Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shape memory polymer material containing at least one two dimensional region having a first amount of stored stress in a first direction and a second amount of stored stress higher than the first amount of stored stress in a second direction, wherein the two dimensional region is capable of changing shape in only one of the first or second directions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prosthetic implants, components of prosthetic implants, and methods of fixating the components to one another and, especially fixation of the implants to bone.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using an isolated cyanobacterium that includes a portion of an exogenous bacterial cellulose operon sufficient to express bacterial cellulose, whereby the cyanobacterium produces extracellular glucose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for installing shape memory polymers relative to orthopedic implants.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anchor for fixating a tissue graft to bone. The anchor includes a through hole extending an entire length of the anchor and a polymer composition having shape memory qualities. Other anchors and methods for fixating a tissue graft to bone are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape memory materials and to a method for controlling shape change in shape memory materials. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a system for forming complex shapes from shape memory materials and to shape memory materials having complex shapes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber reinforced composite material. In an embodiment, the composite material includes a PLLA fiber material and a matrix material that does not have the same chemical element composition as the fiber material. Other fiber reinforced composite materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymer composition including a lactic acid based polymer material and a fatty acid, wherein the polymer material includes shape memory qualities.

Abstract: The present invention is a device, method and system for making a display and displaying information that includes a fibrous organic substrate, e.g., multiribbon cellulose or cellulose substrate, and a variable reflectivity dye disposed in the fibrous substrate, wherein the reflectivity of the dye is modulated in situ. The display device may use a dye selected from an electrochromic, a thermochromic, a magnetochromic, an ionochromic, a light sensitive, a fluorescent, a fluorescent effect energy transfer dye or combinations thereof and may be used as high storage, high contrast and/or high definition paper.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an anchor body having an opening, the anchor body having a copolymer composition including polylactide-co-glycolide and calcium carbonate, wherein the calcium carbonate comprises more than 30% but less than 40% of the weight of the composition; and a flexible member passing through the opening, wherein deformation of the device occurs at body temperature. The present disclosure also relates to an oriented polymer material having a copolymer composition including a polylactide-co-glycolide and calcium carbonate, the calcium carbonate comprising more than 30% but less than 40% of the weight of the composition, wherein the material changes shape upon introduction to an environment having a temperature that is lower than a relaxation temperature of the material. A method of repairing soft tissue and other surgical devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and producing sucrose from cyanobacteria, by growing a cyanobacterium in a growth medium; incubating the cyanobacteria in a salt containing medium under conditions that promote sucrose production; and exposing the cyanobacteria to acidic conditions, wherein the acidic conditions trigger sucrose secretion into the medium. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of sucrose, glucose, or fructose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.

Abstract: A drainage bag for receiving bodily waste, such as an ostomy bag, comprises an outer bag of material soluble in cold water, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, and an inner bag of material insoluble in water at ambient temperature and body temperature but soluble in organic solvent, e.g. 2-oxepanone polymer (polycaprolactone). When the bag (and contents) are to be disposed of, appropriate organic solvent (e.g. benzyl alcohol) is applied to the inner bag. The bag can then be placed in a WC bowl and is flushable after about 1-2 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using cyanobacteria that include a portion of an exogenous cellulose operon sufficient to express cellulose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, apparatus and system for nanofabrication in which one or more target molecules are identified for manipulation with an electron beam and the one or more target molecules are manipulated with the electron beam to produce new useful materials.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, apparatus and system for nanofabrication in which one or more target molecules are identified for manipulation with an electron beam and the one or more target molecules are manipulated with the electron beam to produce new useful materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer compositions namely biodegradable segmented block copolymers comprising polyol residues having a number average molecular weight of at least 4000 Daltons and in that the polyols are connected by actual linkages.

Abstract: Tissue fixation devices are provided. The devices include a first component and a second component, the components having different rates of in vivo degradation. The first component and second component are arranged so that, upon degradation of one of the components, the other component provides a scaffold into which bone can grow.

Abstract: A delivery capsule, designed to retain and protect its contents until an intended site of delivery or conditions of delivery are encountered, has at least two separate chambers (18, 20), the chambers usually containing different materials. The capsule is preferably internally divided by a dividing wall or septum (16), conveniently in the form of a median wall symmetrically arranged to form two chambers of similar size and shape. Also disclosed are a method of encapsulation and encapsulation apparatus.

Abstract: Tissue fixation devices are provided. The devices include a first component and a second component, the components having different rates of in vivo degradation. The first component and second component are arranged so that, upon degradation of one of the components, the other component provides a scaffold into which bone can grow.