Abstract: Microcapsules comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell and the agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, may be prepared by providing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance and a shell material, adjusting pH, temperature, concentration and/or mixing speed to form primary shells of shell material around the loading substance and cooling the aqueous mixture until the primary shells agglomerate and an outer shell of shell material forms around the agglomeration. Such microcapsules are useful for storing a substance and for delivering the substance to a desired environment.

Abstract: Described herein are microcapsules and emulsions prepared from low Bloom gelatin and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: A dye, such as a fluorescent dye, is incorporated into polymer microparticles using a solvent system composed of a first solvent in which the dye and the microparticle polymer are soluble, a second solvent in which the dye and the microparticle polymer are not or only weakly soluble, and a third solvent in which the dye and the microparticle polymer are not or only weakly soluble. The first and second solvents are immiscible with each other, or at most partially miscible. The third solvent is miscible with the first and second solvents. The formulation provides substantially complete partitioning of the dye to the microparticles. The method may be used to obtain dyed polymer microparticle formed of cross-linked or non-cross-linked polymers. Libraries are provided comprising two or more sets of microparticles of different dye loadings.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing polyhydroxyalkanoate-containing structure, at least a part of a base material surface of the structure being coated with polyhydroxyalkanoate, the method comprises the steps of immobilizing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase on the base material surface, synthesizing, on the base material surface, polyhydroxyalkanoate using a 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A to become the substrate of the synthase and the synthase and coating at least a part of the base material surface with the synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoate, wherein the synthase contains an amino acid sequence capable of binding to the base material.

Abstract: An anisotropic electrically conducting interconnect is disclosed in which an adhesive comprising particles having a breakable coating of at least one electrically nonconductive material is compressed between a first contact and a second contact. Compression to two contacts breaks the breakable coating exposing an electrically conducting material which makes contact with the first and second contacts. The electrically conducting material may be a metal conductor or a two-part reactive conductive resin/catalyst system. Also disclosed are processes for making such electrical interconnects and adhesives for use in making electrical interconnect.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing microparticles using in-line solvent extraction. An emulsion is formed by combining two phases in a static mixer. The emulsion is combined with an extraction liquid in a blending static mixer. The outflow of the blending static mixer is combined with additional extraction liquid. The additional extraction liquid and the outflow of the blending static mixer can be combined in a vessel, or through the use of a static mixer manifold that includes a plurality of static mixers.

Abstract: There is provided a dispersion composition which has excellent dispersion stability and hardly sediments even after a long-term storage. This dispersion composition is a composition comprising a particulate material dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein a graft copolymer which has a particle diameter of 0.01-1 ?m and self-disperses in said organic solvent is adsorbed to at least a part of the outer surface of said particulate material and a graft chain of said graft copolymer comprises a polysiloxane and an alkylene group of 1-18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for microencapsulation of substances is provided. The substance(s) is/are dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent of the kind that is partially miscible in water media. This organic solution is then mixed with an aqueous solution, which is saturated with an organic solvent and an emulsifier to form an emulsion. The emulsion is then poured into water under continuous agitation for the extraction of residual solvent. The formation of the solid capsules takes place during this extraction process. The capsules are undergone to further purification, whereby the microcapsules can be separated from the water and dried. By conditions of incubation of microcapsules in water-containing formulations the wall-softening process takes place. The unique system for controlled releasing the ingredients from microcapsules is based on the above-mentioned process.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound is described capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound comprises (1) a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or absorbing energy, and/or scattering or diffracting electromagnetic radiation—when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source or a particle beam; and (2) at least one linking agent, having a first portion linked to the semiconductor nanocrystal and a second portion capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound is linked to an affinity molecule to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with a detectable substance. Subsequent exposure to excitation energy will excite the semiconductor nanocrystal in the probe causing the emission of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A film receptive to a variety of different classes or kinds of inks, such as water based inks, solvent based inks and UV cured inks. The film includes a water based latex polymer, such as transparent film-forming core/shell latex polymers, a polar polymer, such as polymers having an ionic component to increase the receptivity of the coating to water-based inks, and a surfactant, such as an alkyaryl sulfonate, to prevent agglomeration of the latex polymer before it is formed into film. The preferred latex polymer is a core/shell latex polymer. The preferred polar polymer is chemically compatible with latex polymers and is sufficiently ionic or polar to improve the printability onto the film of water-based inks. The surfactant, which may be in the latex as manufactured or may be added separately, has a molecular structure that includes at least one hydrophobic moiety and at least one anionic group such as sulfates, sulfonates and the like.

Abstract: Preparations of particles having a glass surface, wherein more than 75% by weight of these particles have a particle size between 0.5 ?m and 15 ?m and a glass surface which contains between 2 and 6 mole % zinc oxide, have proven to be particularly advantageous in processes for the purification of nucleic acids. This in particular results in an increased nucleic acid yield.

Abstract: Process for making metallic microcylinders from pre-treated diacetylenic lipid tubules which includes placing the tubules into an electroless plating bath containing a metal plating reagent, depositing by electroless plating on the surfaces of the tubules enough of a metal to make the tubules electrically conducting, separating the tubules from the plating bath, treating the tubules to remove the lipid and form the metal microcylinders, washing and drying the microcylinders to produce the metal microcylinders having aspect radio of about 12, weight average length of about 20?, weight average outside diameter of about 1.5?, and weight average wall thickness of about a quarter of one micron.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the dispersibility of calixarene-stabilized nanoparticles, which can be assembled into ordered, planar arrays of monoparticulate thickness, ring-like assemblies of discrete particle count, and other configurations.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cosmetic powder whose coating includes polymers or co-polymer belonging to the Poly Alpha Hydroxi Acids family, to a cosmetic composition that contains it and to the process of preparation of the powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microcapsule dispersions comprising microcapsules having a capsule core comprising water-soluble organic substances, and a capsule coating which essentially consists of polyurethane and/or polyurea, in a hydrophobic solvent which consists of 50 to 100% by weight of glycerol ester oils and 0 to 50% by weight of solvents miscible with glycerol ester oils, and to a process for their preparation.

Abstract: Microspheres for controlled release of a bioactive agent are disclosed, and in particular, blend, cross-linkable poly(propylene fumarate) for immobilization and controlled drug delivery. The microsphere includes poly(propylene fumarate), a polymeric material other than poly(propylene fumarate) (e.g., poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)), and a bioactive agent. The bioactive agent is selected depending on the physiological effect desired. For example, in bone regeneration applications, the bioactive agent may be selected from osteoinductive agents, peptides, growth hormones, osteoconductive agents, cytokines and mixtures thereof. The bioactive agent is dispersed in the microsphere, the microsphere has a diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers, the poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) are distributed in the microsphere, and the microsphere releases the bioactive agent in a sustained manner after an initial burst release.

Abstract: Methods of making microcapsules and microcapsules comprising a core material and a shell material with substantially different dielectric constants and dissipation factors. Exposure to appropriate electromagnetic energy selectively (a) heats the core material with the higher dielectric constant and dissipation factor, directly or indirectly fusing the shell material and forming microcapsules, or (b) hardens polymerized shell material, which has a high dielectric constant and dissipation factor.

Abstract: A microcapsule which includes a polymer as a capsule wall of the microcapsule, in which the polymer is obtained by polymerizing a dendritic branching molecule having a hydroxyl group in a terminal thereof, an isocyanate compound, and a compound having two or more active hydrogen atoms in a molecule thereof. A process for manufacturing a microcapsule includes the step of polymerizing an isocyanate compound, a dendritic branching molecule having a hydroxyl group in a terminal thereof, and a compound having two or more active hydrogen atoms in a molecule thereof, so as to form a capsule wall of the microcapsule.

Abstract: A controlled-release additive composition for use in aqueous systems. The composition comprises a core containing at least one additive component and a polymeric coating encapsulating said core. The controlled released cooling additive composition slowly releases the additive components to aqueous system, thereby delivering an effective concentration level of additive components over an extended period.

Abstract: This invention relates to micro-encapsulated particles of solid matter and a quasi-continuous method for producing the same, especially those having water-insoluble characteristics or a hydrophobic form, taking into careful consideration ecologically and economically favorable ways of recycling the media used, and the resulting smallest possible amount of waste products such as waste water and polymer residues, while simultaneously ensuring that even exposed parts of the solid bodies are coated, such as crystal tips and grooves, which are insufficiently coated using standard methods due to the hydrodynamic conditions on these areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals associated to a compound, wherein the nanocrystals have a characteristic spectral emission, wherein said spectral emission is tunable to a desired wavelength by controlling the size of the nanocrystal, and wherein said emission provides information about a biological state or event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing silica microcapsules and more particularly, to a process for preparing silica microcapsules comprising the steps of dissolving tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) into an aqueous solution containing a hydrolysis catalyst to control a degree of hydrolysis and contribute hydrophilicity or lipophilicity, adding a core material and an appropriate amount of aminopropyltrialkoxysilane(APS) as a gelling agent into the solution, and emulsifying and dispersing the resulting solution to a solution having a polarity opposite to that of the core material to microcapsulate by coating the core material with silica shell via a sol-gel reaction. The process for preparing microcapsules of the present invention reduces environmental pollution compared to conventional processes using an alkali gelling agent such as an ammonia solution, and are suitable for both organic or inorganic core materials having hydrophilic or lipophilic property.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres, processes for the manufacture of said microspheres, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said microspheres, and sustained release methods of administering an effective pharmaceutical amount of a bioactive compound to a subject. The microspheres of the present invention comprise a water insoluble organic matrix comprising an interior region, throughout which are homogeneously dispersed a plurality of microcapsules consisting essentially of a core of bioactive compound coated with material containing charged organic groups and a surface region substantially free of said bioactive compound.

Abstract: A carbon nanocapsule supported catalysts. At least one kind of catalytic metal particle is deposited to a carbon nanocapsule, wherein the carbon nanocapsule has the following formula: F(?M)n, in which F is the carbon nanocapsule, M is the catalytic metal particle, and n is the number of the catalytic metal particle. By applying the carbon nanocapsule as a catalyst support, the catalytic behavior of the catalytic metal particle is specialized, the dispersion is improved, and the catalytic effect is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention is an encapsulated yeast composite comprising a core comprising yeast and a coating containing an emulsifiable lipid. The yeast includes Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The invention also relates to other encapsulated bioactive substance composites. The nature of the coating provides controlled release of the bioactive substance from the encapsulate. The encapsulated composites are useful in the production of food compositions, food products, and animal feed products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing macrocapsules containing therein a plurality of microcapsules. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the microcapsules contain a phase change material.

Abstract: Microencapslated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.

Abstract: A carbon material includes carbon particles having a graphite structure, the particles having a carbonaceous material deposited on at least a portion of the surface thereof, and fibrous carbon. In the carbon material, the carbonaceous material is obtained by subjecting a composition containing a polymer to heat treatment. The fibrous carbon is preferably deposited to the carbon particles through a carbonaceous material obtained by subjecting a composition containing a polymer. As a result, when the carbon material is used as a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery, the electrical conductivity can be improved and large current load enduring characteristics and cycle characteristics can be improved. By coating the carbonaceous material onto the carbon particles having a graphite structure, destruction of the graphite structure by the polyethylene carbonate-based electrolytic solution can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides for functionalized fluorescent nanocrystal compositions and methods for making these compositions. The compositions are fluorescent nanocrystals coated with at least one material. The coating material has chemical compounds or ligands with functional groups or moieties with conjugated electrons and moieties for imparting solubility to coated fluorescent nanocrystals in aqueous solutions. The coating material provides for functionalized fluorescent nanocrystal compositions which are water soluble, chemically stable, and emit light with a high quantum yield and/or luminescence efficiency when excited with light. The coating material may also have chemical compounds or ligands with moieties for bonding to target molecules and cells as well as moieties for cross-linking the coating.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and products related to the micronization of hydrophobic drugs. A method of micronizing hydrophobic drugs using a set of solutions including an aqueous solution is provided. The invention also relates to products of micronized hydrophobic drugs and related methods of use.

Abstract: An anisotropic electrically conducting interconnect is disclosed in which an adhesive comprising particles having a breakable coating of at feast one electrically nonconductive material is compressed between a first contact and a second contact. Compression to two contacts breaks the breakable coating exposing an electrically conducting material which makes contact with the first and second contacts. The electrically conducting material may be a metal conductor or a two-part reactive conductive resin/catalyst system. Also disclosed are processes for making such electrical interconnects and adhesives for use in making electrical interconnect.

Abstract: A microcapsule having a mean diameter of from about 0.1 to about 5 mm, a membrane and a matrix containing at least one active principle wherein the microcapsule is the product of the process comprising the steps of (a) forming an aqueous matrix by heating an aqueous solution comprised of a gel former, a chitosan and active principle; (b) forming a dispersed matrix by adding the aqueous matrix in an oil phase; (c) contacting the dispersed matrix with an aqueous solution of an anionic polymer selected from the group consisting of a salt of alginic acid and an anionic chitosan derivative.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core; and a cover layer disposed concentrically about the core; wherein at least one of the core or the cover is formed of a polymer comprising lipid-based nanotubules in which an active compound is microencapsulated.

Abstract: Methods and devices for producing images on coated articles are provided. The methods generally comprise applying a layer of magnetizable pigment coating in liquid form on a substrate, with the magnetizable pigment coating containing a plurality of magnetic non-spherical particles or flakes. A magnetic field is then applied to selected regions of the pigment coating while the coating is in liquid form, with the magnetic field altering the orientation of selected magnetic particles or flakes. Finally, the pigment coating is solidified, affixing the reoriented particles or flakes in a non-parallel position to the surface of the pigment coating to produce an image such as a three dimensional-like image on the surface of the coating. The pigment coating can contain various interference or non-interference magnetic particles or flakes, such as magnetic color shifting pigments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel non-aqueous capsules suitable as display cells for an electrophoretic display and the encapsulation process for their manufacture.

Abstract: Chaotic advection causes the formation of various encapsulates in binary phase composites. Such composites are successfully formed with thermoplastics that are present in desired amounts by weight or volume. With a batch type chaotic mixer, the process starts with selecting suitable polymers, mechanically mixing the raw material, heating the mixture, instilling chaotic advection by agitation for a period of time and cooling and recovering the composite. With continuous flow types of chaotic mixers, the process starts with melting the component polymers in separate extruders capable of component melt flows in predetermined proportions.

Abstract: Micro-encapsulated particles of solid material are described and a quasi-continuous method for the production thereof, in particular those with a water-insoluble character or in a hydrophobised form taking into account in particular an ecologically and economically favourable recycling of the used media and the resultant smallest possible amount of waste products, such as waste water, polymer residues inter alia while simultaneously ensuring the coating even of exposed parts of the solid bodies, such as crystal tips, grooves and the like which, due to the hydrodynamic conditions at these points, can only be coated inadequately with standard methods.

Abstract: A method is described for the formation of microcapsules which contain a liquid composition in the core, which is surrounded by a polymeric shell, membrane, or coating. The microcapsules are produced by simultaneously extruding the liquid core material along with a polymerizable liquid through concentrically-aligned nozzles to form spherically-layered biliquid droplets, followed by energy input in the form of heat or light which causes polymerization of the outer layer. The capsules formed by this method are capable of containing a variety of liquid materials having a composition ranging from completely aqueous to completely non-aqueous.

Abstract: An anisotropic electrically conducting interconnect is disclosed in which an adhesive comprising particles having a breakable coating of at least one electrically nonconductive material is compressed between a first contact and a second contact. Compression to two contacts breaks the breakable coating exposing an electrically conducting material which makes contact with the first and second contacts. The electrically conducting material may be a metal conductor or a two-part reactive conductive resin/catalyst system. Also disclosed are processes for making such electrical interconnects and adhesives for use in making electrical interconnect.

Abstract: A composition for sealing porous subterranean formations comprises a mixture of a water-swellable clay and a water insoluble, water absorbent, water-swellable polymer, wherein the mixture is coated with a material that is resistant to penetration by water. The water penetration resistant material helps the delay the onset of swelling of the clay and polymer until it reaches the formations intended for sealing. Mixing the clay with the water-swellable polymer prior to coating assists in coating of the water-swellable polymer with the water penetration resistant material. The coated mixture can be suspended in an aqueous liquid, and then pumped into a subterranean cavity to seal porous formations therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to magnetic nanoparticles, their production, and their use. The object of the invention is to provide nanoparticles capable of specifically forming bonds to intracellular biomacromolecules even in the intracellular region of cells, so that separation is possible by exposure to an exterior magnetic field. This is accomplished by means of magnetic nanoparticles having biochemical activity, consisting of a magnetic core particle and an envelope layer fixed to the core particle, and including a compound of general formula M-S-L-Z (I), the linkage sites between S and L and L and Z having covalently bound functional groups, wherein M represents said magnetic core particle; S represents a biocompatible substrate fixed to M; L represents a linker group; and Z represents a group comprised of nucleic acids, peptides or proteins or derivatives thereof, which group has at least one structure capable of specifically binding to a binding domain of an intracellular biomacromolecule.

Abstract: Provided are a functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystal comprising a liposome having encapsulated therein one or more fluorescent nanocrystals; use of the functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals in detection systems; and a method of producing functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals. A method of using the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity molecule bound thereto comprises contacting the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals with a sample so that complexes are formed between the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals and substrate for which the affinity molecule has binding specificity, if the substrate is present; exposing the complexes in the detection system to an excitation light source, and detecting a fluorescence peak emitted from the complexes, if present.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the formation of photonic polymer-blend structures having tunable optical and mechanical properties. The photonic polymer-blend structures comprise monomer units of spherical microparticles of a polymer-blend material wherein the spherical microparticles have surfaces partially merged with one another in a robust inter-particle bond having a tunable inter-particle separation or bond length sequentially attached in a desired and programmable architecture. The photonic polymer-blend structures of the present invention can be linked by several hundred individual particles sequentially linked to form complex three-dimensional structures or highly ordered two-dimensional arrays of 3D columns with 2D spacing.

Abstract: The present invention is an encapsulated yeast composite comprising a core comprising yeast and a coating containing an emulsifiable lipid. The yeast includes Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The invention also relates to other encapsulated bioactive substance composites. The nature of the coating provides controlled release of the bioactive substance from the encapsulate. The encapsulated composites are useful in the production of food compositions, food products, and animal feed products.

Abstract: A particulate composition comprising particles having a core comprising a hydrophobic polymer within a shell, characterised in that the shell comprises a semi-permeable membrane. Particulate composition can be used for making a stable dispersion of particles uniformly distributed throughout a first hydrophobic liquid, wherein the particles comprise a core within a shell and the core comprises a hydrophobic polymer into has been imbibed a second hydrophobic liquid, Compositions can be used to encapsulate active substances and may be used in sustained release mechanisms.

Abstract: Moisture barrier resins comprising a film-forming, cross-linkable, partially hydrolyzed polymer and a cross-linking agent provide improved impermeability to moisture and extended release capabilities for various particles, substances and other core materials that are encapsulated with compositions which contain these resins.

Abstract: The present invention provides storage stable, shaped particles of allotropic organic compounds. The particles of the present invention can be shaped according to the desired application. Preferred shapes of such particles are microspheres, particularly those having diameters of about 1 to about 1,000 microns. The stable shaped particles of the present invention are particularly well-suited to the fabrication of pharmaceutical formulations, particularly where sustained release and uniform bioavailability are desired. The storage stable particles are formed by a solid state crystallization of allotropic organic compounds. The solid state crystallization process of the present invention affords a means for achieving a storage stable crystalline form of said allotropic compound without loss or deterioration of the original particle dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material for repairing damaged painted surfaces, wherein the material includes a paint layer which is capable of deformation and which is made of microcapsules held together by a binder. The paint is contained in the microcapsules in the form of paint droplets or powdered paint particles. The microcapsules and/or the binder are preferably made from a material that becomes tacky under the action of heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable polyurethane capsules for molded product of polyurethane foam and to methods for manufacturing the same, the inventive biodegradable polyurethane capsule comprises a powder made from a biodegradable material, first coating layer of calcium alginate gel formed on the surface of said power and second coating layer of foamable polyurethane resin formed on the surface of said first coating layer. Products manufactured from the biodegradable polyurethane capsule according to the present invention can be widely used as heat isolating materials and heat isolating structural materials because the basic physical properties such as heat insulation are good.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a polymeric layer having a desired image thereon or a three dimensional article comprising a number of such layers in which a layer of a liquid photocurable composition which comprises photo colourable particles is cured by light and selected areas thereof are irradiated with light of a different dose, thereby forming the desired image which composition comprises particles dispersed in it which are micro-capsules containing a photosensitive colour changing composition within a barrier layer which is substantially impermeable to the components of the colour changing composition or are solid particles comprising an immobilised photosensitive colour changing composition. The process permits the use of the same initiating mechanism to cure the resin and to change the colour of the particles.