Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymer matrixes having nanoscale channels dispersed therein and to methods for preparing such matrixes. Also disclosed are uses of such polymer matrixes, such as for separating and analyzing materials. Still further, disclosed are devices that include such polymer matrixes.

Abstract: A bioreactor with substance injection capability. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a chamber for receiving cells and a liquid medium. A port is formed in the second substrate between the bottom surface and the first surface of the second substrate. As formed, the port is in fluid communication with the chamber to allow a stream of substance to be introduced into the chamber. The stream of substance is controlled so as to provide a gradient, or a concentration gradient of the substance, to the chamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.

Abstract: A method of depositing a solid film on a substrate in which a stream comprising particles suspended in a transport gas is moved through a heating zone. The particles are combined with the transport gas from a powder feeder operatively coupled to a gas flow tube. The particle stream is directed toward the heating zone by ejecting the powder stream from a nozzle connected to a distal end of the gas flow tube. A radiation source is directed at the suspended particles as they move through the heating zone so that the particles heated to a molten state. The droplets are undercooled in a cooling zone before impact with the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention uses a conductor as a catalytic support for carbon nanotube growth. The use of conductive catalytic support will provide a contact to the nanotubes with low resistance. Carbon nanotubes grown on insulators must be modified to allow good connections. Second, creation of catalytic particles has been largely accomplished by precipitation of transition metals from salt solutions or thermal decomposition of thin films, while the present method uses precipitation from a solid solution. This will allow better control of the size distribution of catalysts. The precipitates will be coherent with the support allowing good anchoring of the catalysts for base growth of carbon nanotubes. Third, the approach is amenable to patterning by photolithography or other means of applying copper/transition metal thin films.

Abstract: A system and method for directing metal or ceramic particles toward a substrate (18) in a vacuum chamber includes a powder hopper (11), an enclosure (12) containing multiple differentially pumped vacuum chambers (19), a charging lamp (13), a tube (14), multiple charging and heating diodes 15, and an electromagnetic field generating device (EFGD) (17). The hopper (11) holds metal or ceramic particles, the chambers (19) propel the particles through the tube (14) towards substrate (18) positioned close to the tube, charging lamp (13) charges the particles, diodes (15) are used to heat the particles, and the EFGD (17) controls the direction of the particles propelled out of the tube.

Abstract: A system and method for directing metal or ceramic particles toward a substrate (18) in a vacuum chamber includes a powder hopper (11), an enclosure (12) containing multiple differentially pumped vacuum chambers (19), a charging lamp (13), a tube (14), multiple charging and heating diodes 15, and an electromagnetic field generating device (EFGD) (17). The hopper (11) holds metal or ceramic particles, the chambers (19) propel the particles through the tube (14) towards substrate (18) positioned close to the tube, charging lamp (13) charges the particles, diodes (15) are used to heat the particles, and the EFGD (17) controls the direction of the particles propelled out of the tube.

Abstract: A method of depositing a solid film on a substrate in which a stream comprising particles suspended in a transport gas is moved through a heating zone. The particles are combined with the transport gas from a powder feeder operatively coupled to a gas flow tube. The particle stream is directed toward the heating zone by ejecting the powder stream from a nozzle connected to a distal end of the gas flow tube. A radiation source is directed at the suspended particles as they move through the heating zone so that the particles heated to a molten state. The droplets are undercooled in a cooling zone before impact with the substrate.