摘要:
A method is disclosed for making an artificial micro-gland having a continuous anisotropic membrane of two or more types of living cells. A first step includes forming a carrier fluid in a microchannel in a laminar flow of two distinct fluid flows. Another step includes introducing a template, which may itself be anisotropic, into the microchannel in a manner such that the template straddles the interface between the first fluid-flow and the second fluid-flow. In some embodiments two types of living cells within the template are separately attracted one of the fluid flows by the presence of an agent of taxis. In other embodiments, cells within one or the other of the fluid flows are attracted to agents within the template. Membranes form on the template and join together to form a complete cellular membrane around a reservoir.
摘要:
Composition, processes, techniques, and apparatus for synthesizing monodisperse microgels based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivative polymers by using precipitation polymerization. These microgels are hydrophilic and have the adjustable volume phase transition temperature in aqueous environment. Microgels can be added with various functional groups. These microgels in water can self-assemble into various phases, including a crystalline phase. Hydrogel films with iridescent colors were formed using these microgels as crosslinkers to connect poly(ethylene glycol) chains. The colors of these hydrogel films change with changes of environment such temperature, pH, salt concentration, etc.
摘要:
A method is used for making an artificial micro-gland by taxis. A monodisperse multiple emulsion is produced with a first fluid; a second fluid confined within the first fluid; a third fluid within the second fluid. Interfaces between the fluids permit living cells dispersed in the one of the fluids to migrate towards an adjacent fluid having a different concentration of an agent affecting the metabolic activity of the living cells. Waiting, usually about 30 minutes, allows the living cells to migrate to the interface, forming the continuous membrane. Once formed, the artificial micro-gland is removed from the remains of the emulsion. The artificial micro-gland may also be given a second layer of different cells when the emission of the cells of the artificial micro-gland is used as the agent to attract the different cells. The method may also be used to produce an artificial micro-gland within an artificial micro-gland.
摘要:
The present invention is related to the production of capsules or particles of micro and nanometric size, for introduction into food, using stable electrified coaxial jets of two immiscible liquids with diameters in the micro and nanometric range. An aerosol of charged structured droplets forms when the jets dissociate by capillary instabilities. The structured droplets, which are mano-dispersed in size, contain a first liquid (generally the material desired to be added) that is surrounded by a second liquid. Generally the second liquid provides a barrier or protective coating which allows the addition of the first liquid to a food product without adversely affecting the organoleptic or other properties of the food product.
摘要:
A consumable compressed tobacco product adapted to dissolve in an oral cavity. The compressed tobacco product is formed from a composition that includes at least one tobacco component, at least one flavorant, at least one filler-binder, at least one lubricant, at least one desiccant and at least one glidant. The compressed tobacco products are adapted to dissolve and provide tobacco satisfaction. A method of making a dissolvable compressed tobacco product is also provided.
摘要:
The compositions of hydrogel colloidal crystals are made from mixing an aqueous suspension of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (“PNIPAM”)-co-allylamine microgels with dichloromethane, forming a PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture. The PNIPAM-co-allylamine/dichloromethane mixture is incubated for a period of time at a given temperature, forming the colloidal crystal material. The colloidal crystals can be stabilized by diffusing a glutaric dialdehyde solution into the colloidal crystal material. The concentration of polymer matrix microgels can determine the orientation of random or columnar crystals.
摘要:
A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to metastable mineral-amino acid complexes that are formed by combining a mineral oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate an amino acid and an organic acid. The complexes may be used to fortify a variety of food and beverage products.
摘要:
This invention generally relates to systems and methods for the formation and/or control of fluidic species, and articles produced by such systems and methods. In some cases, the invention involves unique fluid channels, systems, controls, and/or restrictions, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention allows fluidic streams (which can be continuous or discontinuous, i.e., droplets) to be formed and/or combined, at a variety of scales, including microfluidic scales. In one set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be produced from a channel, where a cross-sectional dimension of the fluidic stream is smaller than that of the channel, for example, through the use of structural elements, other fluids, and/or applied external fields, etc. In some cases, a Taylor cone may be produced. In another set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be manipulated in some fashion, for example, to create tubes (which may be hollow or solid), droplets, nested tubes or droplets, arrays of tubes or droplets, meshes of tubes, etc. In some cases, droplets produced using certain embodiments of the invention may be charged or substantially charged, which may allow their further manipulation, for instance, using applied external fields. Non-limiting examples of such manipulations include producing charged droplets, coalescing droplets (especially at the microscale), synchronizing droplet formation, aligning molecules within the droplet, etc. In some cases, the droplets and/or the fluidic streams may include colloids, cells, therapeutic agents, and the like.