Preparing MAX phase structures includes forming a gel including a transition metal M, a Group 3A or Group 4A metal or semimetal A, and an acidic chelating agent or gelling agent X. X includes one or both of carbon and nitrogen. Preparing the MAX phase structures further includes shaping the gel to yield a shaped gel and heating the shaped gel to yield carbonaceous MAX phase structures with a composition represented by M.sub.n+1AX.sub.n, wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4. The MAX phase structures can be thick films, microspheres, or microwires.

A process is disclosed for combining a polysaccharide ester polymer with one or more plasticizers in a way that produces a homogeneous blend. The polysaccharide ester polymer can be in the form of particles and fed to a heated extruding device. Separate quantities of plasticizer can then be combined with the polysaccharide ester polymer particles as they are conveyed through the extruding device. Through the process of the present disclosure, a homogenous blended product can be formed that can then be used to form various articles including fibers, films, and molded articles.

The present disclosure relates to a solid hair cosmetic composition comprising—based on the total weight of the cosmetic composition—0.1 to 40.0% by weight of at least one polysaccharide, at least one polysaccharide being starch from corn, rice, potato or tapioca; modified starch; hydroxypropyl starch phosphate or a dextrin, and optionally: 10.0 to 60.0% by weight of at least one polyhydric alcohol, 0.1 to 15.0% by weight of at least one cationic surfactant, and 0.1 to 15.0% by weight of at least one saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched C.sub.8-C.sub.30 alcohol and/or a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched C.sub.8-C.sub.30 carboxylic acid and/or a salt of a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched C.sub.8-C.sub.30 carboxylic acid, as well as production and application methods and uses thereof.

A functionally gradient material for guided periodontal hard and soft tissue regeneration includes a 3D printed scaffold layer and an electrospun fibrous membrane layer. The content of hydroxyapatite in the 3D printed scaffold layer is higher than the content of hydroxyapatite in the electrospun fibrous membrane layer. The pore size of the 3D printed scaffold layer is larger than the pore size of the electrospun fibrous membrane layer. The pore size of the 3D printed scaffold layer is 100-1000 μm, and the fiber diameter of the electrospun fibrous membrane layer is 300-5000 nm. The electrospun fibrous membrane layer is in a random distribution or an oriented arrangement or has a mesh structure. The thickness of the electrospun fibrous membrane layer is 0.08-1 mm.

The present invention relates to an adhesive and soluble adhesive bandage or patch comprising a soluble film of natural origin with high mineral content. The soluble film comprises from 20 to 90 wt % of mineral filler and wherein the mineral filler content level is higher than the polysaccharide content level. It also relates to these bandages or patches for use in cosmetics or therapy. Also, a method of making a soluble film.

The invention relates to non-woven protein fibers and to methods for forming and producing the same. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of processing a protein comprising dissolving a protein in a solution, optionally removing any insoluble materials from the solution, and spraying the solution under an applied pressure. In other embodiments, the protein can be derived from a range of sources, including but not limited to arthropod silks, animal keratin (e.g. hair and wool), tissue elastin, collagen, resilin, and plant protein. In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention are an alternative to electrospinning methods known in the art.

An apparatus, and a system for manufacturing a bioplastic material from a blend solution of gum arabica (GA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is provided. The apparatus includes a panel having a first end, a second end distal to the first end, and a plurality of walls extending from a periphery of the panel, the panel configured to accommodate the blend solution. The apparatus further includes a plurality of support members coupled to the first end and the second end of the panel and configured to adjust a slope angle of the panel; and one or more vibration generating units coupled to the plurality of support members and configured to vibrate the panel when the blend solution flows from the first end to the second end of the panel. A method of preparing the bioplastic material is also disclosed.

Provided is an inexpensive microneedle array with little dimensional error that can control, with high precision, the amount of a predetermined component to be introduced to the inner part of the skin, and a production method for this microneedle array. A foundation that is insoluble or sparingly soluble in inner part of the skin is overlaid on a mold. A plurality of frustum-shaped protrusions, which are insoluble or sparingly soluble in the raw material liquid, provided on a first main surface of the foundation are fit into a plurality of cone-shaped recesses. The raw material liquid in the plurality of cone-shaped recesses dries and, as a result, a plurality of microneedles, which are dissolvable in the inner part of the skin, are fixed to tip surfaces of the plurality of frustum-shaped protrusions.

A compartmented hard shell capsule for containing active formulations, and methods and apparatuses for forming, filling and encapsulating the compartmented hard shell capsules. The compartmented hard shell capsule includes a cap portion and a body portion. The cap portion has a hollow cavity defining a cap chamber. The body portion can be removably inserted into the cap portion. The body portion has an open end, a closed end and a sidewall defining a hollow cavity and a serrated edge along the open end. The serrated edge may be folded over to form a barrier to enclose the body portion, thereby creating a body chamber that is separate from the cap chamber when the body portion is inserted into the cap portion. The methods for filling and encapsulating the compartmented hard shell capsules can be completed in one continuous process, which increases cost-effectiveness for use of the compartmented hard shell capsules.

A method of forming foam includes providing a foam with at least one of chitosan, chitin, or chitosan oligosaccharide, where the foam has a density of 1 g/cm.sup.3 or less. The method further includes placing the foam between tooling, applying heat to the foam, and pressing the foam into a shape using the tooling.