Abstract: Provided are a chitin-based superabsorbent materials and method of preparation thereof. The superabsorbent material comprises chitin crosslinked by an epoxy crosslinker, and guanidine attached to the crosslinked chitin. The preparation method includes dissolving chitin in an aqueous solvent to form a solution; reacting the dissolved chitin with an epoxy crosslinker and guanidine, or a salt thereof, thereby forming a hydrogel; and drying the hydrogel.

Abstract: A pneumatic-driven fluidic cartridge and systems and methods for operating the same. The cartridge includes a substrate layer, an actuator layer, and an elastic layer. A fluid channel formed in a surface of the substrate layer includes a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a block section. The actuator layer includes a lever positioned to extend across the block section. The elastic layer is positioned between the substrate layer and the actuator layer. The lever applies a force to the elastic layer restricts fluid flow from the first chamber to the second chamber and is configured to bend outwardly opening a channel between the block section and the elastic layer exceeds the first threshold pressure.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, components such as semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed, and related methods of making or tuning such stretchable components. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention are adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.