Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of nanoceria particles, a sufficient amount of at least one inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II associated with said plurality of nanoceria particles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing said plurality of nanoceria particles with associated inhibitor. One preferred inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II comprises 4-carboxybenzene sulfonamide. The disclosed composition is useful in treatment of glaucoma.

Abstract: A method for depositing sol-gel derived coatings on substrates to form coated substrates includes the steps of providing a first solution including at least one sol precursor and at least one solvent. A water comprising solution is added to the first solution to form a sol-gel. The sol-gel is deposited on a substrate. The sol-gel layer on the substrate is dried/cured at a temperature ?100° C. for at least 10 minutes to form a solid layer, wherein the solid layer has a thickness from 50 nm to 110 nm. The depositing and curing steps are repeated at least once until combined thickness of the solid layers forms a coating of a predetermined thickness. The resulting solid layers are low water content layers that can be evidenced by transmission measurements. The coated substrate can be an IR transmissive substrate having a recrystallization temperature <130° C.

Abstract: A method of scavenging oil from an oil-water mixture includes providing a plurality of functionalized fly ash particles having functionalized surfaces including reactive groups or reactive materials having hydrophobic groups covalently bound to the reactive groups or reactive materials. The oil-water mixture is contacted with the plurality of functionalized fly ash particles. The plurality of functionalized fly ash particles absorb oil from the oil-water mixture to form oil-laden fly ash particles. The oil-laden fly ash particles can be fed into a combustion process to generate heat from oil absorbed thereon, or absorbed oil from the oil-laden fly ash particles can be separated using a desorption process, and the oil recovered after separating.

Abstract: A method for whisker formation on the surface of aluminum-containing metallic alloy fibers and substrates provides a support structure for many technical, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The novel surface modification of metallic alloy fibers and other metallic substrates involves heating the fiber or substrate in air at temperatures ranging from approximately 800° C. to approximately 1000° C. for a period of time ranging from approximately 10 hours to approximately 100 hours to form whiskers. The use of a metal oxide coating with large ions, such as zirconium oxide, allows the formation of alumina whiskers while preserving the structural integrity of the metallic alloy substrate. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to an advanced catalyst support, a highly efficient filter medium, a support for implants and the like.

Abstract: Nano-sized rare earth metal oxide particles are prepared from aqueous reverse micelles. The engineered nanoparticles have large surface area to volume ratios, and uniformly incorporate a surfactant in each particle, so that when applied to the inner surface of a pipeline or sprayed onto a fluid stream in a pipeline, the particles reduce the roughness of the inside surface of pipe being used to transport fluid. The application of a nanolayer of this novel nanoceria mixture causes a significant reduction in pressure drops, friction, and better recovery and yield of fluid flowing through a pipeline.

Abstract: A method for whisker formation on the surface of aluminum-containing metallic alloy fibers and substrates provides a support structure for many technical, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The novel surface modification of metallic alloy fibers and other metallic substrates involves heating the fiber or substrate in air at temperatures ranging from approximately 800° C. to approximately 1000° C. for a period of time ranging from approximately 10 hours to approximately 100 hours to form whiskers. The use of a metal oxide coating with large ions, such as zirconium oxide, allows the formation of alumina whiskers while preserving the structural integrity of the metallic alloy substrate. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to an advanced catalyst support, a highly efficient filter medium, a support for implants and the like.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor system for sensing free radicals or materials which generate free radicals in solution includes a working electrode coated with a plurality of cerium oxide nanoparticles and a counter electrode. A solution to be analyzed provides electrolytes to electrically couple the working electrode to the counter electrode. Electronics are connected to at least one of the working and counter electrodes for measuring and amplifying an electrical current signal generated by reduction or oxidation occurring at the working electrode, wherein in a presence of free radicals an electrical current signal flows between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The system can be used to sense the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing, reversing or inhibiting neovascularization in a tissue of a mammalian subject having a pathological condition involving neovascularization by administration in vivo of nanoceria particles (cerium oxide nanoparticles) to the subject. The method of the invention is useful, for example, for reducing, treating, reversing or inhibiting neovascularization in ocular tissue such as the retina, macula or cornea; in skin; in synovial tissue; in intestinal tissue; or in bone. In addition, the method of the invention is useful for reducing or inhibiting neovascularization in a neoplasm (tumors), which can be benign or malignant and, where malignant, can be a metastatic neoplasm. As such, the invention provides compositions, which contain nanoceria particles and are useful for reducing, treating, reversing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: A biocompatible composite includes a solid biocompatible material and a plurality of living human progenitor or living stem cells attached thereto. The composition resulting in accelerated repair to damaged bones and tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition immunologically targeted to Alzheimer's disease (AD), the composition containing amine functionalized nanoparticles of Cerium oxide coated with polyethylene glycol and bearing an antibody specific for an amyloid-beta antigen associated with AD. The invention also includes a medication manufactured with the targeted nanoceria particles and methods of treatment by administering the targeted nanoceria particles to patients in need thereof.

Abstract: Solid composite propellant compositions include at least one oxidizing agent, at least one binder, and at least one surfactant. The surfactant provides the solid propellant the property of being “self-extinguishing”, where the burning rate of the solid composite propellant as a function of pressure includes a negative pressure dependence portion, wherein the burning rate in the negative pressure dependence portion decreases with increasing pressure until a cutoff pressure is reached which results in extinguishment of the solid composite propellant. The solid composite propellant can also include at least one catalyst that modifies the burning rate of the solid composite propellant. Solid composite propellants can be extinguished without the need for depressurization by reaching a cutoff pressure, and with a tailored burning rate.

Abstract: A method of scavenging oil from an oil-water mixture includes providing a plurality of functionalized fly ash particles having functionalized surfaces including reactive groups or reactive materials having hydrophobic groups covalently bound to the reactive groups or reactive materials. The oil-water mixture is contacted with the plurality of functionalized fly ash particles. The plurality of functionalized fly ash particles absorb oil from the oil-water mixture to form oil-laden fly ash particles. The oil-laden fly ash particles can be fed into a combustion process to generate heat from oil absorbed thereon, or absorbed oil from the oil-laden fly ash particles can be separated using a desorption process, and the oil recovered after separating.

Abstract: A method for whisker formation on the surface of aluminum-containing metallic alloy fibers and substrates provides a support structure for many technical, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The novel surface modification of metallic alloy fibers and other metallic substrates involves heating the fiber or substrate in air at temperatures ranging from approximately 800° C. to approximately 1000° C. for a period of time ranging from approximately 10 hours to approximately 100 hours to form whiskers. The use of a metal oxide coating with large ions, such as zirconium oxide, allows the formation of alumina whiskers while preserving the structural integrity of the metallic alloy substrate. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to an advanced catalyst support, a highly efficient filter medium, a support for implants and the like.

Abstract: A method for whisker formation on the surface of aluminum-containing metallic alloy fibers and substrates provides a support structure for many technical, medical and pharmaceutical applications. The novel surface modification of metallic alloy fibers and other metallic substrates involves heating the fiber or substrate in air at temperatures ranging from approximately 800° C. to approximately 1000° C. for a period of time ranging from approximately 10 hours to approximately 100 hours to form whiskers. The use of a metal oxide coating with large ions, such as zirconium oxide, allows the formation of alumina whiskers while preserving the structural integrity of the metallic alloy substrate. Uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to an advanced catalyst support, a highly efficient filter medium, a support for implants and the like.

Abstract: Adding nanoparticles as a catalyst to solid propellant fuel to increase and enhance burn rates of the fuel by up to 10 times or more and/or modifying the pressure index. A preferred embodiment uses TiO2 nanoparticles mixed with a solid propellant fuel, where the nanoparticles are approximately 2% or less of total propellant mixture. The high surface to volume ratio of the nanoparticles improve the performance of the solid propellant fuel.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of nanoceria particles, a sufficient amount of at least one inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II associated with said plurality of nanoceria particles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing said plurality of nanoceria particles with associated inhibitor. One preferred inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II comprises 4-carboxybenzene sulfonamide. The disclosed composition is useful in treatment of glaucoma.

Abstract: A sensor for selectively determining the presence and measuring the amount of hydrogen in the vicinity of the sensor. The sensor comprises a MEMS device coated with a nanostructured thin film of indium oxide doped tin oxide with an over layer of nanostructured barium cerate with platinum catalyst nanoparticles. Initial exposure to a UV light source, at room temperature, causes burning of organic residues present on the sensor surface and provides a clean surface for sensing hydrogen at room temperature. A giant room temperature hydrogen sensitivity is observed after making the UV source off. The hydrogen sensor of the invention can be usefully employed for the detection of hydrogen in an environment susceptible to the incursion or generation of hydrogen and may be conveniently used at room temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and materials for influencing proliferation of stem cells. Specifically exemplified herein are compositions comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles which can be used to stimulate proliferation of stem cells under common culture conditions, or which can be utilized to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: A novel method for simultaneously forming and filling and decorating carbon nanotubes with palladium nanoparticles is disclosed. Synthesis involves preparing a palladium chloride (PdCl2) solution in a container, having two graphite electrodes, then immersing the graphite electrode assembly, into the PdCl2 solution; connecting the graphite electrodes to a direct current power supply; bringing the electrodes into contact with each other to strike an arc; separating the electrodes to sustain the arc inside the solution; putting the container with electrode assembly in a water-cooled bath; and collecting Pd-nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotubes decorated with Pd-nanoparticles. The temperature at the site of the arc-discharge is greater than 3000° C. At these temperatures, the palladium is ionized into nanoparticles and the graphite electrodes generate layers of graphene (carbon), which roll away from the anode and encapsulate or entrap the Pd-nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of nanoceria particles, a sufficient amount of at least one inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II associated with said plurality of nanoceria particles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing said plurality of nanoceria particles with associated inhibitor. One preferred inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II comprises 4-carboxybenzene sulfonamide. The disclosed composition is useful in treatment of glaucoma.