Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein include an implantable, detachable, and removable medical device comprising: a therapeutic balloon configured to perform a therapeutic activity inside a living subject; and a focused-ultrasound activatable actuator operably connected to the therapeutic balloon; wherein the actuator is capable of being activated between a closed state and an open state remotely via a focused ultrasound beam; wherein the device is configured to be in an implantation state to facilitate implantation of the device in the living subject, in a therapeutic state to facilitate performance of the therapeutic activity, and subsequently in an expulsion state to facilitate expulsion of the medical device from the living subject; and wherein the implantation state, therapeutic state, and expulsion state are different from each other

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein include a composite material comprising: one or more shape memory polymers; and a first additive provided in the shape memory polymer(s); wherein: the first additive increases one or more ultrasound-absorption characteristics of the composite material compared to that of the same shape memory polymer(s) free of said first additive; the composite material is characterized by a composite transition temperature (Tcm,trans); and the composite material or one or more portions thereof undergo a shape change from a temporary shape to a permanent shape when the composite material or said one or more portions thereof are heated to within 35° C. of Tcm,trans or a temperature approximately equal to or greater than Tcm,trans.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to benzo[ghi]perylene imide photoredox catalysts (PC) and methods for the Birch reductions of aromatic substrates, such as benzene, benzeneoid, and heteroaromatic compounds, using light as the driving force. Certain aspects of the disclosure encompass methods for reduction of aromatic substrates. The method comprises contacting an aromatic substrate with a sacrificial electron donor in the presence of a photoredox catalyst in a solvent, thereby forming a reaction mixture; exposing the reaction mixture to visible or UV light under reaction condition sufficient to reduce the aromatic substrate compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides photocatalysts, methods for their preparation, and methods for preparing linear polymers with high propagation rate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds and to photoreactors useful in these and other light-driven reactions. The method comprises contacting an aryl halide, such as 4-bromobenzotrifluoride, with an amine, such as morpholine, in the presence of a Ni salt catalyst solution and an optional base, thereby forming a reaction mixture; exposing the reaction mixture to light under reaction condition sufficient to produce the aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds, e.g., to give a product such as 4-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)morpholine. In certain embodiments, the amine may be present in a molar excess to the aryl halide. In certain embodiments, the Ni salt catalyst solution includes a Ni(II) salt and a polar solvent, wherein the Ni(II) salt is dissolved in the polar solvent. In certain embodiments, the reactions conditions include holding the reaction mixture at between about room temperature and about 80° C.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dual catalytic method for forming aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds. The method comprises contacting an aryl halide with an amine in the presence of a dual catalytic solution comprising a Ni(II) salt catalyst, a photocatalyst, and an optional base, thereby forming a reaction mixture; exposing the reaction mixture to light under reaction condition sufficient to produce the aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds. In certain embodiments, the amine may be present in a molar excess to the aryl halide. In certain embodiment, the photocatalyst may be [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 or an organic phenoxazine. In certain embodiments, the Ni salt catalyst solution includes a Ni(II) salt and a polar solvent, wherein the Ni(II) salt is dissolved in the polar solvent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds and to photoreactors useful in these and other light-driven reactions. The method comprises contacting an aryl halide with an amine in the presence of a Ni salt catalyst solution and an optional base, thereby forming a reaction mixture; exposing the reaction mixture to light under reaction condition sufficient to produce the aryl carbon-nitrogen bonds. In certain embodiments, the amine may be present in a molar excess to the aryl halide. In certain embodiments, the Ni salt catalyst solution includes a Ni(II) salt and a polar solvent, wherein the Ni(II) salt is dissolved in the polar solvent. In certain embodiments, the reactions conditions include holding the reaction mixture at between about room temperature and about 80° C. for between about 1 hour and about 20 hours such that at least about 50% yield is obtained.