A system and method are directed toward the synthesis of polymeric capsules using a phase inversion process by extrusion of polymeric droplets through a syringe-needle assembly or an iris-shutter mechanism. The polymeric solution may be prepared by dissolving PAN (polyacrylonitrile) polymer in DMF (Dimethyl Formamide) solvent at high temperature through continuous stirring. Following preparation of the capsules, further treatment was initiated using triethylamine in gelation bath to make the final product an efficient removal agent of water hardness.

An extinguishing composition includes an extinguishing material and a capsule containing the extinguishing material. The extinguishing material includes calcium bromide. The extinguishing material may be in a capsule.

The present invention is a composition that can form an edible film or an edible liquid coating that can be applied to the surface of fresh fish (fillets or cuts) or fresh seafood. The present invention acts as a physical barrier preventing oxygen, water and microorganisms from entering the food product, and also acts as a bacteriostatic and antioxidant agent.

Biomedical devices for implantation with decreased pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth are disclosed. The device includes biocompatible materials and has specific characteristics that allow the device to elicit less of a fibrotic reaction after implantation than the same device lacking one or more of these characteristic that are present on the device. Biocompatible hydrogel capsules encapsulating mammalian cells having a diameter of greater than 1 mm, and optionally a cell free core, are disclosed which have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

A method of manufacturing a series of capsules (1A) comprising a core (3), and a gelled envelope (5) completely encapsulating the core and comprising at least two external phases (5A, 5B), wherein the gelled envelope has a external surface comprising at least two distinct portions (7A, 7B) formed respectively by the two external phases, and comprising the following steps: conveying a first flow (F1) that is intended to form the core, and a second flow (F2) of at least the two external phases that are intended to form the gelled envelope, wherein each external phase contains a liquid polyelectrolyte that is able to gel, at least one of the two external phases comprising a coloring agent, while the second flow surrounds the first flux about an axis (D2); successive formation of a plurality of liquid bodies (57) comprising a drop (107), and a film coating (109) coating the drop and having the two external phases, wherein the film has on its external surface at least two portions (109A, 109B) formed by the two external phases; and immersing each liquid body in a gelling solution (100) adapted to react with the polyelectrolyte of each of the two external phases, and recovering of the plurality of capsules. Series of capsules, cosmetic composition containing the capsules and cosmetic treatment using the composition.

The present disclosure provides particles (e.g., beads) and methods, kits, and systems involving the same for sample processing or analysis. Such particles may include one or more analytes, one or more reagents, and two or more gel components and/or walled components. The particles described herein may be formed, for example, by polymerization of a polymerizable material in proximity to a gel or walled component.

Embodiments described herein may be useful in the detection of analytes. The systems and methods may allow for a relatively simple and rapid way for detecting analytes such as chemical and/or biological analytes and may be useful in numerous applications including sensing, food manufacturing, medical diagnostics, performance materials, dynamic lenses, water monitoring, environmental monitoring, detection of proteins, detection of DNA, among other applications. For example, the systems and methods described herein may be used for determining the presence of a contaminant such as bacteria (e.g., detecting pathogenic bacteria in food and water samples which helps to prevent widespread infection, illness, and even death). Advantageously, the systems and methods described herein may not have the drawbacks in current detection technologies including, for example, relatively high costs, long enrichment steps and analysis times, and/or the need for extensive user training. Another advantageous feature provided by the systems and methods described herein includes fabrication in a relatively large scale. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may be used in conjunction with a detector including handheld detectors incorporated with, for example, smartphones (e.g., for the on-site detection of analytes such as pathogenic bacteria).

Disclosed is a method for generating capsules with a matrix shell encasing an oil core. The method includes: providing in a first chamber a core-forming emulsion of an aqueous dispersed phase in an oil phase including water and a dissolved gelation-inducing agent, and a first surfactant; providing in a second chamber a second aqueous solution including water and a second surfactant; wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are fluidically connected by one or more channels; guiding the core-forming emulsion from the first chamber through the channel(s) into the second chamber to form a dispersion of the core-forming emulsion in the aqueous solution; mixing the dispersion with an aqueous shell-forming solution including water and a water soluble matrix-forming agent; and reacting the gelation-inducing agent and the matrix-forming agent in the formed dispersion to form capsules of a water insoluble matrix shell encasing an oil core.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for isolation of species in semi-permeable capsules and processing of encapsulated species through series of steps and/or reactions. To produce capsules, first aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) droplets are generated using microfluidics system and then the hydrogel shell layer is hardened by inducing polymerization. As exemplified in this invention to achieve concentric ATPS droplet formation density-matched PEGDA and Dextran polymer solutions can be used. Once a capsule is formed, its composition can be changed by adding new reagents or replacing out old ones (e.g. by resuspending capsules in desired aqueous solution). The hydrogel shell of semi-permeable capsules can be dissolved at selected step during multi-step procedures in order to release the encapsulated species. The present invention exemplifies the isolation of individual cells within capsules and using the encapsulated cells for genotypic and phenotypic analysis. Finally, the present invention also exemplifies the use of capsules in multi-step procedures to perform complex biological reactions.

A method for the production of empty pullulan capsules eliminate the need to dry pullulan solid product, thereby reducing the equipment cost and energy consumption. The pullulan raw material production can be linked directly with the capsule production to provide a unique approach for empty capsule formation. The purified pullulan fermentation fluid can be directly used in capsule preparation, thus removing the need for a melting process. On the one hand, the method may decrease material consumption, save the cost of equipment and labor, reduce production time and increase productivity. On the other hand, the method may reduce the fluctuating of raw material quality in the re-melting process and guarantee a more stable capsule production and quality.