Abstract: Bacteriophage compositions and therapeutic uses thereof. In particular, compositions of lytic bacteriophages that are capable of lysing Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacterial strains associated with acne and biofilms, thereby treating or preventing acne and biofilms.

Abstract: A method of coating a microneedle array by applying a coating fluid using a flexible film in a brush-like manner. A method of coating a microneedle array comprising: providing a microneedle array having a substrate and a plurality of microneedles; providing a flexible film; providing a coating solution comprising a carrier fluid and a coating material; applying the coating solution onto a first major surface of the flexible film; providing a coating solution comprising a carrier fluid and a coating material; applying the coating solution onto a first major surface of the flexible film; performing a transfer step of bringing the first major surface of the flexible film into contact with the microneedles and removing the flexible film from contact with the microneedles; and allowing the carrier fluid to evaporate.

Abstract: Detection systems and methods for detecting target biological analytes within sample material using acousto-mechanical energy generated by a sensor are disclosed. The acousto-mechanical energy may be provided using an acousto-mechanical sensor, e.g., a surface acoustic wave sensor such as, e.g., a shear horizontal surface acoustic wave sensor (e.g., a LSH-SAW sensor). A variety of techniques for modifying the effective mass of the target biological analytes in sample material are disclosed, including fractionating or disassembling the target biological analytes in the sample material (e.g., lysing the target biological analyte), adding a detectable mass to the target biological analyte or enhancing coupling of the target biological analyte (e.g., through the use of magnetic particles), exposing the sample material to a reagent that causes a change in at least detectable physical property in the sample material if the target biological analyte is present (e.g.

Abstract: Compounds having two reactive functional groups are described that can be used as a tethering compound to immobilize an amine-containing material to a substrate. The first reactive functional group can be used to provide attachment to a surface of a substrate. The second reactive functional group is a N-sulfonyldicarboximide group that can be reacted with an amine-containing material, particularly a primary aliphatic amine, to form a connector group between the substrate and the amine-containing material. The invention also provides articles and methods for immobilizing amine-containing materials to a substrate.

Abstract: Plasma deposited microporous analyte detection layers, method of forming analyte detection layers, and analyte sensors including the same are disclosed. An analyte sensor includes a substrate and a microporous amorphous random covalent network layer. The microporous amorphous random covalent network layer includes silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen with a mean pore size in a range from 0.5 to 10 nanometers and an optical thickness in a range from 0.2 to 2 micrometers.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a multi-layer film having a conductive layer and a polymeric layer disposed adjacent the conductive layer, a microchannel extending through the multi-layer film, where the microchannel has a perimeter surface, and a hydrophilic layer disposed on the perimeter surface of the microchannel. The hydrophilic layer comprises at least about 20% by weight silicon and at least about 40% by weight oxygen.

Abstract: A method of making an optochemical sensor, the method comprising: providing a reflective substrate having a major surface; affixing a detection layer comprising at least one intrinsically microporous polymer to at least a portion of the major surface; depositing a substantially continuous semi-reflective metallic layer on at least a portion of the detection layer, the semi-reflective metallic layer comprising palladium and having a network of fine irregular cracks therein; and heating the detection layer and semi-reflective metallic layer in the presence of molecular oxygen at a temperature sufficient to cause the cracks to widen. Sensors prepared according to method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds having two reactive functional groups are described that can be used to provide a connector group between a substrate and an amine-containing material. The first reactive functional group can be used to provide attachment to a surface of a substrate. The second reactive functional group is a N-sulfonylaminocarbonyl group that can be reacted with an amine-containing material, particularly a primary aliphatic amine, to form a carbonylimino-containing connector group. The invention also provides articles and methods for immobilizing amine-containing materials to a substrate.

Abstract: A barrier assembly having a flexible or rigid substrate overcoated with an all polymer multilayer stack. A multilayer on the substrate includes alternating diamond-like glass or carbon layers with polymer layers. Another multilayer includes alternating polymer layers using different types of polymers.

Abstract: Optical and optoelectronic articles incorporating an amorphous diamond-like film are disclosed. Specifically, the invention includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film overlying two or more proximate substrates, and to methods of making optical and optoelectronic articles. In certain implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis. Another embodiment includes optical or optoelectronic articles containing an amorphous diamond-like film that is further coated with a metallic or polymeric material for attachment to a device package.

Abstract: A prismatic retroreflective article has a transparent body portion and a layer of internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements having an open air-exposed rear surface at least a portion of which is more hydrophobic, more oleophobic, or both more hydrophobic and more oleophobic than the underlying cube-corner optical element. The article may be made by providing a transparent body portion bearing a layer of internally reflecting open air-exposed cube-corner optical elements; treating or coating at least a portion of the cube-corner elements to make the treated or coated portion more hydrophobic, more oleophobic, or both more hydrophobic and more oleophobic than the underlying cube-corner optical elements; and leaving such treated or coated portion exposed to the open air.

Abstract: The present invention includes an electronic-circuit article that has a substrate, a plasma deposited layer disposed on the substrate, where the plasma deposited layer comprises at least about 10.0 atomic percent, and a patterned conductive layer disposed above the plasma deposited layer.

Abstract: Compounds having two reactive functional groups are described that can be used as a tethering compound to immobilize an amine-containing material to a substrate. The first reactive functional group can be used to provide attachment to a surface of a substrate. The second reactive functional group is a N-sulfonyldicarboximide group that can be reacted with an amine-containing material, particularly a primary aliphatic amine, to form a connector group between the substrate and the amine-containing material. The invention also provides articles and methods for immobilizing amine-containing materials to a substrate.

Abstract: The application discloses methods of plasma treatment that employ an ion sheath in a capacitively-coupled system to increase the hydrophilicity of porous articles, including microporous articles having pore sizes of 0.05 to 1.5 micrometers, both on their surfaces and in their pores such that the articles' bulk wetting properties are improved.

Abstract: Compounds having two reactive functional groups are described that can be used to provide a connector group between a substrate and an amine-containing material. The first reactive functional group can be used to provide attachment to a surface of a substrate. The second reactive functional group is a N-sulfonylaminocarbonyl group that can be reacted with an amine-containing material, particularly a primary aliphatic amine, to form a carbonylimino-containing connector group. The invention also provides articles and methods for immobilizing amine-containing materials to a substrate.

Abstract: Compounds having two reactive functional groups are described that can be used as a tethering compound to immobilize an amine-containing material to a substrate. The first reactive functional group can be used to provide attachment to a surface of a substrate. The second reactive functional group is a N-sulfonyldicarboximide group that can be reacted with an amine-containing material, particularly a primary aliphatic amine, to form a connector group between the substrate and the amine-containing material. The invention also provides articles and methods for immobilizing amine-containing materials to a substrate.

Abstract: Compounds having two reactive functional groups are described that can be used to provide a connector group between a substrate and an amine-containing material. The first reactive functional group can be used to provide attachment to a surface of a substrate. The second reactive functional group is a N-sulfonylaminocarbonyl group that can be reacted with an amine-containing material, particularly a primary aliphatic amine, to form a carbonylimino-containing connector group. The invention also provides articles and methods for immobilizing amine-containing materials to a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell gas diffusion layer comprising a hydrophilic surface layer having a thickness of no more than 1 micron, and, thereunder, a hydrophobic second layer comprising a fluoropolymer having a thickness of at least 5 microns. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of making a fuel cell gas diffusion layer comprising the steps of a) providing a carbon fiber construction; b) coating at least the upper surface of the carbon fiber construction with composition which comprises a fluoropolymer; and c) exposing the upper surface to at least one plasma, such as a silane plasma, so as to generate a hydrophilic surface layer having a thickness of no more than 1 micron. The present invention also provides a method additionally comprising the step of partially covering the upper surface with a mask having windows according to a pattern, such that the hydrophilic surface layer is applied according to the pattern.