Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug-eluting nanoengineered medical implant/contact device. The device comprises a nanocomposite and a drug, wherein the nanocomposite comprises hydrophilic polymer domains, hydrophobic polymer domains, water pores, and boundary charged double layers; wherein when the drug is hydrophilic, at least 80% of the drug partitions in the boundary charged double layers formed at the boundary interface of the hydrophilic polymer domains and water pores, and when the drug is hydrophobic, at least 80% of the dmg partitions in the boundary charged double layers formed at the boundary interface of the hydrophobic polymer domains and water pores. The device is configured to sustain the release of the drug at high precision and long duration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery contact lens device for delivering cargo molecules. The device comprises cargo molecules and a nanocomposite comprising hydrophilic polymer domains, hydrophobic polymer domains, aqueous pores, and charged boundary double layers, wherein at least 80% of the cargo molecule partitions in the charged boundary double layers formed at the interface of (i) aqueous pores and (ii) either hydrophobic polymer domains or hydrophilic polymer domains, the charged boundary double layers have a surface charge density of 0.005 to 0.5 Coulomb/meter2, and the aqueous pores including the cargo molecules have a low ionic strength of 0.1 to 100 mM, and osmolarity of 200-300 mM. The device retains the cargo molecules within the contact lens in a storage mode under a low ionic strength condition and releases the cargo molecules immediately after being placed in a tear environment with a higher ionic strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery contact lens device for delivering cargo molecules. The device comprises cargo molecules and a nanocomposite comprising hydrophilic polymer domains, hydrophobic polymer domains, aqueous pores, and charged boundary double layers, wherein at least 80% of the cargo molecule partitions in the charged boundary double layers formed at the interface of (i) aqueous pores and (ii) either hydrophobic polymer domains or hydrophilic polymer domains, the charged boundary double layers have a surface charge density of 0.005 to 0.5 Coulomb/meter2, and the aqueous pores including the cargo molecules have a low ionic strength of 0.1 to 100 mM, and osmolarity of 200-300 mM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocomposite ocular device that can release drugs within a close distance to the ocular surface and provide controlled and sustained release of the drug at a constant rate. The device can achieve both optical and medical functions. The device comprises a drug, one or more reservoir domains, and a barrier layer configured to block the drug diffusion paths from the reservoir domain to the ocular surface in the eye of the subject, wherein the drug partitions between the reservoir domain and the barrier layer, and the equilibrium drug solubility in the reservoir domain is at least five folds higher than that in the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for preparing a silicone surfactant intercalated clay and a polymer-clay nanocomposite. The processes use silicone surfactants having a molecular weight in the range of 10,000 to 100,000 Dalton to achieve fully exfoliating clay structures. Using these macromolecular silicone surfactants, along with the engineered control of the processing pH and drying stress conditions, this invention provides simple and low-cost methods of making a fully-exfoliated polymer-clay nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocomposite ocular device that can release drugs within a close distance to the ocular surface and provide controlled and sustained release of the drug at a constant rate. The device can achieve both optical and medical functions. The device comprises a drug, one or more reservoir domains, and a barrier layer configured to block the drug diffusion paths from the reservoir domain to the ocular surface in the eye of the subject, wherein the drug partitions between the reservoir domain and the barrier layer, and the equilibrium drug solubility in the reservoir domain is at least five folds higher than that in the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocomposite ocular device that can release drugs within a close distance to the ocular surface and provide controlled and sustained release of the drug at a constant rate. The device can achieve both optical and medical functions. The device comprises a drug, one or more reservoir domains, and a barrier layer configured to block the drug diffusion paths from the reservoir domain to the ocular surface in the eye of the subject, wherein the drug partitions between the reservoir domain and the barrier layer, and the equilibrium drug solubility in the reservoir domain is at least five folds higher than that in the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for preparing a silicone surfactant intercalated clay and a polymer-clay nanocomposite. The processes use silicone surfactants having a molecular weight in the range of 10,000 to 100,000 Dalton to achieve fully exfoliating clay structures. Using these macromolecular silicone surfactants, along with the engineered control of the processing pH and drying stress conditions, this invention provides simple and low-cost methods of making a fully-exfoliated polymer-clay nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocomposite ocular device that can release drugs within a close distance to the ocular surface and provide controlled and sustained release of the drug at a constant rate. The device can achieve both optical and medical functions. The device comprises a drug, one or more reservoir domains, and a barrier layer configured to block the drug diffusion paths from the reservoir domain to the ocular surface in the eye of the subject, wherein the drug partitions between the reservoir domain and the barrier layer, and the equilibrium drug solubility in the reservoir domain is at least five folds higher than that in the barrier layer.

Abstract: A foam extrusion slot die is provided, comprising a plurality of parallel dividers extending transversely across the slot, wherein the plurality of dividers define a plurality of adjacent rectangular slit openings, each having a length extending perpendicularly across the lateral length of the slot die. An article of manufacture is provided, comprising a polymer material system with at least 95% porosity comprising greater than 10%>asymmetrical pores. A method for an article of manufacture is provided comprising: extruding polymer material through an extruder die opening having an output orifice partitioned by a plurality of parallel dividers defining a plurality of adjacent slit openings each having a vertical height greater than a lateral width.

Abstract: The synthesis of precipitated silica having improved chemical and physical properties of use as a reinforcing filler in polymeric matrices is described. Improvements in the properties result from the synthesis of the silica al a reduced ionic strength. In particular, the use of silicia acid during synthesis, provides a solution of reduced ionic strength, which favors the formation of improved colloidal structure via increased aggregation and reduced agglomeration. In addition, the surface of the silica precipitate formed may be modified by the addition of surface modifying agents, during synthesis to further enhance the desired reinforcing properties of the precipitated silica. The invention also embodies polymeric compositions of improved tensile and elongation strengths, with the compositions including precipitated silica, synthesized at reduced ionic strengths and having modified surfaces, in combination with a polymeric compound.

Abstract: A nanoporous reactive adsorbent incorporates a relatively small number of relatively larger reactant, e.g. metal, enzyme, etc. particles (10) forming a discontinuous or continuous phase interspersed among and surrounded by a continuous phase of smaller adsorbent particles (12) and connected interstitial pores (14) therebetween. The reactive adsorbent can effectively remove inorganic or organic impurities in a liquid by causing the liquid to flow through the adsorbent. For example, silver ions may be adsorbed by the adsorbent particles (12) and reduced to metallic silver by reducing metal, such as irons, as the reactant particles (10). The column can be regenerated by backwashing with the liquid effluent containing, for example, acetic acid.

Abstract: A nanoporous reactive adsorbent incorporates a relatively small number of relatively larger reactant, e.g., metal, enzyme, etc., particles (10) forming a discontinuous or continuous phase interspersed among and surrounded by a continuous phase of smaller adsorbent particles (12) and connected interstitial pores (14) therebetween. The reactive adsorbent can effectively remove inorganic or organic impurities in a liquid by causing the liquid to flow through the adsorbent. For example, silver ions may be adsorbed by the adsorbent particles (12) and reduced to metallic silver by reducing metal, such as ions, as the reactant particles (10). The column can be regenerated by backwashing with the liquid effluent containing, for example, acetic acid.