Abstract: Described herein are compositions for making nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods for making nanofibers and nanofilms where the fibers are formed from a solution having more than one solvent, where the solvents are immiscible. Nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers or combinations thereof are described. Finally, methods for using the nanofibers and nanofilms are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides substrates useful for culturing cells under low serum or serum free conditions. The substrates are useful for conducting cell-based assays where there is interference from serum proteins. Methods are also provided for using the substrates of the present invention as well as methods for making the substrates of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition for use, for example, in cell culture surface modification and in cell culture articles, as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making the compositions and articles, and methods of using the compositions and articles, as defined herein.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for making nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods for making nanofibers and nanofilms where the fibers are formed from a solution having more than one solvent, where the solvents are immiscible. Nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers or combinations thereof are described. Finally, methods for using the nanofibers and nanofilms are described.

Abstract: The invention includes inventive methods of treating a soot preform. One method includes heating a soot preform to a temperature of less than about 1000° C. and exposing the preform to a substantially halide free reducing agent. Preferred reducing agents include carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Another inventive method of treating the preform includes exposing the preform, in a furnace, to a substantially non-chlorine containing atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide. The preform is heated to a temperature of at least about 1000° C. Preferably this method is incorporated into the process for making an optical fiber. An additional method of treating the preform includes doping the preform with fluorine and exposing the fluorine doped preform to a substantially chlorine free atmosphere comprising at least carbon monoxide at a temperature of at least 1100° C., thereby reacting excess oxygen present in the furnace.

Abstract: A method of producing a doped optical fiber preform from a silica-based preform is disclosed which includes, in a first gas exposure step, exposing the silica soot portion to a first gaseous environment containing a chlorine-containing compound for a time and at one or more temperatures below the consolidation temperature of the silica soot portion, in a second gas exposure step, exposing the silica soot portion to a second gaseous environment containing a second gaseous compound for a time and at one or more temperatures below the consolidation temperature of the silica soot portion, and in a third gas exposure step, exposing the silica soot portion to a third gaseous environment containing a chlorine-containing compound for a time and at one or more temperatures below the consolidation temperature of the silica soot portion and higher than at least one of the temperatures in the first gas exposure step.

Abstract: A method for forming a doped optical fiber includes drawing the optical fiber from a doped glass supply at a draw speed and a draw tension sufficient to introduce a heat aging defect in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is treated by maintaining the optical fiber within a treatment temperature range for a treatment time while preferably maintaining the optical fiber within a treatment tension range to reduce the tendency of the optical fiber to increase in attenuation over time following formation of the optical fiber. Apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The invention includes inventive methods of treating a soot preform. One method includes heating a soot preform to a temperature of less than about 1000 ° C. and exposing the preform to a substantially halide free reducing agent. Preferred reducing agents include carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Another inventive method of treating the preform includes exposing the preform, in a furnace, to a substantially non-chlorine containing atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide. The preform is heated to a temperature of at least about 1000° C. Preferably this method is incorporated into the process for making an optical fiber. An additional method of treating the preform includes doping the preform with fluorine and exposing the fluorine doped preform to a substantially chlorine free atmosphere comprising at least carbon monoxide at a temperature of at least 1100° C., thereby reacting excess oxygen present in the furnace.