Abstract: Methods of making robust bijels include dispersing metal oxide precursors and/or metal salts into at least one phase of a bijel and hydrolyzing and condensing the metal oxide precursors and/or metal salts in a sol-gel reaction to form sintered bridges between interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles. The methods can be used with any bijels, including those produced during solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STRIPS) methods and other methods. A robust bijel includes chemically sintered bridges between the interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles. Methods of making nanocatalyst-functionalized sintered bijels include adsorbing metal salts to a surface of sintered interfacially jammed nanoparticles of bijels, and reducing the metal precursors on the surface of the sintered nanoparticles. Nanocatalyst-functionalized sintered bijels include catalytically active metal or metal oxide nanocatalysts on a surface of the sintered interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles.

Abstract: Systems, comprising: an aqueous medium, the aqueous medium having an amount of DNA disposed therein, the aqueous medium having one or more RNA polymerases disposed therein; and a non-aqueous medium. Methods, the methods comprising operating a system according to the present disclosure, so as to give rise to an RNA product disposed in the non-aqueous medium. Methods, comprising: with an RNA polymerase in an aqueous medium, effecting synthesis of an RNA product from template DNA, and selectively transferring the RNA product to a non-aqueous medium.

Abstract: This disclosure demonstrates a new method to produce three dimensional multiphasic structures, including bijels, via vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS). In VIPS, the evaporation of the co-solvent from a ternary mixture of oil, water and ethanol, induces phase separation. Particles present in the mixture attach to the interface and arrest the phase separation between water and oil. VIPS enables, inter alia, the fabrication of films and coatings via spreading or spraying particle-laden suspension onto a surface without the need for an outer aqueous phase.

Abstract: Methods of making robust bijels include dispersing metal oxide precursors and/or metal salts into at least one phase of a bijel and hydrolyzing and condensing the metal oxide precursors and/or metal salts in a sol-gel reaction to form sintered bridges between interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles. The methods can be used with any bijels, including those produced during solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STRIPS) methods and other methods. A robust bijel includes chemically sintered bridges between the interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles. Methods of making nanocatalyst-functionalized sintered bijels include adsorbing metal salts to a surface of sintered interfacially jammed nanoparticles of bijels, and reducing the metal precursors on the surface of the sintered nanoparticles. Nanocatalyst-functionalized sintered bijels include catalytically active metal or metal oxide nanocatalysts on a surface of the sintered interfacially jammed surface-active nanoparticles.

Abstract: This disclosure demonstrates a new method to produce three dimensional multiphasic structures, including bijels, via vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS). In VIPS, the evaporation of the co-solvent from a ternary mixture of oil, water and ethanol, induces phase separation. Particles present in the mixture attach to the interface and arrest the phase separation between water and oil. VIPS enables, inter alia, the fabrication of films and coatings via spreading or spraying particle-laden suspension onto a surface without the need for an outer aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to vesicles such as liposomes, colloidosomes, and polymersomes, as well as techniques for making and using such vesicles. In some cases, the vesicles may be at least partially biocompatible and/or biodegradable. The vesicles may be formed, according to one aspect, by forming a multiple emulsion comprising a first droplet surrounded by a second droplet, which in turn is surrounded by a third fluid, where the second droplet comprises lipids and/or polymers, and removing fluid from the second droplet, e.g., through evaporation or diffusion, until a vesicle is formed. In certain aspects, the size of the vesicle may be controlled, e.g., through osmolarity, and in certain embodiments, the vesicle may be ruptured through a change in osmolarity. In some cases, the vesicle may contain other species, such as fluorescent molecules, microparticles, pharmaceutical agents, etc., which may be released upon rupture.

Abstract: Polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films (PINFs) that have high volume fractions (>50 vol %) of nanoparticles (NPs) possess enhanced properties making them ideal for various applications. Capillary rise infiltration (CaRI) of polymer and solvent-driven infiltration of polymer (SIP) into pre-assembled NP films have emerged as versatile approaches to fabricate PINFs. Although these methods are ideal for fabricating PINFs with homogenous structure, several applications including separations and photonic/optical coatings would benefit from a method that enables scalable manufacturing of heterostructured (i.e., films with variation in structural properties such as porosity, composition, refractive indices etc.) PINFs. In this work, a new technique is developed for fabricating heterostructured PINFs with cavities based on CaRI.

Abstract: A method of producing a nanocomposite film includes generating a bilayer film including at least a first layer of at least one nanoparticle and a second layer of at least one material and annealing the bilayer film. A uniform nanocomposite film includes a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles form at least 60% by volume of the polymer nanocomposite film.

Abstract: A method for producing a click-active Janus particle includes combining seed particles with a monomer emulsion to obtain monomer-swollen seed particles; and polymerizing the monomer-swollen seed particles to obtain click-active Janus particles. A method for functionalizing a click-active Janus particle includes combining seed particles with a monomer emulsion to obtain monomer-swollen seed particles; polymerizing the monomer-swollen seed particles to obtain click-active Janus particles; and functionalizing the click-active Janus particles using one or more click chemistry reactions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to mechanically-activated microcapsules (MAMCs) for controlled drug-delivery, wherein the MAMCs release one or more active ingredients in response to mechanical stimuli in a subject's body. The MAMCs provide a platform for stimulating biological regeneration, biological repair, modifying disease, and/or controlling disease in mechanically-loaded musculoskeletal tissues.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a construct formed from perfluoropolyether and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. The construct includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid, an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid, and a plurality of channels extending through the construct. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The construct further includes a plurality of microdroplet generators configured to produce microdroplets, each of the microdroplet generators in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the construct includes an outlet formed in the construct and in fluid connection with the plurality of microdroplet generators.

Abstract: A microbubble composition, comprising: a plurality of microbubbles, a microbubble comprising a noble gas and/or perfluorocarbon encapsulated within a shell that comprises one or more of a lipid, a protein, or a polymer, and a microbubble optionally defining a cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 0.5 to about 20 micrometers. A method, comprising forming a composition according to the present disclosure. A method, comprising administering a microbubble composition according to the present disclosure to a subject, the composition optionally comprising echogenic phospholipid microbubbles. A method, comprising: (a) identifying, with the application of energy, the location of a microbubble composition according to the present disclosure, the energy optionally being ultrasound, (b) controllably effecting rupture of microbubbles of a microbubble composition of the present disclosure, the rupture optionally being effected by application of ultrasound, or both (a) and (b).

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition for core-sheath type bi-component fiber that not only maintains excellent softness, but also improves tensile strength, when preparing non-woven fabric, particularly spunbond non-woven fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition for core-sheath type bi-component fiber that not only maintains excellent softness, but also improves tensile strength, when preparing non-woven fabric, particularly spunbond non-woven fabric.

Abstract: Provided is photoactivated selective release (or PHASR) of droplets from a microwell array enabled by a photoresponsive polymer layer integrated into the microfluidic device. This photoresponsive layer is placed in between a microwell array that traps a large number of droplets and a monolithic flow chamber that can be used for recovery. By using focused light, the photoresponsive layer can either be punctured or induced to create local heating to selectively release droplets. The type of photoacoustic dye and the physical properties of the photoresponsive layer can be engineered to induce either puncture of the membrane or pushing of droplets out of the microwells with low thermal impact on the droplets. This approach has broad application in the field of soft lithography-based microfluidic devices for various applications including photoresponsive valves as well as high throughput single cell sequencing.

Abstract: A method of making a bijel includes dispersing surface-active nanoparticles in a ternary liquid mixture. The ternary liquid mixture includes a hydrophilic liquid, a hydrophobic liquid, and a solvent. The ternary liquid mixture is contacted with water. A bijel includes a stable mixture of two immiscible liquids separated by an interfacial layer of colloidal particles. The bijel has temperature-independent stability, and the domain sizes are below one micrometer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes at least one substrate formed of one or more silicon wafers. The substrate includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid; an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid; and a plurality of channels. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The substrate further includes a plurality of droplet generators configured to produce microdroplets. Each of the droplet generators are in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the substrate includes one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets. The number of the plurality of droplet generators is more than two greater than a number of the one or more outlets for delivery of the microdroplets.

Abstract: Provided is a propylene random copolymer having excellent processability. The propylene random copolymer according to the present invention may exhibit high stiffness and flexural modulus together with a low shrinkage ratio, thereby being usefully applied to articles for thin wall injection molding.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a microfluidic device has a substrate that defines a first inlet for a continuous phase fluid, a second inlet for a dispersed phase fluid, and droplet generators that can produce micro-droplets from the continuous and dispersed phase fluids. The substrate defines (i) a plurality of delivery channels in fluid communication with the first and second inlets, each delivery channel having a first dimension along a first plane that is perpendicular to a transverse direction, and (ii) a plurality of trenches that extend from the delivery channels towards the droplet generators along the transverse direction. Each trench has a second dimension along a plane that is perpendicular to the transverse direction that is smaller than the first dimension. The substrate defines a plurality of vias that extend from the trenches to the droplet generators so as to fluidly connect the delivery channels with the droplet generators.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a microcapsule includes a film encapsulating a material. The film is formed by complexation of at least two mutually attractive components initially present in an aqueous dispersion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The at least one first component is initially present in the continuous phase and the at least one second component is initially present in the dispersed phase. According to another aspect of the invention, provided is a process for forming microcapsules including the step of injecting a dispersed phase having at least a first component into a continuous phase having at least a second component, where the first component and the second component are mutually attractive, such that a film is formed by complexation of the first charged component and the second charged component.