Abstract: Described herein are compositions for making nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods for making nanofibers and nanofilms where the fibers are formed from a solution having more than one solvent, where the solvents are immiscible. Nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers or combinations thereof are described. Finally, methods for using the nanofibers and nanofilms are described.

Abstract: This invention relates three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds which have directional porous structure. More particularly, this invention relates to three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds for cell culture which are derived from or contain gums including naturally occurring gums, plant gums, galactomannan gums or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making the matrices, articles of manufacture (e.g., cell culture vessels and labware) having such matrices or scaffolds, methods of applying these materials to cell culture surfaces, and methods of using cell culture vessels having these three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds.

Abstract: This invention relates three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds which have directional porous structure. More particularly, this invention relates to three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds for cell culture which are derived from or contain gums including naturally occurring gums, plant gums, galactomannan gums or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making the matrices, articles of manufacture (e.g., cell culture vessels and labware) having such matrices or scaffolds, methods of applying these materials to cell culture surfaces, and methods of using cell culture vessels having these three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for making nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods for making nanofibers and nanofilms where the fibers are formed from a solution having more than one solvent, where the solvents are immiscible. Nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers or combinations thereof are described. Finally, methods for using the nanofibers and nanofilms are described.

Abstract: A method of making an oriented calcium fluoride single crystal includes loading calcium fluoride feedstock on top of a seed crystal having a specific crystallographic orientation, heating the calcium fluoride feedstock to a temperature sufficient to form a melt, and growing a calcium fluoride crystal on the seed crystal by progressively moving the melt and the seed crystal through a temperature gradient zone having an axial temperature gradient in a range from approximately 2° C./cm to approximately 8° C./cm, wherein a growth direction of the calcium fluoride crystal substantially conforms to the crystallographic orientation of the seed crystal.

Abstract: A method of protecting a metal against embrittlement when the metal is exposed to carbon or sulfur at an elevated temperature, the method comprising forming a thin, adherent, continuous coating of a glass on the surface of the metal prior to exposure to carbon or sulfur at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A mold for an organic polymer, ophthalmic lens element has separate upper and lower mold members with each mold member being composed of a thermoplastic polymer. The lower mold member has a central, bowl-shaped cavity with contours that conform to those of a lens to be molded therein, and has an annular rim surrounding the upper edge of the cavity. The upper member has a central portion with an under surface that corresponds in contour to that of the upper surface of the lens to be molded, and has an annular rim that surrounds the central portion and rests on the annular rim of the lower member when the two members are assembled.

Abstract: A method of producing a glass-plastic, laminated, ophthalmic lens structure in a continuous operation. A thin, flexible, plastic adhesive layer is applied to a glass element to form a composite body that is inserted in a cylindrical gasket in such manner as to fit snugly and be sealed from the ambient. A monomeric formulation is flowed onto the adhesive layer and cured to form a laminated lens blank.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of glass articles exhibiting a relatively broad band of high contrast polarizing properties in the infrared region of the radiation spectrum from glasses containing silver halide particles selected from the group consisting of AgCl, AgBr, and AgI. The inventive method comprises the following five general steps:(a) melting a batch for a glass containing silver and at least one halide selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide;(b) cooling and shaping said melt into a glass article of a desired configuration;(c) subjecting said glass article to a temperature at least above the strain point, but not in excess of 75.degree. C. above the softening point of the glass, for a sufficient length of time to cause the generation of silver halide particles therein selected from the group consisting of AgCl, AgBr, and AgI, said particles ranging in size between about 200-5000 .ANG.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for accelerating the burnout of organic material from a glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic body where the burnout is conducted in a gaseous, essentially non-oxidizing atmosphere. The invention comprises incorporating very minute amounts of a metal-containing material into the glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic body to act as a catalyst in the burnout process. Metals operable as catalysts include Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt.