Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a micropatterned opal hydrogel film comprising an evaporation-polymerization method. The method provides a simple and inexpensive fabrication method to produce micropatterned opal hydrogel films.

Abstract: A polymeric hydrogel microparticle that contains polyacrylamide and chitosan, the chitosan uniformly incorporated in a polyacrylamide matrix. The microparticle, having a coefficient variation of 0 to 2% and containing macropores with an average size of 1 to 60 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed are a method of fabricating such a microparticle in a micromold via photo-induced radical polymerization and a one-pot method of conjugating biomolecules to polymeric hydrogel microparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains polyacrylamide and chitosan. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 ?m and an average pore size of 1-60 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.

Abstract: A macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan, and water. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 ?m and a mesh size of 5-100 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.

Abstract: A method for coating a porous support with a thin membrane selective layer via interfacial free-radical polymerization. The method is carried out by immersing a porous support in a monomer-containing solution, removing the porous support from the solution, covering the porous support with a second solution immiscible with the first solution, the second solution containing a polymerization initiator, activating the initiator to effect polymerization of the monomer, and washing the porous support having the membrane selective layer. Also disclosed are membranes prepared by the method and filtration methods using the membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains polyacrylamide and chitosan. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 ?m and an average pore size of 1-60 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.

Abstract: A polymeric hydrogel microparticle that contains polyacrylamide and chitosan, the chitosan uniformly incorporated in a polyacrylamide matrix. The microparticle, having a coefficient variation of 0 to 2% and containing macropores with an average size of 1 to 60 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed are a method of fabricating such a micro-particle in a micromold via photo-induced radical polymerization and a one-pot method of conjugating biomolecules to polymeric hydrogel microparticles.

Abstract: A macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan, and water. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 gm and a mesh size of 5-100 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.

Abstract: A method is provided for electrochemically depositing a polysaccharide mass having a selected physical state. According to an embodiment, an electrically conductive support of a substrate is contacted with an aqueous solution including a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, and the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide is electrochemically deposited on the electrically conductive support while controlling deposition conditions to form the polysaccharide mass having the selected physical state, such as that of a hydrogel. Deposition may be performed in a spatially and/or temporally controlled manner.

Abstract: A method for biolithographical deposition of molecules is provided. According to an embodiment of the method, a reactive layer (e.g., a polysaccharide mass) having a surface region coated with a biologically compatible resist is provided. A portion of the biologically compatible resist is selectively removed to expose an exposed portion of the reactive layer. Molecules, such as biomolecules and/or cellular species, are then conjugated to the exposed portion of the reactive layer. Also provided are materials and devices related to the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for electrochemically depositing a polymer with spatial selectivity. A substrate having a substrate surface is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, such as chitosan, which is subjected to electrochemically treatment to deposit, with spatial selectivity, the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide on a patterned electrically conductive portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device is provided, along with means for its fabrication and operation for microfluidic and/or biomicrofluidic applications. The MEMS device includes a substrate, optional electrodes on the substrate, a patterned structure on the substrate, the patterned structure having a fluidic microchannel aligned with one or more of the optional electrodes, an encapsulation membrane covering the microchannel, and an optional reactive layer deposited over the electrode in the microchannel. MEMS devices of preferred embodiments permit a leak-tight seal to be formed around the microchannel and fluidic interconnects established for robust operation of fluidics-based processes. MEMS devices of other preferred embodiments permit reversible attachment and separation of the encapsulation membrane relative to the patterned structure.

Abstract: A method for biolithographical deposition of molecules is provided. According to an embodiment of the method, a reactive layer (e.g., a polysaccharide mass) having a surface region coated with a biologically compatible resist is provided. A portion of the biologically compatible resist is selectively removed to expose an exposed portion of the reactive layer. Molecules, such as biomolecules and/or cellular species, are then conjugated to the exposed portion of the reactive layer. Also provided are materials and devices related to the method.

Abstract: The deposition of chitosan onto electrode surfaces is disclosed. Methods of depositing chitosan on surfaces are disclosed. Materials comprising chitosan deposited on a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for electrochemically depositing a polysaccharide mass having a selected physical state. According to an embodiment, an electrically conductive support of a substrate is contacted with an aqueous solution including a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, and the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide is electrochemically deposited on the electrically conductive support while controlling deposition conditions to form the polysaccharide mass having the selected physical state, such as that of a hydrogel. Deposition may be performed in a spatially and/or temporally controlled manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for electrochemically depositing a polymer with spatial selectivity. A substrate having a substrate surface is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, such as chitosan, which is subjected to electrochemically treatment to deposit, with spatial selectivity, the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide on a patterned electrically conductive portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device is provided, along with means for its fabrication and operation for microfluidic and/or biomicrofluidic applications. The MEMS device includes a substrate, optional electrodes on the substrate, a patterned structure on the substrate, the patterned structure having a fluidic microchannel aligned with one or more of the optional electrodes, an encapsulation membrane covering the microchannel, and an optional reactive layer deposited over the electrode in the microchannel. MEMS devices of preferred embodiments permit a leak-tight seal to be formed around the microchannel and fluidic interconnects established for robust operation of fluidics-based processes. MEMS devices of other preferred embodiments permit reversible attachment and separation of the encapsulation membrane relative to the patterned structure.