Abstract: Nanoparticle precursor structures, nanoparticle structures, and composite materials that include the nanoparticle structures in a polymer to form a composite material. The nanoparticle structures have chemical linkage moieties capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of a polymer for the composite material. Such composite materials are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making a trapped chromogenic compound (including photochromic and thermochromic compounds) by causing an open form of the chromogenic compound and a compound comprising an electrophilic moiety to be covalently bonded. In a preferred embodiment, the trapped, open, chromogenic compound includes an ester moiety derived from ingredients including an oxygen atom of an open pyran moiety and an acyl functional compound. The present invention also relates to trapped, open, chromogenic compounds and methods of using them. Preferred methods of using such compounds include methods of detecting biological molecules and/or toxic chemicals.

Abstract: A container in the form of a flat envelope, open at one end for insertion and removal of a slide, has a series of locking keys shiftable laterally to left or right from a normal, centered, rest position. When all the keys have been shifted in predetermined directions to positions representing a pre-set combination, the slide is freed for partial removal from the envelope, to an unlocking position that permits the object to be removed or in some cases to gravitate freely from the envelope. The device can be made inexpensively of injection molded plastic or plastic-coated cardboard, cheaply enough to allow it to be made as a single-use, disposable article.