Abstract: Inventive concepts relate general to the field of implantable three-dimensional scaffolds. More particularly, methods of preparing and using implantable nanofibrous tissue scaffolds are described. Inventive scaffolds can be used for treatment of defects in a living organism, such as hard or soft tissue defects including bone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multilayer coatings that include a hydrophobic encasing layer and allow controlled release of a water soluble drug. The encasing layer encases water soluble, or hydrophilic, drugs with a flexible layer and comes in good intimate contact with the water soluble drug layer. Thus, the encasing layer conforms to the water soluble drug and can control the release of the drug. Advantageously, major cuts or fissures in the coating do not cause the water soluble drug to leak or burst out; rather, the encasing layer continues to provide modulated release of the drug. The present disclosure also includes methods of making the multilayer coatings, methods of using the multilayer coatings, and articles that include the multilayer coatings.

Abstract: The invention describes novel compositions of crosslinkers that include at least two pendent photoactivatable groups, such as benzophenone moieties, and an initiator, such as acetophenone.

Abstract: The invention describes novel coating agents that include a polymer, one or more latent reactive groups and one or more noncovalent linking groups, the noncovalent linking groups selected to interact with a substrate to which the coating agent is applied.

Abstract: A method for repairing a blade forming a cathode and having a surface to be coated defining a critical area, utilizing an anode, an electrolyte bath including insoluble particles, and a mounting on which the blade is mounted in a working position relative to a reference wall. The mounting is placed in the bath, and the particles and the metal of the anode are co-deposited to form the coating on the surface to be coated. The anode is typically placed facing the critical area and the mounting includes a mechanism for monitoring current lines to obtain a coating with a relatively constant, predetermined thickness for the critical area, that gradually falls to a value of substantially zero along edges of the coating.

Abstract: Inventive concepts relate generally to nanofibrous scaffolds useful for electrophysiological assays. Scaffolds include polymeric nanofibrous components and electrically excitable cells immobilized at a distinct cell seeding domains on the scaffold. Methods and kits including the scaffolds are also described.

Abstract: A stimuli responsive nanofiber that includes a stimuli responsive polymer, such as a thermally responsive polymer, and a cross-linking agent having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The nanofiber may also include a biologically active material or a functional polymer. The stimuli responsive nanofiber can be used to modify the surface of a substrate. When the nanofiber includes a thermally responsive polymer, the physical properties of the surface can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the system, thus controlling the ability of the surface to bind to a biologically active material of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions, baths, and methods for composite plating including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and more particularly, to compositions, baths, and methods of composite plating with PTFE in a metal or alloy matrix where the materials used in the process contain no or essentially no PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and/or no PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).

Abstract: The invention is directed to transfection reagents for the delivery of nucleic acids into neural cells, compositions including the reagents, methods of preparation of such reagents, methods of transfecting cells with such reagents, and uses thereof. In preferred embodiments the reagents comprise horseradish peroxidase and/or a polycarboxylic acid such as poly(acrylic acid) or poly(methacrylic acid).

Abstract: The invention describes nanotextured super hydrophobic coatings that contain active agents which can elute from the coating over a period of time.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions that include crosslinking agents having multiple photoactivatable groups, such as diaryl ketones, or a diaryl ketone, such as benzophenone, and at least one polymerizable monomer, such as a zwitterionic monomer. The compositions are useful as surface coating agents that provide brush type polymeric coatings. These polymeric coatings can be used on medical devices, such as artificial joints, to reduce wear and tear between the components of the joint and thus reduce or eliminate debris generated by friction between the joint components.

Abstract: A nanofiber is formed by combining one or more natural or synthetic polymeric materials and one or more than one cross-linking agents having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The latent reactive activatable nanofiber may be used to modify the surface of a substrate by activating at least one of the latent reactive activatable groups to bond the nanofiber to the surface by the formation of a covalent bond between the surface of the substrate and the latent reactive activatable group. Some of the remaining latent reactive activatable group(s) are left accessible on the surface of the substrate, and may be used for further surface modification of the substrate. Biologically active materials may be immobilized on the nanofiber modified surface by reacting with the latent reactive groups that are accessible on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A nanofiber is formed by combining one or more natural or synthetic polymeric materials and one or more than one cross-linking agents having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The latent reactive activatable nanofiber may be used to modify the surface of a substrate by activating at least one of the latent reactive activatable groups to bond the nanofiber to the surface by the formation of a covalent bond between the surface of the substrate and the latent reactive activatable group. Some of the remaining latent reactive activatable group(s) are left accessible on the surface of the substrate, and may be used for further surface modification of the substrate. Biologically active materials may be immobilized on the nanofiber modified surface by reacting with the latent reactive groups that are accessible on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions that include crosslinking agents having multiple photoactivatable groups, such as diaryl ketones, or a diaryl ketone, such as benzophenone, and at least one polymerizable monomer, such as a zwitterionic monomer. The compositions are useful as surface coating agents that provide brush type polymeric coatings. These polymeric coatings can be used on medical devices, such as artificial joints, to reduce wear and tear between the components of the joint and thus reduce or eliminate debris generated by friction between the joint components.

Abstract: The invention describes novel compositions that include a cross linking compound, a polymer and a 1 nm to about a 25 micron sized particle optionally with an oxide layer. In particular, the particle is a silica and one which has been pretreated with a silane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions, baths, and methods for composite plating including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and more particularly, to compositions, baths, and methods of composite plating with PTFE in a metal or alloy matrix where the materials used in the process contain no or essentially no PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and/or no PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).

Abstract: The invention describes novel compositions that include a cross linking compound, a polymer and a 1 nm to about a 25 micron sized particle optionally with an oxide layer. In particular, the particle is a silica and one which has been pretreated with a silane.

Abstract: A method for repairing a blade forming a cathode and having a surface to be coated defining a critical area, utilizing an anode, an electrolyte bath including insoluble particles, and a mounting on which the blade is mounted in a working position relative to a reference wall. The mounting is placed in the bath, and the particles and the metal of the anode are co-deposited to form the coating on the surface to be coated. The anode is typically placed facing the critical area and the mounting includes a mechanism for monitoring current lines to obtain a coating with a relatively constant, predetermined thickness for the critical area, that gradually falls to a value of substantially zero along edges of the coating.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for electrolessly metallizing an article, as well as to a plating bath and the subsequent plated substrate. The process comprises contacting the surface of an article with an electroless metallizing bath which may be essentially free of toxic and/or heavy metals.

Abstract: The invention describes novel compositions of crosslinkers that include at least two pendent photoactivatable groups, such as benzophenone moieties, and an initiator, such as acetophenone.