The invention concerns a method for depositing nano-objects on the surface of a gel comprising a polymer matrix having at least two contiguous zones of distinct rigidities, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a gel comprising a polymer matrix and a solvent within the polymer matrix, the polymer matrix forming a three-dimensional array capable of swelling in the presence of said solvent, wherein the solubility of the polymer matrix, at 1 bar and 25 C., in the solvent is less than 1 g/L, the polymer matrix comprising at least two contiguous zones of distinct rigidities having a rigidity gradient greater than or equal to 0.1 kPa/m, then b) depositing nano-objects on the surface of the gel, then c) evaporating the solvent from the gel at least until the variation of the rate of evaporation of the solvent from the at least one least rigid zone of the gel is not constant over time, by which the nano-objects migrate towards the at least one most rigid zone of the gel and a gel is obtained for which the surface is at least partially coated with nano-objects, and wherein the density per unit area of nano-objects of the at least one most-rigid zone among the at least two contiguous zones is greater than that of the at least one least-rigid zone among the at least two contiguous zones, the gel that can be obtained and its applications.

The invention concerns a method for depositing nano-objects on the surface of a gel comprising a polymer matrix having at least two contiguous zones of distinct rigidities, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a gel comprising a polymer matrix and a solvent within the polymer matrix, the polymer matrix forming a three-dimensional array capable of swelling in the presence of said solvent, wherein the solubility of the polymer matrix, at 1 bar and 25 C., in the solvent is less than 1 g/L, the polymer matrix comprising at least two contiguous zones of distinct rigidities having a rigidity gradient greater than or equal to 0.1 kPa/m, then b) depositing nano-objects on the surface of the gel, then c) evaporating the solvent from the gel at least until the variation of the rate of evaporation of the solvent from the at least one least rigid zone of the gel is not constant over time, by which the nano-objects migrate towards the at least one most rigid zone of the gel and a gel is obtained for which the surface is at least partially coated with nano-objects, and wherein the density per unit area of nano-objects of the at least one most-rigid zone among the at least two contiguous zones is greater than that of the at least one least-rigid zone among the at least two contiguous zones, the gel that can be obtained and its applications.

Alcohol intoxication causes serious diseases, whereas current treatments are mostly supportive and unable to remove alcohol efficiently. Upon alcohol consumption, alcohol is sequentially oxidized to acetaldehyde and acetate by the endogenous alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, respectively. We disclose a hepatocyte-mimicking antidote for alcohol intoxication through the co-delivery of the nanocapsules of alcohol oxidase (AOx), catalase (CAT), and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to the liver, where AOx and CAT catalyze the oxidation of alcohol to acetaldehyde, while ALDH catalyzes the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetate. Administered to alcohol-intoxicated mice, the antidote rapidly accumulates in the liver and enables a significant reduction of the blood alcohol concentration. Moreover, blood acetaldehyde concentration is maintained at an extremely low level, significantly contributing to liver protection. Such an antidote, which can eliminate alcohol and acetaldehyde simultaneously, holds great promise for the treatment of alcohol intoxication and poisoning.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer/biological entities alloy, comprising a step of mixing a polymer and biological entities that degrade it, during a heat treatment, said heat treatment being performed at a temperature T above room temperature and said biological entities being resistant to said temperature T, characterized in that said biological entities are chosen from enzymes that degrade said polymer and microorganisms that degrade said polymer.

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

A 3D bioprinter having a visible light source to photocure biomaterial is disclosed. The 3D bioprinter prints visible light-curable biomaterial along with viable cells, and visible light photocures the biomaterial while maintaining cell viability. Visible light 3D bioprinter systems and methods of printing are further disclosed.

A 3D bioprinter having a visible light source to photocure biomaterial is disclosed. The 3D bioprinter prints visible light-curable biomaterial along with viable cells, and visible light photocures the biomaterial while maintaining cell viability. Visible light 3D bioprinter systems and methods of printing are further disclosed.

A biodegradable foam which includes a polyester-based polyurethane foam and a mixture comprised of a soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria embedded in a carrier compound. The mixture of the soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria is homogenously dispersed throughout the polyester-based polyurethane foam. This biodegradable foam exhibits biodegradation rates higher than a polyester-based polyurethane foam absent the soil-dwelling carbon-digesting bacteria.

The current subject matter includes an adaptive electrospray device that creates consistent output when operating in atmosphere (e.g., not a vacuum). For example, the current subject matter includes an adaptive system that can monitor two current reference points (at the emitter and counter-electrode, respectively), determine a change in emitter current that will account for the parasitic losses, and adjust the emitter current accordingly. In addition, the current subject matter includes a high-throughput adaptive electrospray device having an array of emitters that rapidly switches the electrical potential of different emitters in an array on and off at a predetermined sequence that mitigates or eliminates interference from neighboring emitters. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.