Abstract: Processes and methods of making and preparing, compositions and structural products therefrom are provided, whereby the surface area of alumino-silicate based powders is greatly increased and rendered chemically active so that when the functionalized powders are mixed with water poly-condensation reactions occur between the surfaces binding the powders together to form a structural material with negligible emission of carbon compounds. In another embodiment, the surface functionalized powders can be mixed with an additive; a dry aggregate, such as sand and water to make a slurry that can be poured or cast into any desired shape and rapidly cured to a hardened shape suitable for use as a structural material with the mechanical strength equivalent to Portland-cement based concrete products.

Abstract: A method of forming functionalized fly ash particles includes contacting a plurality of fly ash particles with a hydroxide compound under conditions to directly bond oxygen (O) onto a surface portion of the plurality of fly ash particles. The plurality of fly ash particles having O directly bound to their surface portion are reacted with an organic alcohol or an organic acid to covalently bond hydrophobic groups in the form of condensation residue from the organic alcohol or organic acid to the O to form the plurality of functionalized fly ash particles.

Abstract: A method of scavenging oil from an oil-water mixture includes providing a plurality of functionalized fly ash particles having functionalized surfaces including reactive groups or reactive materials having hydrophobic groups covalently bound to the reactive groups or reactive materials. The oil-water mixture is contacted with the plurality of functionalized fly ash particles. The plurality of functionalized fly ash particles absorb oil from the oil-water mixture to form oil-laden fly ash particles. The oil-laden fly ash particles can be fed into a combustion process to generate heat from oil absorbed thereon, or absorbed oil from the oil-laden fly ash particles can be separated using a desorption process, and the oil recovered after separating.

Abstract: A method of scavenging oil from an oil-water mixture includes providing a plurality of functionalized fly ash particles having functionalized surfaces including reactive groups or reactive materials having hydrophobic groups covalently bound to the reactive groups or reactive materials. The oil-water mixture is contacted with the plurality of functionalized fly ash particles. The plurality of functionalized fly ash particles absorb oil from the oil-water mixture to form oil-laden fly ash particles. The oil-laden fly ash particles can be fed into a combustion process to generate heat from oil absorbed thereon, or absorbed oil from the oil-laden fly ash particles can be separated using a desorption process, and the oil recovered after separating.

Abstract: A process for making foamed glasses and ceramics from sol-gels is disclosed. The method includes preparing a mixture of reactants capable of forming a sol-gel with addition of a catalyst to control the condensation stage followed by foaming using vigorous agitation in the presence of surfactants. The gelled bodies are aged, dried, and thermally stabilized to obtain a consolidated macroporous material. The resulting structure comprises a three-dimensional network of spherical open pores that are thoroughly interconnected. The process may involve sol-gel systems using a mixture of metal alkoxides, and may produce glasses in unary systems (SiO2), binary systems (70% mol SiO2-30% mol CaO), and ternary systems (60% mol SiO2, 36% mol CaO, 4% mol P2O5). The macro-porous material has pores in the 10-500 ?m range and has potential for use as matrix in tissue engineering, in bone repair, and in organ regeneration.

Abstract: Processes and methods of making and preparing, compositions and structural products therefrom are provided, whereby the surface area of alumino-silicate based powders is greatly increased and rendered chemically active so that when the functionalized powders are mixed with water poly-condensation reactions occur between the surfaces binding the powders together to form a structural material with negligible emission of carbon compounds. In another embodiment, the surface functionalized powders can be mixed with an additive; a dry aggregate, such as sand and water to make a slurry that can be poured or cast into any desired shape and rapidly cured to a hardened shape suitable for use as a structural material with the mechanical strength equivalent to Portland-cement based concrete products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a bioactive glass as an air abrasive agent for use in the treatment of dental disorders.

Abstract: Bioactive glasses may be used as air abrasive agents in methods for treating or preventing dental hard tissue and pulpal disorders, such as dental pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cutting a bioactive glass object which comprises contacting the bioactive glass object with bioactive glass particles delivered using an air abrasion system.

Abstract: A process for making foamed glasses and ceramics from sol-gels is disclosed. The method includes preparing a mixture of reactants capable of forming a sol-gel with addition of a catalyst to control the condensation stage followed by foaming using vigorous agitation in the presence of surfactants. The gelled bodies are aged, dried, and thermally stabilized to obtain a consolidated macroporous material. The resulting structure comprises a three-dimensional network of spherical open pores that are thoroughly interconnected. The process may involve sol-gel systems using a mixture of metal alkoxides, and may produce glasses in unary systems (SiO2), binary systems (70% mol SiO2-30% mol CaO), and ternary systems (60% mol SiO2, 36% mol CaO, 4% mol P2O5). The macro-porous material has pores in the 10-500 &mgr;m range and has potential for use as matrix in tissue engineering, in bone repair, and in organ regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cutting a bioactive glass object which comprises contacting the bioactive glass object with bioactive glass particles delivered using an air abrasion system.

Abstract: Compositions comprising bioactive glass compositions or extracts thereof which include ions in an appropriate concentration and ratio that they enhance osteoblast production, and methods of preparation and use thereof, are disclosed. The compositions can be included in implantable devices that are capable of inducing tissue formation in autogeneic, allogeneic and xenogeneic implants, for example as coatings and/or matrix materials. Examples of such devices include prosthetic implants, sutures, stents, screws, plates, tubes, and the like. Aqueous extracts of the bioactive glass compositions, which extracts are capable of stimulating osteoblast production, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a bioactive glass as an air abrasive agent for use in the treatment of dental disorders.

Abstract: Silver-containing, sol-gel derived bioactive glass compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compositions can be in the form of particles, fibers and/or coatings, among other possible forms, and can be used, for example, for treating wounds, improving the success of skin grafts, reducing the inflammatory response and providing anti-bacterial treatments to a patient in need thereof. Anti-bacterial properties can be imparted to implanted materials, such as prosthetic implants, sutures, stents, screws, plates, tubes, and the like, by incorporating the compositions into or onto the implanted materials. The compositions can also be used to prepare devices used for in vitro and ex vivo cell culture.

Abstract: Percutaneous implants are disclosed including a portion implantable into a patient, a dermal bonding region capable of forming a bond between the implant and a dermal layer of the patient after the implantable portion is implanted into the patient, and the dermal bonding region including a substrate with a discontinuous coating of particulate bioactive glass wherein the average spacing between the particles of bioactive glass is predetermined and at least about 20 microns prior to implantation into the patient. Also disclosed are bioactive coatings including a substrate and fibers and/or particles of bioactive glass distributed on the substrate with a predetermined average interfiber distance of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable suspensions of bio-active glass and dextran or a dextran derivative for the repair of soft tissue or hard bone in mammals, especially humans. In one embodiment, the dextran derivatives include free radical polymerizable groups, which can be polymerized following injection into a patient.

Abstract: A moldable bioactive composition including (a) bioactive particles of bioactive glass, glass-ceramics, calcium phosphates, calcium apatites, or mixtures thereof; and (b) a biodegradable polysaccharide carrier including a polysaccharide with an average molecular weight of about 200,000-5,000,000.

Abstract: Percutaneous implants are disclosed including a portion implantable into a patient, a dermal bonding region capable of forming a bond between the implant and a dermal layer of the patient after the implantable portion is implanted into the patient, and the dermal bonding region including a substrate with a discontinuous coating of particulate bioactive glass wherein the average spacing between the particles of bioactive glass is predetermined and at least about 20 microns prior to implantation into the patient. Also disclosed are bioactive coatings including a substrate and fibers and/or particles of bioactive glass distributed on the substrate with a predetermined average interfiber distance of at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: A bioactive ceramic composition including 47 to 51% SiO.sub.2, 23 to 25% CaO, 23 to 25% Na.sub.2 O and 0 to 6% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, the bioactive ceramic having a bioacitivity level such that the composition forms at least a thin layer of HCA within about 30 hours of implantation into a patient. The bioactive ceramic composition having a crystallinity of 34 to 60 volume percent and a crystalline phase of 1Na.sub.2 O.2CaO.3SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: Composites suitable for use as prostheses for attachment to soft tissues, such as cartilage, tendons, skin, tympanic membrane and gingiva, as well as to cancellous or trabecular bone, are based on combination of a polyolefinic binder with certain bioactive glass materials. The composites bond actively with soft tissues and are readily formulated achieve mechanical properties comparable to those of the soft tissue of interest.