Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions suitable for the delivery of agents to biological targets such as tissues and cells and/or capable of promoting the growth and/or proliferation of cells, and methods for the production thereof. Specifically, a printable collagen bioink comprising type IV collagen is used to produce crosslinked collagen gels comprising mammalian cells, such as endothelial or epithelial cells, for corneal regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a connection system 1 for a marine drilling riser 10 having one or more auxiliary lines 20, the connection system comprising: a moveable coupling member 30 having at least one first connector and at least one second connector coupled to the at least one first connector, wherein the at least one second connector is adapted for engaging with at least one connector of an auxiliary line of the marine drilling riser The connection system further comprising a control line support 18 for fixing at or adjacent an outer surface of the marine drilling riser; a control line supported by the control line support and for attachment to the moveable coupling member; and a tailing line for attachment to the moveable coupling member.

Abstract: In one form, a bolus is configured to fit over a target body position and includes an internal relatively rigid endoskeleton structure and a surrounding relatively non-rigid skin interfacing layer. A positioning and locking system may include an indexing plate mountable to a fixture. The indexing plate includes a plurality of multiposition-enabling formations and corresponding reference locations and is configured to engage with at least one locking mechanism. The at least one locking mechanism is movable between and lockable relative to the multiposition-enabling formations. The locking mechanism is also configured to interface between the indexing plate and accessories/devices that require immobilisation, accurate and/or repeatable positioning, e.g. the bolus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making and applying metallized graphene fibers in bioelectronics applications. For example, platinized graphene fibers may be used as an implantable conductive suture for neural and neuro-muscular interfaces in chronic applications. In some embodiments, an implantable electrode includes a multi-layer graphene-fiber core, an insulative coating surrounding the multi-layer graphene-fiber core, and a metal layer disposed between the multi-layer graphene-fiber core and the insulative coating.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a connection system 1 for a marine drilling riser 10 having one or more auxiliary lines 20, the connection system comprising: a moveable coupling member 30 having at least one first connector and at least one second connector coupled to the at least one first connector, wherein the at least one second connector is adapted for engaging with at least one connector of an auxiliary line of the marine drilling riser The connection system further comprising a control line support 18 for fixing at or adjacent an outer surface of the marine drilling riser; a control line supported by the control line support and for attachment to the moveable coupling member; and a tailing line for attachment to the moveable coupling member.

Abstract: In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

Abstract: In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of making and applying metallized graphene fibers in bioelectronics applications. For example, platinized graphene fibers may be used as an implantable conductive suture for neural and neuro-muscular interfaces in chronic applications. In some embodiments, an implantable electrode includes a multi-layer graphene-fiber core, an insulative coating surrounding the multi-layer graphene-fiber core, and a metal layer disposed between the multi-layer graphene-fiber core and the insulative coating.

Abstract: In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

Abstract: In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

Abstract: In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

Abstract: In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array includes an elongated carrier (20) and a plurality of electrodes mounted within the carrier. A actuator adjusts the curvature of the carrier and can be controlled by varying an electric potential applied to the actuator. The actuator is based on an electrochemical cells and may be a conducting polymer based actuator.

Abstract: Ionic liquids are incorporated into transducers, actuators or sensors which employ the ionic polymer membranes. The ionic liquids have superior electrochemical stability, low viscosity and low vapor pressure. The transducers, actuators and sensors which utilize ionic polymer membranes solvated with ionic liquids have long term air stability. Superior results are achieved when a conductive powder and ionomer mixture is applied to the ionic polymer membrane to form the electrodes during or after the ionic liquid is imbibed into the ionic polymer membrane.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array includes an elongated carrier (20) and a plurality of electrodes mounted within the carrier. A actuator adjusts the curvature of the carrier and can be controlled by varying an electric potential applied to the actuator. The actuator is based on an electrochemical cells and may be a conducting polymer based actuator.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a substrate having nanoparticles of a conducting polymer such as polyanaline printed thereon. Also described is a printing composition for printing onto a substrate, the composition comprising nanoparticles of a conducting polymer such as polyanaline.

Abstract: A method of separation and/or recovery of a precious metal from a solution containing said precious metal in ionic form, optionally in the presence of impurities, including the step of contacting a solution containing said precious metal in ionic form with a conducting polymer. The method is generally applicable to precious metals including platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and more particularly gold (Au). The ionic species may be anionic (for example [AuCl4]?) or cationic. The polymer may be for example, a polypyrrole or polythiophene, optionally doped and are preferably in a high surface area form eg. coated onto cloth or RVC or in self supporting colloidal form. The polymer may also contain species to give further functionality, eg magnetic or heat sensitive species.

Abstract: A method of separation and/or recovery of a precious metal from a solution containing said precious metal in ionic form, optionally in the presence of impurities, including the step of contacting a solution containing said precious metal in ionic form with a conducting polymer. The method is generally applicable to precious metals including platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and more particularly gold (Au). The ionic species may be anionic (for example [AuCl.sub.4].sup.-) or cationic. The polymer may be for example, a polypyrrole or polythiophene, optionally doped and are preferably in a high surface area form eg. coated onto cloth or RVC or in self supporting colloidal form. The polymer may also contain species to give further functionality, eg magnetic or heat sensitive species.

Abstract: A flow analysis apparatus is disclosed. The flow analysis apparatus has at least one wicking channel fluidically coupled to an absorbent pump. A wicking valve is fluidically coupled to the wicking channel to provide a fluidic connection to the sample source where opening the wicking valve allows the absorbent pump to cause liquid to flow down the wicking channel toward the absorbent pump. Other similar wicking valves can be added to provide functions such as calibration and reagent addition. A detection unit allows for analysis of the liquid as it flows down the wicking channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cross-linking monomer having the structure Q-(L)n-P-(L?)m;-Q?, where Q and Q? are polymerisable units, L and L? are linkers providing direct or indirect electronic communication between Q and P and between P and Q?, and P is an electrofunctional unit, and also to polymers prepared from such monomers. Q for example may be a heteroaromatic ring such as thiophene, furan and pyrrole. The electrofunctional group may be, for example, porphyrin, substituted porphyrin, phthalocyanine or substituted phthalocyanine. The invention also relates to an electrofunctional material including a base material and a cross-linked polymer such as described.