A composition includes a plurality of particulate coated hydrogel microparticles, each of the microparticles including a hydrogel inner core and a particulate shell defined by a plurality of solid nanoparticles, the particulate shell inhibiting aggregation of the microparticles in an aqueous medium and being permeable to allow release of agents from the hydrogel inner core.

A method of making silk articles including preparing a silk fibroin solution including silk fibroin and microalgae, and introducing the silk fibroin solution into a solvent bath including a crosslinking agent. The method can incorporate 3D printing techniques to allow for easy fabrication of the articles into various forms. The silk articles can provide a cell-friendly matrix that allows 3D encapsulation of microalgae while maintaining normal cell proliferation and functions for an extended period of time.

A non-fibrous film of which the composition includes a collagen and a polyester polymer is provided. A content of the polyester polymer in the non-fibrous film is 1-60 wt %. Moreover, the non-fibrous film has a swelling rate of 1-200 μm/hour or a swelling proportion per unit time of 0.1-2%/hour in an aqueous liquid.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a membrane for use in the repair of the middle ear including perforations and damage to the tympanic membrane. The invention also provides for compositions and methods for preparing composite silk fibroin and glycerol membranes using formic acid, where the membranes have improved mechanical and vibroacoustic properties.

A method of manufacturing a thermally insulating product comprises: (a) forming a mixture comprising solvent and gel network former and optionally foaming agent; (b) dispersing a thermally insulating filler in the mixture; and (c) drying the mixture to form the thermally insulating product.

The present disclosure is directed to physical mixtures of diblock copolypeptide hydrogel (DCH) systems. These systems exhibit mechanical strength and stiffness that are synergistically increased over the individual component DCHs, to greater than would be expected for a linear combination of the components. Such systems may have utility in biomedical applications such as drug delivery.

The present invention relates to plant based materials, methods for their manufacture and biomaterials incorporating plant based materials.

A stimulus-responsive carrier, a method for making and a method of using the same are disclosed. The stimulus-responsive carrier comprises a polymeric component comprising poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a copolymer comprising units derived from N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid (PNIPAM-AA), poly N-vinylpyrrolidone, a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and hydroxymethylacrylamide (PNIPAM-HMAAm), a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and allylamine (poly(NIPAAM-co-allylamine)), poly 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate, or any combination thereof; and a second component disposed within the polymeric component, the second component comprising a hydrogel, wherein the second component has a different composition than the polymeric component. The stimulus-responsive carrier is responsive to a stimulus comprising a temperature change, a pH change, application of a magnetic field, or any combination thereof.

The present disclosure describes protein-based resin compositions. In particular, the compositions employ methacrylated or acrylated protein, a strengthening agent, a plasticizer, and an initiator. The protein-based resin compositions may be used for making solid articles that are biodegradable and possess a high degree of tensile strength and water resistance. Methods of preparing the biodegradable protein-based plastic articles are also disclosed.

An algae-based thermoplastic foam is provided having a protein-rich algae biomass selected from either microalgae, macroalgae or combinations thereof. The protein content is greater than or equal to 15% by weight of the algae biomass and the algae biomass is dried to a moister content of less than or equal to 15% by weight having an average particle size of up to 200 microns. The composition includes a resin configured to exhibit rheological properties suitable for blending with algae including a melting temperature less than 250° C. and a melt flow rate in excess of 0.01 g/10 min. The foam includes a foaming ingredient selected from the group consisting of crosslinkers, compatibilizers, plasticizers, accelerants, catalysts, blowing agents, other ingredients, and combinations thereof.