Abstract: Disclosed are composite materials that can more closely mimic the mechanical characteristics of natural elastic tissue, such as vascular tissue. Disclosed materials include a combination of elastic nanofibers and non-elastic nanofibers. Also disclosed are a variety of methods for forming the composite materials. Formation methods generally include the utilization of electrospinning methods to form a fibrous composite construct including fibers of different mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: Pallet systems are described that can be formed of corrugated paperboard without the necessity of any attachment materials such adhesives, staples, or the like. Individual stringers of a pallet matrix are interwoven together, with stringer notches interlocking with notches of crossing stringers from both above and below any one stringer. Systems can be easily and quickly assembled and, should the need arise, can be quickly repaired, for instance by replacement of one or more individual runners. Systems can also exhibit extremely high strength, and can withstand greater than about 20,000 pounds of static compression at less than about ? inch deflection.

Abstract: A method and product are provided for the treatment of connective tissue weakened due to destruction of tissue architecture, and in particular due to elastin degradation. The treatment agents employ certain unique properties of phenolic compounds to develop a protocol for reducing elastin degradation, such as that occurring during aneurysm formation in vasculature. According to the invention, elastin can be stabilized in vivo and destruction of connective tissue, such as that leading to life-threatening aneurysms in vasculature, can be tempered or halted all together. The treatment agents can be delivered or administered acutely or chronically according to various delivery methods, including sustained release methods incorporating perivascular or endovascular patches, use of microsphere carriers, hydrogels, or osmotic pumps.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide includes a substrate, a waveguide under-cladding layer disposed on the substrate, and a waveguide core, having top and sidewall surfaces, disposed on the under-cladding layer. A glassy surface smoothing layer disposed on the waveguide core top surface and sidewall surfaces and has a refractive index, relative to a refractive index of the waveguide core, that enables guided optical transmission through the waveguide core and the glassy surface smoothing layer. In fabrication of the optical waveguide, a waveguide under-cladding layer is formed on a substrate and a waveguide core having sidewall surfaces and a top surface is formed on the under-cladding layer. A liquid suspension comprising particles of a glassy material is applied on the top and sidewall surfaces of the waveguide core. The applied liquid glassy particle suspension is heated to form a glassy surface smoothing layer on the waveguide core top surface and sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: A method, system and device to use a dilute alkaline solution held at sub-critical temperature and pressure conditions to remove rapidly chloride ions from corroded iron artifacts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modification of a substrate so as to form an ultrahydrophobic surface on the substrate. Also disclosed are surface-modified substrates that can be formed according to the disclosed processes. The process includes attachment of a multitude of nano- and/or submicron-sized structures to a surface to provide increased surface roughness. In addition, the process includes grafting a hydrophobic material to the surface in order to decrease the surface energy and decrease wettability of the surface. The combination of increase surface roughness and decreased surface energy can provide an ultrahydrophobic surface on the treated substrate.

Abstract: Color-tailored and white-light emitting polymer colloid-based OLEDs are disclosed. Devices include electroluminescent (EL) colloidal conductive polymer systems that can include EL dyes or other EL materials. Systems can sequester multiple EL components in different colloids in a single emissive layer of an EL device with little or no appreciable energy transfer between colloids. Devices can exhibit tailored emissions over a broad range of wavelengths through mixing of, e.g., red, green and blue PLED colloids. Disclosed methods including incorporation of one or more electroluminescent dyes into a semiconductive EL polymer colloid that can isolate the dyes and prevent energy transfer while retaining individual color emission.

Abstract: A process for modification of a substrate so as to form an ultrahydrophobic surface on the substrate is provided. Surface-modified substrates that can be formed according to the disclosed processes are also provided. The process includes attachment of a multitude of nano- and/or submicron-sized structures to a surface to provide increased surface roughness. In addition, the process includes grafting a hydrophobic material to the surface in order to decrease the surface energy and decrease wettability of the surface. The combination of increased surface roughness and decreased surface energy can provide an ultrahydrophobic surface on the treated substrate.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing cement clinker is provided in which a clean supply of CO2 gas may be captured. The process also involves using an open loop conversion of CaO/MgO from a calciner to capture CO2 from combustion flue gases thereby forming CaCO3/CaMg(CO3)2. The CaCO3/CaMg(CO3)2 is then returned to the calciner where CO2 gas is evolved. The evolved CO2 gas, along with other evolved CO2 gases from the calciner are removed from the calciner. The reactants (CaO/MgO) are feed to a high temperature calciner for control of the clinker production composition.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for forming an optical fiber. The method comprises providing a preform having a core material and a glass cladding material surrounding the core material. The method also comprises drawing the preform at a temperature that is greater than a melting temperature of the core material to form a drawn fiber. The method further comprises cooling the drawn fiber to form the optical fiber having a crystalline fiber core and a cladding that surrounds the crystalline fiber core and extends axially along a length of the crystalline fiber core.

Abstract: Disclosed are a series of kneadable, pliable polymers for use in forming compositions that can be used as bone wax or as a cellular scaffold. Polymers can include a polysaccharide backbone and can be biocompatible and thrombogenic. In addition, the compositions can be osteoconductive as well as biodegradable. The disclosed compositions can be used to help control bleeding from bone surfaces as well as to promote bone regeneration and fusion. The compositions can inhibit the growth of microorganisms in implantation sites and can be loaded with additional bioactive agents to further promote healing and infection prevention.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoluminescent particles. The particles include a core nano-sized particle of carbon and a passivation agent bound to the surface of the nanoparticle. The passivation agent can be, for instance, a polymeric material. The passivation agent can also be derivatized for particular applications. For example, the photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles can be derivatized to recognize and bind to a target material, for instance a biologically active material, a pollutant, or a surface receptor on a tissue or cell surface, such as in a tagging or staining protocol.

Abstract: Disclosed are conductive polymer inks and methods for forming the inks. The disclosed inks include a dispersion of conductive core/shell nanoparticles. The core/shell nanoparticles include a polymeric core and a shell formed of a conducting polymer. The inks can include a dispersion of the core/shell nanoparticles in a liquid carrier, such as an alcohol. The disclosed inks can be formulated to high viscosities and can be utilized in high-speed printing processes including rotogravure and flexographic printing processes. Products encompassed by the disclosure include polymer devices such as sensors, OFETs, RFID tags, printed circuit board, electrochromic devices, non-volatile memory devices, photovoltaics, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods related to viral inhibition. In some forms, the compounds, compositions and methods are related to binding RNA.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoluminescent particles. The particles include a core nano-sized particle of carbon and a passivation agent bound to the surface of the nanoparticle. The passivation agent can be, for instance, a polymeric material. The passivation agent can also be derivatized for particular applications. For example, the photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles can be derivatized to recognize and bind to a target material, for instance a biologically active material, a pollutant, or a surface receptor on a tissue or cell surface, such as in a tagging or staining protocol.

Abstract: The invention is directed to CVD methods and systems that can be utilized to form nanostructures. Exceptionally high product yields can be attained. In addition, the products can be formed with predetermined particle sizes and morphologies and within a very narrow particle size distribution. The systems of the invention include a CVD reactor designed to support the establishment of a convective flow field within the reactor at the expected carrier gas flow rates. In particular, the convective flow field within the reactor can include one or more flow vortices. The disclosed invention can be particularly beneficial for forming improved thermoelectric materials with high values for the figure of merit (ZT).

Abstract: Fluid compositions and methods for lubrication of mammalian joints are disclosed, including both natural and artificial fluids. Synovial fluid acts to lubricate the bearing surfaces of bones and bone-like structures which are held in frictional contact within biological joints. Such fluids may be used to treat arthritic, injured, and diseased joints. Synovial fluid containing a dextran-based hydrogel with lipids provides enhanced rheological and tribological properties of such a fluid. Phospholipids are particularly useful in dextran-based compositions for synovial fluid. One phospholipid that can be used advantageously in synovial fluid is dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC).

Abstract: A composite comprising a first melt processable material referred to as a masterbatch which includes particulate material master batch and a second melt-processable material said first melt processable material and said second melt processable material are formed into a multilayer arrangement by chaotic advection and wherein said particulate material is oriented within layers, or forms networks in said first melt-processable material.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing cement clinker is provided in which a clean supply of CO2 gas may be captured. The process also involves using an open loop conversion of CaO/MgO from a calciner to capture CO2 from combustion flue gases thereby forming CaCO3/CaMg(CO3)2. The CaCO3/CaMg(CO3)2 is then returned to the calciner where CO2 gas is evolved. The evolved CO2 gas, along with other evolved CO2 gases from the calciner are removed from the calciner. The reactants (CaO/MgO) are feed to a high temperature calciner for control of the clinker production composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel contact sensors. The contact sensors of the invention include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular embodiment, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. If desired, the sensors can be formed of the same polymeric material as the bearing that is being examined. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular embodiment, the sensors can be used to examine dynamic wear characteristics of artificial joint bearings such as artificial knee, hip, or shoulder bearings.