Abstract: To provide a porous particle with which non-specific adsorption is hardly generated although the porous particle is a synthetic polymer-based particle, the mechanical strength is high, and the dynamic binding capacity is high in a case where a ligand is bound to the porous particle; and a method for producing the same. A method for producing a porous particle, including the following steps 1 and 2; (step 1) dissolving at least one or more of polymers selected from the group consisting of a vinyl alcohol polymer and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in an aqueous solvent to prepare a polymer solution; and (step 2) dispersing the polymer solution in a non-aqueous solvent to form a W/O emulsion.

Abstract: A method for producing a crosslinked gel. The method comprises steps of: (a) combining (i) water, (ii) alginic acid, alginates, or mixtures thereof, (iii) carboxymethylcellulose, (iv) a salt of calcium, magnesium or zinc, (v) a nonionic surfactant and (vi) fragrance to form a gel having a surface; and (b) contacting with the surface of said gel an additional aqueous solution of a salt of calcium, magnesium or zinc.

Abstract: A high through-put screening method for identifying agents effective for inhibiting biofilm formation and/or killing established biofilm are disclosed. The method includes three tiers, and each tier includes three specific biological process assays. The tier levels are a primary screen, a confirmation screen, and a dose-response screen, and the biological process assays include assays for total bacterial growth, bacterial metabolic activity, and biofilm formation. The series of assays may be run once or more than once at each tier. A library of compounds is subject to tier A and only compounds meeting a primary parameter advance to tier B, and only tier B compounds meeting a confirmation parameter advance to tier C, and only tier C compounds meeting a dose-response parameter are identified as putative agents effective for inhibiting and/or eradicating a biofilm, further wherein the assays are conducted for each compound subject to the respective tier.

Abstract: A first sponge device for use to manipulate and prepare the surface of the epithelium of an eye prior to application of an ophthalmic solution has a handle and a sponge head secured to the handle. The head is made of an absorbent, wicking sponge material and has a non-sharp, tissue preparation surface of predetermined shape for rubbing across the surface of the epithelium layer in order to manipulate the tissue. After the surface is prepared, a second, holding sponge is placed over the eye to act as a reservoir and to hold ophthalmic solution against the eye surface.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

Abstract: A composition for the manufacture of temperature resistant and sound attenuating automotive parts includes polyethylene terephthalate resin, basalt fibers, and mica. The basalt fibers and mica may be between 35 and 40% of the composition by weight of the total composition. The basalt fibers may be between 20 and 30% of the composition by weight and the mica may be between 5 and 15% of the composition by weight. The basalt fibers may be 25% of the composition by weight and the mica may be 10% of the composition by weight. A method is disclosed for molding a temperature resistant and sound attenuating part by blending a foaming agent with a thermoplastic olefin, basalt fibers and mica to form a resin mixture. The resin mixture is injected under pressure into a die to fill the die. The pressure is reduced to allow the foaming agent to form a microcellular core.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions that include an extract of human feces, and methods for using such compositions, including methods for replacing or supplementing or modifying a subject's colon microbiota, and methods for treating a disease, pathological condition, and/or iatrogenic condition of the colon.

Abstract: A putty material primarily used as a toy which is solid and capable of flowing for forming, preferably by manual manipulation, onto various pleasing shapes. This putty material is used primarily by children as an amusement device. The putty material is formed from a homogeneous mixture of primarily water, polyvinyl alcohol, gum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a small amount of borax wherein the ratio by weight of borax to polyvinyl alcohol is preferably in the range of between 1:12 to 1:22. The toy modeling composition can be formed opaque or translucent and can be dyed, particularly when clear, to create various overall artistic effects, and glitter can be applied on the paste to create unusual aesthetic effects, particularly when using white glitter. Coloration can be applied to the materials with translucent ink or with a marker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous scaffold for tissue engineering. It is another object of the present invention to provide a porous scaffold obtainable by the method as above described, and its use for tissue engineering, cell culture and cell delivery. The method of the invention comprises the steps consisting of: a) preparing an alkaline aqueous solution comprising an amount of at least one polysaccharide, an amount of a cross-linking agent and an amount of a porogen agent b) transforming the solution into a hydrogel by placing said solution at a temperature from about 4° C. to about 80° C. for a sufficient time to allow the cross-linking of said amount of polysaccharide and c) submerging said hydrogel into an aqueous solution d) washing the porous scaffold obtained at step c).

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of, in an absorbent article, maintaining at a certain level or lower the difference between the dry flexural rigidity and wet flexural rigidity [(dry flexural rigidity)?(wet flexural rigidity)] at a bonding part. To solve this problem, provided is a sanitary napkin which comprises a top sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent body that is interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet and a compressed part that unites the top sheet and the absorbent body in the thickness direction, wherein: the absorbent body contains a cellulose-based water absorbing fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber, said thermoplastic resin fiber containing as a monomer component an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride or a mixture thereof; and the difference between the dry Gurley stiffness and wet Gurley stiffness of the compressed part is maintained at 2.5 mN/12.5 mm or lower.

Abstract: Articles containing soil adsorbing polymers, and more particularly, articles, for example nonwovens, such as paper towels, wovens, and/or sponges and/or article-forming components thereof that comprise a durably bonded soil adsorbing polymer, article-forming components used to make such articles, and processes for making same are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate material comprising porous polymeric microparticles having a mesoporous structure. A process for making the particles is also presented. The process comprises impregnating a porous microparticulate template material with a liquid comprising one or more monomers. The one or more monomers are then polymerized in and/or on the template material to form a polymer, and the template material is then removed to produce the particulate material.

Abstract: Reinforced, laminated, impregnated, and materials with composite properties as cross linked polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel structures in bulk or cellular matrix forms that can take essentially any physical shape, or can have essentially any size, degree of porosity and surface texture. They have a wide range of physical properties, unusual and unique combinations of physical properties and unique responses to stress fields, which allows for their use in many end use applications.

Abstract: There is provided a shaped article made of porous hydrogel that contains a polyvinyl alcohol acetalized with a dialdehyde, wherein the shaped article after freeze-drying has a pore size of 0.1 to 50 ?m. Preferably, the shaped article made of porous hydrogel further contains a water-soluble polysaccharide. Also preferably, an acetalization degree of the polyvinyl alcohol is 1 to 50 mol %. Also preferably, the shaped article made of porous hydrogel is in the form of particles with a sphere-equivalent diameter of 1 to 20 mm. Such a shaped article made of porous hydrogel exhibits high strength and good survivability of microorganisms.

Abstract: A structural three dimensional nanocomposite with improved mechanical properties is provided. The structural three dimensional nanocomposite includes (a) spherical shaped nanoparticles, (b) a matrix, and (c) an inter phase structure. The matrix may be selected from at least one of (a) polymer matrix, and (b) a nano metal matrix. The spherical shaped nanoparticles are reinforced with the matrix. The spherical shaped nanoparticles are uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. The inter phase structure transfers stress from the matrix to obtain the spherical shaped nanoparticles with improved mechanical properties. The structural three dimensional nanocomposite have high and equal mechanical strength in three dimensions when the structural three dimensional nanocomposite is at least one of (a) volume compressive stress condition, and (b) volume expansive stress condition.

Abstract: Provided is a support for effectively capturing glycated protein in a sample, and a device and method for measuring the glycated protein by using the support.

Abstract: Highly porous, lightweight, and sustainable hybrid organic aerogels with ultra-low densities and excellent material properties and methods for preparing them are provided, including, e.g., PVA/CNF/GONS, RF/CNF/GONS, and PVA/CNF/MWCNT. The aerogels are modified to have a super-hydrophobic surface, thus leading to an extremely low swelling ratio and rate of moisture absorption.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous material having improved compressive strength, includes forming an aerogel precursor that includes a polymer having a functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction dispersed in a dispersion medium. The precursor also includes a crosslinking agent. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified, and freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material. The crosslinking agent is reacted with the functional group to effect crosslinking, thus improving the compressive strength of the porous material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of an interconnected porous non-biodegradable polymer implant suitable for implantation into a mammal for the treatment, repair or replacement of defects or injury in musculoskeletal tissue, wherein the mechanical properties of the implant can be controlled by varying the concentration of the non-biodegradable polymer and/or varying the duration and number of freeze-thaw cycles and the interconnected porous non-biodegradable polymer implant has sufficient percent porosity and pore diameter to facilitate integration of cells and attachment within the mammal via ingrowth of surrounding tissue. The present invention also relates to an implant manufactured by the method.

Abstract: A cryogel contains a polyol and a co-polymer of Formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite wall panel with good thermal insulation and sufficient strength for structural use which is designed for the fabrication of energy efficient building. The composite wall panel of the present invention comprises a foamed concrete core with sufficient compressive strength and low thermal conductivity which is sandwiched between two lightweight ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) protective layers with low thermal conductivity, good barrier resistance to moisture/chloride ion/gas, multiple cracking as well as certain amount of steel reinforcements. These composite wall panels are useful in a variety of buildings in both cold and hot regions.

Abstract: Porous beads are provided of a polymer of a non-acidic monomer and a cross-linker having polar functionality, one of which is hydrophilic, the other of which is hydrophobic, further comprising residues of polyvinyl alcohol. The beads may be molecularly imprinted or non-molecularly imprinted. The use of such beads in the removal of nitroso-containing compounds from material containing them is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a non-molecularly imprinted polymer which is selectively adsorbent for at least one tobacco specific nitrosamine in the presence of nicotine, said polymer being a polymerization product of a non-acidic monomer and a cross-linker having polar functionality, one of which is hydrophilic, the other of which is hydrophobic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a porous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) scaffold using a pore-forming agent, comprising: mixing PVA with the pore-forming agent to form micropores in the PVA scaffold and using an easily decomposable pore-forming agent after the formation of the pores to improve convenience and reduce the processing time in manufacturing the porous PVA scaffold as well as to enable a pore size and porosity to be selected. A process for forming a porous PVA scaffold using a pore-forming agent according to the present invention includes heating to melt the PVA, cooling the melted PVA and mixing the PVA with a heat-decomposable pore-forming agent, repeating the freezing/thawing of the mixed PVA to cure the PVA mixture, and stirring the cured PVA mixture with a hydrochloric acid solution at a high temperature of 65° C. or more to produce foam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curable composition comprising a linear hydrolyzable silyl group-containing polymer and a branched hydrolyzable silyl group-containing polymer in the weight ratio of 1:9 to 9:1 and having a specific weight of less than 1.15.

Abstract: Provided is a filler for affinity chromatography which is useful for protein purification and contains porous particles that have a high dynamic binding capacity for proteins and excellent pressure characteristics. The filler for affinity chromatography of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a porous particle consisting of a polymer of vinyl monomer including a cross-linkable vinyl monomer that contains hydroxyl group but does not contain epoxy group and an epoxy group-containing non-cross-linkable vinyl monomer, or a cross-linkable vinyl monomer that contains hydroxyl group and epoxy group, ligands bound to the porous particle, and ring-opened epoxy groups.

Abstract: A filter material and method for its preparation for separation of hydrophilic substances from environment of various hydrophobic liquids or gases. Such hydrophobic substances can be different chemical and oil products, substances of biological origin (fats, essential oils). Hydrophilic substance can be water, lower alcohols (methanol, ethanol), polybasic alcohols, substances dissociating in aqueous solution (salts, acids or bases). Filter material is in the form of oxygen containing polymer, which microscopic and macroscopic structure forms during polymerization process. More precisely the filter material consists of polyacetal for example polyvinylacetal. Polymeric structure of filter material forms during synthesizing reaction of the polyacetal by the action of the assisting substances taken into reaction medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removing residual surface material from porous polymerized particle surfaces. The particles thus produced have an increase in surface porosity and uniformity in a variety of applications. Desirably, substantially the entire surface communicates with the interior of the particles. Also provided are the particles produced by such methods, further modifications of such particles, and methods for using the particles in a variety of applications. All described methods, compositions, and articles of manufacture are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing water dispersible or water soluble porous bodies and the bodies themselves The bodies have an intrusion volume as measured by mercury porosimetry of at least about 3 ml/g and comprise a three dimensional open-cell lattice containing less than 10% by weight of a water soluble polymeric material and 5 to 90% by weight of a surfactant, with the proviso that said porous bodies are not spherical beads having an average bead diameter of 0.2 to 5 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of an interconnected porous non-biodegradable polymer implant suitable for implantation into a mammal for the treatment, repair or replacement of defects or injury in musculoskeletal tissue, wherein the mechanical properties of the implant can be controlled by varying the concentration of the non-biodegradable polymer and/or varying the duration and number of freeze-thaw cycles and the interconnected porous non-biodegradable polymer implant has sufficient percent porosity and pore diameter to facilitate integration of cells and attachment within the mammal via ingrowth of surrounding tissue. The present invention also relates to an implant manufactured by the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a porous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) scaffold using a pore-forming agent, and more particularly, to a process for forming a porous PVA scaffold using a pore-forming agent, comprising: mixing PVA with the pore-forming agent to form micropores in the PVA scaffold and using an easily decomposable pore-forming agent after the formation of the pores to improve convenience and reduce the processing time in manufacturing the porous PVA scaffold as well as to enable a pore size and porosity to be selected. A process for forming a porous PVA scaffold using a pore-forming agent according to the present invention includes heating to melt the PVA, cooling the melted PVA and mixing the PVA with a heat-decomposable pore-forming agent, repeating the freezing/thawing of the mixed PVA to cure the PVA mixture, and stirring the cured PVA mixture with a hydrochloric acid solution at a high temperature of 65° C. or more to produce foam.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous material having improved compressive strength, includes forming an aerogel precursor that includes a polymer having a functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction dispersed in a dispersion medium. The precursor also includes a crosslinking agent. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified, and freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material. The crosslinking agent is reacted with the functional group to effect crosslinking, thus improving the compressive strength of the porous material.

Abstract: A structure is disclosed containing a sorbent with amine groups that is capable of a reversible adsorption and desorption cycle for capturing CO2 from a gas mixture wherein said structure is composed of fiber filaments wherein the fiber material is carbon and/or polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of 2,5-diisocyanato-1,4:3,6-dianhydro-2,5-dideoxy-D-manitol (I), 2,5-diisocyanato-1,4:3,6-dianhydro-2,5-dideoxy-D-glucitol (II), and/or 2,5-diisocyanato-1,4:3,6-dianhydro-2,5-dideoxy-L-iditol (III).

Abstract: A cryogel-forming vinyl alcohol co-polymer is operable to form a cryogel, i.e., a hydrogel formed by crytropic gelation, in an aqueous solution at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight, in the absence of a chemical cross-linking agent and in the absence of an emulsifier. In one embodiment, a vinyl alcohol co-polymer cryogel comprises at least about 75% by weight water and a vinyl alcohol co-polymer, wherein the vinyl alcohol co-polymer is operable to form a cryogel in an aqueous solution at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight, in the absence of a chemical cross-linking agent and in the absence of an emulsifier.

Abstract: At least a selected microporous membrane is made by a dry-stretch process and has substantially round shaped pores and a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to transverse direction tensile strength in the range of 0.5 to 6.0. The method of making the foregoing microporous membrane may include the steps of: extruding a polymer into a nonporous precursor, and biaxially stretching the nonporous precursor, the biaxial stretching including a machine direction stretching and a transverse direction stretching, the transverse direction including a simultaneous controlled machine direction relax.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles having extremely uniform outer diameters and inner diameters with no need for classification operation. Further, the present invention provides single-hole hollow polymer particles produced by the method for producing single-hole hollow polymer particles.

Abstract: Provided herein are bimodal porous polymer microspheres comprising macropores and micropores. Also provided herein are methods and apparatus for fabrication such microspheres. Further provided herein are methods of using bimodal porous polymer microspheres.

Abstract: A microporous layer comprising a microporous xerogel comprising pores that are substantially continuously interconnected from a first outermost surface of the microporous xerogel through to a second outermost surface of the microporous xerogel; and a crosslinked polymer binder comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 50° C. or higher, wherein the polymer binder is water soluble prior to crosslinking.

Abstract: An auxetic fiber and corresponding material that not only responds to an external force, but also responds to moisture. The auxetic fiber is made in part from a moisture activated shrinking filament. Even if no external force is applied to the fiber, a pseudo tensile force is created by wetting the auxetic fiber.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus and a method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional scaffold at low temperatures and the respective use of this method and apparatus.

Abstract: The invention discloses a carrier made from an organic foam having open pores for enzymes or cells immobilization and the methods for preparing immobilized enzymes or cells. The invention uses flocculation and crosslinking technology to immobilize enzyme protein or cells on the organic foam material having open pores. The resultant immobilized products have larger specific surface area, higher specific activity and can be made into various shapes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of agglomeration (10) which has the steps of mixing a feedstock (12) of small particles which have an average particle size of 3 mm or less with a binder (14) which is in the form of a polyvinyl alcohol in the form of an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution in a first blender (16) to form a binder mixture (18), reacting a gelling agent (20) with the feedstock and the binder and processing the binder mixture to deliver an agglomerate (22).

Abstract: A cellular foamed article is provided, including a polymeric foam material and a micro- or nano-sized reinforcement material embedded in the foam material. Also, methods of making a reinforced cellular foamed articles are provided, including preparing a dispersion comprising a reinforcement material and a polymer precursor; processing the reinforcement material so that it has a volume average length ranging from about average cross sectional diameter of from about 1 to about 500 nm and a volume average length of from about 10 nm to about 10 ?m; reacting the polymer precursor to form a foamable polymer; and foaming the foamable polymer.

Abstract: Water dispersible or water soluble porous bodies comprising a three dimensional open-cell lattice containing 10 to 95% by weight of a polymeric material which is soluble in water, and, less than 5% by weight of a surfactant, said porous bodies having an intrusion volume as measured by mercury porosimetry (as hereinafter described) of at least about 3 ml/g, and, with the proviso that said porous bodies are not spherical beads having an average bead diameter of 0.2 to 5 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a fused aerogel-polymer composite in which aerogel and an organic polymer is mixed in a dry state to adsorb polymer particles on the surface of the aerogel and are then subjected to thermal treatment, thus forming a polymer coating on the aerogel. The fused aerogel-polymer composite can be used for thermal insulation in a variety of applications. The fused aerogel-polymer composite exhibits high thermal insulation properties and superior physical strength and processability while still maintaining the properties of an aerogel that does not have a polymer coated on its surface.

Abstract: This invention refers to synthetic decorative coverings in order to cover and protect trafficable surfaces.

Abstract: A microporous layer comprising a microporous xerogel comprising pores that are substantially continuously interconnected from a first outermost surface of the microporous xerogel through to a second outermost surface of the microporous xerogel; and a crosslinked polymer binder comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 50° C. or higher, wherein the polymer binder is water soluble prior to crosslinking.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulations adapted to form a foamed cementitious composition, the foamed cementitious composition itself, a method of forming a hydraulic binder foam, and a method of conveying and applying the resulting foam to a substrate. A pumpable cementitious slurry is formed, the slurry is mixed with a gas such as air, and is subjected to mechanically created turbulence to generate gas bubbles and create a foam, which preferably is stabilized by a foam stabilizing agent such as polyvinyl alcohol present in the slurry. The foam is then conveyed to a nozzle or other suitable dispense point from which it is applied, for example sprayed, preferably uniformly, onto a substrate to be coated. Prior to dispensing, a set accelerator is preferably injected, which causes the foam to gel, which in turn improves the hangability of the product on a substrate. The spray material adheres to the substrate and hardens to form an insulative coating on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing water dispersible or water soluble porous bodies and the bodies themselves The bodies have an intrusion volume as measured by mercury porosimetry of at least about 3 ml/g and comprise a three dimensional open-cell lattice containing less than 10% by weight of a water soluble polymeric material and 5 to 90% by weight of a surfactant, with the proviso that said porous bodies are not spherical beads having an average bead diameter of 0.2 to 5 mm.

Abstract: The foam sheet of the present invention is biodegradable, can be recycled, has good processability, is lightweight, exhibits excellent appearance, has practically satisfactory heat resistance and is more acceptable to the environment. There is provided a crosslinked biodegradable resin continuous foam sheet comprising biodegradable resin, and has an expansion rate of about 1.5 to about 50 and a gel fraction of about 3% or more. There is further provided a method for producing the foam sheet comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a sheet from a resin composition comprising a biodegradable resin, a thermal decomposable blowing agent, and a crosslinking promoter; (2) irradiating the resulting sheet with an ionizing radiation to crosslink the resin composition; and (3) subjecting the crosslinked sheet to heat treatment to continuously prepare a crosslinked foam sheet.