Abstract: A nanofiber comprising a polyamide including at least one substituted phenyl group is provided. The nanofiber includes an average diameter from about 50 to about 1000 nm. A fibrous mat including a plurality of the nanofibers is also provided. A composite including a plurality of the nanofibers and a continuous matrix resin is also provided. A method of forming the nanofibers is also provided.

Abstract: A topical composition includes a nanoemulsion of a plurality of hydrophobic particles having a hydrophilic coating therein. The hydrophobic particles are derived from the same or different hydrophobic material and each hydrophobic particle has a melting point below the melting point of the respective hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic particles comprise a mean particle size of less than about 10 nm, and the nanoemulsion further includes one or more pharmaceutically active agents.

Abstract: A nanofiber comprising a polyamide including at least one substituted phenyl group is provided. The nanofiber includes an average diameter from about 50 to about 1000 nm. A fibrous mat including a plurality of the nanofibers is also provided. A composite including a plurality of the nanofibers and a continuous matrix resin is also provided. A method of forming the nanofibers is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: A method for preparing a collagen membrane includes applying an influence of an electric field to a collagen solution positioned between capacitor plates; adding a buffer solution to the acidic collagen solution to form a collagen gel; assembling a plurality of collagen gel layers; and performing a dehydrothermal cross-link on the plurality of collagen gel layers to form a cross-linked collagen membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and kits for homogeneous fluorescence polarization (anisotropy) assays for detecting and quantifying metal ions in solution. Metal-dependent binding of a fluorescent ligand to an unlabeled macromolecule effects a measurable change in anisotropy as will the binding of metal ions to a fluorescent labeled macromolecule. Binding of the fluorescent ligand to the unlabeled macromolecule is metal dependent with the change in anisotropy being proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. Conversely, if the fluorescent label is first conjugated to a macromolecule and the macromolecule is subsequently stripped of metal ion, it may then be used to signal binding of metal ions. The covalently bound fluorescent label exhibits changes in anisotropy proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. Kits comprise a fluorescent molecule and a macromolecule.

Abstract: Homogeneous fluorescence polarization (anisotropy) assays for detecting and quantifying metal ions in solution, based the metal-dependent binding of a fluorescent ligand to an unlabeled macromolecule, or the binding of a metal ion to a fluorescent labeled macromolecule. The metal-dependent binding of a fluorescent ligand to an unlabeled macromolecule (metallo-macromolecule) effects a measurable change in anisotropy as will the binding of metal ions to a fluorescent labeled macromolecule. Binding of the fluorescent ligand to the unlabeled macromolecule is metal dependent with the change in anisotropy being proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. No binding of the fluorescent ligand to the macromolecule occurs in the absence of metal ions. Conversely, if the fluorescent label is first conjugated to a metallo-macromolecule and the metallo-macromolecule is subsequently stripped of its metal ion, it may then be used to transduce the binding of metal ions.