The present invention generally relates to microfluidic droplets and, in particular, to multiple emulsion microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, multiple emulsion droplets are provided, where an inner shell of the droplet is relatively thin, compared to the outer shell (or other shells) of the droplet. For instance, in one set of embodiments, the inner droplet has an average thickness of less than about 1000 nm. In some cases, the inner shell may be rigidified, e.g., to form a gel or a polymeric layer. This may be useful, for example, for preventing coalescence of fluids within the microfluidic droplet. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such droplets, methods of using such droplets, microfluidic devices for making such droplets, and the like.

The present invention generally relates to microfluidic droplets and, in particular, to multiple emulsion microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, multiple emulsion droplets are provided, where an inner shell of the droplet is relatively thin, compared to the outer shell (or other shells) of the droplet. For instance, in one set of embodiments, the inner droplet has an average thickness of less than about 1000 nm. In some cases, the inner shell may be rigidified, e.g., to form a gel or a polymeric layer. This may be useful, for example, for preventing coalescence of fluids within the microfluidic droplet. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making such droplets, methods of using such droplets, microfluidic devices for making such droplets, and the like.

A material in the form of solid particles with a diameter varying from 10 μm to 1 cm is provided, composed of a continuous solid shell having at least one silicon oxide, said shell imprisoning an aqueous phase The aqueous phase includes at least one hydrophilic substance of interest S.sub.H and at least one droplet of a fatty phase predominantly having a crystallizable oil in the solid state at the storage temperature of said material The crystallizable oil has a melting point (T.sub.M) of less than 100° C. and including at least one lipophilic substance of interest S.sub.L.

A material in the form of solid particles with a diameter varying from 10 μm to 1 cm is provided, composed of a continuous solid shell having at least one silicon oxide, said shell imprisoning an aqueous phase The aqueous phase includes at least one hydrophilic substance of interest S.sub.H and at least one droplet of a fatty phase predominantly having a crystallizable oil in the solid state at the storage temperature of said material The crystallizable oil has a melting point (T.sub.M) of less than 100° C. and including at least one lipophilic substance of interest S.sub.L.

A method for pre-analytical treatment of a serum or plasma sample from a patient suspected of suffering from oxidative stress, which includes contacting the sample with one or more microcapsules having a gelled alginate core and a semipermeable coating, where the alginate core includes dispersed receptors against an oxidised human parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptide. The semipermeable membrane can be obtained by layer-by-layer deposition of polycationic and polyanionic macromolecules onto the gelled core, following by hardening, crosslinking and co-acervation of the macroionic phases.

A method for pre-analytical treatment of a serum or plasma sample from a patient suspected of suffering from oxidative stress, which includes contacting the sample with one or more microcapsules having a gelled alginate core and a semipermeable coating, where the alginate core includes dispersed receptors against an oxidised human parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptide. The semipermeable membrane can be obtained by layer-by-layer deposition of polycationic and polyanionic macromolecules onto the gelled core, following by hardening, crosslinking and co-acervation of the macroionic phases.

The present invention relates to microcapsules comprising natural oil and, more specifically, to microcapsules which contain gelatin, natural polymers, oil, and an oil thickener and have enhanced mechanical properties, and a preparation method therefor. The microcapsules comprising natural oil according to the present invention have remarkably enhanced mechanical properties and retention properties, and when co-cultured with cells, the microcapsules provide the effect of inducing maturation of the cells, and thus may be used in various fields of microcarriers, cell cultures, and co-culture systems.

Polynucleotides such as DNA are stored inside vesicles formed from self-assembling membranes. The vesicles may be protocells, liposomes, micelles, colloidosomes, proteinosomes, or coacervates. The vesicles may include surface functionalization to improve polynucleotide encapsulation and/or to bind polynucleotides having specific sequences. Encapsulation in vesicles provides protection for the polynucleotides. Additional protection is provided by addition of one or more stabilizers. The stabilizer may be nucleic-acid stabilizers that stabilize the polynucleotides or may be a protective structural layer around the vesicles such as a layer of silica. A process for stably storing polynucleotides in vesicles and a process for recovering stored polynucleotides from vesicles are both disclosed. The polynucleotides may be used for storage of digital information.

Described herein is a composite microcapsule slurry including at least one microcapsule having an oil-based core including a hydrophobic material, preferably a perfume, and a composite shell including a first material and a second material. The first material and the second material are different, the first material is a coacervate, the second material is a polymeric material, and the weight ratio in the slurry between the first material and the second material is between 50:50 and 99.9:0.1.

The present invention teaches a composition and process for irreversibly agglomerated charge stable core shell microcapsules, each microcapsule containing a benefit agent core material, which may be the same or different, the polymeric all or walls comprising one or more (meth)acrylate polymers, or optionally combinations with other polymers, along with a polyvalent cation. The capsules of the invention adhere better to surfaces, are more stable and are useful for delivery of benefit agents.