Abstract: A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a polypropylene layer and a polyethylene resin layer and having well-balanced permeability, mechanical strength, heat shrinkage resistance, shutdown properties and meltdown properties can be obtained by (1) forming a sheet comprising a gel-like polypropylene layer containing a membrane-forming solvent or a polypropylene layer containing no membrane-forming solvent and a gel-like polyethylene resin layer containing a membrane-forming solvent, stretching the sheet at two-stage temperatures, and then removing the membrane-forming solvent, or (2) forming a gel-like polypropylene sheet containing a membrane-forming solvent or a polypropylene sheet containing no membrane-forming solvent, and a gel-like polyethylene resin sheet containing a membrane-forming solvent, stretching them at two-stage temperatures, removing the membrane-forming solvent, and then laminating the resultant microporous polypropylene membrane and the resultant microporous polyethylene me

Abstract: A method for producing ferrite ceramic includes the steps of providing a ferrite powder; oven-drying the ferrite powder; adding organic additives into the oven-dried powder and mixing them to form a ferrite slurry; debubbling the ferrite slurry and then tape casting it into a green tape; heating the green tape in air to 300-500° C. for 5 h to remove the organic additives from the green tape; sintering the organic additives removed green tape at 900-1000° C. for 2-5 h to obtain ferrite ceramic.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon nanotube film is disclosed. More than one carbon nanotube array is transferred onto a surface of more than one substitute substrate. The substitute substrates are arranged side by side to contact and combined side surfaces of the plurality of carbon nanotube arrays with each other by van der Waals attractive force to form an assembling array. The assembling array is larger than the carbon nanotube array. Carbon nanotube segments are drawn from the assembling array.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 ?m. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 ?m. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals.

Abstract: The preparation of graphene, mono-, bi- and multi-layers from graphite-based precursor materials, for example, pencil lead or graphite, by a method of mechanical thinning on the surface of a planar substrate with controlled roughness, followed by sonication in order to collect the graphene deposited on the substrate in a liquid medium. The bearing force during thinning by mechanical friction enables the number of graphene sheets deposited on the surface of the substrate to be controlled.

Abstract: A method for improving the throughput of solid-state shear pulverization and solid-state melt-extrusion devices may include the addition of a heat absorbing material with a mixture of polymeric materials in an extruder. The extruder may include one or more extrusion screws. One or more portions of the one or more extrusion screws, one or more barrel sections, and/or one or more extruder work zones may be temperature controlled to maintain a temperature of the polymeric mixture in contact therewith at or below the liquefication temperature of the polymeric materials. The liquefication temperature may be a melting point of a semi-crystalline polymer or a glass transition temperature of an amorphous polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for blow molding a polyethylene container comprising the steps of: a) providing a solid preform made from a polyethylene material having a melt flow index from 0.01 to 10.0 g/10 minutes, wherein the preform comprises a neck region, side walls and a base region, and wherein the side walls between the neck region and the base region have substantially straight and parallel outer walls; b) reheating the preform so that the maximum temperature difference between the hottest and coldest regions of the side walls and the base region of the reheated preform is less than 4° C.; c) transferring the reheated preform to a blow mold; d) stretching the preform at a pressure below 10 bars; and e) increasing the pressure within the reheated preform so as to cause the walls of the stretched preform to expand to the shape and dimensions inside the blow mold.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfluorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfluorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfluorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfluorocyclobutyl-containing structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and method for drawing egel silk fibroin fibers. The resulting fibers can transmit light and hence can be used as optical fiber. Silk fibroin fiber is produced by a method comprising applying an electric field to a solubilized silk fibroin solution to create a silk fibroin gel; converting the silk fibroin gel to a viscous silk liquid; and drawing a silk fiber from the viscous silk liquid. The silk fiber of the invention can be used in materials such as textile, medical sutures, and tissue materials, as well as conferring optical properties into these materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are frozen, free-flowing compositions that may contain one or more therapeutic agents and at least one flavoring agent, such compositions being useful for the delivery of an effective amount of a therapeutic agent to an individual in need thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: A process for producing porous structures from polyamide by dissolving the polyamide in an ionic liquid and precipitating or coagulating the dissolved polyamide by contacting the solution with a liquid precipitant medium. Fibers are produced from the dissolved polyamide in a wet-spinning process by precipitation in protic solvents, in particular water, a C1-4-alkanol or mixtures thereof, and subsequent freeze-drying. Foils, films or coatings are produced by blade coating the dissolved polyamide onto a substrate surface, optionally spraying with protic solvent, in particular water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, dipping into a precipitation or coagulation bath, freeze-drying of the resulting foil, of the film or of the coated substrate. Molded parts are prepared by extracting the dissolved polyamide with protic solvents, preferably water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, wherein the dissolved polymer is transformed to a solid or wax-like state by cooling and extracted after subsequent molding.

Abstract: A graphene ribbon fiber manufacturing process, where a coagulation medium flows in the same direction as the graphene ribbon fibers. The process for spinning graphene ribbon fibers starts with unzipping carbon nanotubes to form graphene ribbons, purifying and drying the graphene ribbons and subsequent dissolving of the graphene ribbons in a suitable solvent, preferably a super acid to form a spin-dope. The spin-dope is spun such that the accrued fibers are guided into a coagulation medium, also known as anti-solvent, where the spun or accrued fibers are coagulated. The coagulated graphene ribbon fibers are stripped, neutralized and washed and wound on bobbins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an oral form of administration which decomposes immediately and releases active ingredients in the mouth. According to said method, (a) an anionic pharmaceutical active ingredient is intensively mixed with (b) a copolymer consisting of radically polymerized C1-C4 esters of the acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and other (meth)acrylate monomers containing functional tertiary amino groups, and (c) between 5 and 50 wt. %, in relation to (b), of a C12-C22 carboxylic acid in the melted mass; the mixture is solidified and ground to form a powder containing active ingredients having an average particle size of 200 ?m or less; and the powder is encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix consisting of pharmaceutically standard adjuvants, on the condition that no more than 3 wt. %, in relation to the copolymer, of emulsifiers with an HLB value of at least 14 must be contained therein.

Abstract: A bone repair composition and methods thereof include elongated bone fibers made from cortical bone in which a plurality of approximately uniform bone fibers is made into various implant shapes conducive for various applications. The bone fiber compositions may be in the form of a cavity, ball, pellet, wrap, strip, cylinder, cone, putty, gel, or injectable slurry.

Abstract: Novel bioabsorbable polymeric porous tubes for tissue engineering nerve growth are disclosed. The tubes are made from a bioabsorbable polymeric foam material and have a gradient of pore sizes across the wall thickness of the tubes such that cell growth occurs into the wall of the tubes from the inner surface, while cell growth or entry is not permitted through the outer wall into the tubular wall. The wall is permeable inwardly and outwardly to fluids. A novel method of manufacturing porous nerve tubes is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations for administering proteins to the eye. In particular, the invention provides formulations comprising single chain antibodies and hydrophobic polyester hexylsubstituted poly(lactic acid) (hexPLA). The invention further provides processes for the production of sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: A controlled release sterile freeze-dried aripiprazole formulation is provided which is formed of aripiprazole of a desired mean particle size and a vehicle thereof, which upon constitution with water and intramuscular injection releases aripiprazole over a period of at least about one week and up to about eight weeks. A method for preparing the controlled release freeze-dried aripiprazole formulation, and a method for treating schizophrenia employing the above formulation are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for fabricating various regenerated silk geometries using temperature control. In addition to temperature control, mechanical processing can be used to enhance properties of the fabricated article. The present disclosure also provides silk foam and paper-like materials molded using freezer processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods compress, freeze and store forms at sufficiently low temperatures. A system provides a storage tank of liquefied gas, a gas-liquid separation tank, and a compression chamber. The compression chamber provides compression plates chilled by flow of liquefied gas through conduits traversing an interior volume of the plates. The method comprises recirculating liquefied gas to improve cooling efficiency while lowering operation costs. The system and method further provide for integrated measurement and control of the flow of liquefied gas through the primary components of the system. In one embodiment, the forms are rubber cylinders utilized in the production of torsion axles.

Abstract: A compressed implant composite for repairing mineralized tissue. The compressed implant composite includes a matrix formed of biopolymeric fibers and a plurality of calcium- and/or silicate-based mineral particles dispersed in the matrix. The matrix constitutes 4 to 80% by weight and the mineral particles constitute 20 to 96% by weight of the composite. The composite is free of soluble collagen and is expandable to a volume 2 to 100 times of its compressed volume (e.g., upon absorption of water). Also disclosed are methods of preparing the above-described composite.

Abstract: An apparatus according to various embodiments can be configured to use a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions. The apparatus removes thermal energy from an article by conductive and convective heat transfer. The apparatus allows for heat transfer from an outer surface of an article, and from an inner surface of the article.

Abstract: An implant comprising at least three components, namely, a solid hydrogel, a porous hydrogel adjacent to or surrounding the solid hydrogel (together considered “the hydrogel”), and a porous rigid base. The solid hydrogel and porous rigid base carry joint load, and the porous hydrogel layer and the porous rigid base allow for cellular migration into and around the implant. The invention is also a novel method of manufacturing the implant, a novel method of implanting the implant, and a method of treating, repairing or replacing biological tissue, more preferably musculoskeletal tissue, with the implant.

Abstract: A bone repair composition and methods thereof include elongated bone fibers made from cortical bone in which a plurality of approximately uniform bone fibers is made into various implant shapes conducive for various applications. The bone fiber compositions may be in the form of a cavity, ball, pellet, wrap, strip, cylinder, cone, putty, gel, or injectable slurry.

Abstract: Collagen-glycosaminoglycan membrane shell scaffold core composites for connective tissue engineering that avoids aspects of the typical tradeoff between mechanical properties (i.e. modulus, failure strength) and bioactivity (i.e., permeability and porosity) for porous tissue engineering scaffolds. The relative density of the collagen glycosaminoglycan scaffold core can be about 0.5 to about 0.95 while the membrane shell can be about 0.001 to 25 about 0.2. The core-shell composite can be tubular and the composite can have a diameter of about 1 mm to about 20 mm. The collagen glycosaminoglycan membrane shell can be perforated with about 25 to about 1000 micrometers openings or alternatively can be embossed with any range of pattern features from about 25 to about 1000 micrometers in size. The porous collagen glycosaminoglycan scaffold core can be populated with cells such as adult or embryonic stem cells, tenocytes, osteoblasts, nerve cells, cardiac cells, myocytes, fibroblasts or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming an anisotropic porous material includes forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified while controlling the direction of crystal growth within the aerogel precursor. The aerogel precursor is freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, particularly a vascular graft or an arteriovenous (AV) graft for haemodialysis. The medical device comprises a layer of porous silk fibroin matrix and a layer of knitted silk fibres. The invention further relates to processes of manufacture of such medical devices and methods of use of such devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to degradation-stabilised, biocompatible collagen matrices which are distinguished in particular by the fact that they contain soluble collagen and peptide constituents, to processes for the preparation of such collagen matrices, which processes include in particular chemical crosslinking with an epoxy-functional crosslinking agent, and to the use of the collagen matrices according to the invention as a cosmetic or pharmaceutical agent, in particular for topical use, and as a wound treatment agent, as an implant or as a haemostatic agent in humans or animals, and as a scaffold for cell population in the biotechnology, basic research and tissue engineering field.

Abstract: Methods for defatting omentum and processes for preparing an acellular omentum, i.e., devitalized or decellularized omentum, comprising extracellular matrix for implantation into a mammalian system. Constructs for medical applications comprising decellularized omentum are also described. More specifically, mesh reinforced omentum biomatrix for soft tissue repair is described.

Abstract: Described our medical compositions and methods including a particulate extracellular matrix tissue in admixture with sugar. Such medical compositions, in dried forms, can demonstrate enhanced rehydration properties. Medical compositions and products as described herein find particular use in treating diseased and/or damaged tissue, such as wound repair. Related methods of manufacture and use are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides allergen containing pharmaceutical products and in particular fast-dispersing solid allergen dosage forms. In particular, fast-dispersing, non-compressed solid dosage forms suitable for oromucosal administration comprising a matrix and at least one allergen are provided. Suitable matrices are gelatine, starch and mannitol. Methods for the dosage forms are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tissue swatch comprising one or more desired thicknesses for use in the manufacture of a bioprosthetic device, said method comprising sectioning a sheet of frozen tissue to produce a tissue swatch of said one or more desired thicknesses.

Abstract: Disclosed are porous, low density nanoclay composites that exhibit highly homogeneous microcellular morphology and methods for forming the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites include a three-dimensional matrix having a non-lamellar, generally isotropic cellular structure with little or no macroscopic pores. The nanocomposites also include a gel that may be a noncovalently cross-linked, thermoreversible gel. The nanocomposites may include a binder and/or fibrous reinforcement materials. The nanocomposites may be formed according to a freeze-drying process in which ice crystal growth is controlled to prevent formation of macroscopic pores in the composite materials.

Abstract: A blood vessel model which imitates a human blood vessel including an aqueous gel made from polyvinyl alcohol having an average polymerization degree of 300 to 3500 and a saponification degree of 90% by mole or more, and silica particles; and a method for producing a blood vessel model which imitates a human blood vessel, including filling a mixed solution containing polyvinyl alcohol having an average polymerization degree of 300 to 3500 and a saponification degree of 90% by mole or more, silica particles and water in a mold for forming a blood vessel model, and freezing the mixture at a temperature of ?10° C. or lower, followed by thawing. The blood vessel model can be suitably used as a blood vessel model for practicing insertion of a stent graft into an aneurysm, a blood vessel model for practicing resection or ligation surgery of a blood vessel, and the like.

Abstract: In one form, the invention is directed to a method for forming a porous implant suitable for a cavity from which tissue has been removed, including mixing soluble alginate and a radiopaque imaging agent with water; incorporating a gas or a pore forming agent into the alginate-water mixture; transferring the alginate-water mixture with the gas or the pore forming agent into a mold to form the mixture into a solid body of desired shape; removing the water from the body; and converting at least part of the soluble alginate to a less soluble alginate. In another form, the invention includes forming a mixture by mixing about 0.5 percent to about 4 percent by weight chitosan into an acidified aqueous solution containing 1 percent to 25 percent by weight acetic acid, along with about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent by weight of a powdered radiopaque imaging agent.

Abstract: A novel process for bacterial production of nanocellulose hydrogel pouches for applications for cell therapy, cell encapsulation, cell delivery, cell proliferation and cell differentiation has been invented. The process is based on fermentation of bacteria producing nanocellulose in oxygen permeable mold interconnected with tubing with diameter less than 5 mm. The resulting Bacterial Nanocellulose (BNC) hydrogel pouch is biocompatible and non-degradable in the human body. The inner wall of the pouch is highly porous and supports cell migration, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. The wall of the pouch allows controlled diffusion of extracellular components. The BNC pouch with injected cells can be implanted and used for treatment of diseases such as diabetes by local delivery of insulin. There are numerous applications of BNC pouches with injected cells in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.

Abstract: A resist developing device is provided, including: a storage part configured to store the developing solution, with a temperature controlled to a constant temperature; a holding part configured to hold the substrate to be processed; a supply pipe configured to form a flow passage for flowing the developing solution stored in the storage part, and having a discharging part for discharging the developing solution flowed through the flow passage, and configured to supply the developing solution to the substrate to be processed by discharging the developing solution from the discharging part toward the substrate to be processed which is held by the holding part; and a position-change part configured to perform the first position-change operation for varying a discharging direction of the discharging part in a non-reaching direction for not allowing the developing solution discharged from the discharging part of the supply pipe to reach the substrate to be processed, and a second position-change operation for vary

Abstract: A polymer or polymer composite membrane having through-thickness micropores and a method of preparing the same are provided. More particularly, a polymer or polymer composite membrane having a pore structure such that micropores are aligned in a mesh structure in the thickness direction of the polymer or polymer composite membrane due to unidirectional freezing in the thickness direction of a solvent. The membrane has through-thickness micropores, and thus has improved permeability in the thickness direction and superior uniformity in size of the micropores and wall thickness between the micropores. For these reasons, the membrane can be used for a porous membrane substrate, microfiltration membrane, etc.

Abstract: A method of preparing meta-aramid fibers includes the operations of polymerization, neutralization and spinning using m-phenylenediamine and isophthaloyl chloride as raw materials, wherein the neutralizing agent is added in an amount that is sufficient only for neutralizing a part of hydrogen chloride, so that the resultant spin dope of polyisophthaloyl metaphenylene diamine contains salts produced by the neutralization reaction and a part of unneutralized hydrogen chloride. The method of the invention has a short production line with reduced amount of the neutralizing agent, therefore both the costs of raw materials and the production energy consumption are saved. The fibers prepared according to the method of the invention have reduced gray scale to improve the electrical insulation properties of the fibers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing indium tin oxide (ITO) sputtering targets as described. The process includes the precipitation of indium and tin hydroxides, sintering in the absence of chloride ions, using the resultant oxide powders to prepare an aqueous slip with dispersing agent, binder, special high density promoting agents and compacting the slip in a specially surface coated porous mold using the method of slip casting followed by sintering the resultant compacted target body to yield high density ITO target.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a solid dispersion of rasagiline citrate, a composition and a process for the manufacture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a bioactive, nanofibrous material construct which is manufactured using a unique electrospinning perfusion methodology. One embodiment provides a nanofibrous biocomposite material formed as a discrete textile fabric from a prepared liquid admixture of (i) a non-biodegradable durable synthetic polymer; (ii) a biologically active agent; and (iii) a liquid organic carrier. These biologically-active agents are chemical compounds which retain their recognized biological activity both before and after becoming non-permanently bound to the formed textile material; and will become subsequently released in-situ as discrete freely mobile agents from the fabric upon uptake of water from the ambient environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wound treatment material comprising at least two perforated biomatrix layers interconnected by connecting means, as well as to methods for preparing such wound treatment materials and their use, in particular in the treatment of exuding wounds, and in the vacuum-assisted wound treatment therapy.

Abstract: A method of separating a poly(arylene ether) from a solvent includes treating a poly(arylene ether)-containing solution with a devolatilizing extruder to form an extruded composition, and cooling the extruded composition with a cooling device that does not immerse the extruded composition in water. The composition may be used to isolate a poly(arylene ether) from the solvent-containing reaction mixture in which it is prepared, or to remove solvent from a multi-component poly(arylene ether)-containing thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: A porous adsorbent structure that is capable of a reversible adsorption and desorption cycle for capturing CO2 from a gas mixture comprises a support matrix formed by a web of surface modified cellulose nanofibers. The support matrix has a porosity of at least 20%. The surface modified cellulose nanofibers consist of cellulose nanofibers having a diameter of about 4 nm to about 1000 nm and a length of 100 nm to 1 mm that are covered with a coupling agent being covalently bound to the surface thereof. The coupling agent comprises at least one monoalkyldialkoxyaminosilane.

Abstract: A method for making a hollow polymer particle having a single, substantially circular opening in its surface.

Abstract: An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The body can be formed of a porous material compatible with at least one of an ionic liquid or room-temperature molten salt. The body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, such that the at least one of an ionic liquid or room-temperature molten salt is capable of being transported through capillarity from the base to the tip.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous bioceramic composition for bone repair and method of fabrication of the same. 3D-scaffolds were fabricated with a novel micro- and macro-architecture. Porous scaffolds based on dextrin, dextran, gelatin and biomineral (CaCO3) powder were fabricated by heating and freeze-drying methods. Fabrication of different compositions of porous scaffolds (20, 30 wt % of gelatin, 20, 40 wt % dextrin, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt % dextran bounder with the constant quantity of CaCO3 50 g). The scaffolds properties were characterised by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests. Most illustrative figure is FIG. 1.

Abstract: Process for the production of nanoporous foamed active substance-containing preparations, wherein the active substance is present embedded in a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer, wherein, in stage a) loading of a polymeric molding composition or a polymer melt with a propellant is effected at a pressure and at a temperature at which the propellant is in the supercritical state, in stage b) heating of the laden polymer molding compound or melt is carried out under pressure at a temperature which lies in the range from ?40 to +60° C., preferably ?20 to +55° C., and especially preferably 0 to +50° C. around the glass transition temperature of the unladen (prior to loading) polymeric molding compound and in stage c) a depressurization of the polymeric molding compound or melt laden in stage a) and heated under pressure in stage b) is effected out with a depressurization rate in the range from 15,000 to 200,000 MPa/sec.

Abstract: The extrusion device of a solid film comprises a cell provided with an input opening of a material designed to form the solid film, and an output opening of the solid film from the cell. The device comprises a first heat exchanger for applying a first temperature to the output opening and a second heat exchanger for applying a second temperature in a first zone of the cell distinct from the output opening and a control circuit imposing first and second sets of first and second temperatures. The first set enables a volume of the material in solid phase to be formed. The second set enables a temperature gradient to be generated in the volume so as to generate a pressure forcing extrusion of the solid film via the output opening.