particulate core in an atmosphere and then applying a liquid coating while the particulate core is dropped or suspended, the applying of the liquid coating being done by either (a) spraying the liquid coating onto the particulate core with an ink jet or (b) moving the particulate core through a fog of the liquid coating.

Abstract: Disclosed are new photoresist compositions including polymeric particles as binders and a photoactive component. Also disclosed are methods of forming relief images using these photoresist compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an osmium oxide composition comprising an osmium oxide microencapsulated in an aromatic polyolefin (hereinafter abbreviated as MCOsOx), a method for preparation of MCOsOx, which comprises allowing an osmium oxide to contact with an aromatic polyolefin in an organic solvent, and precipitating MCOsOx, an oxidizing agent comprising MCOsOx, a method for preparing a chiral diol compound, which comprises reacting MCOsOx, a chiral ligand and an olefin compound with each other, and a method for preparing a chiral diol compound, which comprises oxidizing an olefin compound with MCOsOx, wherein a chiral ligand further coordinates to an osmium oxide.

Abstract: A microencapsulated adhesive and a method for producing that microencapsulated adhesive is disclosed. The adhesive is produced from an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer having about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof. The monomer is encapsulated by interfacial polymerization, gelatin/gum arabic coacervation or melamine/formaldehyde encapsulation. The microcapsules may be polyamide or polyurea. The monomer is polymerized in the microcapsules by heating to form an adhesive that is non-tacky, but becomes tacky upon application of external forces, such as shearing. The microencapsulated adhesive composition may be used, among other applications, as an adhesive for stamps or envelopes.

Abstract: A process for producing a substantially dry polymer particle powder. A mixture of polymerization reagents is formed from a mixture of at least one monomer source and a solvent selected from the group consisting essentially of water and organic solvents and an initiator source. The mixture of polymerization reagents is sprayed into a heated, controlled atmosphere, forming droplets of the mixture which are allowed to fall through the heated, controlled atmosphere for a sufficient period of time to obtain a desired degree of polymerization. The solvent is continuously evacuated from the atmosphere during the polymerization process.

Abstract: An insulation material useful in deep water well drilling applications includes an elastic polymer matrix, a plurality of rigid macro-beads within the elastic polymer matrix, an inelastic polymer matrix within the macro-beads, and a plurality of hollow, insulative micro-beads within the inelastic polymer matrix. The insulation material has adequate flexibility and elasticity to withstand thermal expansion and contraction, adequate compressive strength to withstand high water pressures, and good insulative properties at cold temperatures near the freezing point of water.

Abstract: The invention provides a microencapsulated Lewis acid characterized in that a Lewis acid is supported through coordinate bonds on microcapsules formed of an organic polymer as a novel Lewis acid supported on a polymer in order to overcome the technical limit of conventional catalysts supported on polymers and in addition, to solve problems attendant upon the preparation of a reaction system and separation and recovery from reaction products about Lewis acid catalysts having great industrial usefulness.

Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable polycondensates, to the production of said polycondensates, and to their use for releasing specific substances. The polycondensates are derived from at least three components chosen from the following group: a) dianhydrohexites b) bivalent (polyvalent) organic carboxylic acids and c) polyvalent organic carboxylic acids which, in addition to two carboxylic acid functions, have at least one other, optionally capped, i.e., OH and/or COOH function.

Abstract: Microspheres having a particle size of 50 nm to 1 nm and a polydispersity of less than 40%, consisting of a chemically cross-linked starch shell containing an active ingredient, are obtained by preparing an oil-in-water emulsion of the active ingredient in a hydrophobic phase and starch or a dispersion of a solid active ingredient and starch in water, incorporating the oil-in-water emulsion or solid dispersion in an outer hydrophobic phase, particles of the oil-in-water emulsion or solid dispersion being formed in the outer hydrophobic phase, cross-linking the starch or derivative thereof and removing the outer hydrophobic phase if desired.

Abstract: Microcapsules of a microcapsule formed of a polyurea shell wall and an encapsulated ingredient or ingredients enclosed within the wall, the wall comprising at least one oligomeric acetal having the moiety in which R is (a) a moiety containing a chain of from 5 to about 40 optionally substituted carbon atoms, (b) a moiety containing a chain of from 4 to about 40 carbon atoms and one or more internally linked oxygen or sulfur atoms or —NH-groups, or (c) an optionally substituted ethylene or propylene moiety Z is (a) an optionally substituted phenyl group, (b) an optionally substituted C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl or C5-C8 cycloalkenyl group, or (c) benzoyl, and n is 1 if R is (a) or (b), or is 2-20 if R is (c).

Abstract: Provided are a functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystal comprising a liposome having encapsulated therein one or more fluorescent nanocrystals; use of the functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals in detection systems; and a method of producing functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals. A method of using the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity molecule bound thereto comprises contacting the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals with a sample so that complexes are formed between the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals and substrate for which the affinity molecule has binding specificity, if the substrate is present; exposing the complexes in the detection system to an excitation light source, and detecting a fluorescence peak emitted from the complexes, if present.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fluorescence imaging of living tissue using functionalized nanocrystals. The method comprises contacting an effective amount of functionalized nanocrystals with the living tissue; exposing the tissue to a spectrum of light suitable for exciting functionalized nanocrystals, present in fluorescently labeled tissue, to emit a emission spectrum comprising a fluorescence peak; and detecting any fluorescence peak emitted by the tissue exposed to the excitation spectrum of light, and obtaining a fluorescence image of the tissue. Also provided is a composition comprising a functionalized nanocrystal which is bound to a substrate in a living tissue.

Abstract: An irreversible heat-sensitive composition comprises a mixture of a granular or powdery heat-fusible substance having a melting point corresponding to a temperature to be recorded and a granular or powdery dyestuff diffusible into the fused heat-fusible substance through dispersion or dissolution. A heat-sensitive ink comprises the irreversible heat-sensitive composition and an ink vehicle capable of diffusing the fused heat-fusible substance therein. A heat-sensitive ink according to another embodiment comprises microcapsules, which encapsulate the irreversible heat-sensitive composition. A heat-sensitive indicator comprises a substrate provided thereon with a printed heat-sensitive ink, the heat-sensitive ink being one of these heat-sensitive inks.

Abstract: Provided are methods for purifying functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity ligand operably bound thereto by using a solid support matrix in a reactor through which solutions are circulated, and by using an immobilized solid phase formed by operably binding functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals to the solid support matrix. Also provided are purified functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity ligand operably bound thereto which are purified using the methods according to the present invention to be substantially free of free affinity ligand.

Abstract: Provided are a fluorescent microsphere comprised of a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals operably bound to a polymeric microsphere, and a method of producing the fluorescent microspheres which comprises contacting the polymeric microsphere with a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals under suitable conditions in which the fluorescent naocrystals become operably bound to the polymeric microsphere. Also provided is a method of using the fluorescent microspheres capable of determining the presence or absence of a predetermined number of analytes in a sample by contacting the sample with the fluorescent microspheres, and detecting the fluorescence signal pattern of excited fluorescent microspheres bound to one or more analytes of the predetermined number of analytes, if present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides an osmium oxide composition comprising an osmium oxide microencapsulated in an aromatic polyolefin (hereinafter abbreviated as MCOsOx), a method for preparation of MCOsOx, which comprises allowing an osmium oxide to contact with an aromatic polyolefin in an organic solvent, and precipitating MCOsOx, an oxidizing agent comprising MCOsOx, a method for preparing a chiral diol compound, which comprises reacting MCOsOx, a chiral ligand and an olefin compound with each other, and a method for preparing a chiral diol compound, which comprises oxidizing an olefin compound with MCOsOx wherein a chiral ligand further coordinates to an osmium oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides storage stable, shaped particles of allotropic organic compounds. The particles of the present invention can be shaped according to the desired application. Preferred shapes of such particles are microspheres, particularly those having diameters of about 1 to about 1,000 microns. The stable shaped particles of the present invention are particularly well-suited to the fabrication of pharmaceutical formulations, particularly where sustained release and uniform bioavailability are desired. The storage stable particles are formed by a solid state crystallization of allotropic organic compounds. The solid state crystallization process of the present invention affords a means for achieving a storage stable crystalline form of said allotropic compound without loss or deterioration of the original particle dimensions.

Abstract: Formulations for controlled, prolonged release of GM-CSF have been developed. These are based on solid microparticles formed of the combination of biodegradable, synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and copolymers thereof with excipients and drug loadings that yield zero order or first order release, or multiphasic release over a period of approximately three to twenty one days, preferably one week, when administered by injection. In the preferred embodiment, the microparticles are microspheres having diameters in the range of 10 to 60 microns, formed of a blend of PLGA having different molecular weights, most preferably 6,000, 30,000 and 41,000. Other embodiments have been developed to alter the release kinetics or the manner in which the drug is distributed in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to gel-coated microcapsules which have improved mechanical stress- and flame-resistance. A method for making the gel coated microcapsules is also provided. Phase change materials can be included in the microcapsules to provide thermal control in a wide variety of environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the rapid production of homogeneous, ultrafine inorganic material via liquid-phase reactions. The method of the present invention employs electrohydrodynamic flows in the vicinity of an electrified injector tube placed inside another tube to induce efficient turbulent mixing of two fluids containing reactive species. The rapid micromixing allows liquid-phase reactions to be conducted uniformly at high rates. This approach allows continuous production of non-agglomerated, monopispersed, submicron-sized, sphere-like powders.

Abstract: Described are compositions comprising core/shell particles and fluoropolymer, wherein the core comprises an ultraviolet absorber, as well as multiphase polymeric compositions comprising a polymeric core phase and a polymeric shell phase, wherein the polymeric core phase comprises an ultraviolet absorber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an diluent and disintegrating composition characterised in that it contains an effective proportion of particles of highly crosslinked starch with limited swelling, enclosed in a matrix of pregelatinised starch.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing comprising dispersed particles of (1) a core phase mainly composed of a non-crosslinkable hydrophobic polymer (A) having a glass transition temperature at 5° C. or lower, and (2) a shell phase covering the core phase which is mainly composed of a hydrophilic polymer; and (3) a matrix phase mainly composed of a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer (B) which is immiscible with the hydrophobic polymer (A) and a non gaseous ethylenic unsaturated compound. The difference between refractive index of said hydrophobic polymer (A) of the core phase (1) and that of the mixture of said hydrophobic polymer (B) and said ethylenic unsaturated compound of the matrix phase (3) is 0.010 or less, thereby decreasing light scattering in the resin. The photosensitive resin composition can be developed with an aqueous developer and has wide light exposure latitude, improved printing reproducibility and improved aqueous ink resistance.

Abstract: Microcapsules involving a wall of chitin or chitin derivatives or of polyhydroxylated polyamines or one of their salts, with the wall sheathing a hydrophobic substance, are prepared by forming a hydrophobic phase emulsion of the hydrophobic substance in an aqueous phase containing an anionic surfactant capable of causing insolubilization of chitosan or chitosan derivatives or polyhydroxylated polyamines, mixing the emulsion with a chitosan or chitosan derivative or polyhydroxylated polyamine organic salt so as to cause the coacervation of the chitosan or the chitosan derivatives or the polyhydroxylated polyamines around the droplets of the hydrophobic phase, subjecting the chitosan or chitosan derivative or the polyhydroxylated polyamine coacervate to an acetylation or crosslinking reaction and recovering the microcapsules, and are applicable to cosmetic compositions incorporating sunscreens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic composition comprising at least one polymer (M) forming a matrix in which are dispersed nodules of (K), nodules of (K) entirely or partly encapsulated in at least one polymer (S) and nodules of (S) and such that the nodules of (K) entirely or partly encapsulated in (S) are smaller than the nodules of (S).

Abstract: The invention is an encapsulated active agent comprising an active agent encapsulated in a crystallizable or thermoplastic polymer wherein the particle size of the encapsulated active agent is 3,000 microns or less wherein the active agent is not significantly extractable from the particles under ambient conditions. In another embodiment the invention is a process for preparing an encapsulated agent which comprises a) contacting an active agent with a crystallizable or thermoplastic polymer wherein the polymer is molten and the active agent in not volatile under the contacting conditions; b) forming particles of about 3000 microns or less; and c) exposing the particles to conditions such that the portion of the particle at and near the surface undergoes rapid solidification. The encapsulated active agents of the invention do not require washing in order for them to be stable in curable compositions. These encapsulated active agents can be designed to release the active agent at a desired temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to suspension polymers having high swellability have low contents of soluble fractions prepared using aliphatic peroxyesters as polymerization initiators.

Abstract: Used as latent heat storage media of microcapsules I comprising as core materials one or more lipophilic substances whose solid/liquid phase transition is within the range from −20 to 120° C. and as shell a polymer obtainable by free-radical polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising from 30 to 100% by weight, based on the overall weight of the monomers, of one or more C1-C24-alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid (monomer I), from 0 to 80% by weight, based on the overall weight of the monomers, of a bi- or polyfunctional monomer (monomers II) which is insoluble or of low solubility in water, and from 0 to 40% by weight, based on the overall weight of the monomers, of other monomers (monomers III), and also novel microcapsules Ia, spray-dried microcapsules Ia′, processes for their preparation and shaped articles and coating compositions comprising these microcapsules.

Abstract: A method of making isolated particles including the step of at least substantially encapsulating particles present in a highly dispersed colloidal suspension with an encapsulant material, such that the encapsulated particles remain independent and discrete upon separation from the suspension. Also, independent and discrete particles at least substantially encapsulated with the encapsulant material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable suspensions of bio-active glass and dextran or a dextran derivative for the repair of soft tissue or hard bone in mammals, especially humans. In one embodiment, the dextran derivatives include free radical polymerizable groups, which can be polymerized following injection into a patient.