Abstract: Tubules which contain an active agent in their lumen and compositions containing such microtubules are effective for providing a slow, controlled release of the active agent. Such microtubules are useful in the production of coating compositions for the protection of surfaces coming into contact with water, adhesive resins for the production of laminated wood products, and devices for dispensing pesticides.

Abstract: A new class of mesogenic compounds has the formula: where R1 is an ester (—COO—) group; R2 is H, NO2, CN, F, or Cl; R3 is H, CH2═CH, or (CH3)3Si; k is 1 or 2; q is 0 or 1; m is from 2 to 16; n is from 2 to 12; r is from 0 to n−1 (but not greater than 3 or 4); s=1 when r=0, s=0 when r≠0; x is from 0 to 4; and * denotes the position of a chiral carbon. Compounds within this class will have a smectic A* phase, and in some cases a smectic C* phase. Mixtures including one or more of these mesogenic compounds will be useful for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Tubules which contain an active agent in their lumen and compositions containing such microtubules are effective for providing a slow, controlled release of the active agent. Such microtubules are useful in the production of coating compositions for the protection of surfaces coming into contact with water, adhesive resins for the production of laminated wood products, and devices for dispensing pesticides.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups and compounds useful for preparing such surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: Lipid microtubules having a controlled bilayer structure and high aspect io are formed in a methanol/ethanol/water solvent system. The lipid microtubules may then be catalyzed (e.g., with a palladium/tin catalyst) in an acidified catalytic bath having no more than about 30 g of catalytic salts. These catalyzed microtubules are then metallized using a diluted plating bath with replenishment of the plating bath as needed to obtain the desired metallization thickness.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for releasing an active agent into a use nvironment, by disposing this active agent within the lumen of a population of tubules, and disposing the tubules into a use environment, either directly or in some matrix such as a paint in contact with the use environment. The tubules have a preselected release profile to provide a preselected release rate curve. The preselected release profile may be achieved by controlling the length or length distribution of the tubules, or by placing degradable endcaps over some or all of the tubules in the population, or by combinations of these methods. The invention is also a population of tubules having a preselected release profile to provide a preselected release rate curve.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups.

Abstract: Tubules which contain an active agent in their lumen and compositions containing such microtubules are effective for providing a slow, controlled release of the active agent. Such microtubules are useful in the production of coating compositions for the protection of surfaces coming into contact with water, adhesive resins for the production of laminated wood products, and devices for dispensing pesticides.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polymerizable lipids and mixtures thof with non-polymerizable lipids and methods for the controlled release of encapsulated materials using stabilized or polymerized vesicles. Release is induced by pH, ions, temperature, light or other changes in the environment. Time release mechanisms are also employed. Applications of the present invention especially include encapsulation of enzymes and their subsequent sustained release for degradation of environmental pollutants, encapsulation of fluorescent markers for use in sensor systems, and encapsulation and release of fragrant molecules in detergents.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polymers containing 0.1 to 0.9 mole % of repeating units bing a mesogenic side group and 0.1 to 0.9 mole % of repeating units which do not bear a mesogenic side group in which the mesogenic side group has the formula:--(CH.sub.2).sub.n O--R.sub.1 --X--R.sub.2R.sub.1 is 1,4-phenylene or 4,4'-biphenylene;X is --COO-- or --OCO--;R.sub.2 is ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1, * indicates an optically active center;Z is NO.sub.2, F, or Cl;R.sub.3 is C.sub.l H.sub.2l+1, --*CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1 --CH.sub.2 C.sub.q F.sub.2q+1, --*CH(CH.sub.3)COOC.sub.t H.sub.2t+1 (wherein l and p are each independently an integer of from 1 to 10 and q and t are each independently an integer of from 1 to 6); and n is an integer of 4 to 12;exhibit fast response times.

Abstract: Dielectric composites are produced by incorporating metallized particles having a high aspect ratio, such as metallized phospholipid tubules, in a polymeric and/or ceramic matrix and curing or sintering in an electric, magnetic, or flow field to align the particles. The resulting composites have extremely anisotropic properties and high dielectric constants. These composites can be used, for example, in EMI shielding and microwave applications.

Abstract: A field emitter array comprises an array of aligned metallic, conductive rotubules extending from a conductive base. The array is typically made by cutting a matrix comprising the aligned microtubules into sections, usually normal to the tubule alignment axis. One end surface of a section is etched or otherwise treated to remove the matrix, but not the tubules. That end surface is then provided with a conductive coating and fixed to a contact. The other end surface of that section is then also treated to remove the matrix material and leave the tubules extending from the conductive metal base. Field emitter arrays made according to the present invention provide a greater brightness than conventional field emitter arrays.

Abstract: A process for producing metal plated paths on a solid substrate of the kind which has polar functional groups at its surface, utilizing a self-assembling film that is chemically absorbed on the substrate's surface. The solid substrate may, for example, be an insulator of the kind used for substrates in printed circuitry or may, as another example, be a semiconductor of the kind used in semiconductor microcircuitry. The chemical reactivity in regions of the ultra-thin film is altered to produce a desired pattern in the film. A catalytic precursor which adheres only to those regions of the film having enough reactivity to bind the catalyst is applied to the film's surface. The catalyst coated structure is then immersed in an electroless plating bath where metal plates onto the regions activated by the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing metal plated paths on a solid substrate of the kind which has polar functional groups at its surface utilizes a self-assembling monomolecular film that is chemically adsorbed on the substrate's surface. The solid substrate may, for example, be an insulator of the kind used for substrates in printed circuitry or may, as another example, be a semiconductor of the kind used in semiconductor microcircuitry. The chemical reactivity in regions of the ultra-thin film is altered to produce a desired pattern in the film. A catalytic precursor which adheres only to those regions of the film having enough reactivity to bind the catalyst is applied to the film's surface. The catalyst coated structure is then immersed in an electrolers plating bath where metal plates onto the regions activated by the catalyst.

Abstract: Process for forming tubular microstructures having predetermined shape and dimension from surfactants comprising the steps of selecting a lipid which self-aggregates into a tubular microstructure; selecting a lipid solvating organic solvent in which tubules may form; removing trace water from the selected organic solvent; dissolving the selected lipid in the dried organic solvent; allowing the dissolved lipid to grow into tubular microstructures in the dried organic solvent for a selected period of time and at a temperature below the melting point of the selected lipid.

Abstract: Diacetylinic phosophocholines have distinctly different endothermic and exothermic transition temperatures. Lipid tubules are formed by hydrating a diacetylinic phosphocholine at a temperature above its endothermic transition temperature. The hydrated lipid is then cooled slowly to a formation temperature 1.degree. to 10.degree. C. below the exothermic transition temperature to form tubule structures. The tubules structures can be polymerized to form permanent tubules. The tubules can be used in the same manner as a liposome vesicle or they can be metal coated for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Tubular, spheroidal, and helical lipid microstructures are individually clad with a metal coat deposited on the microstructures by an electroless plating bath. In metal cladding the microstructures, the surfaces of the lipid microstructures are sensitized by adsorption thereon of a catalytic precursor which enables metal from the electroless plating bath to deposit upon and adhere to the sensitized surface. The metal plate is electrically conductive and may also be magnetic. A composite material is produced by embedding the metal clad microstructures in a matrix of a polymer such as an epoxy or a polyurethane.

Abstract: Method and process for forming selected microstructures having predetermined shape and dimension from surfactants comprising the steps of: selecting a lipid which self aggregates into a predetermined microstructure selected from the group of helices and tubules; selecting a lipid solvating organic solvent; dissolving the selected lipid in the selected organic solvent; adding a predetermined amount of non-solvent to the selected organic solvent; and allowing the solution to sit for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a diynoic acid having the formula CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.n --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--(CH.sub.2).sub.m CO.sub.2 H comprising the steps of: selecting a one-halo alkyne from the group consisting of CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.n C.tbd.CX, where X is a selected halogen; selecting an omega-alkynoic acid having the formula, HC.tbd.C(CH.sub.2).sub.m CO.sub.2 H; dissolving the alkynoic acid in an aqueous solution of base; adding a catalytic amount of cuprous halide dissolved in an aqueous solution of alkylamine to the aqueous solution of alkynoic acid; adding a reducing agent to the solution of alkynoic acid and cuprous halide; adding the one-halo alkyne to the solution; adding as much more of the reducing agent to the solution as is necessary to maintain the cuprous ion in the cuprous state; wherein m is selected from the group of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and n is selected from the group of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.