Abstract:
The present invention is based, on our viewing of receptor-ligand interactions and polyvalency in a non-conventional, global manner based on an understanding of how a multicomponent polyvalent presenter interacts with a collection of target binding sites. This differs from the conventional manner of viewing such interactions on a more individualistic basis as a plurality of separate uncoupled receptor-ligand interactions. The non-conventional, global manner of viewing receptor-ligand interactions and polyvalency in biological systems has led us to the realization that the polyvalency can be used as a basis, e.g. a primary basis, for rational drug design and further, that polyvalent agents have universal applications for treating many different diseases or conditions. The non-conventional, global manner of viewing receptor-ligand interactions has led us even further to the realization that the choice of a particular ligand based on its individual binding capability need not be the most important parameter in designing a polyvalent drug. For instance, weakly binding ligands can be used in polyvalent presenters of the present invention. Based, in part, on the foregoing, the present invention provides methods for preparing and screening combinatorial libraries, i.e., arrays, of polyvalent presenters. The polyvalent presenters are generally formed by constructing and arranging a plurality of functional group components R3 (e.g., ligands), on a plurality of framework components (e.g. polymeric backbones), thereby forming an array of polyvalent presenters. Once formed, the array of polyvalent presenters can be screened for useful properties, and the polyvalent presenters identified as having useful properties can, in turn, be used to treat a disease or condition.
Abstract:
An electroanalytical device includes a pin set comprising at least two conductive pins for use as working and counter electrodes, wherein the first and second pins are comprised of a head, a shaft and a piercing tip; and a hydrophobic or omniphobic paper substrate, wherein the substrate is shaped to provide at least one recess for holding a liquid, wherein the shafts of two conductive pins traverse the paper substrate to anchor the heads of the two conductive pins on the recess surface. An electroanalytical device can also include at least two conductive pins for use as working and counter electrodes, a thread, serially wound around the shafts of each of the two conductive pins; and a base into which the piercing tip of each of the pins is secured.
Abstract:
Composite materials that are configurable, their preparation, and their uses are described. A composite article includes a plurality of sheets positioned to interleave and partially overlap with each other and held together by interactions between the plurality of sheets and a compressive force across the plurality of sheets, wherein each of the plurality of sheets is infused with an elastomer and forms at least one smooth surface, wherein each of the plurality of sheets is in close contact with adjacent ones of the plurality of sheets, wherein an overlapping area of the plurality of sheets provides resistance to a shear force applied to the composite article.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing a soft robot is provided. In one system, a robotic device includes a flexible body having a fluid chamber, where a portion of the flexible body includes an elastically extensible material and a portion of the flexible body is strain limiting relative to the elastically extensible material. The robotic device can further include a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and a pressurizing device in fluid communication with the pressurizing inlet, the pressurizing device including a reaction chamber configured to accommodate a gas-producing chemical reaction for providing pressurized gas to the pressurizing inlet.
Abstract:
Three-dimensional microfluidic devices including by a plurality of patterned porous, hydrophilic layers and a fluid-impermeable layer disposed between every two adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layers are described. Each patterned porous, hydrophilic layer has a fluid-impermeable barrier which substantially permeates the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic layer and defines boundaries of one or more hydrophilic regions within the patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. The fluid-impermeable layer has openings which are aligned with at least part of the hydrophilic region within at least one adjacent patterned porous, hydrophilic layer. Microfluidic assay device, microfluidic mixer, microfluidic flow control device are also described.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to the charging of materials via contact electrification, including systems and methods of assembly using contact electrification. One aspect of the present invention is directed to systems and methods of identifying and synthesizing nonionic polymeric materials that can be charged using contact electrification. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to methods of localizing charged particles or other materials on such surfaces, for example, in the presence of a controlled humidity environment. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a surface comprising positively and negatively charged regions. Oppositely charged materials may be attracted to those regions. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making, using, and promoting such materials, or kits containing such materials.
Abstract:
In one aspect, methods of patterning of thin films of an ionotropic polymer (e.g., poly(acrylic acid)) are provided. These processes can create micron or sub-micron-scale patterns of ionotropic polymers such as cation crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (CCL- PAA). In one embodiment, patterning may be performed within microfluidic channels by flowing a solution of crosslinking agent (e.g., metal cations such as Ag+, Ca2+, Pd2+, Al3+, La3+, and Ti4+) that can crosslink a portion of an ionotropic polymer in contact with the solution. In another embodiment, methods of patterning ionotropic polymers involve photolithography. Upon patterning a positive photoresist (e.g., diazonaphthoquinone- novolac resin) on a film of CCL-PAA, the exposed regions of CCL-PAA can be etched by an aqueous solution. Advantageously, the patterned, crosslinked polymer may also serve as both a reactant and a matrix for subsequent chemistry. For example, in some embodiments, the initial crosslinking cation can be exchanged for a second cation that could not be patterned photolithographically. Patterned films of CCL-PAA can also be used to host and template the reduction of metallic cations to metallic nanoparticles, and to fabricate porous, low-k dielectric substrates.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a variety of microfluidic devices and solid, typically electrically conductive devices that can be formed using such devices as molds. In certain embodiments, the devices that are formed comprise conductive pathways formed by solidifying a liquid metal present in one or more microfluidic channels (such devices hereinafter referred to as "microsolidic" devices). In certain such devices, in which electrical connections can be formed and/or reformed between regions in a microfluidic structure; in some cases, the devices/circuits formed may be flexible and/or involve flexible electrical components. In certain embodiments, the solid metal wires/conductive pathways formed in microfluidic channel(s) may remain contained within the microfluidic structure. In certain such embodiments, the conductive pathways formed may be located in proximity to other microfluidic channel(s) of the structure that carry flowing fluid, such that the conductive pathway can create energy (e.g. electromagnetic and/or thermal energy) that interacts withy and/or affects the flowing fluid and/or a component contained therein or carried thereby. In other embodiments, a microsolidic structure may be removed from a microfluidic mold to form a stand-alone structure. In certain embodiments, the solid metal structures formed may interact with light energy incident upon a structure or may be used to fabricate a light-weight electrode. Another aspect of the invention relates to the formation of self-assembled structures that may comprise these electrically conductive pathways/connections.
Abstract:
Articles and methods for determining an analyte indicative of a disease condition are provided. In some embodiments, articles and methods described herein can be used for determining a presence, qualitatively or quantitatively, of a component, such as a particular type of cell, in a fluid sample. In one particular embodiment, a low-cost microfluidic system for rapid detection of T cells is provided. The microfluidic system may use immobilized antibodies and adhesion molecules in a channel to capture T cells from a fluid sample such as a small volume of blood. The captured T cells may be labeled with a metal colloid (e.g., gold nanoparticles) using an antibody specific for the T Cell Receptor (TCR), and metallic silver can be catalytically precipitated onto the cells. The number of T cells captured can be counted and may indicate a disease condition of a patient such as severe combined immune deficiency or human immunodeficiency virus.
Abstract:
A microfluidic method and device for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid is provided. The device can be fabricated simply from readily-available, inexpensive material using simple techniques.