Abstract: A device including a composition formed by oxidation of graphene oxide to form holey graphene oxide having defects therein and reduction of the holey graphene oxide. A composition includes graphene oxide sheets including holes therein formed by oxidation to form a network of interconnected graphene oxide nanoribbons.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enzymatically modifying xylan by selectively removing glucuronic acid and/or arabinose side chains from the xylan with a-D-glucuronidase and/or a-L-arabinofuranosidase, and allowing the modified xylan to form into a hydrogel when the xylan becomes insoluble. A bioactive substance, such as a protein, enzyme, antimicrobial agent, bactericide or pharmaceutical compound can be added to the xylan so that the substance is encapsulated within the hydrogel or incorporated onto its surface. The hydrogel can be used as a drug delivery agent, such as for sustained-release or targeted drug delivery, rectal drug delivery or a dressing for a wound, burn or scar. The hydrogel can also be used as a coating, such as on medical gloves, catheters, surgical drainage systems, utensils or the like, or can be used in a scaffold for tissue engineering.

Abstract: Methods for the detection/quantification of the enzymatic activity of hydrolases in a sample, wherein the hydrolase catalyses a hydrolysis reaction of a substrate which yields either H2S or a thiol-containing organic compound that produces a decomposition reaction which generates H2S, and methods for the detection/quantification of their substrates in a sample, as well as a method for the preparation of fluorescent CdS quantum dots, the preparation method, comprising first carrying out a enzymatic reaction catalysed by the hydrolase wherein the hydrolase catalyses the hydrolysis reaction of a substrate which yields either H2S or a thiol-containing organic compound that produces a decomposition reaction which generates H2S, and then reacting the resulting H2S with a salt of Cd+2, thereby fluorescent CdS quantum dots are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a drug activator carrier comprising: a) particles having a metallic or metallic oxide core prepared from a paramagnetic material, said metallic core being coated with a coating material selected from polymer, metal or metal oxide; b) a biological material, having reductase activity, bound onto the metal coating the particles of step a), and wherein said biological material is capable of activating non-toxic pro-drugs into active and toxic drugs suitable for treating a disease; said drug activator carrier allowing targeted delivery of the toxic drug.

Abstract: An agglomerate or capsule capable of being prepared by freeze-drying a first agglomerate or capsule, said first agglomerate comprising a solvent, nanoobjects or nanostructures coated with macromolecules of polysaccharides being homogeneously distributed in said agglomerate or said capsule, and said macromolecules forming in at least one portion of the first agglomerate, a gel by crosslinking with positive ions. A nanocomposite material comprising this agglomerate. A method for preparing this agglomerate and this nanocomposite material.

Abstract: A method for the non-catalytic growth of nanowires is provided. The method includes a reaction chamber with the chamber having an inlet end, an exit end and capable of being heated to an elevated temperature. A carrier gas with a flow rate is allowed to enter the reaction chamber through the inlet end and exit the chamber through the exit end. Upon passing through the chamber the carrier gas comes into contact with a precursor which is heated within the reaction chamber. A collection substrate placed downstream from the precursor allows for the formation and growth of nanowires thereon without the use of a catalyst. A second embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a reaction chamber, a carrier gas, a precursor target, a laser beam and a collection substrate. The carrier gas with a flow rate and a gas pressure is allowed to enter the reaction chamber through an inlet end and exit the reaction chamber through the exit end.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide: a positively charged nanoparticle which can be produced without using surfactants or synthetic polymers, the size of which can be controlled, which is stable at acidic condition, and which contains an active substance therein; and a method for producing the same. The present invention provides a casein particle, wherein zeta potential is positive.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for introducing a three-dimensional configuration of micron to sub-micron size in a polymeric substrate comprising applying a catalyst for the selective removal of sub-unit parts of the polymer to at least one predetermined area of the polymer substrate via a pipette with a nano-sized orifice.

Abstract: A method for producing mixed metal oxide compounds includes the steps of: providing a supply of a metal reducing bacteria; providing a culture medium suitable for growth of the bacteria; providing a first mixed metal oxide phase comprising at least a first and a second metal, at least one of the first and second metal being reducible from a higher to a lower oxidation state by the bacteria; and, combining the bacteria, the culture medium, the first mixed metal oxide, and at least one electron donor in a reactor, wherein the bacteria reduces at least one of the first metal and the second metal from the higher to the lower oxidation state to form a second mixed metal oxide phase.