Abstract: A method of plating a metal on a hydrophobic polymer, especially in the shape of small particles, involves: (a) contacting a surface of hydrophobic polymer substrate with a polycation such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) to create a treated surface; (b) contacting the treated surface with a catalyst; and then (c) immersing the surface in a electroless metal plating bath to create a coating of metal on the surface. Metals include copper, silver, gold, nickel and cobalt. Catalysts are selected from compounds containing palladium, platinum, tin, copper, or nickel salts. Damaging surface treatments such as etching by plasma or acid are avoided.

Abstract: Porous polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films with pore size control ranging from nano- to micro-scale are made hydrophobic by coating with fluorine compounds. A layer-by-layer (LbL) technique is used to fabricate PEMs, and the built up PEMs are subject to subsequent porous treatment under acidic or basic conditions. Besides shortening the processing time, polyelectrolytes with high molecular weight are used for the first time. Multi-scale porous structures are provided with either micro-sized porous structure on top of nano-sized porous structure or the other way around.

Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.

Abstract: Porous polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films with pore size control ranging from nano- to micro-scale. A layer-by-layer (LbL) technique is used to fabricate PEMs, and the built up PEMs are subject to subsequent porous treatment under acidic conditions. Besides shortening the processing time, polyelectrolytes with high molecular weight are used for the first time. Multi-scale porous structures are provided with either micro-sized porous structure on top of nano-sized porous structure or the other way around.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymeric composite particles includes the steps of preparing an oil phase containing a biodegradable polymer and a water phase containing a hydrophilic compound or nanoparticle and emulsifying the oil phase in the water phase to form emulsions. Then solvent is removed from the emulsions to prepare the particles in the form of capsules and spheres in sizes from 0.01 ?m (10 nm) to 50 ?m.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of biomass comprised of crystalline structures are described that provide a combined mechanical, chemical and thermal effect (i.e., nano-hybrid pretreatment) to synergistically break down the crystalline structures. Such nano-hybrid mixing provides efficient, and cost-effective breakdown which enhances enzymatic accessibility to lignocellulosic materials. Methods and devices shown can be used to produce products such as pulp, chemicals, or biofuels.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymeric composite particles includes the steps of preparing an oil phase containing a biodegradable polymer and a water phase containing a hydrophilic compound or nanoparticle and emulsifying the oil phase in the water phase to form emulsions. Then solvent is removed from the emulsions to prepare the particles in the form of capsules and spheres in sizes from 0.01 ?m (10 nm) to 50 ?m.

Abstract: A method of plating a metal on a hydrophobic polymer, especially in the shape of small particles, involves: (a) contacting a surface of hydrophobic polymer substrate with a polycation such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) to create a treated surface; (b) contacting the treated surface with a catalyst; and then (c) immersing the surface in a electroless metal plating bath to create a coating of metal on the surface. Metals include copper, silver, gold, nickel and cobalt. Catalysts are selected from compounds containing palladium, platinum, tin, copper, or nickel salts. Damaging surface treatments such as etching by plasma or acid are avoided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods for detecting esterase activity. The present invention also provides devices and methods of detecting esterase inhibitors, for example, organophosphates. In particular, the present invention provides a biosensor comprising Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE) polypeptides. Further, the present invention relates to medicine, industrial chemistry, agriculture, and homeland security.

Abstract: Methods to control and prevent polymer films from buckling are provided. Buckled morphologies are created by thermally cycling or mechanically compressing a substrate such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer film. By varying the dimensions of the surface topography relative to the buckling wavelength (e.g., pattern size is less than, equal to, and greater than the buckling wavelength) the orientation and the local morphology of the buckled films is controlled. Based on the information obtained, we demonstrate how to alleviate the unavoidable buckling by incorporating nanoparticles into the film. In addition, we studied the effect of the silica layer that results from oxygen plasma treatment and the critical temperature for permanent film buckling.

Abstract: A chemical composite useful for preparing a bioelectronic device includes a biologically active compound, such as an enzyme, that is bound directly or indirectly to a polyelectrolyte, which can be reversibly coupled to a chemically treated electrically conductive substrate by electrostatic forces to provide biomimetic sensors, catalyst systems, and other devices having an electrode that can be regenerated and reused. Required or desired cofactors, mediators or the like may be incorporated into the devices, typically by bonding them to the treated substrate and/or the polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods for detecting esterase activity. The present invention also provides devices and methods of detecting esterase inhibitors, for example, organophosphates. In particular, the present invention provides a biosensor comprising Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE) polypeptides. Further, the present invention relates to medicine, industrial chemistry, agriculture, and homeland security.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of biomass comprised of crystalline structures are described that provide a combined mechanical, chemical and thermal effect (i.e., nano-hybrid pretreatment) to synergistically break down the crystalline structures. Such nano-hybrid mixing provides efficient, and cost-effective breakdown which enhances enzymatic accessibility to lignocellulosic materials. Methods and devices shown can be used to produce products such as pulp, chemicals, or biofuels.

Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.

Abstract: Methods to control and prevent polymer films from buckling are provided. Buckled morphologies are created by thermally cycling or mechanically compressing a substrate such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer film. By varying the dimensions of the surface topography relative to the buckling wavelength (e.g., pattern size is less than, equal to, and greater than the buckling wavelength) the orientation and the local morphology of the buckled films is controlled. Based on the information obtained, we demonstrate how to alleviate the unavoidable buckling by incorporating nanoparticles into the film. In addition, we studied the effect of the silica layer that results from oxygen plasma treatment and the critical temperature for permanent film buckling.

Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.

Abstract: A chemical composite useful for preparing a bioelectronic device includes a biologically active compound, such as an enzyme, that is bound directly or indirectly to a polyelectrolye, which can be reversibly coupled to a chemically treated electrically conductive substrate by electrostatic forces to provide biomimetic sensors, catalyst systems, and other devices having an electrode that can be regenerated and reused. Required or desired cofactors, mediators or the like may be incorporated into the devices, typically by bonding them to the treated substrate and/or the polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Micro-topography of a surface influences cell adhesion and proliferation. To improve adhesion, polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are built on patterned support layers to increase surface wettability, thereby improving attachment and spreading of the cells. Physical parameters, such as pattern size and pitch, in part, regulate cell adhesion and proliferation. Varying the surface topography provides a method to influence cell attachment and proliferation for tissue engineering applications.