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: A method for treating a surface comprises depositing a first coating comprising a plurality of nanoparticles on a substrate, wherein the first coating defines a plurality of interstitial spaces; and depositing a second coating comprising metals, metal oxides, or mixtures thereof by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the first coating and within the interstitial spaces defined by the first coating. A mechanically stable coated product comprises a substrate; a first coating comprising a plurality of nanoparticles deposited on the substrate; wherein the first coating defines a plurality of interstitial spaces; and a second coating comprising metals, metal oxides, or mixtures thereof deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the first coating and within the interstitial spaces defined by the first coating. The mechanically stable thin film coating imparts mechanical robustness to the nanoparticles thin film, and retains or improves the desired optical and wetting properties of the nanoparticle thin film.

Abstract: A method for generating stable encapsulated bubbles and dried encapsulated bubbles comprises introducing an inner stream of a gas into a liquid-filled chamber from an exit orifice of a capillary tube; introducing a middle stream of a water immiscible liquid into the exit orifice; and introducing an outer stream of an aqueous liquid to the exit orifice, to form compound bubbles. The encapsulated bubbles are formed after converting the middle phase of compound bubbles into a shell. The stable encapsulated bubbles or the stable dried encapsulated bubbles can be used in drug delivery and for enhancing ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and biomimetic catalysts useful for hydrolyzing glucose polymers, such as cellulose, and oligomers, such as cellobiose, to glucose for the subsequent production of ethanol.

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: Methods and apparatuses for encapsulating inorganic micro- or nanostructures within polymeric microgels are described. In various embodiments, viruses are encapsulated with microgels during microgel formation. The viruses can provide a template for in situ synthesis of the inorganic structures within the microgel. The inorganic structures can be distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the microgel, or can be distributed non-uniformly within the microgel. The inventive microgel compositions can be used for a variety of applications including electronic devices, biotechnological devices, fuel cells, display devices and optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating metal oxide on a PDMS surface. The method includes preparing a mixture that contains a sol-gel precursor, reacting the mixture to form a preconverted sol-gel precursor, where the preconverted sol-gel precursor does not diffuse into PDMS and is not in the form of a gel, forming a reactive PDMS surface, applying the preconverted sol-gel precursor onto the reactive PDMS surface, binding the preconverted sol-gel precursor to the re-active PDMS surface, and converting the bound preconverted sol-gel precursor to a metal oxide to form a metal oxide coating on the PDMS surface. The present invention also provides a PDMS microfluidic device where one or more channels of the microfluidic device is provided with a metal oxide coating covalently bound only on the surface of the one or more channels.

Abstract: A superhydrophilic coating on a substrate can be antireflective and antifogging. The coating can remain antireflective and antifogging for extended periods. The coating can include oppositely charge inorganic nanoparticles, and can be substantially free of an organic polymer.

Abstract: The application discloses a method of diagnosing an autoimmune disease in a mammal comprising: a) obtaining an antibody-containing sample from a subject suspected of suffering from the autoimmune disease, b) contacting said sample with a composition comprising PARP polypeptide; and c) detecting the presence of PARP polypeptide antigen/anti-PARP polypeptide antibody complex, which is indicative of the presence of the autoimmune disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated CAGE gene, which codes for a novel cancer/testis antigen expressed in various cancer cells. Various diagnostic and therapeutic uses arising out of the properties of the DNA and protein are part of this invention.