A method of modifying a 3D-printed polymer structure is provided. The method can include providing an initial 3D-printed polymer structure having at least one exposed surface; treating the exposed surface of the initial 3D-printed polymer structure with plasma to obtain a treated 3D-printed polymer structure having a treated surface; administering an adhesive to the treated surface of the treated 3D-printed polymer structure; and contacting a complementary 3D-printed polymer structure with the treated surface of the treated 3D-printed polymer structure to obtain a modified 3D-printed polymer structure.

Surface-treated polymeric particles which are dispersible in water or an aqueous solution without the aid of any surfactant. Surface treatment of hydrophobic polymeric particles is carried out to increase the surface energy and to render the surfaces of the particles hydrophilic, thereby eliminating the need for a surfactant to disperse the polymeric particles in water or an aqueous solution. As such, a surfactantless slurry can be formed from the surface-treated particles for the fabrication of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite structures.

Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

A polymer composition for molded products having antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties comprising from 50 wt. % to 99.9 wt. % of a polymer, from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt % zinc, optionally from a zinc compound, less than 1 wt % of a phosphorus compound, and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % molding additives, wherein a molded product formed from the polymer composition demonstrates a Staphylococcus aureus log reduction greater than 1.0, as determined via ISO 22196:2011.

A polymer composition having antimicrobial properties, the composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99.99 wt % of a polymer, from 10 wppm to 900 wppm of zinc, less than 1000 wppm of phosphorus, and less than 10 wppm coupling agent and/or surfactant, wherein zinc is dispersed within the polymer; and wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a Klebsiella pneumonia log reduction greater than 0.90, as determined via ISO20743:2013 and/or an Escherichia coli log reduction greater than 1.5, as determined via ASTM E3160 (2018).

Disclosed is a method for making a composite material, which is of particular use in wound treatment. The composite material has a hydrophilic polyurethane foam material with a first polyurethane polymer; a hydrophilic fiber material having a second polymer, wherein said second polymer is not a polyurethane polymer and wherein said fiber material is capable of absorbing and retaining a fluid. The first polymer is covalently bonded to the second polymer.

Drug delivery devices having a drug-permeable component and methods of making and using the same are provided. Drug delivery devices include a housing having a first and second wall structures that are adjacent one another and together form a tube defining a drug reservoir lumen. The second wall structure, or both the first wall structure and the second wall structure, are permeable to water, and the first wall structure is impermeable to the drug while the second wall structure is permeable to the drug, such that the drug is releasable in vivo by diffusion through the second wall structure.

Membranes and methods of making and using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can include a foamed polymeric support and a plurality of inorganic particles disposed within the foamed polymeric support. The foamed polymeric support can contain a hydrophilic polymer such as polyethersulfone. The plurality of inorganic particles can include hydrophilic particles such as zeolite particles. In certain embodiments, the membrane can be used in humidifiers, such as those used in fuel cell systems. In some aspects, the membrane can be used for separating a fluid mixture comprising water. The membranes described herein are stable for high temperature applications.

A method for making ophthalmic devices includes direct compression molding one or more ophthalmic device forming polymers in a mold to form ophthalmic devices.

Device surfaces are rendered superhydrophobic and/or superoleophobic through microstructures and/or nanostructures that utilize the same base material(s) as the device itself without the need for coatings made from different materials or substances. A medical device includes a portion made from a base material having a surface adapted for contact with biological material, and wherein the surface is modified to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material, excluding non-material coatings. The surface may be modified using a subtractive process, an additive process, or a combination thereof. The product of the process may form part of an implantable device or a medical instrument, including a medical device or instrument associated with an intraocular procedure. The surface may be modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations; hierarchical structures having asperities; or posts/pillars with caps having dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars.