Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent self-assembling polymer clay nanocomposite coating that is useful in food, drink and electronic packaging as a gas barrier and on textiles and clothing as a flame retardant coating. The coating includes two main components a water dispersible polymer and a sheet like nanoparticle. The coatings may be applied to any substrate. The coatings are applied sequentially with polymer being applied first followed by the nanoparticles. This sequence results in the self-assembly of a highly ordered nanocomposite film that exhibits high barrier properties and flame retardancy. The desired level of gas barrier or flame retardancy desired can be adjusted by the number of bilayers applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent self-assembling polymer clay nanocomposite coating that is useful in food, drink and electronic packaging as a gas barrier and on textiles and clothing as a flame retardant coating. The coating includes two main components a water dispersible polymer and a sheet like nanoparticle. The coatings may be applied to any substrate. The coatings are applied sequentially with polymer being applied first followed by the nanoparticles. This sequence results in the self-assembly of a highly ordered nanocomposite film that exhibits high barrier properties and flame retardancy. The desired level of gas barrier or flame retardancy desired can be adjusted by the number of bilayers applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent self-assembling polymer clay nanocomposite coating that is useful in food, drink and electronic packaging as a gas barrier and on textiles and clothing as a flame retardant coating. The coating consists of two main components that include a water dispersible polymer and a sheet like nanoparticle. The polymers are polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyacrylic acid and or co-polymers with pyrrolidone or acrylic acid and the nanoparticles include smectite clays and double metal hydroxides. The coatings can be applied to any substrate. The coatings are applied sequentially with polymer being applied first followed by the nanoparticles. This sequence results in the self-assembly of a highly ordered nanocomposite film that exhibits high barrier properties and flame retardancy. The desired level of gas barrier or flame retardancy desired can be adjusted by the number of bilayers applied.

Abstract: A coating composition for metal or refractories includes a polysilazane resin; and one or more additives that alter the thermal conductivity and/or the abrasion resistance of the cured polysilazane resin. The coating composition may be applied to a metal or refractory material substrate and heated to form a ceramic layer on the substrate. The ceramic layer exhibits lower thermal conductivity and increased abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: A coating composition for metal or refractories includes a polysilazane resin; and one or more additives that alter the thermal conductivity and/or the abrasion resistance of the cured polysilazane resin. The coating composition may be applied to a metal or refractory material substrate and heated to form a ceramic layer on the substrate. The ceramic layer exhibits lower thermal conductivity and increased abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.