Abstract: The present invention provides nanoparticles and methods for treating and preventing skin inflammatory conditions or disorders. The conditions or disorders include allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), irritant contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis (AD), photoallergic dermatitis, and contact hypersensitivity (CHS), as well as other conditions or disorders associated with the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfabricated device and methods for high throughput single cell screening of a heterogeneous population. The present invention is partly based upon but not limited to sorting by monitoring cell secreted factors that accumulate in time (hours, days, weeks) as cells are cultured in the microbubble well niche the architecture of which facilitate the accumulation. In certain embodiments, the device and method comprises a means to identify effective drugs for personalize therapeutics such as but not limited to discovery of monoclonal antibody therapeutics.

Abstract: A microfabricated device and method having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities that is used for high throughput single cell screening. The substrate of the device is preferably fabricated in a low elastic modulus polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The architecture of the cavity forms a small volume micro-niche that seeded cells can rapidly condition to promote survival and proliferation which can be monitored for hours to days to weeks. The cavity architecture allows independent assays to be conducted with minimal influence from nearest neighbor cavities. Methods are disclosed to use the device to, for example, screen single cells by clonal proliferation, clonal morphology, secreted factors, secretion rate, surface markers, and cell functional characteristics including but not limited to migration, drug resistance, the ability to block or promote signaling pathways, or to enhance opsonization.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding technique.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding (GEM) technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a product that includes an optical sensor; a target-responsive hydrogel matrix on a surface of the optical sensor (where the hydrogel matrix comprises one or more target-specific receptors and one or more target analogs), and one or more high refractive index nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix, where a detectable change occurs in a refractive index of the hydrogel matrix when contacted with one or more target molecules. Sterile packages and detection devices containing the product, and methods of detecting a target molecule using the product, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of enriching stem or progenitor cells that includes growing a heterogeneous cell sample comprising stem and/or progenitor cells on a first substrate that is hydrophobic and has an elastic modulus less than about 100 MPa; recovering the heterogeneous cell sample from the first substrate; growing the recovered heterogeneous cell sample on a second substrate that is hydrophilic and has an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of the first substrate to produce a subpopulation of nonadherent cells and a subpopulation of adherent cells; and recovering the nonadherent cell subpopulation, which is enriched for stem and/or progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method of enriching stem or progenitor cells that includes growing a heterogeneous cell sample comprising stem and/or progenitor cells on a first substrate that is hydrophobic and has an elastic modulus less than about 100 MPa; recovering the heterogeneous cell sample from the first substrate; growing the recovered heterogeneous cell sample on a second substrate that is hydrophilic and has an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of the first substrate to produce a subpopulation of nonadherent cells and a subpopulation of adherent cells; and recovering the nonadherent cell subpopulation, which is enriched for stem and/or progenitor cells. The invention also relates to a method of determining the clonogenic potential of a cell, such as a cancer stem cell enriched using the enrichment method described herein.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding technique.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding (GEM) technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a product that includes an optical sensor; a target-responsive hydrogel matrix on a surface of the optical sensor (where the hydrogel matrix comprises one or more target-specific receptors and one or more target analogs), and one or more high refractive index nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix, where a detectable change occurs in a refractive index of the hydrogel matrix when contacted with one or more target molecules. Sterile packages and detection devices containing the product, and methods of detecting a target molecule using the product, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding (GEM) technique.

Abstract: A product including a hydrogel matrix and a porous semiconductor material at least partially embedded within the hydrogel matrix. Also disclosed are methods of making the product and a substantially flexible porous semiconductor material, as well as methods of using the product to deliver a therapeutic agent to a subject and detecting the presence of a pathogen and/or infection at a wound site.

Abstract: An ink set for reducing intercolor bleed and a multi-colored ink jet printing process utilizing the same is provided. The ink set comprises a black ink composition and a plurality of color ink jet ink compositions comprising a colorant and an ink vehicle. The ink vehicle of at least one of the color inks matches the ink vehicle of the black ink. An ink set may also be a hybrid ink set comprising a black/color ink subset that includes a black ink composition and at least one color ink composition, and a color/color ink subset that includes a plurality of color ink compositions, wherein the ink vehicle of the color ink composition(s) in the black/color ink subset matches the ink vehicle of the black ink composition and the ink vehicles of at least one of the color inks in the color/color subsets match the ink vehicle of another color ink in the color/color ink subset.

Abstract: Etchant solutions for making porous semiconductor materials. Also disclosed are methods of making porous semiconductor materials, post etch treatments, and porous semiconductor materials produced by these methods.

Abstract: An ink set for reducing intercolor bleed and a multi-colored ink jet printing process utilizing the same is provided. The ink set comprises a black ink composition and a plurality of color ink jet ink compositions comprising a colorant and an ink vehicle. The ink vehicle of at least one of the color inks matches the ink vehicle of the black ink. An ink set may also be a hybrid ink set comprising a black/color ink subset that includes a black ink composition and at least one color ink composition, and a color/color ink subset that includes a plurality of color ink compositions, wherein the ink vehicle of the color ink composition(s) in the black/color ink subset matches the ink vehicle of the black ink composition and the ink vehicles of at least one of the color inks in the color/color subsets match the ink vehicle of another color ink in the color/color ink subset.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for bonding a first article to a second article which comprises (a) providing a first article comprising a polymer having photosensitivity-imparting substituents; (b) providing a second article comprising metal, plasma nitride, silicon, or glass; (c) applying to at least one of the first article and the second article an adhesion promoter selected from silanes, titanates, or zirconates having (i) alkoxy, aryloxy, or arylalkyloxy functional groups and (ii) functional groups including at least one photosensitive aliphatic >C═C< linkage; (d) placing the first article in contact with the second article; and (e) exposing the first article, second article, and adhesion promoter to radiation, thereby bonding the first article to the second article with the adhesion promote. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion promoter is employed in microelectrical mechanical systems such as thermal ink jet printheads.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes an ink reservoir having an fluid inlet for receiving ink, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A channel plate structure that is etched from silicon defines a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the reservoir for directing ink from the reservoir. Support structure is provided near the top portion of the reservoir and extending within the reservoir. The support structure is formed to divide the reservoir into at least a pair of reservoir regions and to provide support to the channel plate structure while permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow to all of the channels at the bottom portion of the reservoir. In addition to forming printheads for ink jet printers, the invention may be applied to other microchannel fluidic devices.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes an ink reservoir having an fluid inlet for receiving ink, a top portion, and a bottom portion. A channel plate structure that is etched from silicon defines a plurality of microchannels in fluid communication with the reservoir for directing ink from the reservoir. Support structure is provided near the top portion of the reservoir and extending within the reservoir. The support structure is formed to divide the reservoir into at least a pair of reservoir regions and to provide support to the channel plate structure while permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow to all of the channels at the bottom portion of the reservoir. In addition to forming printheads for ink jet printers, the invention may be applied to other microchannel fluidic devices.

Abstract: A microchannel fluidic device, such as an ink jet printhead, includes an fluid reservoir for receiving ink or other fluid from a supply. The reservoir has an inlet in communication with the supply, and an outlet. A plurality of nozzles are in fluid communication with the reservoir for delivering ink or fluid from the reservoir. The outlet of the reservoir is constructed and arranged such that air bubbles in the reservoir are ejected by differential pressure between the inlet and outlet, rather than being forced through nozzles. An overflow reservoir captures fluid ejected from the outlet during priming operations thereby to reduce waste, to enable treatment of the fluid, and/or to recirculate the fluid.