The present invention relates to a process for preparing a biocompatible and biodegradable, porous three-dimensional polymer matrix, to the porous polymer matrix obtained by means of such a process, and also to the uses thereof, in particular as a support and for cell culture or in regenerative medicine, and in particular for cell therapy, in particular cardiac cell therapy.

Formation of low-crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles via cooling-controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO.sub.2) impregnation of phytosterols into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water dissolution and bioaccessibility of the phytosterols, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.

The present invention provides a method for producing a porous silicone sheet comprising a freezing step of freezing a wet gel of a porous silicone body having communicating pores and a three-dimensional network silicone skeleton which forms the pores and which is formed by a copolymerization of a bifunctional alkoxysilane and a trifunctional alkoxysilane, to obtain a frozen body, a sheet forming step of forming the frozen body into a sheet to obtain a porous silicone sheet, and a cleaning step of cleaning the porous silicone sheet. According to the method of the present invention, a porous silicone body from which impurities have been sufficiently removed can be produced. In the course of the production, occurrence of fracture of a wet gel can be effectively prevented.

Described herein are polymer complexes, including polymer gels and polymer foams, containing electrically conductive polymers and ionic liquids. The polymer complexes described herein are useful as components of electronic devices.

High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

A method of forming a carbon foam material comprises forming an emulsion may include a phenol formaldehyde and hexamine in monoethylene glycol and water, curing the emulsion to yield a cured resin, and carbonizing the cured resin to form the carbon foam material. Forming the emulsion may include dispersing the phenol formaldehyde and hexamine in the monoethylene glycol to form an initial solution, contacting the initial solution with the water to form an initial emulsion, and agitating the initial emulsion to form an agitated emulsion. The method may further comprise contacting the agitated emulsion with an oil. Also, a carbon foam material that may be characterized as exhibiting a density of less than about 0.500 g/cc, as exhibiting a compressive strength equal to or greater than about 200 psi, or both.

High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces.

Disclosed are cellulose-based flexible gels containing cellulose nanorods, ribbons, fibers, and the like, and cellulose-enabled inorganic or polymeric composites, wherein the gels have tunable optical, heat transfer, and stiffness properties. The disclosed gels are in the form of hydrogels, organogels, liquid-crystal (LC) gels, and aerogels. Further disclosed are highly transparent and flexible cellulose nanofiber-polysiloxane composite aerogels featuring enhanced mechanical robustness, tunable optical anisotropy, and low thermal conductivity. Further disclosed are gels comprising cellulosic material derived from bacteria and processes for preparing bacterial cellulose gels and methods of use.

Provided are porous cellulose particles containing chitosan and having predetermined pores on a surface and a predetermined particle diameter, and a method for producing the porous cellulose particles. Porous cellulose particles including unsubstituted cellulose and chitosan, wherein a content of the chitosan is not greater than 20 mass % in a total of 100 mass % of the unsubstituted cellulose and the chitosan, pores having a diameter from 0.05 to 5 m are observed in an image of surfaces of the porous cellulose particles observed by a scanning electron microscope, and a proportion of porous cellulose particles having a particle diameter from 10 to 200 m is not less than 90 mass %.