Abstract: A membrane structure for moving a gaseous object species from a first region having an object species first concentration, through the membrane structure, to a second region having an object species second concentration different from the first concentration is described. The membrane includes a supporting substrate having a plurality of pores therethrough, each of the plurality of pores defined by a first end, a second end and a surface of the supporting substrate extending between the first end and the second end as well as a nanoporous layer within the plurality of pores, wherein the nanoporous layer comprises a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer. The membrane also includes a liquid transport medium within the hydrophilic layer. The liquid transport medium includes a liquideous permeation medium and at least one enzyme within the liquideous permeation medium. The at least one enzyme is reinforced by at least one stabilizing component.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments provide protocell nanostructures and methods for constructing and using the protocell nanostructures. In one embodiment, the protocell nanostructures can include a core-shell structure including a porous particle core surrounded by a shell of lipid bilayer(s). The protocell can be internalized in a bioactive cell. Various cargo components, for example, drugs, can be loaded in and released from the porous particle core of the protocell(s) and then delivered within the bioactive cell.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments provide protocell nanostructures and methods for constructing and using the protocell nanostructures. In one embodiment, the protocell nanostructures can include a core-shell structure including a porous particle core surrounded by a shell of lipid bilayer(s). The protocell can be internalized in a bioactive cell. Various cargo components, for example, drugs, can be loaded in and released from the porous particle core of the protocell(s) and then delivered within the bioactive cell.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide compositions and devices for hydrophobic coatings, and methods for making them. The hydrophobic coating can be formed from a coating solution including, for example, organically modified silicates (ormosils) mixed with coupling agents. Specifically, a sol-gel solution can be formed (e.g., at room temperature) including a plurality of alkoxy silane precursors that contains at least one glycidoxy alkoxy silane precursor. In an exemplary embodiment, the sol-gel solution can be a mixed sol-gel solution formed including a first solution mixed with a second solution. The first solution can include one or more alkoxy silane precursors, and the second solution can include at least one glycidoxy alkoxy silane precursor. A coupling agent can then be added and reacted (e.g., cross-linked) with the (mixed) sol-gel solution forming the coating solution, which can be applied onto a substrate that needs to be protected from corrosion or from chemical and/or biological agents.