Abstract: A method for creating a foam product using microwaves and alcohol useful for various industrial applications. The method of creating polymeric foam includes 2-butanol used in conjunction with microwaves to create a polymer foam material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material comprising oxidized bacterial cellulose and calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite, and methods for preparing the composite material. The composite material is useful as a bone graft material. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for tissue repair in a mammal. The method comprises inserting the composite material into cartilage or bone tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vascular stent that includes an expandable stent defining an interior compartment, a first polymeric layer exposed to the interior compartment defined by the stent, the first layer comprising an agent that promotes re-endothelialization, an agent that inhibits thrombosis, or a combination thereof, and a second polymeric layer at least partially external of the stent, the second layer being adapted for contacting a vascular surface and being characterized by pores that are substantially impermeable to vascular smooth muscle cell migration. Method of making and using the vascular stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing and using polymeric microstructures having a pre-determined geometry (e.g., rectangular prism, cube), and pre-determined surface characteristics are disclosed herein. The polymeric microstructures described herein are particularly useful as microcarriers in cell culture applications because they provide high surface areas, and improved surface/volume ratios over currently available microstructures, and can be manufactured to have pre-determined physiochemical characteristics (e.g., substrate curvature, texture, shape, porosity, surface chemistry) to optimize compatibility with a pre-determined type of cell (e.g., bacterial, animal, mammalian, human) to be cultured. The polymeric microstructures described herein are also particularly useful in tissue engineering (e.g., bone engineering) applications.