The subject invention provides chemical compositions and synthesis strategies to create molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) via sol-gel processes. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention utilizes a(n) organic, inorganic, or metallic template analyte to create a hybrid organic-inorganic or inorganic three-dimensional network possessing cavities complementary to the shape, size, and functional orientation of the template molecule or ions. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the novel MIPs as selective solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbents for pre-concentration and clean-up of trace substances in biological and environmental samples. Synthesis of other molecularly imprinted polymers with environmental, pharmaceutical, chemical, clinical, toxicological, and national security implications can be conducted in accordance with the teachings of the subject invention.

Novel absorbable foams, lyophilizing solutions, and lyophilizing and annealing processes are disclosed. The foams are made from copolymers of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone. The foams are useful in or as implantable medical devices.

Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a nanoporous organic-inorganic hybrid film. The method includes preparing an organic sol including a compound having amino groups, a compound having isocyanate groups, and a solvent; adding an inorganic oxide precursor to the organic sol to form a mixed solution; and subjecting the mixed solution to heat treatment to form an organic molecule network structure in which the organic sol is gelled, and an inorganic molecule network structure located along a surface of the organic molecule network structure.

The present application relates to a composition containing silicone, a silicone hydrogel obtained from the composition containing silicone, and a contact lens comprising the silicone hydrogel. According to the silicone hydrogel obtained from the composition containing silicone, and the contact lens comprising the silicone hydrogel of the present application, the expansion rate generated during the hydration process is low while having an intended water content, and thus, dimensional stability can be excellent and oxygen permeability may be excellent.

The present disclosure is directed to a composition and articles containing the composition. The composition comprises a foam and a plurality of gel particles dispersed in the foam. The gel particles comprise an olefin block copolymer and an oil.

The present invention concerns composite biomaterials comprising ceramic and a biodegradable polymer gel, with improved bioactivity, their process of preparation and their use for orthopedics, dentistry or reconstructive surgery, in particular for use as a bone filler.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gel material including a solvophilic polymer having a m-scale porous structure. A polymer gel in which solvophilic polymer units are cross-linked with each other, wherein the polymer gel contains a solvent and has a three-dimensional network structure having two regions: a first region in which the polymer units are densely present and a second region in which the polymer units are sparsely present, and a mesh size composed of the first region is from 1 to 500 m.

The present disclosure is directed to a composition and articles containing the composition. The composition comprises a foam and a plurality of gel particles dispersed in the foam. The gel particles comprise an olefin block copolymer and an oil.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a gelled, dried composition forming a monolithic aerogel with a heat conductivity of less than or equal to 40 mW.Math.m.sup.1.Math.K.sup.1 and derived from a resin of polyhydroxybenzene(s) and formaldehyde(s), to this aerogel composition and to the use thereof. This process comprises: a) polymerization in an aqueous solvent of said polyhydroxybenzene(s) and formaldehyde(s) in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst, to obtain a solution based on the resin, b) gelation of the solution obtained in a) to obtain a gel of the resin, and c) drying of the gel to obtain a dried gel.

According to the invention, step a) is performed in the presence of a cationic polyelectrolyte dissolved in this solvent, and the process also comprises a step d) of heat treatment under inert gas of the dried gel obtained in step c) at temperatures of between 150 C. and 500 C. to obtain the non-pyrolyzed aerogel whose heat conductivity is substantially unchanged, even after exposure to a humid atmosphere.

Disclosed are cellulose-based flexible gels containing cellulose nanorods, ribbons, fibers, and the like, and cellulose-enabled inorganic or polymeric composites, wherein the gels have tunable optical, heat transfer, and stiffness properties. The disclosed gels are in the form of hydrogels, organogels, liquid-crystal (LC) gels, and aerogels, depending on the solvents in the gels.