Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: A device for measuring a chemical potential of a fluid in a plant tissue includes a cavity disposed within a sensor body as a liquid reservoir. The cavity is configured for containing therein a liquid, and the cavity including at least one opening. At least two porous membrane layers are positioned at least in part over the at least one opening of the cavity for selectively allowing water transfer between the plant fluid and the liquid in the cavity. At least one pressure sensor is configured for detecting changes in pressure of the liquid in the cavity. The changes are related to a chemical potential of the fluid in the plant tissue.

Abstract: A multimodal sensor includes a microtensiometer for measuring the chemical potential of a sub-saturated liquid, a temperature sensor, and a water content sensor. The microtensiometer includes a sensor body comprising a first gas-impermeable layer, an opposing second gas-impermeable layer, and a porous membrane layer disposed therebetween. The sensor body defines an internal liquid reservoir. The membrane layer is fluidly connected with the liquid reservoir, and extends to an outside edge of the microtensiometer. The membrane layer defines a plurality of through pores providing an open path from the liquid reservoir to the outside edge of the microtensiometer. The pores have a maximum diameter of 3 millimeters. The microtensiometer further includes a sensor adapted to measure changes in pressure between the liquid reservoir and an outside environment. The temperature sensor is integrated onto the microtensiometer body, and the water content sensor is coupled to the microtensiometer body.

Abstract: A wicking apparatus includes a composite condenser membrane comprising a substrate layer, a vapor inlet end, a liquid discharge end, a plurality of cavities disposed in the substrate layer fluidly coupling the vapor inlet end to the liquid discharge end, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of cavities. The nanoporous filler material has a first plurality of open pores with a maximum diameter in the range of 0.2 to 200 nanometers. The first end of the liquid conduit is fluidly coupled to the liquid discharge end of the composite condenser membrane. The wicking apparatus further includes a wick composite evaporator membrane comprising a substrate layer, a liquid inlet end, a vapor discharge end, a plurality of cavities disposed in the substrate layer fluidly coupling the liquid inlet end to the second end of the liquid conduit, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: A multimodal sensor includes a microtensiometer for measuring the chemical potential of a sub-saturated liquid, a temperature sensor, and a water content sensor. The microtensiometer includes a sensor body comprising a first gas-impermeable layer, an opposing second gas-impermeable layer, and a porous membrane layer disposed therebetween. The sensor body defines an internal liquid reservoir. The membrane layer is fluidly connected with the liquid reservoir, and extends to an outside edge of the microtensiometer. The membrane layer defines a plurality of through pores providing an open path from the liquid reservoir to the outside edge of the microtensiometer. The pores have a maximum diameter of 3 millimeters. The microtensiometer further includes a sensor adapted to measure changes in pressure between the liquid reservoir and an outside environment. The temperature sensor is integrated onto the microtensiometer body, and the water content sensor is coupled to the microtensiometer body.

Abstract: A microtensiometer sensor includes a substrate layer fluidly coupled to an enclosed reservoir. A porous membrane is disposed on a surface of the substrate layer. The membrane defines a liquid side fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a vapor side fluidly coupled to a vapor interface. The porous membrane includes a plurality of through holes fluidly coupling the liquid reservoir to the vapor interface, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of through holes. The filler material includes a plurality of open pores having a maximum diameter in the range of 0.2 to 200 nanometers. In one embodiment, the microtensiometer sensor includes a molecular membrane disposed adjacent to the vapor side of the porous membrane. In one example, the molecular membrane is formed of a highly crystalline polytetrafluoroethylene polymer having a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic biomaterial. The monolithic biomaterial has a primary network of convective flow, microfluidic channels that are embedded in a substrate, where the substrate is diffusively permeable to aqueous solutes. The present invention also relates to a method of making the monolithic biomaterial, as well as methods of using the monolithic biomaterial to facilitate healing of a cutaneous wound of a mammalian subject and of regulating cells.

Abstract: A microtensiometer sensor includes a substrate layer fluidly coupled to an enclosed reservoir. A porous membrane is disposed on a surface of the substrate layer. The membrane defines a liquid side fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a vapor side fluidly coupled to a vapor interface. The porous membrane includes a plurality of through holes fluidly coupling the liquid reservoir to the vapor interface, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of through holes. The filler material includes a plurality of open pores having a maximum diameter in the range of 0.2 to 200 nanometers. In one embodiment, the microtensiometer sensor includes a molecular membrane disposed adjacent to the vapor side of the porous membrane. In one example, the molecular membrane is formed of a highly crystalline polytetrafluoroethylene polymer having a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils.

Abstract: A wicking apparatus includes a composite condenser membrane comprising a substrate layer, a vapor inlet end, a liquid discharge end, a plurality of cavities disposed in the substrate layer fluidly coupling the vapor inlet end to the liquid discharge end, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of cavities. The nanoporous filler material has a first plurality of open pores with a maximum diameter in the range of 0.2 to 200 nanometers. The first end of the liquid conduit is fluidly coupled to the liquid discharge end of the composite condenser membrane. The wicking apparatus further includes a wick composite evaporator membrane comprising a substrate layer, a liquid inlet end, a vapor discharge end, a plurality of cavities disposed in the substrate layer fluidly coupling the liquid inlet end to the second end of the liquid conduit, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of cavities.