Abstract: An intumescent coating composition consisting of a binder system and a two-component intumescent package is described. Tannic acid (TA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) have exhibited sufficient characteristics to serve as char formers (via TA), blowing agents (via TA), and an acid source (via APP). Such compositions may be incorporated in epoxy and other resin-based coatings. The resulting composition should provide comparable intumescent performance in comparison to existing/available products.

Abstract: A method of producing high modulus and strength polymer materials includes compressive rolling a semicrystalline polymer material in at least two different axial directions of the material; and axially orienting at least a portion of the compressive rolled material to a draw ratio less than the ultimate elongation or the elongation % at break of the material.

Abstract: An intumescent composition based upon modifications to tannic acid (TA), including certain additives, is contemplated. Such compositions may be incorporated in epoxy and other resin-based coatings. The resulting composition produces a novel, lightweight, and extremely effective intumescent char having a density of 1.5 to 4.0 mg/cm3.

Abstract: An intumescent composition based upon modifications to poly acrylic acid (PAA), including certain additives, is contemplated. Such compositions may be incorporated in epoxy and other resin-based coatings. The PAA may be modified through the use of one or more mineralizing additives to promote char formation.

Abstract: A process for flame-retarding base materials, such as fibers or foams with a metal oxide, such as silica, nanoparticle-containing composition and materials including a metal oxide, for example silica nano/micro particle-containing coating, layer, or networks. The process utilized allows properties of the coated material to be maintained. Flame-retarded materials are also disclosed. Heterogeneous dispersions of metal oxide, e.g. silica, particles on fibers or foams on a nanometer scale are described and/or the formation of networks/coatings in porous materials. In a particular embodiment, polymeric foams such as polyisocyanurate, polyurea and polyurethane foams include a metal oxide particle-containing coating layer or network that aids in char formation in the event the material is exposed to a flame.

Abstract: A method of forming a cross-linked protein structures includes preparing a solution of protein dissolved in a benign solvent and forming an intermediate protein structure from the solution. The intermediate protein structure can be cross-linked by providing for a specific ratio of chemical cross-linking agents to form the cross-linked protein structure. The solution can be prepared by adding a cross-linker of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) at a ratio of two-to-one of NHS to EDC to alcohol. PBS buffer (20×) can be added to the solution until the volume ratio of PBS buffer (20×) to alcohol is about one-to-one. About 16 percent by weight of protein can be dissolved in the solution. The solution can be electrospun to form an intermediate protein structure. After a period of time, the protein structure can be cross-linked to form the cross-linked protein structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to products and processes relating to compatible polymer blends comprising at least one sulfonated polymer and at least one non-sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymers may be produced using a number of sulfonating agents including a coordination complex of sulfur trioxide. The polymeric blended materials described herein are useful in a variety of applications, including as coatings for medical devices, protective clothing and fabric, laboratory equipment, vascular stents and shunts, absorbent materials and separation membranes, three-dimensional constructs, devices, and other uses.

Abstract: High-pressure bleeding wounds (and other bleeding wounds) may be treated by applying direct pressure directly in the bleeding wound, such as by applying a back pressure in a confined space around and in the wound. Certain substances and articles may be inserted into the wound, and the wound may be enclosed with that substance or article (such as a hemostatic substance, which may be polymeric), by swelling on contact with molecules (such as water molecules in the blood) encountered in the wound, generates the desired pressure to stop or at least reduce the bleeding without the detrimental effects of a tourniquet. Clot-inducing substances may be introduced into the wound contemporaneously with direct pressure application directly in the wound. Compressible and non-compressible wounds are treated. Treatment stops bleeding without producing pressure injury or ischemic damage. Medical devices using this technology are provided, including removable, biodegradable, medic-administrable devices.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to products and processes relating to compatible polymer blends comprising at least one sulfonated polymer and at least one non-sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymers may be produced using a number of sulfonating agents including a coordination complex of sulfur trioxide. The polymeric blended materials described herein are useful in a variety of applications, including as coatings for medical devices, protective clothing and fabric, laboratory equipment, vascular stents and shunts, absorbent materials and separation membranes, three-dimensional constructs, devices, and other uses.

Abstract: High-pressure bleeding wounds (and other bleeding wounds) may be treated by applying direct pressure directly in the bleeding wound, such as by applying a back pressure in a confined space around and in the wound. Certain substances and articles may be inserted into the wound, and the wound may be enclosed with that substance or article (such as a hemostatic substance, which may be polymeric), by swelling on contact with molecules (such as water molecules in the blood) encountered in the wound, generates the desired pressure to stop or at least reduce the bleeding without the detrimental effects of a tourniquet. Clot-inducing substances may be introduced into the wound contemporaneously with direct pressure application directly in the wound. Compressible and non-compressible wounds are treated. Treatment stops bleeding without producing pressure injury or ischemic damage. Medical devices using this technology are provided, including removable, biodegradable, medic-administrable devices.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: A method of forming a cross-linked protein structures includes preparing a solution of protein dissolved in a benign solvent and forming an intermediate protein structure from the solution. The intermediate protein structure can be cross-linked by providing for a specific ratio of chemical cross-linking agents to form the cross-linked protein structure. The solution can be prepared by adding a cross-linker of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) at a ratio of two-to-one of NHS to EDC to alcohol. PBS buffer (20X) can be added to the solution until the volume ratio of PBS buffer (20X) to alcohol is about one-to-one. About 16 percent by weight of protein can be dissolved in the solution. The solution can be electrospun to form an intermediate protein structure. After a period of time, the protein structure can be cross-linked to form the cross-linked protein structure.

Abstract: A benign solvent for dissolving proteins comprises alcohol, salt and water. The ratio by volume of water to alcohol is between about ninety-nine-to-one and about one-to-ninety-nine. A salt concentration is between near zero moles per liter and the maximum salt concentration soluble in water. The amount of protein by weight as compared to the mixture of water and alcohol is between near zero percent and about 25 percent. A method for forming a protein structure from a benign solvent comprises forming a benign solvent from water, alcohol, and salt; and dissolving a protein in the benign solvent to form a protein solution. The method further comprises extracting the protein from the protein solution; and arranging the protein into a protein structure.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: Electroprocessed phenolic nanofibers, microfibers, beads, and films and materials including these electroprocessed materials are prepared using a delivery means (10), a grounded collecting means (20) and a power supply (30) for generating an electric field.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to products and processes relating to compatible polymer blends comprising at least one sulfonated polymer and at least one non-sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymers may be produced using a number of sulfonating agents including a coordination complex of sulfur trioxide. The polymeric blended materials described herein are useful in a variety of applications, including as coatings for medical devices, protective clothing and fabric, laboratory equipment, vascular stents and shunts, absorbent materials and separation membranes, three-dimensional constructs, devices, and other uses.

Abstract: A benign solvent for dissolving proteins comprises alcohol, salt and water. The ratio by volume of water to alcohol is between about ninety-nine-to-one and about one-to-ninety-nine. A salt concentration is between near zero moles per liter and the maximum salt concentration soluble in water. The amount of protein by weight as compared to the mixture of water and alcohol is between near zero percent and about 25 percent. A method for forming a protein structure from a benign solvent comprises forming a benign solvent from water, alcohol, and salt; and dissolving a protein in the benign solvent to form a protein solution. The method further comprises extracting the protein from the protein solution; and arranging the protein into a protein structure.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: Small particles of polymeric material are produced by expansion of a mixture of monomers and a propellant. The size and shape of the particles can be precisely tailored by materials selection and expansion conditions. Particles of 10 nanometers to 100 microns can be produced. If monomers exhibiting solid state reactivity are utilized, the particles thus formed can be polymerized at any time after formation. The particles produced by this method can be molecularly imprinted by incorporating a template into the particle prior to fully curing the particle, in a manner which allows selective extraction of the template from the cured particle after formation without deformation of the imprint site. A two step polymerization process allows the particles to be deposited on and adhered to a wide variety of substrates without additional agents.