Abstract: A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an artificial micro-gland having a continuous anisotropic membrane of two or more types of living cells. A first step includes forming a carrier fluid in a microchannel in a laminar flow of two distinct fluid flows. Another step includes introducing a template, which may itself be anisotropic, into the microchannel in a manner such that the template straddles the interface between the first fluid-flow and the second fluid-flow. In some embodiments two types of living cells within the template are separately attracted one of the fluid flows by the presence of an agent of taxis. In other embodiments, cells within one or the other of the fluid flows are attracted to agents within the template. Membranes form on the template and join together to form a complete cellular membrane around a reservoir.

Abstract: A method is used for making an artificial micro-gland by taxis. A monodisperse multiple emulsion is produced with a first fluid; a second fluid confined within the first fluid; a third fluid within the second fluid. Interfaces between the fluids permit living cells dispersed in the one of the fluids to migrate towards an adjacent fluid having a different concentration of an agent affecting the metabolic activity of the living cells. Waiting, usually about 30 minutes, allows the living cells to migrate to the interface, forming the continuous membrane. Once formed, the artificial micro-gland is removed from the remains of the emulsion. The artificial micro-gland may also be given a second layer of different cells when the emission of the cells of the artificial micro-gland is used as the agent to attract the different cells. The method may also be used to produce an artificial micro-gland within an artificial micro-gland.

Abstract: In the field of well drilling, a bail link extender device connected to a drilling rig enabling the working length of an elevator links to be extended.

Abstract: A large variety of electrospun fibers can be produced to encapsulate a large variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured electrospun fiber. Furthermore, the manufactured electrospun fibers can be electrostatically arranged within a filter component of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospinning process, a diverse set of electrospun fibers can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. The electrospun fiber produced by electrospinning comprises at least one type of polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant within the electrospun fiber. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant.

Abstract: A large variety of electrospun fibers can be produced to encapsulate a large variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured electrospun fiber. Furthermore, the manufactured electrospun fibers can be electrostatically arranged within a filter component of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospinning process, a diverse set of electrospun fibers can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. The electrospun fiber produced by electrospinning comprises at least one type of polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant within the electrospun fiber. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant.

Abstract: Nanofibers are fabricated by introducing a polymer solution into a dispersion medium and shearing the dispersion medium. Droplets of the polymer solution are spun into elongated fibers that are insoluble in the dispersion medium.

Abstract: A large variety of electroprocessed capsules can be produced to encapsulate a variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured capsule. Furthermore, the manufactured capsules can be arranged within a filter of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospraying or electrospinning processes, capsules can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. A capsule produced by electrospraying comprises at least one polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant within the capsule. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant additive.

Abstract: The compositions of hydrogel colloidal crystals are made from mixing an aqueous suspension of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (“PNIPAM”)-co-allylamine microgels with dichloromethane, forming a PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture. The PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture is incubated for a period of time at a given temperature, forming the colloidal crystal material. The colloidal crystals can be stabilized by diffusing a glutaric dialdehyde solution into the colloidal crystal material. The concentration of polymer matrix microgels can determine the orientation of random or columnar crystals.

Abstract: A method is used for making an artificial micro-gland by taxis. A monodisperse multiple emulsion is produced with a first fluid; a second fluid confined within the first fluid; a third fluid within the second fluid. Interfaces between the fluids permit living cells dispersed in the one of the fluids to migrate towards an adjacent fluid having a different concentration of an agent affecting the metabolic activity of the living cells. Waiting, usually about 30 minutes, allows the living cells to migrate to the interface, forming the continuous membrane. Once formed, the artificial micro-gland is removed from the remains of the emulsion. The artificial micro-gland may also be given a second layer of different cells when the emission of the cells of the artificial micro-gland is used as the agent to attract the different cells. The method may also be used to produce an artificial micro-gland within an artificial micro-gland.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an artificial micro-gland having a continuous anisotropic membrane of two or more types of living cells. A first step includes forming a carrier fluid in a microchannel in a laminar flow of two distinct fluid flows. Another step includes introducing a template, which may itself be anisotropic, into the microchannel in a manner such that the template straddles the interface between the first fluid-flow and the second fluid-flow. In some embodiments two types of living cells within the template are separately attracted one of the fluid flows by the presence of an agent of taxis. In other embodiments, cells within one or the other of the fluid flows are attracted to agents within the template. Membranes form on the template and join together to form a complete cellular membrane around a reservoir.

Abstract: The compositions of hydrogel colloidal crystals are made from mixing an aqueous suspension of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (“PNIPAM”)-co-allylamine microgels with dichloromethane, forming a PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture. The PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture is incubated for a period of time at a given temperature, forming the colloidal crystal material. The colloidal crystals can be stabilized by diffusing a glutaric dialdehyde solution into the colloidal crystal material. The concentration of polymer matrix microgels can determine the orientation of random or columnar crystals.

Abstract: A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.

Abstract: Nanofibers are fabricated by introducing a polymer solution into a dispersion medium and shearing the dispersion medium. Droplets of the polymer solution are spun into elongated fibers that are insoluble in the dispersion medium.

Abstract: Composition, processes, techniques, and apparatus for synthesizing monodisperse microgels based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivative polymers by using precipitation polymerization. These microgels are hydrophilic and have the adjustable volume phase transition temperature in aqueous environment. Microgels can be added with various functional groups. These microgels in water can self-assemble into various phases, including a crystalline phase. Hydrogel films with iridescent colors were formed using these microgels as crosslinkers to connect poly(ethylene glycol) chains. The colors of these hydrogel films change with changes of environment such temperature, pH, salt concentration, etc.

Abstract: A large variety of electroprocessed capsules can be produced to encapsulate a variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured capsule. Furthermore, the manufactured capsules can be arranged within a filter of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospraying or electrospinning processes, capsules can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. A capsule produced by electrospraying comprises at least one polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant within the capsule. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one flavorant and/or non-flavorant additive.

Abstract: A large variety of electrospun fibers can be produced to encapsulate a large variety of additives within the subcompartments or substructures of the manufactured electrospun fiber. Furthermore, the manufactured electrospun fibers can be electrostatically arranged within a filter component of a smoking article during the manufacturing process. By modifying the various parameters that control the electrospinning process, a diverse set of electrospun fibers can be manufactured that vary in composition, in substructural organization, and in dimension. The electrospun fiber produced by electrospinning comprises at least one type of polymeric material that encapsulates or supports the retention of at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant within the electrospun fiber. A polymeric material provides a supporting structure for encapsulating at least one type of a flavorant or a non-flavorant.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoresponsive hydrogels. The compositions disclosed herein can be prepared by polymerizing a hydrogel precursor and a spiropyran. The properties of the disclosed compositions can be changed by exposure to light, pH, and temperature. Methods of using the disclosed compositions to deliver pharmaceutical actives are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of capsules or particles of micro and nanometric size, for introduction into food, using stable electrified coaxial jets of two immiscible liquids with diameters in the micro and nanometric range. An aerosol of charged structured droplets forms when the jets dissociate by capillary instabilities. The structured droplets, which are mano-dispersed in size, contain a first liquid (generally the material desired to be added) that is surrounded by a second liquid. Generally the second liquid provides a barrier or protective coating which allows the addition of the first liquid to a food product without adversely affecting the organoleptic or other properties of the food product.