Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a material. Generally, the method includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) placing a mixture having one or more components in a container; and (2) extruding the mixture out of at least one opening of at least one nozzle. In an additional aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a material. In some embodiments, the material includes one or more components. In some embodiments, the one or more components are in the form of a multi-layered structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a composite. In some embodiments, the method includes applying an external magnetic field to a mixture composed of a plurality of magnetic materials in a container, in which the external magnetic field produces a homogenous and uniform magnetic flux in the container. In some embodiments, the method further includes solidifying the mixture to result in the growth of solvent crystals in the mixture, and subliming a solvent phase of the mixture in the container to thereby form a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In some embodiments, a majority of the magnetic materials in the composite are aligned in the same direction.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a material. Generally, the method includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) placing a mixture having one or more components in a container; and (2) extruding the mixture out of at least one opening of at least one nozzle. In an additional aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a material. In some embodiments, the material includes one or more components. In some embodiments, the one or more components are in the form of a multi-layered structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a composite. In some embodiments, the method includes applying an external magnetic field to a mixture composed of a plurality of magnetic materials in a container, in which the external magnetic field produces a homogenous and uniform magnetic flux in the container. In some embodiments, the method further includes solidifying the mixture to result in the growth of solvent crystals in the mixture, and subliming a solvent phase of the mixture in the container to thereby form a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In some embodiments, a majority of the magnetic materials in the composite are aligned in the same direction.

Abstract: A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

Abstract: A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

Abstract: An implantable radially-porous, polymeric, scaffold device configured for insertion into and obstruct a Fallopian tube formed of a polymer such as collagen, nanocellulose, xanthan gum, konjac glucomannan, alginate, agar, agarose, chitin, chitosan, chitosan-alginate polylactic acid (PLA), polygultamic acid (PGA), polycaprolactone, or polydioxanone. The device is compressed and placed within a first end of an insertion tube adapted for insertion through the cervix into the Fallopian tube; the insertion tube having a plunger to expel the device from the tube. The method includes using the insertion tube containing the radially freeze-cast and freeze-dried implant. Under hysteroscopic guidance the tube is positioned in the Fallopian tube and the implant is expelled into the Fallopian tube. Epithelium of the Fallopian tube is disrupted; and ingrowth of cells into the implant is permitted.

Abstract: An edible includes a directionally porous mass of at least one carbohydrate with a low-moisture infiltrate disposed within pores comprising at least one fat selected from melted chocolate, butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, palm oil, or cream. The edible is prepared by directionally freeze-casting an aqueous solution or slurry including a carbohydrate; freezing the solution or slurry with directional crystal growth by applying low temperatures with a temperature gradient to the solution or slurry, and lyophilizing the frozen slurry. In embodiments, the solution or slurry includes fruit juice or puree, or finely ground vegetable matter such as cocoa powder or peanut butter powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffolds that can physically guide cells, e.g. neurons, while best matching the material properties of native tissue. The present invention also relates to methods of generating such scaffolds, and for the use of such scaffolds, e.g. in spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury repair. The methods of the present invention include a uniquely controlled freeze casting process to generate highly porous, linearly oriented scaffolds. The scaffolds of the present invention not only comprise a highly aligned porosity, but also contain secondary guidance structures in the form of ridges running parallel to the pores to create a series of microstructured and highly aligned channels. This hierarchy of structural guidance aligns and guides neurite outgrowth down the channels created by the ridges, and keep neurites from branching perpendicular to the inter-ridge grooves.

Abstract: A metal-polymer composite scaffold includes metal particles coupled with polymer binder, the scaffold having regions of aligned porosity with a gradient. In a particular embodiment, the metal particles include stainless steel. The metal particles have sizes equal to or smaller than 3 ?m. The scaffold has Young's modulus is below 950 MPa. The polymer binder includes chitosan and gelatin. The composite also includes ethanol. The composite has porosity of at least 70%. Systems and methods for producing such metal polymer composite scaffold are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffolds that can physically guide cells, e.g. neurons, while best matching the material properties of native tissue. The present invention also relates to methods of generating such scaffolds, and for the use of such scaffolds, e.g. in spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury repair. The methods of the present invention include a uniquely controlled freeze casting process to generate highly porous, linearly oriented scaffolds. The scaffolds of the present invention not only comprise a highly aligned porosity, but also contain secondary guidance structures in the form of ridges running parallel to the pores to create a series of microstructured and highly aligned channels. This hierarchy of structural guidance aligns and guides neurite outgrowth down the channels created by the ridges, and keep neurites from branching perpendicular to the inter-ridge grooves.