Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

A polymeric composite coating includes a drug release retardant polymer matrix, and pH-responsive nanoparticulate pore former. The pH-responsive pore formers function to modulate the permeability of the coating in response to pH changes which can compensate any changes in drug solubility with negligible leaching of the pore formers. The pH-responsive nanoparticulate pore formers may also function as alcohol-resistant component to the overall composite coating to resist increased solubility and permeability in presence of alcohol at 40% ethanol concentration in aqueous media. In one embodiment, the drug release retardant polymer is made of cellulose derivatives.

A computer-controlled method for forming a composition-controlled product using 3D printing includes disposing two or more liquid reactant compositions in respective two or more reservoirs; and mixing the two or more liquid reactant compositions, which in turn includes controlling by the computer a mass ratio of the mixed two or more liquid reactant compositions. The computer-controlled method further includes scanning, under control of the computer, a mixed liquid reactants nozzle over a substrate; depositing the mixed liquid reactant compositions onto the substrate; and operating, under control of the computer, a light source to polymerize the deposited mixed liquid reactant compositions.

A method of manufacturing a flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlling for an effective pore size using removable pore-forming substances and physically incorporated, non-leaching antimicrobials. A flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlled for an effective pore size composited physically incorporated, high-surface area, non-leaching antimicrobials, optionally in which the physically incorporated non-leaching antimicrobial exposes nanopillars on its surface to enhance antimicrobial activity. A kit that enhances the effectiveness of the intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite by storing the composite within an antimicrobial container.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are materials exhibiting molecular recognition of a target molecule. MIPs are synthesized in the presence of an aflatoxin template, a mimic to the targeted molecule, used as an imprint that is further washed away with suitable solvent after completion of the polymerization process, leaving a cavity in the polymer of the same stereochemistry, functionality and morphology to the template. When the MIP encounters an aflatoxin, the molecule is bound in the cavity with a receptor-like affinity.

Provided is an oriented multilayer porous film comprising at least one layer comprising: a heat, solvent, and degradation resistant matrix polymer; a plurality of interconnecting pores; and a porosity less than 90%. The film is made by a dry and/or wet method, with its multilayer structure constructed by coextrusion, lamination, and coating. The film of this disclosure finds a wide range of applications as a permselective medium for use in energy harvesting and storage, filtration, separation and purification of gases and fluids, CO.sub.2 and volatile capture, electronics, devices, structural supports, packaging, labeling, printing, clothing, drug delivery systems, bioreactor, and the like. The film is preferably used as a separator of lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, lithium-air, metal-air, and nonaqueous electrolyte batteries.

Highly transparent (up to 92% light transmittance) wood composites have been developed. The process of fabricating the transparent wood composites includes lignin removal followed by index-matching polymer infiltration resulted in fabrication of the transparent wood composites with preserved naturally aligned nanoscale fibers. The thickness of the transparent wood composite can be tailored by controlling the thickness of the initial wood substrate. The optical transmittance can be tailored by selecting infiltrating polymers with different refractive indices. The transparent wood composites have a range of applications in biodegradable electronics, optoelectronics, as well as structural and energy efficient building materials. By coating the transparent wood composite layer on the surface of GaAs thin film solar cell, an 18% enhancement in the overall energy conversion efficiency has been attained.

Provided are porogen compositions and methods of using such porogen compositions in the manufacture of porous materials, for example, porous silicone elastomers. The porogens generally include comprising a core material and shell material different from the core material. The porogens can be used to form a scaffold for making a resulting porous elastomer when the scaffold is removed.

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to matrices comprising polymers and methods for preparing them.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention, and to the use of a multi-layered material as a chondral support matrix, a meniscus support matrix or an intervertebral disc support matrix.