Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode material for a high-power lithium ion battery. The positive electrode material is in form of secondary particles with a hollow microsphere structure, and a shell of the secondary particles is formed by aggregating a plurality of primary particles. The secondary particles have a uniform particle size, a loose and porous surface, and a large specific surface area. The obtained particles are regular in shape, stable in material structure, so that the positive electrode material has high rate performance and excellent cycle performance.

Abstract: A new technique to stabilize transition metal phosphors in a wide variety of stimuli-sensitive polymers and gels is disclosed herein. Other than stabilization in stimuli sensitive/biocompatible matrix some of these transition metal based phosphors are also shown to act as phosphorescent crosslinkers that physically or chemically crosslink polymeric chains to form micro/nanoparticles. The microspheres/nanospheres of the present invention show decreased size and photoluminescence enhancement with particularly high sensitization at physiological pH and temperature. The so formed phosphorescent micro/nanospheres are useful for biological or environmental applications including biological labeling, imaging, and optical sensing. The techniques in the present invention enable usage of imaging agents and sensors at very low concentrations and also minimize or eliminate the usage of toxic chemical crosslinkers typically used to synthesize polymeric micro/nanoparticles.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles and methods of making the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles having an interpenetrating polymer network (“IPN”) are described. The uniformed sized mono-disperse IPN nanoparticles have inverse thermo gelation properties that allow therapeutic medications to be uniformly distributed in a liquid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles. Such medications can then be released from a solid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles in time dependant manor.

Abstract: The compositions of hydrogel colloidal crystals are made from mixing an aqueous suspension of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (“PNIPAM”)-co-allylamine microgels with dichloromethane, forming a PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture. The PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture is incubated for a period of time at a given temperature, forming the colloidal crystal material. The colloidal crystals can be stabilized by diffusing a glutaric dialdehyde solution into the colloidal crystal material. The concentration of polymer matrix microgels can determine the orientation of random or columnar crystals.

Abstract: The compositions of hydrogel colloidal crystals are made from mixing an aqueous suspension of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (“PNIPAM”)-co-allylamine microgels with dichloromethane, forming a PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture. The PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture is incubated for a period of time at a given temperature, forming the colloidal crystal material. The colloidal crystals can be stabilized by diffusing a glutaric dialdehyde solution into the colloidal crystal material. The concentration of polymer matrix microgels can determine the orientation of random or columnar crystals.

Abstract: The present invention includes metal nanoparticles composition and methods of making and using the same by converting a metal (I) to a metal (0) and forming one or more metal nanoparticles from the metal (0). The one or more metal nanoparticles are stabilized with one or more biocompatible stabilizers to prevent agglomeration and make them amenable for biomedical applications.

Abstract: Composition, processes, techniques, and apparatus for synthesizing monodisperse microgels based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivative polymers by using precipitation polymerization. These microgels are hydrophilic and have the adjustable volume phase transition temperature in aqueous environment. Microgels can be added with various functional groups. These microgels in water can self-assemble into various phases, including a crystalline phase. Hydrogel films with iridescent colors were formed using these microgels as crosslinkers to connect poly(ethylene glycol) chains. The colors of these hydrogel films change with changes of environment such temperature, pH, salt concentration, etc.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing uniformly sized hyaluronic acid (“HA”) particles that are substantially free from oil and surfactant contaminants. The method comprises crosslinking HA chains with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethlyaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (“EDAC”) and adipic acid dihydrazide in a water/acetone mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue engineering compositions and methods wherein three-dimensional matrices for growing cells are prepared for in vitro and in vivo use. The matrices comprise biodegradable polymer fibers capable of the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The spatial and temporal distribution of released therapeutic agents is controlled by use of defined nonhomogeneous patterns of therapeutic agents in the matrices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating hydrogels with ordered crystalline structures that exhibit a characteristic colored opalescence. In addition to the unique optical properties, these materials contain a large amount of water in their crosslinked networks. The manufacturing processes include synthesizing monodispersed hydrogel nanoparticles containing specific reactive functional groups, self-assembly of these particles to form a crystalline structure, and subsequent crosslinking neighboring spheres to stabilize the entire network. Polymerizing a hydrogel monomeric composition around the crystalline structure can enhance the mechanical strength. The resulting network is dimensionally and thermodynamically stabile under various pH and temperature conditions. The color and volume of these crystalline hydrogel networks can reversibly change in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pH and other environmental conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoresponsive hydrogels. The compositions disclosed herein can be prepared by polymerizing a hydrogel precursor and a spiropyran. The properties of the disclosed compositions can be changed by exposure to light, pH, and temperature. Methods of using the disclosed compositions to deliver pharmaceutical actives are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles and methods of making the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticless having an interpenetrating polymer network (“IPN”) are described. The uniformed sized mono-disperse IPN nanoparticles have inverse thermo gelation properties that allow therapeutic medications to be uniformly distributed in a liquid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles. Such medications can then be released from a solid form of the aqueous dispersion of hydrogel nanoparticles in time dependant manor.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing uniformly sized hyaluronic acid (“HA”) particles that are substantially free from oil and surfactant contaminants. The method comprises crosslinking HA chains with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethlyaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (“EDAC”) and adipic acid dihydrazide in a water/acetone mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue engineering compositions and methods wherein three-dimensional matrices for growing cells are prepared for in vitro and in vivo use. The matrices comprise biodegradable polymer fibers capable of the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The spatial and temporal distribution of released therapeutic agents is controlled by use of defined nonhomogeneous patterns of therapeutic agents in the matrices.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue engineering compositions and methods wherein three-dimensional matrices for growing cells are prepared for in vitro and in vivo use. The matrices comprise biodegradable polymer fibers capable of the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The spatial and temporal distribution of released therapeutic agents is controlled by use of defined nonhomogeneous patterns of therapeutic agents in the matrices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating hydrogels with ordered crystalline structures that exhibit a characteristic colored opalescence. In addition to the unique optical properties, these materials contain a large amount of water in their crosslinked networks. The manufacturing processes include synthesizing monodispersed hydrogel nanoparticles containing specific reactive functional groups, self-assembly of these particles to form a crystalline structure, and subsequent crosslinking neighboring spheres to stabilize the entire network. Polymerizing a hydrogel monomeric composition around the crystalline structure can enhance the mechanical strength. The resulting network is dimensionally and thermodynamically stabile under various pH and temperature conditions. The color and volume of these crystalline hydrogel networks can reversibly change in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pH and other environmental conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue engineering compositions and methods wherein three-dimensional matrices for growing cells are prepared for in vitro and in vivo use. The matrices comprise biodegradable polymer fibers capable of the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The spatial and temporal distribution of released therapeutic agents is controlled by use of defined nonhomogeneous patterns of therapeutic agents in the matrices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new class of nanostructured polymeric materials comprising polymer gel nanoparticles that are covalently bonded through functional groups on the surfaces of neighboring particles. These nanoparticles may be prepared as suspensions in an aqueous or, non-aqueous environment. These gels have two unique and different structural networks; the primary network comprises crosslinked polymer chains in each individual particle, while the secondary network is a system of crosslinked nanoparticles. Particular polymer gel nanoparticle network compositions disclosed herein may function as carriers for controlled delivery of pharmaceuticals or other chemical agents, gel sensors and other commercial applications.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue engineering compositions and methods wherein three-dimensional matrices for growing cells are prepared for in vitro and in vivo use. The matrices comprise biodegradable polymer fibers capable of the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. The spatial and temporal distribution of released therapeutic agents is controlled by use of defined nonhomogeneous patterns of therapeutic agents in the matrices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heterogeneous polymer gel comprising at least two gel networks. One embodiment of the present invention concerns a heterogeneous polymer gel comprising a first gel network comprising an environmentally-stable gel and a second gel network comprising an environmentally-unstable gel wherein the first gel network interpenetrates the second gel network. The heterogeneous polymer gel exhibits controlled changes in volume in response to environmental changes in condition, such as of temperature or of chemical composition.