This invention relates to a cosmetic sponge and a method of providing a cosmetic sponge incorporating a non-denatured collagen and other additives for skin care, cleaning, and cosmetic application.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for fabricating anisotropic polymer materials. According to various embodiments, a fluidic device is employed to distribute a polymer solution and a flow-confining solution in order to generate a layered flow, where the layered flow is formed such that a polymer liquid sheet is sheathed on opposing sides by flow-confining liquid sheets. The fluidic device includes first and second fluid conduits, where the first fluid conduit receives the layered flow. The second fluid conduit has a reduced height relative to the first fluid conduit, such that the layered flow is constricted as it flows through the second fluid conduit. The constriction formed by the second flow conduit causes hydrodynamic focusing, reducing the thickness of the polymer liquid sheet, and inducing molecular alignment and anisotropy within the polymer liquid sheet as it is hardened and as strain is applied during extrusion of the sheet.

A polymer composite comprising a clay modified with a coupling agent such as an organosilane; and a plant protein matrix, wherein the coupling agent couples the modified clay to the plant protein polymeric matrix. An antimicrobial agent can also be coupled to the coupling agent. Suitable antimicrobial agents include chitosan and its derivatives, transition metals and inorganic oxides. A method of forming the polymer composite coating on a substrate, a multi-layered structure comprising said composite and a composition comprising the composite is also defined. The composite is useful in food packaging.

The present invention relates to: a biodegradable capsule which is a capsule having a form in which a capsule wall surrounds fragrance or oil, wherein a polymer, formed by the reaction of a fibrous polymer, a protein polymer, an aliphatic polyesterpolyol and an aliphatic crosslinking agent, constitutes the capsule wall of the capsule; and a manufacturing thereof.

A method and product comprising mixing at least one oil to a converted methylcellulose polymer to result in a methylcellulose polymer-oil mixture, mixing at least one hydrocolloid to the methylcellulose polymer-oil mixture and heating the methylcellulose polymer-oil mixture to result in a microgel structure; and entrapping at least one flavor potentiator within the microgel structure to result in a peptide-infused microgel structure.

Novel biophotonic phantoms are provided herein that can accurately mimic the optical properties of living tissue. The disclosed biophotonic phantoms comprise hemoglobin (Hb) in a native conformation that is distributed in a solid polymer matrix. Methods of producing the disclosed biophotonic phantoms are also provided. The biophotonic phantoms can be used, for example, to calibrate or test an optical imaging system, such as a near infrared spectroscopy imaging system.

The present invention relates to a masterbatch composition comprising high concentration of biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity and uses thereof for manufacturing biodegradable plastic articles.

Described herein is a transparent graphene and polymer based nanocomposite barrier film that provides gas, fluid, and/or vapor resistance. Also described is a barrier film where the graphene may be selected from reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, and is also functionalized or crosslinked. Also described is a barrier film where there is crosslinking between the graphene and/or the polymers to provide enhanced water resistance. A barrier device is also described that incorporates the barrier film and further comprises a substrate and a protective coating, encompassing the barrier film. Also described are methods for making the aforementioned barrier films and related devices.

The present invention relates to a process of preparing a rubber-like material containing a protein immobilized therein, as well as a corresponding rubber-like material, the process comprising the steps of (a) mixing a protein, a branched polymer such as trimethylolpropane ethoxylate and a linear polymer such as poly(ethylene oxide) in an aqueous solution to form a gel, and (b) drying the gel to obtain a rubber-like material containing the protein immobilized therein, wherein the branched polymer comprises at least three polymeric branches bound to a central branching unit. The rubber-like material allows the immobilization and stabilization of a wide range of different proteins, including luminescent proteins as well as enzymes, and can particularly advantageously be used as down-converting material for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for diagnostic applications, and in bioreactors.

A method for making a biomaterial comprising providing at least one polypeptide fraction chymotryptically isolated and extracted from fibroin, and adding the at least one extracted polypeptide fraction to a hydrogel precursor before gelling, wherein the at least one isolated and extracted polypeptide fraction is selected from a soluble fraction Cs, and a precipitated fraction Cp. A biomaterial comprising at least one of the isolated and extracted polypeptide fractions incorporated in a hydrogel or a hydrogel precursor. Use of the biomaterial for constructing, regenerating, repairing, replacing or augmenting soft or hard tissue; as an in vitro or in vivo construct; as a coating material; or as a cell, molecule or particle delivery medium. Use of the isolated and extracted polypeptide fraction Cs for promoting osteoinduction, osteoconduction or osteogenesis. Use of the isolated and extracted polypeptide fraction Cp for enhancing a mechanical compressive modulus of a material into which it is incorporated.