The present invention generally relates to microparticles and, in particular, to systems and methods for encapsulation within microparticles. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to microparticles containing entities therein, where the entities contain an agent that can be released from the microparticles, e.g., via diffusion. In some cases, the agent may be released from the microparticles without disruption of the microparticles. The entities may be, for instance, polymeric particles, hydrogel particles, droplets of fluid, etc. The entities may be contained within a fluid that is, in turn, encapsulated within the microparticle. The agent may be released from the entity into the fluid, and then from the fluid through the microparticle. In such fashion, the release of agent from the microparticle may be controlled, e.g., over relatively long time scales. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such microparticles, methods of using such microparticles, microfluidic devices for making such microparticles, and the like.

The present invention generally relates to microparticles and, in particular, to systems and methods for encapsulation within microparticles. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to microparticles containing entities therein, where the entities contain an agent that can be released from the microparticles, e.g., via diffusion. In some cases, the agent may be released from the microparticles without disruption of the microparticles. The entities may be, for instance, polymeric particles, hydrogel particles, droplets of fluid, etc. The entities may be contained within a fluid that is, in turn, encapsulated within the microparticle. The agent may be released from the entity into the fluid, and then from the fluid through the microparticle. In such fashion, the release of agent from the microparticle may be controlled, e.g., over relatively long time scales. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such microparticles, methods of using such microparticles, microfluidic devices for making such microparticles, and the like.

The present invention generally relates to microparticles and, in particular, to systems and methods for encapsulation within microparticles. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to microparticles containing entities therein, where the entities contain an agent that can be released from the microparticles, e.g., via diffusion. In some cases, the agent may be released from the microparticles without disruption of the microparticles. The entities may be, for instance, polymeric particles, hydrogel particles, droplets of fluid, etc. The entities may be contained within a fluid that is, in turn, encapsulated within the microparticle. The agent may be released from the entity into the fluid, and then from the fluid through the microparticle. In such fashion, the release of agent from the microparticle may be controlled, e.g., over relatively long time scales. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such microparticles, methods of using such microparticles, microfluidic devices for making such microparticles, and the like.

The present invention generally relates to microparticles and, in particular, to systems and methods for encapsulation within microparticles. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to microparticles containing entities therein, where the entities contain an agent that can be released from the microparticles, e.g., via diffusion. In some cases, the agent may be released from the microparticles without disruption of the microparticles. The entities may be, for instance, polymeric particles, hydrogel particles, droplets of fluid, etc. The entities may be contained within a fluid that is, in turn, encapsulated within the microparticle. The agent may be released from the entity into the fluid, and then from the fluid through the microparticle. In such fashion, the release of agent from the microparticle may be controlled, e.g., over relatively long time scales. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such microparticles, methods of using such microparticles, microfluidic devices for making such microparticles, and the like.

Biocompatible intraocular implants, such as microparticles, include a prostamide component and a biodegradable polymer that is effective in facilitating release of the prostamide component into an eye for an extended period of time. The prostamide component may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the prostamide component may be encapsulated by the polymeric component. The present implants include oil-in-oil emulsified implants or microparticles. Methods of producing the present implants are also described. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat or reduce a at least one symptom of an ocular condition, such as glaucoma.

Biocompatible intraocular implants, such as microparticles, include a prostamide component and a biodegradable polymer that is effective in facilitating release of the prostamide component into an eye for an extended period of time. The prostamide component may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the prostamide component may be encapsulated by the polymeric component. The present implants include oil-in-oil emulsified implants or microparticles. Methods of producing the present implants are also described. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat or reduce a at least one symptom of an ocular condition, such as glaucoma.

The tris(trimethylsilyl)silanol (H-SST) ligand can be reacted with a Group 4 or 5 metal alkoxides in a solvent to form an SST-modified metal alkoxide precursor. Exemplary Group 4 precursors include [Ti(SST).sub.2(OR).sub.2] (OR=OPr.sup.i, OBu.sup.t, ONep); [Ti(SST).sub.3(OBu.sup.n)]; [Zr(SST).sub.2(OBu.sup.t).sub.2(py)]; [Zr(SST).sub.3(OR)] (OR=OBu.sup.t, ONep); [Hf(SST).sub.2(OBu.sup.t).sub.2]; and [Hf(SST).sub.2(ONep).sub.2(py).sub.n] (n=1, 2), where OPr.sup.i=OCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, OBu.sup.t=OC(CH.sub.3).sub.3, OBu.sup.n=O(CH.sub.2).sub.3CH.sub.3, ONep=OCH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, and py=pyridine. Exemplary Group 5 precursors include [V(SST).sub.3(py).sub.2]; [Nb(SST).sub.3(OEt).sub.2]; [Nb(O)(SST).sub.3(py)]; 2[H][(Nb(-O).sub.2(SST)).sub.6(.sub.6-O)]; [Nb.sub.8O.sub.10(OEt).sub.18(SST).sub.2.Na.sub.2O]; [Ta(SST)(-OEt)(OEt).sub.3].sub.2; and [Ta(SST).sub.3(OEt).sub.2]; where OEt=OCH.sub.2CH.sub.3. When thermally processed, the precursors can form unusual core-shell nanoparticles. For example, HfO.sub.2/SiO.sub.2 core/shell nanoparticles have demonstrated resistance to damage in extreme irradiation and thermal environments.

The tris(trimethylsilyl)silanol (H-SST) ligand can be reacted with a Group 4 or 5 metal alkoxides in a solvent to form an SST-modified metal alkoxide precursor. Exemplary Group 4 precursors include [Ti(SST).sub.2(OR).sub.2] (OR=OPr.sup.i, OBu.sup.t, ONep); [Ti(SST).sub.3(OBu.sup.n)]; [Zr(SST).sub.2(OBu.sup.t).sub.2(py)]; [Zr(SST).sub.3(OR)] (OR=OBu.sup.t, ONep); [Hf(SST).sub.2(OBu.sup.t).sub.2]; and [Hf(SST).sub.2(ONep).sub.2(py).sub.n] (n=1, 2), where OPr.sup.i=OCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, OBu.sup.t=OC(CH.sub.3).sub.3, OBu.sup.n=O(CH.sub.2).sub.3CH.sub.3, ONep=OCH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, and py=pyridine. Exemplary Group 5 precursors include [V(SST).sub.3(py).sub.2]; [Nb(SST).sub.3(OEt).sub.2]; [Nb(O)(SST).sub.3(py)]; 2[H][(Nb(-O).sub.2(SST)).sub.6(.sub.6-O)]; [Nb.sub.8O.sub.10(OEt).sub.18(SST).sub.2.Na.sub.2O]; [Ta(SST)(-OEt)(OEt).sub.3].sub.2; and [Ta(SST).sub.3(OEt).sub.2]; where OEt=OCH.sub.2CH.sub.3. When thermally processed, the precursors can form unusual core-shell nanoparticles. For example, HfO.sub.2/SiO.sub.2 core/shell nanoparticles have demonstrated resistance to damage in extreme irradiation and thermal environments.

A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO.sub.2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO.sub.2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.