Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing extracellular vesicular biomarkers using a biochip with gold nanoparticles. The biochip includes a glass surface, a gold film layer on the glass surface, a plurality of gold nanoparticles coupled to the gold film layer, and a plurality of biotinylated antibodies coupled to the gold nanoparticles. In some implementations, the gold film layer of the biochip is coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The biotinylated antibodies are selected to capture specific types of extracellular vesicles. PD-L1/PD-1 proteins and RNAs in extracellular vesicles were characterized for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: Devices for high throughput cell electroporation include a trapping component that at least partially defines an upper boundary of a microfluidic chamber. A cell trap array is patterned on the underside of the trapping component, and a channeling component is positioned beneath the trapping component. The channeling component includes a vertically oriented nanochannel array. The trapping component and the channeling component are positioned such that a given nanochannels is positioned beneath a cell trap. During use, fluid flow holds trapped cells in secure contact with the nanochannels beneath the cell trap. The device further includes upper and lower electrode layers for generating an electric field to electroporate trapped cells via the nanochannel array. A reservoir positioned beneath the channeling component can be filled transfection reagent solution. During electroporation, the transfection reagent solution travels through the nanochannel array during to transfect the trapped cells.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions of therapeutic extracellular vesicles, and methods and systems of producing the therapeutic extracellular vesicles. Also described herein are methods of treating a disease with the therapeutic extracellular vesicles.

Abstract: Devices for high throughput cell electroporation include a trapping component that at least partially defines an upper boundary of a microfluidic chamber. A cell trap array is patterned on the underside of the trapping component, and a channeling component is positioned beneath the trapping component. The channeling component includes a vertically oriented nanochannel array. The trapping component and the channeling component are positioned such that a given nanochannels is positioned beneath a cell trap. During use, fluid flow holds trapped cells in secure contact with the nanochannels beneath the cell trap. The device further includes upper and lower electrode layers for generating an electric field to electroporate trapped cells via the nanochannel array. A reservoir positioned beneath the channeling component can be filled transfection reagent solution. During electroporation, the transfection reagent solution travels through the nanochannel array during to transfect the trapped cells.

Abstract: A composite material having polymeric resin with disperse phases of reinforcing fibers and nanoparticle materials and its manufacture is disclosed herein. The nanoparticles may be bound together and added to the polymeric resin as microscale aggregations, and then unbound to create a disperse phase of nanoparticles in the resin. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles may be bound to a substrate, such as long fibers, and added to a polymeric resin. The nanoparticles are then unbound from the substrate and dispersed throughout the polymeric resin. The polymeric resin may have multiple components where one component may control the dispersion of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Polymer extruded or expanded foams that contain modifier-free nanoclays are provided. The addition of modifier-free nano-clays to extruded or expanded foam products improves the thermal properties, mechanical properties, and fire performance properties. Water or a water-containing compound is used as a carrier for the modifier-free nanoclays. The final foamed products may be utilized in building application such as foamed insulation products and in underground applications such as highway insulation. A preferred modifier-free nanoclay is Na+MMT. Modifier-free nanoclay particles may be injected into a polymer during an extrusion foaming process. In another embodiment of the invention, polymer beads containing water/nanoclay particles are formed using inverse emulsion/suspension polymerizations and expanded or extruded into a foamed product. In a further embodiment, a modifier-free nanoclay particle is encapsulated in a super-absorbent material, which may be used in an expanding or extruding process.

Abstract: A protein substrate includes a base having micro-passages and reaction grooves, a polyethyleneimine (PEI) fixed on the base and a specific protein fixed on the PEI. The base is modified by plasma stripper to make the PEI bonded on the base. Mixed with tyrosinase, the specific protein can stably stick on the base due to the tyrosinase bonded with the PEI. By antigen-antibody bonding specificity, the invention can quickly detect antibody in a sample able to link with the specific protein. The specific antibody can be added with targeted biotin secondary antibody, targeted avidin-peroxidase, and color producing substrate able to react with the targeted avidin-peroxidase, such as tetramethylbenzidine or 3-(4-hydroxy)phenyl propionic acid (HPPA), so as to measure a specific antibody amount.

Abstract: A composite material having polymeric resin with disperse phases of reinforcing fibers and nanoparticle materials and its manufacture is disclosed herein. The nanoparticles may be bound together and added to the polymeric resin as microscale aggregations, and then unbound to create a disperse phase of nanoparticles in the resin. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles may be bound to a substrate, such as long fibers, and added to a polymeric resin. The nanoparticles are then unbound from the substrate and dispersed throughout the polymeric resin. The polymeric resin may have multiple components where one component may control the dispersion of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide-lipid nanoparticles made of at least one oligonucleotide, at least one lipid and at least one complexation agent for the oligonucleotide, methods of making and using, and devices for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of bonding materials. The method comprises providing a polymer; providing a second material; contacting the polymer and the second material at a low contact pressure in the absence of a solvent or an adhesive; maintaining the polymer at a temperature less than a bulk Tg of the polymer; introducing a gas at low pressure; and bonding the polymer and the second material.

Abstract: Delivery of drugs or genes to individual cells is achieved on a nanoscale using electroporation techniques. In one method, a flow-through bioreactor having an inlet and an outlet connected by a flow chamber and a nanoporous membrane positioned in the flow chamber is used. Cells to be electroporated are flowed from the inlet to the outlet, a quantum of molecules of the at least one drug or gene in a fluid medium in the flow chamber. An electrical field applied in the flow chamber provides momentum to the molecules in the nanopores, resulting in delivery of the molecules into the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A method for forming three-dimensional polymeric particulate microstructures through self-folding of thin-film microparticles. Self-folding of two-dimensional polymeric precursors produces various three-dimensional particulate microstructures. Dumpling-like microstructures with oil cores and polymer coats are prepared by an interfacial-tension driven self-folding method. Roll-like and bowl-shaped hydrogel microstructures are fabricated by self-folding induced by differential volume shrinkage. Curled microstructures are produced by self-folding that is the result of a two-polymer or bilayer method wherein one of the polymers is a volume changeable polymer.

Abstract: A method for preparing exfoliated clay nanocomposites by in-situ polymerization comprising the steps of (a) providing a mixture of at least one type of monomer and at least one type of organophilic clay; and (b) initiating an in-situ polymerization reaction in the mixture so as to cause the at least one type of monomer to polymerize thereby forming the exfoliated clay nanocomposite. The exfoliated clay nanocomposite produces an x-ray diffraction pattern that is substantially devoid of an intercalation peak. The exfoliated clay nanocomposite may then be used as a masterbatch.

Abstract: A new resin gas-assisted injection technique, which can achieve both bonding and surface modification of microfluidic devices. A sealing resin is injected with a surface modification agent into the microfluidic platform to fill the micron and submicron sized channels and reservoirs, as well as the gap between the platform and the lid. A gas (e.g., air or nitrogen) is then injected to replace most of the resin inside the channels and reservoirs. The remaining resin is cured (fully or partially) by ultraviolet light. By applying a masking technique, local modification of the channel surface can also be achieved through this method. Also provided are methods and structures related to micro-fluidic devices.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles such as nano-clays can be mixed with polymers through either melt compounding or in-situ polymerization. By modifying the particle surface with various surfactants and controlling processing conditions, we are able to achieve either intercalated (partial dispersion) or exfoliated (full dispersion) nano-clay distribution in polymers with the clay content up to 35% by weight. When a blowing agent is injected into the nanocomposite in an extruder (a continuous mixer) or a batch mixer, polymeric foam can be produced. Supercritical carbon dioxide, an environmentally friendly, low-cost, non-flammable, chemically benign gas is used as the blowing agent. This process forms a microcellular foam with very high cell density (>109 cells/cc) and small cell size (<5 microns) can be achieved by controlling the CO2 content, melt and die temperature, and pressure drop rate.

Abstract: A method for forming three-dimensional polymeric particulate microstructures through self-folding of thin-film microparticles. Self-folding of two-dimensional polymeric precursors produces various three-dimensional particulate microstructures. Dumpling-like microstructures with oil cores and polymer coats are prepared by an interfacial-tension driven self-folding method. Roll-like and bowl-shaped hydrogel microstructures are fabricated by self-folding induced by differential volume shrinkage. Curled microstructures are produced by self-folding that is the result of a two-polymer or bilayer method wherein one of the polymers is a volume changeable polymer.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles such as nano-clays can be mixed with polymers through either melt compounding or in-situ polymerization. By modifying the particle surface with various surfactants and controlling processing conditions, we are able to achieve either intercalated (partial dispersion) or exfoliated (full dispersion) nano-clay distribution in polymers with the clay content up to 35% by weight. When a blowing agent is injected into the nanocomposite in an extruder (a continuous mixer) or a batch mixer, polymeric foam can be produced. Supercritical carbon dioxide, an environmentally friendly, low-cost, non-flammable, chemically benign gas is used as the blowing agent. This process forms a microcellular foam with very high cell density (>109 cells/cc) and small cell size (<5 microns) can be achieved by controlling the CO2 content, melt and die temperature, and pressure drop rate.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles such as nano-clays can be mixed with polymers through either melt compounding or in-situ polymerization. By modifying the particle surface with various surfactants and controlling processing conditions, we are able to achieve either intercalated (partial dispersion) or exfoliated (full dispersion) nano-clay distribution in polymers with the clay content up to 35% by weight. When a blowing agent is injected into the nanocomposite in an extruder (a continuous mixer) or a batch mixer, polymeric foam can be produced. Supercritical carbon dioxide, an environmentally friendly, low-cost, non-flammable, chemically benign gas is used as the blowing agent. This process forms a microcellular foam with very high cell density (>109 cells/cc) and small cell size (<5 microns) can be achieved by controlling the CO2 content, melt and die temperature, and pressure drop rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing micro and nano-porous polymeric articles with well-defined pore structures.

Abstract: An unsaturated polyester resin and low profile additive containing diketo groups.