Abstract: The present invention generally relates to double emulsion droplet compositions, polymer particles that can be formed from such double emulsion droplet compositions, and to methods and apparatuses for making such compositions and particles. A double emulsion generally describes larger droplets that contain smaller droplets therein. These double emulsion droplet compositions can be used to create a variety of materials including polymer particles and polymeric shells and are further useful for encapsulating a variety of species including catalyst compounds and pharmaceutical agents. The double emulsion droplet compositions disclosed herein are readily formed using planar droplet (“digital”) microfluidic devices without channels, and either air or an immiscible liquid as an ambient medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic system for forming and/or analyzing multi-cellular spheroids in a hanging drop cell culture. Embodiments of the invention include microfluidic (D?F) systems capable of creating and supporting hanging droplets of cell culture media for the purpose of initiating and maintaining the growth of three-dimensional, multi-cellular spheroids. The microfluidic systems disclosed herein are compatible with numerous analysis modalities including microscopy, mass spectrometry, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radical-initiated thiol-ene or thiol-yne “click” reaction that provides a simple and efficient route to diverse trialkoxysilanes. Trialkoxysilanes made in this way are obtained in quantitative to near-quantitative yields with high purity without any or minimal purification. A wide range of functional groups is tolerated in this approach, and even complex alkenes click with the silane precursors. The modular nature of these radical-based thiol-ene or thiol-yne “click” reactions allows a wide variety of pendant groups to be coupled to silane compounds that can then be coupled to a wide variety surfaces in order to modify their material properties. Consequently, such radical initiated thiol-ene and thiol-yne reactions provide facile and efficient methods for preparing an enormous number of surface-active functional trialkoxysilanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radical-initiated thiol-ene or thiol-yne “click” reaction that provides a simple and efficient route to diverse trialkoxysilanes. Trialkoxysilanes made in this way are obtained in quantitative to near-quantitative yields with high purity without any or minimal purification. A wide range of functional groups is tolerated in this approach, and even complex alkenes click with the silane precursors. The modular nature of these radical-based thiol-ene or thiol-yne “click” reactions allows a wide variety of pendant groups to be coupled to silane compounds that can then be coupled to a wide variety surfaces in order to modify their material properties. Consequently, such radical initiated thiol-ene and thiol-yne reactions provide facile and efficient methods for preparing an enormous number of surface-active functional trialkoxysilanes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to double emulsion droplet compositions, polymer particles that can be formed from such double emulsion droplet compositions, and to methods and apparatuses for making such compositions and particles. A double emulsion generally describes larger droplets that contain smaller droplets therein. These double emulsion droplet compositions can be used to create a variety of materials including polymer particles and polymeric shells and are further useful for encapsulating a variety of species including catalyst compounds and pharmaceutical agents. The double emulsion droplet compositions disclosed herein are readily formed using planar droplet (“digital”) microfluidic devices without channels, and either air or an immiscible liquid as an ambient medium.