Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

Methods of synthesizing multilayer structures, including multilayer capsules, tubes and hair-covered substrates, are provided. A substrate is provided comprising a polymerization initiator. The initiator-loaded substrate is exposed to a solution comprising a monomer and crosslinker. The initiator diffuses outwardly from the substrate, thereby initiating polymerization of the monomer and forming a layered structure comprising a polymer portion disposed on an exterior surface of the substrate. The process may be repeated for a selected number of cycles, thereby forming a multilayer structure having a selected number of layers. The composition, thickness and properties of each layer are selectively controlled. Multilayer structures formed in accordance with the methodologies are also provided.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a polymer gel film containing liquid crystal droplets, comprising the steps of: preparing liquid crystal droplets containing a ligand, by adding a nematic liquid crystal containing a ligand to an aqueous surfactant solution, and mixing, to obtain the liquid crystal droplets containing a ligand; adding the liquid crystal droplets containing a ligand to an aqueous polymer solution, and mixing, to obtain an aqueous polymer solution containing the liquid crystal droplets; and spreading the aqueous polymer solution containing the liquid crystal droplets flatly in a polymer container, and allowing the aqueous polymer solution containing the liquid crystal droplets to gelatinize, to obtain a polymer gel film containing liquid crystal droplets. The invention utilizes liquid crystal droplets dispersed in the agarose to detect mercuric ions in the water, and through the configuration change of the liquid crystal droplets, the mercuric ions is specifically detected.

A method of making CNT films is described in which the film is washed with a mild acid treatment. The method generates a CNT film that is not sensitive to moisture or fluctuations in moisture. The method involves the use of anionic polysaccharides or anionic glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, as aqueous dispersing agents and their modification to a hydrophobic matrix after deposition. In the course of conducting the work described here, we made the surprising discovery that washing with an aqueous acidic solution resulted in a decrease in resistance through the material. The invention also includes CNT composites made by the inventive methods and a CNT composite comprising CNTs and anionic polysaccharides or anionic glycosaminoglycans further characterized by a low cationic content and a high conductivity and/or small CNT particle size as measured by SEM.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous scaffold for tissue engineering. It is another object of the present invention to provide a porous scaffold obtainable by the method as above described, and its use for tissue engineering, cell culture and cell delivery. The method of the invention comprises the steps consisting of: a) preparing an alkaline aqueous solution comprising an amount of at least one polysaccharide, an amount of a cross-linking agent and an amount of a porogen agent b) transforming the solution into a hydrogel by placing said solution at a temperature from about 4 C. to about 80 C. for a sufficient time to allow the cross-linking of said amount of polysaccharide and c) submerging said hydrogel into an aqueous solution d) washing the porous scaffold obtained at step c).

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating microparticles by using a degassed gas-permeable micro-mold and discontinuous dewetting. The method for fabricating microparticles according to the present invention comprises the steps of: depressurizing and degassing a porous micro-mold including a plurality of micro-wells concavely recessed in a predetermined shape and size from one surface thereof (S100); loading a microparticle precursor solution on which the micro-wells are formed, and covering the microparticle precursor solution with a cover substrate (S200); moving the to cover substrate to the side (S300); and curing the microparticle precursor solution filled in the micro-wells, thereby synthesizing microparticles (S400).

A polymer gel may comprise a polymer gel base material and superparamagnetic nanoparticles. At least 25 wt. % of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles may have diameters in a first size range between a first diameter and a second diameter. At least 25 wt. % of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles may have diameters in a second size range between a third diameter and a fourth diameter. The Brownian relaxation time of the portion of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the first size range may be at least 5 times the Neel relaxation time of the portion of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the first size range. The Neel relaxation time of the portion of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the second size range may be at least 5 times the Brownian relaxation time of the portion of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the second size range. Methods for monitoring gel integrity in a wellbore are further included.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.