Abstract: An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions that exploit the ability of amphipathic alpha-helical (AH) peptides to cause disruption of lipid-containing vesicles, such as enveloped viruses, in a size-dependent manner.

Abstract: An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.

Abstract: Provided herein are graft co-polymers of lignin and poly(lactic acid) (lignin-g-PLA copolymer), thermoset and thermoplastic polymers including them, methods of preparing these polymers, and articles of manufacture including such polymers.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising hydrophobic or hydrophilic (or both) interpenetrating polymer network containing a non-ionic/ionic polymer and a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, articles made from such composition and methods of preparing such articles. The invention also includes a process for preparing a hydrophobic/hydrophilic IPN or semi-IPN from a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer including the steps of placing an non-ionizable/ionizable monomer solution in contact with a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; diffusing the monomer solution into the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; and polymerizing the monomers to form a penetrating polymer inside the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, thereby forming the IPN or semi-IPN.

Abstract: Methods for producing bioplastics from biogas include techniques for the production of PHB using a dirty biogas (e.g., methane from landfill, digester) as both a power source for the process and as feedstock. Biogas is split into two streams, one for energy to drive the process, another as feedstock. Advantageously, the techniques may be implemented off the power grid with no dependence upon agricultural products for feedstock.

Abstract: A hydrogel-metal assembly is provided. An intervening polymer network is used to bond together a water-swollen hydrogel layer and a biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer. The hydrogel layer is a water-swollen hydrogel layer of at least two interpenetrating polymers. The surface of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer is surface-modified with an inorganic material. The intervening polymer network has been chemically grafted to the inorganic material of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer through bi-functional linker molecules. The intervening polymer network is further physically or chemically cross-linked with the polymers of the water-swollen hydrogel. The hydrogel-metal assembly can be adapted to form a medical device, medical implant, an artificial implant, an orthopedic implant, or at least as part of a joint.

Abstract: Surface modification methods for an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel to provide a basis for cell or tissue attachment are provided. The method involves the activation of functional groups on the surface of the IPN hydrogel. The activated functional groups are then reacted with amine-containing molecules or hydroxyl-containing molecules. The methods (i) can be performed in an aqueous environment and do not require the use of any organic solvent, (ii) do not require UV treatment, thereby avoiding denaturation of the IPN hydrogel or proteins, and/or (iii) can be performed as a one pot reaction.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the sagittal plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.

Abstract: An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a planar lipid bilayer on a solid support. With this method, a solution of lipid vesicles is first deposited on the solid support. Next, the lipid vesicles are destabilized by adding an amphipathic peptide solution to the lipid vesicle solution. This destabilization leads to production of a planar lipid bilayer on the solid support. The present invention also provides a supported planar lipid bilayer, where the planar lipid bilayer is made of naturally occurring lipids and the solid support is made of unmodified gold or titanium oxide. Preferably, the supported planar lipid bilayer is continuous. The planar lipid bilayer may be made of any naturally occurring lipid or mixture of lipids, including, but not limited to phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinsitol, cardiolipin, cholesterol, and sphingomyelin.

Abstract: Semicrystalline bioplastic materials are processed by thermally annealing the bioplastic to increase degree of crystallinity in the bioplastic; and anaerobically biodegrading the thermally annealed bioplastic. The thermal annealing may be performed using a commercial annealing oven. The anaerobic biodegradation may be performed in an anaerobic digester, a landfill, or other suitable environment.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a hydrophobic or hydrophilic (or both) interpenetrating polymer network containing a non-ionic/ionic polymer and a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, articles made from such composition and methods of preparing such articles. The invention also includes a process for preparing a hydrophobic/hydrophilic IPN or semi-IPN from a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer including the steps of placing an non-ionizable/ionizable monomer solution in contact with a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; diffusing the monomer solution into the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; and polymerizing the monomers to form a penetrating polymer inside the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, thereby forming the IPN or semi-IPN.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the manufacture and use of hydrogels with increased permeability to macromolecules with minimum loss of matrix mechanical strength and prepolymer viscosity for patternability. The hydrogels of the invention are formed from a prepolymer, which is polymerized in the presence of hydrophobic nanoparticles. In some embodiments of the invention cells are present during polymerization, and are encapsulated by the hydrogel. A high interfacial energy between the hydrophobic substrate and the aqueous polymerizing solution disrupts the hydrogel network structure, leading to network defects that increase permeability without loss of patternability.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.

Abstract: A material that can be applied as implants designed to artificially replace or augment the cornea, such as an artificial cornea, corneal onlay, or corneal inlay (intrastromal lens) is provided. The artificial corneal implant has a double network hydrogel with a first network interpenetrated with a second network. The first network and the second network are based on biocompatible polymers. At least one of the network polymers is based on a hydrophilic polymer. The artificial cornea or implant has epithelialization promoting biomolecules that are covalently linked to the surface of the double network hydrogel using an azide-active-ester chemical linker. Corneal epithelial cells or cornea-derived cells are adhered to the biomolecules. The double network has a physiologic diffusion coefficient to allow passage of nutrients to the adhered cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials that have high glucose and oxygen permeability, strength, water content, and resistance to protein adsorption. The materials include an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is coated with biomolecules. The IPN hydrogels include two interpenetrating polymer networks. The first polymer network is based on a hydrophilic telechelic macromonomer. The second polymer network is based on a hydrophilic monomer. The hydrophilic monomer is polymerized and cross-linked to form the second polymer network in the presence of the first polymer network. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic telechelic macromonomer is PEG-diacrylamide, PEG-diacrylate or PEG-dimethacrylate and the hydrophilic monomer is an acrylic-based monomer. Any biomolecules may be linked to the IPN hydrogels, but are preferably biomolecules that support the growth of cornea-derived cells. The material is designed to serve as a corneal prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels that have high oxygen permeability, strength, water content, and resistance to protein adsorption. The hydrogels include two interpenetrating polymer networks. The first polymer network is based on a hydrophilic telechelic macromonomer. The second polymer network is based on a hydrophilic monomer. The hydrophilic monomer is polymerized and cross-linked to form the second polymer network in the presence of the first polymer network. The telechelic macromonomer preferably has a molecular weight of between about 575 Da and about 20,000 Da. Mixtures of molecular weights may also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic telechelic macromonomer is PEG-diacrylamide and the hydrophilic monomer is an acrylic-based monomer. The material is designed to serve as a contact lens.

Abstract: A biocomposite is produced from natural fiber fabrics embedded in a matrix of biosynthetic polyhydroxy-alkanoate (PHA) polymers. The PHA is synthesized using aerobic microbial biosynthesis using mixed bacterial cultures and a feedstock containing anaerobic degradation products such as methane and volatile fatty acids derived from microbial biodegradation of organic waste materials, which may include waste biocomposites. Monomers may be added to the synthesized PHA polymer to control mechanical properties of the resulting biocomposite. The natural fibers and/or PHA may be pretreated using various techniques to improve the bond between the fibers and the PHA resin matrix and water absorption resistance of the fibers. The composite may be a laminate of treated and untreated fabric layers, or differently treated layers, to achieve good in-service performance as well as rapid and/or optimal biogas production when taken out of service and put in an anaerobic environment to degrade.