Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a supraparticle for use in producing structural colors comprising a plurality of core/shell nanoparticles having a melanin or synthetic melanin core and a silica shell having a plurality of silanol groups on its outer surface and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) crosslinker. In various embodiments, the structure of these crosslinked supra particles is reinforced by hydrogen bonds formed between the silanol groups on the core-shell nanoparticles and mechanical, solution phase, and dry state stability.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a supraparticle for use in producing structural colors comprising a plurality of core/shell nanoparticles having a melanin or synthetic melanin core and a silica shell having a plurality of silanol groups on its outer surface and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) crosslinker. In various embodiments, the structure of these these crosslinked supra particles is reinforced by hydrogen bonds formed between the silanol groups on the core-shell nanoparticles and mechanical, solution phase, and dry state stability.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a facile one-pot reverse emulsion process to assemble core-shell nanoparticles (CS-SMNPs) into bright and noniridescent photonic supraballs. In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to core-shell nanoparticles having an inner high refractive index (RI) core and an outer low RI shell. In one or more embodiment, the present invention includes core-shell nanoparticles using high RI (˜1.74) melanin cores and low-RI (˜1.45) silica shells. In various embodiments, these nanoparticles may be self-assembled into bright and noniridescent supraballs using a scalable one-pot reverse emulsion process. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to generate a full spectrum of structural colors with the combination of only two ingredients, synthetic melanin and silica.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a polymer composition for use in, cosmetics, coatings, inks, polymer compounding formulation comprising an all-natural, DHN-based, nitrogen-free black knot fungal (BKF) allomelanin extracted from black knots (a fungal growth formed by Apiosporina morbosa). The BKF melanin is naturally sourced, economically extracted, and quite unexpectedly, has been found to have better UV absorbing and antioxidant properties than synthetic melanin (polydopamine) and commercially available sepia melanin. In various embodiments, a small amount of the BKF melanin is substantially uniformly blended into a polymer or similar material to create a composition having excellent UV absorption and antioxidant properties.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic melanin nanoparticles distributed with a polymer matrix suitable for use in anti-counterfeiting, photothermal responsive-communication, sensors, and heat management, among other applications. In some embodiments, the present invention will be an ink, paint, or other coating comprising the photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a written message or design comprising one or more of the photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites. In some of these embodiments, the written message or design will be comprised of two ore more of the photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites having different concentrations of natural or synthetic melanin nanoparticles.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to contact lenses that utilize a multilayer coating of alternating high RI materials, such as melanin or polydopamine (PDA) and other low RI materials to create tunable iridescent colors and contain melanin or similar materials that impart photoprotection due to their broadband UV-vis absorption spectrum and ability to quench radicals.

Abstract: A process of preparing a polydopamine aerogel comprising first mixing together a silica precursor and an amine-functionalized silica precursor in a solvent to form a first solution. Then, adding an acid catalyst to the first solution to form a silica gel. Then, equilibrating the silica gel in a 50/50 solvent/water mixture. Wherein the final step in the process is to add about 1 mg/ml solution of a dopamine monomer to the silica gel to form a polydopamine aerogel.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a method of applying or printing structural colors to a substrate that involves pre-treatment of the substrate surface to prevent absorption of the fluid containing the particles. This allows the fluid to maintain their sessile drop shapes and as the water evaporates, the colloidal particles spontaneously assemble within the confined geometry into semi-ordered structures that interact with light to produce structural color. While the pre-treatment may be done in a variety of ways, application of a, hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating, like 1H-IH,2H-perfluoro-1-dodecene (C10F21—CH?CH2) (perfluoro) monomer, fluoroalkyls, fluorohydroalkyls, cyclo-fluoroalkyls, fluorobenzen, by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (cold plasma treatment) has been found to be effective, particularly for printing applications. These treated substrates allow production of a wide range of structural colors using binary systems of nanoparticles.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a method of applying or printing structural colors to a substrate that involves pre-treatment of the substrate surface to prevent absorption of the fluid containing the particles. This allows the fluid to maintain their sessile drop shapes and as the water evaporates, the colloidal particles spontaneously assemble within the confined geometry into semi-ordered structures that interact with light to produce structural color. While the pre-treatment may be done in a variety of ways, application of a, hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating, like 1H-IH,2H-perfluoro-1-dodecene (C10F21—CH?CH2) (perfluoro) monomer, fluoroalkyls, fluorohydroalkyls, cyclo-fluoroalkyls, fluorobenzen, by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (cold plasma treatment) has been found to be effective, particularly for printing applications. These treated substrates allow production of a wide range of structural colors using binary systems of nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel group of amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s (PEUs) for use in biodegradable adhesive and related methods for their making and use. These novel amino acid-based PEUs have a wide variation in mechanical properties and degradation behavior that can be tuned by varying the amino acids and polyols used to form the polyester monomers that form the PEUs. Importantly, these novel PEUs have been shown to be non-toxic in vitro and in vivo and may be suitable to a wide variety of biomedical and other uses. In some embodiments, the adhesive properties of these degradable amino acid-based poly(ester urea) adhesives has been further improved by the incorporation of controlled amounts of catechol functional groups into the side chains of the PEU via post-polymerization functionalization chemistry.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a facile one-pot reverse emulsion process to assemble core-shell nanoparticles (CS-SMNPs) into bright and noniridescent photonic supraballs. In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to core-shell nanoparticles having an inner high refractive index (RI) core and an outer low RI shell. In one or more embodiment, the present invention includes core-shell nanoparticles using high RI (˜1.74) melanin cores and low-RI (˜1.45) silica shells. In various embodiments, these nanoparticles may be self-assembled into bright and noniridescent supraballs using a scalable one-pot reverse emulsion process. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to generate a full spectrum of structural colors with the combination of only two ingredients, synthetic melanin and silica.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure sensitive adhesive polymer comprising adhesive polymerscrosslinked with a crosslinker that includes a photoresponsive group. Also provided is a method for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive polymer comprising: polymerizing an vinyl monomer and photoresponsive crosslinker with two acryl end groups.

Abstract: A method for creating a superhydrophobic coated nanoporous assembly includes the steps of: providing a nanoporous assembly formed of discrete and/or continuous structures that provide a morphology defining pores of less than 1 micron between neighboring discrete and continuous structures; bringing gaseous plasma precursors in the presence of the nanoporous assembly and in the presence of a plasma generator; employing the plasma generator to convert the gaseous plasma precursors to the plasma state; and permitting the plasma precursors to deposit as a coating on the nanoporous assembly through plasma polymerization techniques the deposition thereof preserving the porous structure of the nanoporous assembly, the deposited coating exhibiting a surface energy of less than 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synthetic attachment discs made from adhesive nanofibers and/or microfibers that are capable of attaching long fibers to a wide variety of surfaces, and related methods for forming and using them. The synthetic attachment discs of the present invention use very little material relative to prior art systems, while producing a very strong attachment force. Experimental and theoretical evidence are provided to confirm the advantages of thousands of micron-size ‘staple-pins’ and their low peeling angles to enhance the adhesive forces required to peel the synthetic attachment discs. The present invention provides a unique strategy for designing new adhesives that use very little material for various biomedical and material science applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel group of amino acid-based poly(ester urea)s (PEUs) for use in biodegradable adhesive and related methods for their making and use. These novel amino acid-based PEUs have a wide variation in mechanical properties and degradation behavior that can be tuned by varying the amino acids and polyols used to form the polyester monomers that form the PEUs. Importantly, these novel PEUs have been shown to be non-toxic in vitro and in vivo and may be suitable to a wide variety of biomedical and other uses. In some embodiments, the adhesive properties of these degradable amino acid-based poly(ester urea) adhesives has been further improved by the incorporation of controlled amounts of catechol functional groups into the side chains of the PEU via post-polymerization functionalization chemistry.

Abstract: This is provided a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface configuration and method of forming a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic material on a metallic substrate. The surface configuration comprises a metallic substrate having a carbon nanotube/carbon fibers configuration grown thereon, with the carbon nanotubes/carbon fibers configuration having a heirarchial structure formed to have a predetermined roughness in association with the surface. The method comprises providing a metallic substrate having a predetermined configuration, and growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes/fibers or other nanostructures formed into a predetermined architecture supported on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure sensitive adhesive polymer comprising adhesive polymerscrosslinked with a crosslinker that includes a photoresponsive group. Also provided is a method for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive polymer comprising: polymerizing an vinyl monomer and photoresponsive crosslinker with two acryl end groups.

Abstract: A method of implementing a carbon nanotube thermal interface material onto a heat sink that includes growing carbon nanotubes on said heat sink by chemical vapor deposition and compressing the carbon nanotubes onto metallic surfaces to increase a contact surface area between the carbon nanotubes and the metallic surfaces. The increase in the contact surface area is the area of the carbon nanotubes that is in contact with the metallic surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon nanostructure composite systems which may be useful for various applications, including as dry adhesives, electronics and display technologies, or in a wide variety of other areas where organized nano structures may be formed and integrated into a flexible substrate. The present invention provides systems and methods wherein organized nanotube structures or other nanostructures are embedded within polymers or other flexible materials to provide a flexible skin-like material, with the properties and characteristics of the nanotubes or other nanostructures exploited for use in various applications. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed into a predetermined architecture, with each of the plurality of nanotubes having a desired width and length.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synthetic attachment discs made from adhesive nanofibers and/or microfibers that are capable of attaching long fibers to a wide variety of surfaces, and related methods for forming and using them. The synthetic attachment discs of the present invention use very little material relative to prior art systems, while producing a very strong attachment force. Experimental and theoretical evidence are provided to confirm the advantages of thousands of micron-size ‘staple-pins’ and their low peeling angles to enhance the adhesive forces required to peel the synthetic attachment discs. The present invention provides a unique strategy for designing new adhesives that use very little material for various biomedical and material science applications.