A passive thermal management system and methods of using a thermoresponsive hydrogel coating configured to autonomously switch between a heating state and a cooling state based on ambient temperature. At temperature greater than a lower critical solution temperature of the thermoresponsive hydrogel, the thermoresponsive hydrogel coating becomes solar reflective and has enhanced radiative cooling ability to achieve daytime radiative cooling. At temperatures less than the lower critical solution temperature, the thermoresponsive hydrogel coating becomes transparent to facilitate absorption of solar radiation by sun absorber.

An insulating material is used that contains a silica xerogel, and a nonwoven fabric fiber capable of generating carbon dioxide by reacting with atmospheric oxygen at a temperature of 300 C. or more. The insulating material uses oxidized acrylic as the nonwoven fabric fiber. A device uses the insulating material installed as a part of a heat insulating or a cold insulating structure, or installed between a heat-generating part and a casing.

Hydrogel-substrate laminate structures and tough biocompatible hydrogel coatings for various equipment such as medical devices and underwater equipment, in which robust interfaces are formed between the hydrogel coatings and the substrate/equipment surface(s). The hydrogel coatings provide a highly-hydrated, ultra-low friction structure that does not rupture or delaminate under stress. The hydrogel coatings may further incorporate a variety of therapeutic agents and/or sensing mechanisms to provide for environmental sensing and therapeutic agent release.

A composite material including a substrate, a porous body provided on the substrate, and insulating polymers starting from a surface of the substrate and extending inside the porous body, and a method of producing the composite material.

A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.

A composite material is disclosed including: a first material including a plurality of crosslinked first polymer chains including a plurality of first polymer monomeric units; a coating layer on the surface of the first material, wherein the coating layer includes a plurality of adhesion polymer chains, wherein the plurality of adhesion polymer chains includes a plurality of the first polymer monomeric units and a plurality of first bond-forming units, wherein the adhesion polymer chains are interwoven with the first polymer chains; and a second material including a plurality of second polymer chains, wherein the coating layer is disposed in-between the first and the second material and contacting the surface of the first and the second material, and a portion of the second polymer chains includes a plurality of second polymer monomeric units and second bond-forming units; wherein the first and the second bond-forming units form one or more bonds.

The apparatuses and methods described herein relates generally to the field of active agent (drug) release from surgical grafts useful for soft tissue reconstruction, regeneration, or repair. More particularly, described herein are surgical grafts for soft tissue repair that include an active agent that is released over time while advantageously matching the biomechanical properties of tissue during healing and recovery.

There is provided a conductive film having conductivity in a surface direction, being deformable, having excellent durability, and transmitting visible light.

A conductive film includes a film substrate and a conductive material layer. The conductive material layer is provided on a first substrate surface of the film substrate. A plurality of through holes penetrating the film substrate and the conductive material layer in a thickness direction are formed in the conductive film. The conductive material layer has a plurality of conductive portions, and the conductive portions are present between adjacent layer opening portions. The number of the conductive portion is 400 per 1 mm.sup.2, and an opening ratio of the conductive material layer is at least 40%.

Disclosed is a fluidic device including at least: a) a solid matrix; b) a textile component, embedded in the matrix and mechanically cohesive with the matrix; c) at least one channel embedded in the matrix and entangled with the textile component, the channel being at least partly open. A method for making a fluidic device includes providing a textile component including support fibers and at least a movable fiber entangled with the textile, embedding at least part of the textile and part of the movable fiber, in a matrix precursor material, applying a treatment in order to obtain a solid matrix.

An ultrasonic coupling device. The ultrasonic coupling device includes a foam having an aperture; a hydrogel wherein the hydrogel has a water content of at least 10 wt %, wherein at least part of the hydrogel locates in the aperture of the foam; and a near field communication device.