The present disclosure discloses a triple-responsive starch-based microgel and a preparation method thereof. The present disclosure prepares C.sub.6 oxidized starch and PNIPAM semi-interpenetrating network microgel, namely the triple-responsive starch-based microgel, mainly with pH sensitive C.sub.6 oxidized starch and temperature sensitive NIPAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) as raw materials, and using an inverse emulsion polymerization method. The triple-responsive starch-based microgel according to the present disclosure is a spherical particle with the particle diameter of 15-25 m, has pH, temperature and ionic strength-sensitivity, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can be widely used in the fields of nutrient protection, controlled drug release, protein separation and purification and the like. Meanwhile, its preparation process is simple and controllable with mild reaction conditions, and is suitable for large-scale production.

Zeolites, improved methods for their synthesis, and catalysts, systems, and methods of using these zeolites as catalysts are described. The method of synthesis of the zeolites includes forming a mixture including a zeolitic precursor material and a structure directing agent and subjecting the mixture to high shear processing conditions.

A method of making a gelled composition that includes combining water and an effervescent tablet in a vessel, the effervescent tablet including at least 200 mg gelatin and an effervescent couple that includes an acid and a base, heating an aqueous composition (e.g., in a microwave oven), optionally adding cold water to the heated composition, and chilling the composition for a period sufficient for the composition to form a gel.

The present disclosure discloses a triple-responsive starch-based microgel and a preparation method thereof. The present disclosure prepares C.sub.6 oxidized starch and PNIPAM semi-interpenetrating network microgel, namely the triple-responsive starch-based microgel, mainly with pH sensitive C.sub.6 oxidized starch and temperature sensitive NIPAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) as raw materials, and using an inverse emulsion polymerization method. The triple-responsive starch-based microgel according to the present disclosure is a spherical particle with the particle diameter of 15-25 m, has pH, temperature and ionic strength-sensitivity, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can be widely used in the fields of nutrient protection, controlled drug release, protein separation and purification and the like. Meanwhile, its preparation process is simple and controllable with mild reaction conditions, and is suitable for large-scale production.

A composition includes a hydrogel bead in an external matrix, the hydrogel bead having an at least partially crosslinked gelling polymer, the hydrogel bead having encapsulated therein a functional agent, and a buffering agent having low water solubility, wherein at least a portion of the buffering agent is in solid form in the hydrogel bead.

The present invention generally relates to droplets and/or emulsions, such as multiple emulsions. In some cases, the droplets and/or emulsions may be used in assays, and in certain embodiments, the droplet or emulsion may be hardened to form a gel. In some aspects, a heterogeneous assay can be performed using a gel. For example, a droplet may be hardened to form a gel, where the droplet contains a cell, DNA, or other suitable species. The gel may be exposed to a reactant, and the reactant may interact with the gel and/or with the cell, DNA, etc., in some fashion. For example, the reactant may diffuse through the gel, or the hardened particle may liquefy to form a liquid state, allowing the reactant to interact with the cell. As a specific example, DNA contained within a gel particle may be subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, e.g., by using PCR primers able to bind to the gel as it forms. As the DNA is amplified using PCR, some of the DNA will be bound to the gel via the PCR primer. After the PCR reaction, unbound DNA may be removed from the gel, e.g., via diffusion or washing. Thus, a gel particle having bound DNA may be formed in one embodiment of the invention.

An apparatus and method for obtaining a treatment solution containing reactive oxygen species includes generating an ozone water solution and feeding it into a first of two apertures of a container at a predetermined pressure. The container including a passage body comprising a plurality of passageways having a predetermined passage-section size, so that the ozone water solution flows through the passage body generating the treatment solution in which the ozone is converted to reactive oxygen, and so that the treatment solution then flows through a nebulizer device and is released in the form of small droplets immediately after it has been generated, in which, the reactive oxygen species interact with the biological system before they can decay, or can incorporated into a gel. The traversing body may be a bundle of fibers, a porous body with a percolable open-cell lattice, or a bed of a loose mineral particulate material.

The present invention generally relates to droplets and/or emulsions, such as multiple emulsions. In some cases, the droplets and/or emulsions may be used in assays, and in certain embodiments, the droplet or emulsion may be hardened to form a gel. In some aspects, a heterogeneous assay can be performed using a gel. For example, a droplet may be hardened to form a gel, where the droplet contains a cell, DNA, or other suitable species. The gel may be exposed to a reactant, and the reactant may interact with the gel and/or with the cell, DNA, etc., in some fashion. For example, the reactant may diffuse through the gel, or the hardened particle may liquefy to form a liquid state, allowing the reactant to interact with the cell. As a specific example, DNA contained within a gel particle may be subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, e.g., by using PCR primers able to bind to the gel as it forms. As the DNA is amplified using PCR, some of the DNA will be bound to the gel via the PCR primer. After the PCR reaction, unbound DNA may be removed from the gel, e.g., via diffusion of washing. Thus, a gel particle having bound DNA may be formed in one embodiment of the invention.

This disclosure relates to a hydrogel comprising a crosslinked biomolecule, wherein the hydrogel comprises microscale structures. Also described is a hydrogel comprising an ordered array of semi-spherical microbumps, wherein the hydrogel is bacteria-repellent. Also described is a hierarchically-structured protein hydrogel that inhibits long term attachment of multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus up to 100 over a flat hydrogel. Methods of making and uses thereof are also disclosed herein.

The present invention generally relates to droplets and/or emulsions, such as multiple emulsions. In some cases, the droplets and/or emulsions may be used in assays, and in certain embodiments, the droplet or emulsion may be hardened to form a gel. In some aspects, a heterogeneous assay can be performed using a gel. For example, a droplet may be hardened to form a gel, where the droplet contains a cell, DNA, or other suitable species. The gel may be exposed to a reactant, and the reactant may interact with the gel and/or with the cell, DNA, etc., in some fashion. For example, the reactant may diffuse through the gel, or the hardened particle may liquefy to form a liquid state, allowing the reactant to interact with the cell. As a specific example, DNA contained within a gel particle may be subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, e.g., by using PCR primers able to bind to the gel as it forms. As the DNA is amplified using PCR, some of the DNA will be bound to the gel via the PCR primer. After the PCR reaction, unbound DNA may be removed from the gel, e.g., via diffusion or washing. Thus, a gel particle having bound DNA may be formed in one embodiment of the invention.