Harvard College

University of Toronto

Mesosil Inc.

Benjamin Hatton

Joanna Aizenberg

Tak Sing Wong

Donald Elliot Ingber

Michael Super

Michael Aizenberg

Xi Yao

Marko Loncar

Philseok Kim

Ian Burgess

Jiaxi Cui

Cameron Alexander Stewart

Stuart Dunn

Yoav Finer

Lidiya Mishchenko

Caitlin Howell

Wendong Wang

Donald Elliott Ingber

A biocompatible composite material for controlled release is disclosed, comprising a biocompatible metal oxide structure with a loaded network of pores. The pore network of the biocompatible composite material is filled with a uniformly distributed biologically active micellizing amphiphilic molecule, the size of these pores ranging from about 0.5 to about 100 nanometers. The material is characterized in that when exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the controlled release of the active amphiphilic molecule is predominantly diffusion-driven over time.

Highly loaded metal oxide materials by self-assembly for extended biologically active molecule release in medical and dental applications

The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery self-lubricating polymers. Lubricating liquids with affinities to polymers can be utilized to get absorbed within the polymer and form a lubricant layer (of the lubricating liquid) on the polymer. The lubricant layer can repel a wide range of materials, including simple and complex fluids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and bodily fluids), restore liquid-repellency after physical damage, and resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion. Some exemplary applications where self-lubricating polymers will be useful include energy-efficient, friction-reduction fluid handling and transportation, medical devices, anti-icing, optical sensing, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.

Slippery self-lubricating polymer surfaces

A self-healing, scratch resistant slippery surface that is manufactured by wicking a chemically-inert, high-density liquid coating over a roughened solid surface featuring micro and nanoscale topographies is described. Such a slippery surface shows anti-wetting properties, as well as exhibits significant reduction of adhesion of a broad range of biological materials, including particles in suspension or solution. Specifically, the slippery surfaces can be applied to medical devices and equipment to effectively repel biological materials such as blood, and prevent, reduce, or delay coagulation and surface-mediated clot formation. Moreover, the slippery surfaces can be used to prevent fouling by microorganisms such as bacteria.

Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces and biological applications thereof

A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.

Manipulation of fluids in three-dimensional porous photonic structures with patterned surface properties

The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) that can be modified as desired. Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of objects, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). Use of an external stimuli or degradation of the Liquid B can be utilized to change the characteristics of SLIPS structures reversibly or irreversibly that may be desired in a number of different applications. Numerous characteristics, such as adhesion, optical, mechanical, and the like, can be dynamically changed.

Dynamic and switchable slippery surfaces

An ambient pressure Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technique to grow uniform silica layers onto organic substrates at low temperatures, including room temperature, is described. For example, tetramethoxysilane vapor is used alternately with ammonia vapor as a catalyst in an ambient environment.

Low-temperature synthesis of silica

Fluidics-induced localized deposition and assembly of materials using a superhydrophobic surface structure is described. A method of localized deposition of a material includes contacting a superhydrophobic substrate comprising raised surface structures with a non-wetting fluid comprising a material to be locally deposited or a precursor thereto, said surface and said fluid selected such that the fluid wets only an upper portion of the raised surface structure; and allowing the material to deposit at the tips of the surface structure.

Assembly and deposition of materials using a superhydrophobic surface structure

Growing community of inventors

Toronto, Canada

Benjamin Hatton