Abstract: A device for capturing exhaled breath of an individual for diagnosis, monitoring, and/or study of conditions and/or diseases comprises a mouthpiece; a mixing chamber, to which the mouthpiece is connected; an exhaust tube connected to the mixing chamber, the exhaust tube having an outlet formed therein; and a container having a capture material disposed therein. The mixing chamber is formed such that the exhaled breath from the individual, which is introduced therein via the mouthpiece, contacts the capture material and traps an exhalant of interest in and/or on the capture material.

Abstract: A method of forming particles for controlled guest agent release includes coextruding first and second polymer materials to form a multilayer polymer composite sheet comprising alternating first and second polymer layers, dividing the multilayer sheet into particles, immersing the particles in a solvent containing the guest agent such that the first layers swell and the guest agent is loaded into the swollen first layers.

Abstract: Hydrogel-coated proppants and methods for manufacture thereof. In preferred embodiments, the hydrogel coating is covalently attached and crosslinked to the proppant substrate in a core-shell structure. The enhanced proppant provides great flexibility in terms of functionalities that can be incorporated into the hydrogel coating. Also, the swelling behavior and mechanical properties of the hydrogel coating can be tailored as desired by varying the amounts of components in the composition such as monomer, crosslinker, polymer, silane comonomer, and initiator.

Abstract: A method of forming particles for controlled guest agent release includes coextruding first and second polymer materials to form a multilayer polymer composite sheet comprising alternating first and second polymer layers, dividing the multilayer sheet into particles, immersing the particles in a solvent containing the guest agent such that the first layers swell and the guest agent is loaded into the swollen first layers.

Abstract: Novel coatings are disclosed prepared from electropolymerization of electropolymerizable monomers-analyte complexes onto a conducting layer or non-conducting of a substrate, where the analyte is removed by electrochemically mediated washing permitting linear molecular sensing of the analyte over a wide concentration range. The coating may also include templating particles deposited on the electrode substrate prior to electropolymerization, where the particles can be removed to form a submicron structured coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer construct includes at least one extruded degradable polymer layer having a host polymer material and at least one amphiphilic star-shaped polymer miscible with the host polymer material. The star-shaped polymer includes a polymer core and polymer branches extending therefrom to define a shell around the core. A guest agent is loaded on and/or within the core. The polymer construct upon delivery to a site of interest provides controlled and/or sustained release of the guest agent upon degradation of the at least one polymer layer.

Abstract: Photoreduction of graphene oxide, by UV-generated ketyl radicals, to graphene. The photoreduction is versatile and can be carried out in solution, solid-state, and even in polymer composites. Reduction of graphene oxide can take place in various polymer matrixes. Methods for producing graphene-supported metal nanoparticles by photoreduction. Graphene oxide and a metal nanoparticle precursor are simultaneously reduced by the action of photogenerated ketyl radicals. Photoreduction is performed on polymer composite films in one embodiment.

Abstract: Hydrogel-coated proppants and methods for manufacture thereof. In preferred embodiments, the hydrogel coating is covalently attached and crosslinked to the proppant substrate in a core-shell structure. The enhanced proppant provides great flexibility in terms of functionalities that can be incorporated into the hydrogel coating. Also, the swelling behavior and mechanical properties of the hydrogel coating can be tailored as desired by varying the amounts of components in the composition such as monomer, crosslinker, polymer, silane comonomer, and initiator.

Abstract: Photoreduction of graphene oxide, by UV-generated ketyl radicals, to graphene. The photoreduction is versatile and can be carried out in solution, solid-state, and even in polymer composites. Reduction of graphene oxide can take place in various polymer matrixes. Methods for producing graphene-supported metal nanoparticles by photoreduction. Graphene oxide and a metal nanoparticle precursor are simultaneously reduced by the action of photogenerated ketyl radicals. Photoreduction is performed on polymer composite films in one embodiment.

Abstract: Novel coatings are disclosed prepared by electropolymerization of non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers onto a conducting layer of a substrate, where the electropolymerized coating exhibit both unique reversible wettability and electro-optical properties. The coating may also include one or more layers of polymer particles upon which the non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers are polymerized imparting a submicron structure to the coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel coatings are disclosed prepared by electropolymerization of non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers onto a conducting layer of a substrate, where the electropolymerized coating exhibit both unique reversible wettability and electro-optical properties. The coating may also include one or more layers of polymer particles upon which the non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers are polymerized imparting a submicron structure to the coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: New methods for the grafting of complex polymer coatings onto conducting surfaces, new grafting compositions and new substrates with grafted coating of the grafting compositions are disclosed. The method offers a new and convenient approach for the preparation of polymer coatings by electrochemically grafting and reactive crosslinking, and/or graft polymerizing.

Abstract: Three dimensional anti-reflection porous films or coated substrates and method for forming the films or coated substrates are disclosed, where the films or coatings have optical transmittances of at least 86% or a reflectance of at most 4%. The 3D anti-reflection porous film or coating compositions (a) one polymer or a plurality of network polymers, (b) one particles and/or a plurality particles, (c) optionally one crosslinking agent or a plurality of crosslinking agents, (d) optionally one oligomer or a plurality of oligomers, (e) optionally one polymerized monomer or a plurality of polymerized monomers, and (f) optionally void spaces, where the composition has a transmittance value of at least 86% or a reflectance value of at most 4%.

Abstract: Nano-composites include a graphite material such as nanotubes or graphene sheets and a partial or complete coating of a polymer including sufficient ?-conjugated moieties to interact with surfaces of the graphite material. The polymers may also include electropolymerizable or oxidatively polymerizable moieties so the films may be crosslinked. The films may be used to form layers on substrates or patterned layers on substrates.

Abstract: A design, synthesis and use of templated chemical routes are disclosed for the synthesis of interlocked macromolecular structures and orderly entanglements that are dubbed “Knotty Polymers” using combined supramolecularly assembled macroinitiators and living polymerization.

Abstract: Novel coatings are disclosed prepared from electropolymerization of electropolymerizable monomers-analyte complexes onto a conducting layer or non-conducting of a substrate, where the analyte is removed by electrochemically mediated washing permitting linear molecular sensing of the analyte over a wide concentration range. The coating may also include templating particles deposited on the electrode substrate prior to electropolymerization, where the particles can be removed to form a submicron structured coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nano-composites include a graphite material such as nanotubes or graphene sheets and a partial or complete coating of a polymer including sufficient ?-conjugated moieties to interact with surfaces of the graphite material. The polymers may also include electropolymerizable or oxidatively polymerizable moieties so the films may be crosslinked. The films may be used to form layers on substrates or patterned layers on substrates.

Abstract: Novel coatings are disclosed prepared by electropolymerization of non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers onto a conducting layer of a substrate, where the electropolymerized coating exhibit both unique reversible wettability and electro-optical properties. The coating may also include one or more layers of polymer particles upon which the non-fluorinated conducting pre-grafted hydrophobic electropolymerizable monomers are polymerized imparting a submicron structure to the coating. Methods for making and using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A design, synthesis and use of templated chemical routes are disclosed for the synthesis of interlocked macromolecular structures and orderly entanglements that are dubbed “Knotty Polymers” using combined supramolecularly assembled macroinitiators and living polymerization.

Abstract: New methods for the grafting of complex polymer coatings onto conducting surfaces, new grafting compositions and new substrates with grafted coating of the grafting compositions are disclosed. The method offers a new and convenient approach for the preparation of polymer coatings by electrochemically grafting and reactive crosslinking, and/or graft polymerizing.