Abstract: A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of ?40 to ?45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based formulation, comprising hydroxypropyl-?-cyclodextrin, an essential oil selected from a group consisting of Eucalyptus Globubus oil and Houttuynia cordata oil, for targeting the respiratory system, in particular for the upper respiratory system. The formulation is delivered as vapors through an inhaler with a controlled heater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nano-crystallized herbal ingredient-containing package for use in a food processor or being used directly to prepare a herbal decoction. The package includes a housing; single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals; one or more non-additive and anti-caking spacers for preventing caking that blocks solvent flowing through the package towards the single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals during processing by the food processor; and optionally one or more stabilizing agents for stabilizing the single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals during nano-crystallization of the herbal ingredients and during preparation of the herbal decoction. A method of preparing a herbal decoction from the package is also provided.

Abstract: Nanomaterials (100) in particular HEPA air filter media. One embodiment is a nanomaterial (100) that includes a plurality of nanofibers (140) that form a randomly interwoven network defining three-dimensional pores (160) therein. The nanomaterial further includes a plurality of beads (120) with a bead diameter of 2-20 ?m that are distributed randomly within the plurality of nanofibers (140). The beads (120) support the nanofibers (140) to prevent the pores (160) from collapsing.

Abstract: A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of ?40 to ?45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Abstract: A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: Nano-crystallized herbal ingredient-containing package for use in a food processor or being used directly to prepare an herbal decoction is provided. The nano-crystallized herbal ingredient-containing package comprises a housing; single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals; one or more non-additive and anti-caking spacers for preventing from caking to block solvent flowing through the package towards said single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals during processing by the food processor; and optionally one or more stabilizing agents for stabilizing said single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals during nano-crystallization of the herbal ingredients and during preparation of said herbal decoction. A method of preparing a herbal decoction from the said package is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a germ-repellent elastomer comprising: a base polymer selected from latex, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, or copolymers or mixtures thereof; and at least one germ-repelling modifier selected from one or more polyethoxylated non-ionic surfactants such that a highly hydrophilic moiety is imparted from the at least one germ-repelling modifier to the base polymer either by physical or reaction extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition having an elongation-at-break of at least 200 percent comprising a polylactic acid-based polymer and a mechanical performance modifier, wherein addition of the mechanical performance modifier to the biodegradable polymer increases the elongation-at-break to at least 200 percent while retaining at least 75 percent of the tensile strength of unmodified polylactic acid polymer and wherein the melting temperature of the biodegradable polymer is within 5 degrees Celsius of the melting temperature of unmodified polylactic acid polymer. In one embodiment, the mechanical performance modifier is poly(ethylene glycol) sorbitol hexaoleate. In another embodiment, the mechanical performance modifier is polycaprolactone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a germ-repellent polymer composition comprising: a base polymer selected from one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(lactic acid), polyhydroxylalkanoates, or copolymers or mixtures thereof; a germ-repelling modifier selected from a glycerol ester; and a nucleating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use as a contrast agent in medical imaging. The composition comprises a metal ion containing compound comprises at least one metal ion adapted to bind with one or more metal ion chelating agents; wherein said one or more metal ion chelating agents comprise at least one first chelating agent adapted to target a region of interest being imaged, and at least one second chelating agent having at least one functional group adapted to dissociate in an aqueous medium to thereby allow or enhance contrast of the region of interest under the medical imaging. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic agent for use in amyloid (A?) protein detection under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprising the above described composition; and a method of preparing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use as a contrast agent in medical imaging. The composition comprises a metal ion containing compound comprises at least one metal ion adapted to bind with one or more metal ion chelating agents; wherein said one or more metal ion chelating agents comprise at least one first chelating agent adapted to target a region of interest being imaged, and at least one second chelating agent having at least one functional group adapted to dissociate in an aqueous medium to thereby allow or enhance contrast of the region of interest under the medical imaging. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic agent for use in amyloid (A?) protein detection under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprising the above described composition; and a method of preparing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particle composition for use as a contrasting agent in medical imaging such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the particle composition comprising: a metal containing compound comprises at least one metal complexed with at least one metal chelating agent; wherein the metal chelating agent is adapted to bind to one or more protein molecules to thereby allow or enhance visibility of the protein molecules under the medical imaging. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic agent for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprising the above described particle composition; and a method of preparing thereof.

Abstract: A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention provides a coating composition for an antimicrobial coating, and a method for synthesizing the coating composition. A coating method for deposition of the antibacterial coating is also provided. The antimicrobial coating of the present invention is effective in providing antimicrobial function, easy to be manufactured, stable and durable.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention provides a coating composition for an antimicrobial coating, and a method for synthesizing the coating composition. A coating method for deposition of the antibacterial coating is also provided. The antimicrobial coating of the present invention is effective in providing antimicrobial function, easy to be manufactured, stable and durable.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention provides a coating solution for an antibacterial coating, and a method for synthesizing the coating solution. The coating solution comprises ethanol, nitric acid, titanium tetraisopropoxide, water, and silver nitrate. Furthermore, a coating method for deposition of the antibacterial coating is also provided. The antibacterial coating of the present invention is effective in providing antibacterial function, easy to be manufactured, and durable.

Abstract: What is described is a means for creating bimodal particle size distribution that targets both nasal cavity and pulmonary regions for drug delivery.