Abstract: Drug delivery devices, sensors, and micropumps provided herein can utilize a reaction of an analyte triggered by an enzyme to drive fluid flow. In some cases, a drug delivery device can include a reservoir including a drug (e.g., insulin) and have an enzyme (e.g., glucose oxidase) positioned adjacent to said reservoir. The enzyme can catalyze a reaction of said analyte to drive a fluid flow adjacent to said reservoir to increase a release of the drug from said reservoir. A sensor for an analyte can include an enzyme bound to a surface and a flow meter to detect a flow of fluids adjacent to said surface. A self-powered enzyme micropump provided herein can provide precise control over flow rate in response to specific signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels such as alkyl substituted tetrahydrofurans such as 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 5-methylfurfural and mixtures thereof. The method generally entails forming a mixture of reactants that includes carbonaceous material, water, a metal catalyst and an acid reacting that mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The reaction is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a furan type hydrocarbon fuel. The process may be adapted to provide continuous manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels such as a furan type fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels such as alkyl substituted tetrahydrofurans such as 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof. The method generally entails forming a mixture of reactants that includes carbonaceous material water, a metal catalyst and an acid reacting that mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The reaction is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a furan type hydrocarbon fuel. The process may be adapted to provide continuous manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels such as a furan type fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels such as alkyl substituted tetrahydrofurans such as 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 5-methylfurfural and mixtures thereof. The method generally entails forming a mixture of reactants that includes carbonaceous material, water, a metal catalyst and an acid reacting that mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The reaction is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a furan type hydrocarbon fuel. The process may be adapted to provide continuous manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels such as a furan type fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels such as alkyl substituted tetrahydrofurans such as 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof. The method generally entails forming a mixture of reactants that includes carbonaceous material water, a metal catalyst and an acid reacting that mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The reaction is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a furan type hydrocarbon fuel. The process may be adapted to provide continuous manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels such as a furan type fuel.

Abstract: A microstructure includes a catalyst region, and a non-catalyst region proximate to the catalyst region. The catalyst region induces a chemical reaction of a fluid component when the microstructure is located within a fluid medium containing the fluid component. The chemical reaction induces relative motion between the fluid medium and the microstructure, which can be used to provide, for example, autonomous directional movement, rotation of microgears, microfluidic devices, and novel sensor configurations. In one example, a palladium catalyst is used, and the fluid medium is an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Polymeric materials, including polymers and polymer-composite materials, are useful for a variety of applications including biocidal coatings. Representative examples include a composite of silver salt particles and an ionic polymer. A novel process was developed whereby the counter-ion of an ionic polymer is precipitated as a metal salt, so as to form metal salt nanoparticles or microparticles within a polymer matrix. In other examples, polymers having cross-linkable silicon-containing groups form stable biocidal coatings on various substrates, including textiles. Biocidal activity may arise from silver salt particles (or other biocidal particles), ions (such as biocidal anions), membrane disruption by charged species, or some combination thereof. Further, bromide ions, such as provided by silver bromide particles, may impart fire retardant properties to textile substrates.

Abstract: A process for the facile two-step synthesis of methanol from methane is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, an appropriate combination of initiator and reaction medium is employed to achieve methane conversion in very high selectivity and yield under near-ambient temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass photo-imageable compositions that include polymers of acrylate-type monomers and norbornene-type monomers. In some embodiments a catalyst system comprising a cationic or a neutral Pd(II) dimer component having the formula (Allyl)Pd(P(R21)3) or (L?)[(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, respectively is employed to effect polymerization. In other embodiments a free radical or living free radical catalyst is employed to effect polymerization. At least one of the acrylate-type monomers and norbornene-type monomers of the polymer embodiments of the present invention encompass an acid labile moiety. Some polymer embodiments of the present invention include more than one type of acrylate-type monomer and norbornene-type monomer. Embodiments of the present invention include forming a patterned layer on a substrate and some embodiments include transferring the patterned structure to a material layer first formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A process for the facile two-step synthesis of methanol from methane is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, an appropriate combination of initiator and reaction medium is employed to achieve methane conversion in very high selectivity and yield under near-ambient temperature.

Abstract: A microstructure includes a catalyst region, and a non-catalyst region proximate to the catalyst region. The catalyst region induces a chemical reaction of a fluid component when the microstructure is located within a fluid medium containing the fluid component. The chemical reaction induces relative motion between the fluid medium and the microstructure, which can be used to provide, for example, autonomous directional movement, rotation of microgears, microfluidic devices, and novel sensor configurations. In one example, a palladium catalyst is used, and the fluid medium is an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Polymers that have extremely high melt viscosities are very difficult to extrude and stretch making it difficult to synthesize fibers of such polymers via conventional methods. A process is provided for producing a polymer fiber which involves blowing a mixture of a polymer and a gas through a nozzle such that polymer micro- and/or nano-fibers are produced. The polymer fibers are characterized in that they have a diameter less than the diameter of the outlet aperture of the nozzle.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass photo-imageable compositions that include polymers of acrylate-type monomers and norbornene-type monomers. In some embodiments a catalyst system comprising a cationic or a neutral Pd(II) dimer component having the formula (Allyl)Pd(P(R21)3) or (L′)[(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, respectively is employed to effect polymerization. In other embodiments a free radical or living free radical catalyst is employed to effect polymerization. At least one of the acrylate-type monomers and norbornene-type monomers of the polymer embodiments of the present invention encompass an acid labile moiety. Some polymer embodiments of the present invention include more than one type of acrylate-type monomer and norbornene-type monomer. Embodiments of the present invention include forming a patterned layer on a substrate and some embodiments include transferring the patterned structure to a material layer first formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A copper-mediated process for the synthesis of random copolymers of methyl acrylate with non-polarolefins, ranging from ethene to 1-octene, norbornene and norbornene derivatives, and capable of synthesizing copolymers having greater than 5% incorporation of the olefin, as well as copolymers synthesized using the process are described. The process displays many of the characteristics of a living polymerization process: the polydispersities of the copolymers obtained are less than about 1.7, preferably from about 1.1 to about 1.4, and it is possible to synthesize novel block terpolymers of methyl acrylate with olefins by the sequential addition of the latter monomers.

Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylates, homopolymers or copolymers of norbornenes, and copolymers of acrylates with norbornenes, may be prepared by contacting acrylate and/or norbornene monomer reactant under polymerization conditions and in the presence of a solvent with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a Pd(II) dimer component having the formula: [(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, where L is a monodentate phosphorus or nitrogen ligand, X is an anionic group, and R is an alkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form highly branched, liquid polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which comprises (1) an alkyl aluminum component, (2) an aluminum or gallium trihalide component, and, optionally, (3) a Group 4 metallocene dihalide component.

Abstract: Methods for the addition polymerization of cycloolefins using a cationic Group 10 metal complex and a weakly coordinating anion of the formula:

Abstract: Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form high molecular weight, linear polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which consists essentially of (1) an aluminum alkyl component, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum and diethylaluminum hydride and (2) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative component, such as _B(C6F5)3, {(CH3)2N(H)(C6H5)}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C2H5) 3NH}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)3(Cl)−}, (C2H5) 2Al(OCH3), (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), (C2H5)Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide)2, (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide), 2,6-di-t butylphenol.methyl-aluminoxane or an alkylaluminoxane, and which may be completely free any transition metal component(s).

Abstract: Methods for the addition polymerization of cycloolefins using a cationic Group 10 metal complex and a weakly coordinating anion of the formula: [(R′)zM(L′)x(L″)y]b[WCA]d wherein [(R′)zM(L′)x(L″)y] is a cation complex where M represents a Group 10 transition metal; R′ represents an anionic hydrocarbyl containing ligand; L′ represents a Group 15 neutral electron donor ligand; L″ represents a labile neutral electron donor ligand; x is 1 or 2; and y is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and z is 0 or 1, wherein the sum of x, y, and z is 4; and [WCA] represents a weakly coordinating counteranion complex; and b and d are numbers representing the number of times the cation complex and weakly coordinating counteranion complex are taken to balance the electronic charge on the overall catalyst complex.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-component catalyst system comprising (a) an alkyl magnesium (MgR2) component and (b) a Lewis acid component. The catalyst system is used for catalyzing the oligomerization and polymerization of ethylene and/or &agr;-olefins to form homopolymers and copolymers. The products range from highly linear, high molecular weight, solid polymers to highly branched, lower molecular weight oils.