Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of determining where, on the skin, a diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic agent is likely to be most effectively applied (e.g., injected), and to methods for monitoring a patient after such an agent has been administered. The monitoring can produce information useful in determining whether a diagnostic, therapeutic (e.g., surgical), or cosmetic regime should be initiated, continued, continued in a modified fashion, or terminated (e.g., for a brief or prolonged period of time). The methods can be repeated periodically and use a non-invasive, in vivo form of digital image speckle correlation (DISC) to track deformation of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of determining where, on the skin, a diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic agent is likely to be most effectively applied (e.g., injected), and to methods for monitoring a patient after such an agent has been administered. The monitoring can produce information useful in determining whether a diagnostic, therapeutic (e.g., surgical), or cosmetic regime should be initiated, continued, continued in a modified fashion, or terminated (e.g., for a brief or prolonged period of time). The methods can be repeated periodically and use a non-invasive, in vivo form of digital image speckle correlation (DISC) to track deformation of the skin.

Abstract: A composition used to form the active layer of a solar cell or hydrogen fuel cell that comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a homogenous dispersion, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C61 (PCBM). The homogenous dispersion comprises, consists of or consists essentially of graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) or para-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (PMMA). The GO or RGO can be functionalized with a metal, preferably gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) or ferric oxide (Fe2O3).

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a polyelectrolyte membrane; and platelet-shaped nanoparticles of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, copper or their alloys or mixtures thereof. The polyelectrolyte membrane includes a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer and is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The nanoparticles contact the surface of the proton exchange membrane increase the efficiency of the fuel cell by at least 50%.

Abstract: A composition used to form the active layer of a solar cell or hydrogen fuel cell that comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a homogenous dispersion, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C61 (PCBM). The homogenous dispersion comprises, consists of or consists essentially of graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) or para-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (PMMA). The GO or RGO can be functionalized with a metal, preferably gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) or ferric oxide (Fe2O3).

Abstract: The present invention features, inter alia, biocompatible compositions that include a poloxamer and one or more additives such as hyaluronic acid, gelatin, fibronectin, or a peptide fragment of fibronectin. The compositions are useful in tissue repair or remodeling, including repair of an injured spinal disc, in drug delivery, in cell culture, and in inhibiting the formation of adhesions.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated particle having a core particle that is fully coated by a dual-layer coating that includes an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic composition and an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic polymer. The core particles are added to a hydrophilic solution and mixed together. The hydrophobic polymer is then added to form a mixture. The mixture is sonicated to coat the particles and the coated particles are separated and dried to form meta-stable coated particles.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of determining where, on the skin, a diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic agent is likely to be most effectively applied (e.g., injected), and to methods for monitoring a patient after such an agent has been administered. The monitoring can produce information useful in determining whether a diagnostic, therapeutic (e.g., surgical), or cosmetic regime should be initiated, continued, continued in a modified fashion, or terminated (e.g., for a brief or prolonged period of time). The methods can be repeated periodically and use a non-invasive, in vivo form of digital image speckle correlation (DISC) to track deformation of the skin.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a polyelectrolyte membrane and a solution of reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide functionalized with metallized nanoparticles. The electrodes are coated with a polymer and the polyelectrolyte membrane has a hydrophobic exterior surface that is subjected to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure, which changes the hydrophobic, exterior surface to a hydrophilic exterior surface. The polyelectrolyte membrane is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and can include a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer. The solution forms a coating on the hydrophilic exterior surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes can be coated with a polymer, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that can be subjected to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure.

Abstract: A composition used to form the active layer of a solar cell or hydrogen fuel cell that comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a homogenous dispersion, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C61 (PCBM). The homogenous dispersion comprises, consists of or consists essentially of graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) or para-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (PMMA). The GO or RGO can be functionalized with a metal, preferably gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) or ferric oxide (Fe2O3).

Abstract: A method for forming a coated particle having a core particle that is fully coated by a dual-layer coating that includes an inner layer formed of a hydrophilic composition and an outer layer formed of a hydrophobic polymer. The core particles are added to a hydrophilic solution and mixed together. The hydrophobic polymer is then added to form a mixture. The mixture is sonicated to coat the particles and the coated particles are separated and dried to form meta-stable coated particles.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a polyelectrolyte membrane and a solution of reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide functionalized with metallized nanoparticles. The electrodes are coated with a polymer and the polyelectrolyte membrane has a hydrophobic exterior surface that is subjected to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure, which changes the hydrophobic, exterior surface to a hydrophilic exterior surface. The polyelectrolyte membrane is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and can include a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer. The solution forms a coating on the hydrophilic exterior surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes can be coated with a polymer, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that can be subjected to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure.

Abstract: A method of attaching reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide to a polymer layer that includes: forming a polymer layer having a hydrophobic, exterior surface; subjecting the hydrophobic, exterior surface of the polymer layer to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure to change the hydrophobic, exterior surface to a hydrophilic, exterior surface; and applying reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide to the hydrophilic surface of the polymer layer. The UV/O3 exposure reduces the contact angle of droplets on the exterior surface of the polymer layer so that greater amounts of reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide can be applied to the surface.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell that includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a polyelectrolyte membrane; and platelet-shaped nanoparticles of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, copper or their alloys or mixtures thereof. The polyelectrolyte membrane includes a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer and is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The nanoparticles contact the surface of the proton exchange membrane increase the efficiency of the fuel cell by at least 50%.

Abstract: The present invention features, inter alia, biocompatible compositions that include a poloxamer and one or more additives such as hyaluronic acid, gelatin, fibronectin, or a peptide fragment of fibronectin. The compositions are useful in tissue repair or remodeling, including repair of an injured spinal disc, in drug delivery, in cell culture, and in inhibiting the formation of adhesions.

Abstract: A method of attaching reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide to a polymer layer that includes: forming a polymer layer having a hydrophobic, exterior surface; subjecting the hydrophobic, exterior surface of the polymer layer to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure to change the hydrophobic, exterior surface to a hydrophilic, exterior surface; and applying reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide to the hydrophilic surface of the polymer layer. The UV/O3 exposure reduces the contact angle of droplets on the exterior surface of the polymer layer so that greater amounts of reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide can be applied to the surface.

Abstract: A method for preparing a graphene sheet greater than 1 ?m in length that includes: combining graphitic oxide with a solvent having a ratio of from about 50:50 to about 80:20 deionized water and ethanol to form a graphitic oxide solution; mixing a solution of NaBH4 and deionized water and the graphitic oxide solution to form a mixture having a concentration of from 10 mmolar to 20 mmolar NaBH4; depositing the mixture on a substrate to form a sheet; and heating the mixture at a temperature of from 25° C. to 85° C. for from 3 to 30 minutes.

Abstract: A HA-gelatin-pluronic hydrogel and a method for making a HA-gelatin-pluronic hydrogel are provided. The hydrogel includes hyaluronic acid, gelatin-Type A and a thermoreversible, hydrophilic non-ionic surfactant gel. The thermoreversible, hydrophilic non-ionic surfactant gel can be a poly(ethylene oxide)99-poly(propylene oxide)67-poly(ethylene oxide)99 (“Pluronic F127”). The weight ratio of HA to gelatin-Type A is between 1:2 and 2:1 and preferably about 1:1. The weight ratio of HA and gelatin-Type A to thermoreversible, hydrophilic non-ionic surfactant gel is between 1:3,000 and 1:150, preferably between 1:3,000 and 1:600 and most preferably about 1:2,400. The hydrogel is formed by combining hyaluronic acid and gelatin-Type A to form a solution, cooling the solution, mixing the solution with Pluronic F127 to form a mixture and storing the mixture at a temperature of from 25° C. to 45° C. preferably about 37° C.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of determining where, on the skin, a diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic agent is likely to be most effectively applied (e.g., injected), and to methods for monitoring a patient after such an agent has been administered. The monitoring can produce information useful in determining whether a diagnostic, therapeutic (e.g., surgical), or cosmetic regime should be initiated, continued, continued in a modified fashion, or terminated (e.g., for a brief or prolonged period of time). The methods can be repeated periodically and use a non-invasive, in vivo form of digital image speckle correlation (DISC) to track deformation of the skin.

Abstract: Hydrogels formed from hyaluronic acid, a nanoclay and gelatin-type A. The hyaluronic acid is preferably dissolved in a cell culture medium containing amino acids, salts, glucose, vitamins and an antibiotic to form a hyaluronic acid solution. The gelatin-type A has a weight/volume of from about 0.02% to 0.08%. The nanoclay is exfoliated in deionized water and preferably includes SiO2, MgO, Na2O and Li2O.