Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to colloidal systems, which may include colloidal particles and/or other types of particles. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to a system comprising fluidic droplets that can be at least partially solidified, e.g., to form colloidal particles. In some embodiments, particles comprising an at least partially solid outer phase encapsulating an inner phase are formed. The inner phase may be any phase, e.g., a solid, a liquid, or a gas. In some cases, solidifying at least a portion of the outer phase of the droplets to form particles may increase the stability of the particles and/or the colloidal system containing the particles. In one set of embodiments, melting or liquefying the outer phase of the particles (for example, by heating the particle to a temperature above a threshold temperature) can allow release of an agent contained within the inner phase, and/or allow the inner phase to coalesce with a phase external to the particles. The melting temperature of the outer phase can be controlled in some embodiments such that the outer phase will melt above a predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the particles may be formed to be essentially free of an auxiliary stabilizing agent. In some embodiments, an agent may be encapsulated within a particle with relatively high efficiency. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such colloidal systems, e.g., containing such particles, kits involving such colloidal systems, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed using a plurality of channels, such as microfluidic channels, that meet at a common intersection. The multiple emulsions may be created at a single common intersection in some embodiments, unlike other prior art systems where multiple channel intersections are required to create multiple emulsions. For instance, in one set of embodiments, three, four, or more microfluidic channels may intersect at a common intersection, with two or three serving as inlets and one serving as the outlet. In some embodiments, a first fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophobic, while a second fluidic channel is relatively hydrophilic. The third channel, if present, may be relatively hydrophilic or hydrophobic, depending on the application. The outlet channel may be hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or may comprise at least one portion that is relatively hydrophilic and at least one portion that is relatively hydrophilic. By controlling the flow of fluids through the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the channels, multiple emulsions may be created proximate the common intersection, due to interactions between the fluids entering the common intersection. In other embodiments, different patterns of hydrophilic or hydrophobic channels may be used. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such systems, kits involving such systems, emulsions created using such systems, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to polymerization reactions within microfluidic devices. In certain cases, the invention allows for precise control of the polymerization of different types of monomers to form a copolymer by controlling the steps of polymerization and/or controlling the addition of monomers at various time scales within a microfluidic droplet and/or a microfluidic environment, often to a degree that is unattainable by other block polymerization techniques. For example, in one aspect, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for producing polymers such as block copolymers, gradient polymers, random copolymers, etc. For instance, in one set of embodiments, a first monomer contained within a channel, such as a microfluidic channel, is allowed to polymerize to form a first block of a block copolymer. Additional blocks may be added, for example, by flowing the first block and other monomers through a second channel (which may be an extension of the first channel), by polymerizing additional blocks of the copolymer in other channels, by creating droplets containing one or more blocks and allowing the blocks to polymerize, or the like. In some embodiments, a droplet, such as a multiple emulsion droplet, may be creating containing two or more monomers, which are allowed to polymerize together. Still other embodiments of the invention are generally directed to methods of creating such devices, methods of using such devices, kits involving such devices, or the like.
Abstract:
The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing polyurethanes by reaction of a) polyisocyanates with b) compounds having at least two hydrogen atoms reactive with isocyanate groups, characterized in that the component b) contains at least one filler-containing polyol b1) and at least one thixotropic agent bii).
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to double and other multiple emulsions. Certain aspects of the present invention are generally directed to the creation of double emulsions and other multiple emulsions at a common junction of microfluidic channels. In some cases, the microfluidic channels at the common junction may have substantially the same hydrophobicity. In one set of embodiments, a device may include a common junction of six or more channels, where a first fluid flows through one channel, a second fluid flows through two channels, and a third or carrying fluid flows through two more channels, such that a double emulsion of a first droplet of the first fluid, contained in a second droplet of the second fluid, contained by the carrying fluid, flows away from the common junction through a sixth channel. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such systems, kits involving such systems, emulsions created using such systems, or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. In some aspects, an article containing one or more channels or microfiuidic channels is used to mix one or more fluids prior to spray drying. The mixing may occur immediately before the fluids are expelled through a nozzle or other opening into a drying region of the spray dryer. In one set of embodiments, for example, a first fluid is exposed to a second fluid, then the fluids are exposed to air or other gases before being expelled through a nozzle. In certain instances, the first fluid may contain a dissolved species that may precipitate upon exposure to the second fluid; such precipitation may occur immediately before expulsion through a nozzle or other opening, thereby resulting in controlled precipitation as part of the spray drying process.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. By at least partially drying fluids within a microfluidic channel, instead of or in addition to conventional spray drying techniques, better control of the drying process can be achieved in certain aspects of the invention. In addition, various embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for drying fluids contained within a channel such as a microfluidic channel. For example, a fluid may be partially or completely dried within a microfluidic channel, prior to being sprayed into a collection region. In some embodiments, gases such as air may be directed into a channel containing a fluid, which may facilitate drying of the fluid. In some cases, the fluid may be accelerated due to the introduction of gases into the channel, and in certain embodiments, droplets of fluid may be disrupted to form smaller droplets as a result. In certain cases, the fluids may also be dried to form supersaturated droplets.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. By at least partially drying fluids within a microfluidic channel, instead of or in addition to conventional spray drying techniques, better control of the drying process can be achieved in certain aspects of the invention. In addition, various embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for drying fluids contained within a channel such as a microfluidic channel. For example, a fluid may be partially or completely dried within a microfluidic channel, prior to being sprayed into a collection region. In some embodiments, gases such as air may be directed into a channel containing a fluid, which may facilitate drying of the fluid. In some cases, the fluid may be accelerated due to the introduction of gases into the channel, and in certain embodiments, droplets of fluid may be disrupted to form smaller droplets as a result. In certain cases, the fluids may also be dried to form supersaturated droplets.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to particles, including particles for drug delivery and other applications. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to particles comprising a shell and an interior at least partially contained by the shell. In some embodiments, the particles may be treated to enhance the containment of the interior, for example to reduce transport of an agent into or out of the interior. Such particles may exhibit increased ability to encapsulate agents and/or increased storage life (e.g., due to reduced leakage). For instance, in certain embodiments, any defects, such as cracks, pores, etc. within the shell may be sealed or otherwise treated to reduce transport therethrough, for example, with a solid. In some embodiments, for instance, a first reactant in the interior of a particle may come into contact with a second reactant outside of the particle to form a solid, or other suitable product. The shell may also be treated, e.g., at a later point in time, to cause release of an agent contained within the interior, in certain aspects. For example, the shell may be heated to cause the release of the agent from the particle, or the shell may be exposed to chemical or enzymatic degradation, or a change in osmolarity, to cause release of an agent. Still other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such particles, kits or devices including such particles, or the like.
Abstract:
Uso de una microemulsión, que contiene a) al menos un compuesto con al menos dos átomos de hidrógeno reactivos con grupos isocianato, seleccionados del grupo que contiene polieteralcoholes y poliesteralcoholes, b) al menos un compuesto orgánico apolar, seleccionado del grupo que contiene alcanos con cadena no ramificada y de 3 a 7 átomos de carbono en la molécula, alcanos con cadena ramificada y de 3 a 7 átomos de carbono en la molécula, cicloalcanos con de 3 a 7 átomos de carbono en la molécula y alquenos con de 3 a 7 carbonos en la molécula, c) al menos un compuesto libre de halógeno, que a partir de los compuestos a) y b) forma una microemulsión que contiene ci) monolaurato de sorbitano y al menos un compuesto cii) diferente de ci) seleccionado de compuestos con una parte apolar con una longitud de cadena de carbono de 6 o más y uno o varios grupos OH o NH como parte polar y mezclas de los mismos, conteniendo el compuesto orgánico apolar b) compuestos que contienen flúor, para la preparación de materiales esponjados de poliuretano.