The present invention relates to a method of encapsulating an uncharged, soluble, active compound within a self-assembled ionomer complex formed from polyelectrolytes, wherein the said method comprises the steps of mixing a solution comprising at least one polycation and polyanion with active compound, or adding a polyion to a solution comprising an oppositely charged polyion coupled to the active compound, wherein the interaction between the active compound and ionomer complex is non-ionic and non-covalent in nature. The invention also relates to an ionomer complex prepared thereform for use in transport and delivery of the compounds. In a preferred embodiment, the ionomer complex comprises poly-L-arginine, Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PAA-b-PEO), wherein the said ionomer encapsulates 4-methoxyphenyl -D-glucopyranoside (MG).

The present invention relates to a method of encapsulating an uncharged, soluble, active compound within a self-assembled ionomer complex formed from polyelectrolytes, wherein the said method comprises the steps of mixing a solution comprising at least one polycation and polyanion with active compound, or adding a polyion to a solution comprising an oppositely charged polyion coupled to the active compound, wherein the interaction between the active compound and ionomer complex is non-ionic and non-covalent in nature. The invention also relates to an ionomer complex prepared thereform for use in transport and delivery of the compounds. In a preferred embodiment, the ionomer complex comprises poly-L-arginine, Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PAA-b-PEO), wherein the said ionomer encapsulates 4-methoxyphenyl -D-glucopyranoside (MG).

A renewable material for releasing a self-healing agent includes a renewable polymeric substrate with capsules and a reactant dispersed in the renewable polymeric substrate. The capsules may be formed from a first renewable shell polymer and may enclose the renewable self-healing agent. The reactant may be suitable for reacting with the renewable self-healing agent to form a polymer.

A renewable material for releasing a self-healing agent includes a renewable polymeric substrate with capsules and a reactant dispersed in the renewable polymeric substrate. The capsules may be formed from a first renewable shell polymer and may enclose the renewable self-healing agent. The reactant may be suitable for reacting with the renewable self-healing agent to form a polymer.

A renewable material for releasing a self-healing agent includes a renewable polymeric substrate with capsules and a reactant dispersed in the renewable polymeric substrate. The capsules may be formed from a first renewable shell polymer and may enclose the renewable self-healing agent. The reactant may be suitable for reacting with the renewable self-healing agent to form a polymer.

A renewable material for releasing a self-healing agent includes a renewable polymeric substrate with capsules and a reactant dispersed in the renewable polymeric substrate. The capsules may be formed from a first renewable shell polymer and may enclose the renewable self-healing agent. The reactant may be suitable for reacting with the renewable self-healing agent to form a polymer.

Some variations provide a method of assembling a plurality of particles into particle assemblies, comprising: (a) obtaining a first fluid containing particles and a solvent for the particles; (b) obtaining a second fluid not fully miscible with the first fluid; (c) obtaining a third fluid that is a co-solvent for the first fluid and the second fluid; (d) combining the first fluid and the second fluid to generate an emulsion containing droplets of the first fluid in the second fluid; (e) adding the third fluid to the emulsion; and (f) dissolving out the solvent from the droplets into the third fluid, thereby forming particle assemblies. Some variations also provide an assembly of nanoparticles, wherein the assembly has a volume from 1 m.sup.3 to 1 mm.sup.3, a packing fraction from 20% to 100%, and/or an average relative surface roughness less than 1%, wherein the assembly is not disposed on a substrate.

Some variations provide a method of assembling a plurality of particles into particle assemblies, comprising: (a) obtaining a first fluid containing particles and a solvent for the particles; (b) obtaining a second fluid not fully miscible with the first fluid; (c) obtaining a third fluid that is a co-solvent for the first fluid and the second fluid; (d) combining the first fluid and the second fluid to generate an emulsion containing droplets of the first fluid in the second fluid; (e) adding the third fluid to the emulsion; and (f) dissolving out the solvent from the droplets into the third fluid, thereby forming particle assemblies. Some variations also provide an assembly of nanoparticles, wherein the assembly has a volume from 1 m.sup.3 to 1 mm.sup.3, a packing fraction from 20% to 100%, and/or an average relative surface roughness less than 1%, wherein the assembly is not disposed on a substrate.

The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of core-shell particles by the coacervation method encapsulating contrast agents for multimodal imaging. The process consists in: a. Providing a water in oil emulsion of a biocompatible polyelectrolyte polymer. b. Providing an aqueous solution of a biocompatible polyelectrolyte polymer having opposite charges of the polyelectrolyte of step a). c. Adding a crosslinking agent to the primary emulsion and the secondary solution. d. Adding at least a tracer independently to the primary emulsion or the secondary solution or emulsion. e. Adding the secondary aqueous solution to the primary emulsions and occurring of the complex coacervation leading to the separation of the coacervate particles. f. Optionally absorb a further tracer into the nanoparticles The disclosure also relates to the coacervates obtained by the above described process and their use as probe for multimodal imaging in the diagnostic field.

The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of core-shell particles by the coacervation method encapsulating contrast agents for multimodal imaging. The process consists in: a. Providing a water in oil emulsion of a biocompatible polyelectrolyte polymer. b. Providing an aqueous solution of a biocompatible polyelectrolyte polymer having opposite charges of the polyelectrolyte of step a). c. Adding a crosslinking agent to the primary emulsion and the secondary solution. d. Adding at least a tracer independently to the primary emulsion or the secondary solution or emulsion. e. Adding the secondary aqueous solution to the primary emulsions and occurring of the complex coacervation leading to the separation of the coacervate particles. f. Optionally absorb a further tracer into the nanoparticles The disclosure also relates to the coacervates obtained by the above described process and their use as probe for multimodal imaging in the diagnostic field.