Abstract: A method for promoting the controlled binding and release of a bioactive or pharmaceutical agent from a composition comprising silicon nanoparticles, wherein the silicon nanoparticles comprise at least 50% by weight silicon, the method comprising treating the surface of the silicon nanoparticles with at least one lipid, and treating the surface of the silicon nanoparticles with at least one amino acid, wherein the ratio of lipid to silicon is from 1:1 to 15:1. Also related compositions and methods.

Abstract: The method for producing biodiesel from microalgae using a thermo-responsive switchable solvent includes mixing a thermo-responsive switchable solvent (TSS) in a hydrophilic state with microalgae at room temperature (25° C.); maintaining the TSS-microalgae mixture in the hydrophilic state for a cell disruption time period; raising the temperature of the TSS-microalgae mixture to switch the TSS solvent to a hydrophobic state; maintaining the TSS solvent in the hydrophobic state in the presence of immobilized lipase catalyst and methanol for an extraction/reaction time period to obtain fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as the oils are extracted; lowering the temperature of the TSS-microalgae mixture to switch the TSS solvent back to the hydrophilic state; and maintaining the TSS solvent in the hydrophilic state for a product separation time period. The method may further include extracting the FAMEs from the TSS-microalgae mixture with a nonpolar organic solvent to obtain the biodiesel product.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a computer-aided event history calendar includes computer component systems for storing, processing, displaying, and entering the event history calendar data. Recall of retrospective, autobiographical use of consumer products or substance exposure is facilitated in the context of an event history calendar whereby a respondent is asked questions concerning the occurrence and timing of various important life events throughout the respondent's life. Questions are asked regarding the respondent's usage of particular consumer products or exposures to substances as well as the sources of those products or substances. To assist the respondent in recalling the specific sources of consumer products or substances, source-identifying features of various possible consumer products the respondent may have used or substances the respondent may have been exposed to are displayed to the user.