Abstract: A method for printing materials by: providing a receiving substrate; providing a target substrate having a photon-transparent support, a photon absorbent interlayer coated on the support, and a transfer material of a solid-phase environmental sample coated on top of the interlayer opposite to the support; and directing photon energy through the transparent support so that the photon energy strikes the interlayer is described. The environmental sample includes living organisms. A portion of the interlayer is energized by absorption of the photon energy, and the energized interlayer causes a transfer of a portion of the environmental sample including the microorganisms across a gap between the target substrate and the receiving substrate and onto the receiving substrate.

Abstract: A method using a receiving substrate and a target substrate having a photon-transparent support, a photon absorbent interlayer coated on the support, and a tissue-implantable particle on top of the interlayer opposite to the support. A source of photon energy is directed through the transparent support so that the photon energy strikes the interlayer. A portion of the interlayer is energized by absorption of the photon energy. The energized interlayer causes a transfer of the particle across a gap between the target substrate and the receiving substrate and embedding of the particle into the receiving substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus having: a pressure chamber and a gas-producing microorganism within the chamber. The pressure chamber is capable of maintaining a gas pressure of at least 0.5 psi above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method using a receiving substrate and a target substrate having a photon-transparent support, a photon absorbent interlayer coated on the support, and a tissue-implantable particle on top of the interlayer opposite to the support. A source of photon energy is directed through the transparent support so that the photon energy strikes the interlayer. A portion of the interlayer is energized by absorption of the photon energy. The energized interlayer causes a transfer of the particle across a gap between the target substrate and the receiving substrate and embedding of the particle into the receiving substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having: a porous polymeric film permeated by a first extracellular matrix material; and a topcoat layer comprising a second extracellular matrix gel disposed on the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a porous polymeric film; permeating the film with a first extracellular matrix material; and applying a topcoat layer of a second extracellular matrix material to the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: laser-machining holes through a film comprising collagen to form a web-like structure.

Abstract: A biocompatible membranes made by electrospinning a polymer, having living cells on both surfaces of the membrane, and/or is free of a non-biodegradable structural component. The membranes may be attached to a frame and span a hole in the frame. A method of: providing a biocompatible membrane made by electrospinning a polymer and depositing living cells both surfaces of the membrane and/or attaching the membrane to a frame and spanning a hole in the frame. Different types of cells are deposited on each surface of the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus having: an enclosure having a base and a top and a plate. The base and the top each have an interior surface which together define the interior of the enclosure. The base and the top each have an inlet fluid channel and an outlet fluid channel from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure. The plate is in the interior of the enclosure and has a frame having an opening, a gasket, and a biopaper spanning the opening. The plate divides the interior of the enclosure into two cavities. A portion of the biopaper is not touching the frame, the gasket, or the interior surfaces. The biopaper is fluid communication with the fluid channels.

Abstract: A device having: a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas vent, and a liquid vent; and a float and a weight coupled to the chamber. The float has a lower density than the chamber. The weight has a higher density than the chamber. The aggregate density of the chamber, the float, and the weight is greater than the density of the chamber. The gas inlet, the gas vent, the liquid vent, the float, and the weight are positioned on the chamber such that: when the chamber is filled with and submerged in a liquid in which the chamber is neutrally-buoyant, the chamber is oriented to place the gas vent below the gas inlet; and when a gas is introduced through the gas inlet into the chamber that is filled with the liquid, the chamber pivots to raise the gas vent until a portion of the gas escapes from the chamber through only the gas vent.

Abstract: A method for printing materials by: providing a receiving substrate; providing a target substrate having a photon-transparent support, a photon absorbent interlayer coated on the support, and a transfer material of a solid-phase microbiome sample coated on top of the interlayer opposite to the support; and directing photon energy through the transparent support so that the photon energy strikes the interlayer. A portion of the interlayer is energized by absorption of the photon energy, and the energized interlayer causes a transfer of a portion of the transfer material across a gap between the target substrate and the receiving substrate and onto the receiving substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus having: a pressure chamber and a gas-producing microorganism within the chamber. The pressure chamber is capable of maintaining a gas pressure of at least 0.5 psi above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus having: a pressure chamber and a gas-producing microorganism within the chamber. The pressure chamber is capable of maintaining a gas pressure of at least 0.5 psi above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of: providing a mixture of fecal waste and a bacterium; incubating the mixture to produce a fatty acid enriched mixture; removing water from the fatty acid enriched mixture to produce a dried mixture; and pyrolyzing the dried mixture in an inert atmosphere to produce an alkane from the C5-C32 fatty acid. The bacterium is a type that produces a C5-C32 fatty acid in the presence of any microbes in the fecal waste.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having: a porous polymeric film permeated by a first extracellular matrix material; and a topcoat layer comprising a second extracellular matrix gel disposed on the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a porous polymeric film; permeating the film with a first extracellular matrix material; and applying a topcoat layer of a second extracellular matrix material to the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: laser-machining holes through a film comprising collagen to form a web-like structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having: a porous polymeric film permeated by a first extracellular matrix material; and a topcoat layer comprising a second extracellular matrix gel disposed on the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a porous polymeric film; permeating the film with a first extracellular matrix material; and applying a topcoat layer of a second extracellular matrix material to the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: laser-machining holes through a film comprising collagen to form a web-like structure.

Abstract: A high throughput biological screening assay comprising at least two anodes, at least two cathodes acting as the reference electrode, and a polymer membrane placed between each anode and cathode, wherein the at least two anodes comprise a biological culture, and wherein the at least two cathodes comprise an oxidizing agent and a buffering agent. The high throughput biological screening assay wherein the at least two cathodes are connected in parallel to simulate the connection between the same cathode and different anodes. The high throughput biological screening assay further including an external resistor or open circuit and means for measuring the voltage across the external resistor or open circuit. A method of measuring power generation using a single cathode as a reference electrode to monitor the biological production of energy. A method of correlating bacterial biofilm formation within an operational microbial fuel cell directly to current output.

Abstract: A method of directing a pulse of laser energy though a workpiece. The workpiece has: a substrate that transmits the laser energy; focusing elements on a surface of the substrate proximal to the laser that focus the laser energy; and a coating on the substrate distal to the laser that absorbs a portion of the laser energy. Each focusing element focuses the laser energy to a point that removes or ablates a portion of the coating from the substrate to produce a hole in the coating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having: a porous polymeric film permeated by a first extracellular matrix material; and a topcoat layer comprising a second extracellular matrix gel disposed on the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a porous polymeric film; permeating the film with a first extracellular matrix material; and applying a topcoat layer of a second extracellular matrix material to the film. Also disclosed herein is a method of: laser-machining holes through a film comprising collagen to form a web-like structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a nanoporous membrane between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters and isolates a microbe in the anode chamber. The nanoporous membrane allows nutrients to flow actively or passively from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber and can be modified by a thin film composite (TFC) to create a TFC nanofiltration membrane. The nanoporous membrane can have a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm. A method of making a fuel cell comprising configuring a nanoporous membrane between an anode chamber and a cathode chamber wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters and isolates a microbe in the anode chamber and can be used to protect the cathode chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus having: a pressure chamber and a gas-producing microorganism within the chamber. The pressure chamber is capable of maintaining a gas pressure of at least 0.5 psi above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of: providing a mixture of fecal waste and a bacterium; incubating the mixture to produce a fatty acid enriched mixture; removing water from the fatty acid enriched mixture to produce a dried mixture; and pyrolyzing the dried mixture in an inert atmosphere to produce an alkane from the C5-C32 fatty acid. The bacterium is a type that produces a C5-C32 fatty acid in the presence of any microbes in the fecal waste.