University of Illinois

Kyekyoon Kim

Hyungsoo Choi

Daniel W Pack

Ravindra Pratap Singh

Young Bin Choy

Qichen Feng

Cory Berkland

Ju Gao

Philip Edward Heil

Choon K Ryu

Cory J Berkland

Provided is a microcapsule for increasing the survival and/or function of a cell, such as an islet cell, microcapsule can include an outer shell comprising a first polymer; an interior core comprising: at least one live cell; a second polymer; and at least one microsphere comprising a third polymer and a compound capable of improving survival of the at least one cell. The improved survival and/or function of the at least one live cell in the microcapsule is compared to a live cell in a microcapsule in the absence of the compound capable of improving survival of the at least one cell. The first and second polymer may include alginate and the third polymer (used for the microsphere) may comprise PLGA. The compound may include a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Also provided are methods for producing such microcapsules; insulin delivery systems using the microcapsules, and methods to treat disease, such as diabetes, using the microcapsules.

Capsules with intracapsular microspheres for improved survival and function of encapsulated cells

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for applying a force to at least one of an inner stream, an outer stream or both of a combined stream to produce a plurality of capsules, receiving image data, processing the image data, detecting undesirable capsules from the processed image data, applying a bias charge only to the detected undesirable capsules, and segregating the biased undesirable capsules from the unbiased desirable capsules. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Encapsulated materials and methods for encapsulating materials

The subject disclosure provides a method for applying dissimilar electrical charges to portions of a plurality of applicators by way of a conductor included in a conduit of each applicator. The method further includes causing each applicator to generate one or more jet sprays of a liquid received by each applicator for application of a material on a substrate, where one or more portions of the material on the substrate have one or more net charges associated with the dissimilar electrical charges applied to the portions of the plurality of applicators, where the conductor of each applicator is a sleeve positioned in the applicator, and where a diameter of the sleeve results in one of an outer surface of the sleeve contacting a surface of the conduit, or the outer surface of the sleeve having a separation from the surface of the conduit of the applicator. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Apparatus and method for applying a film on a substrate

A high intensity discharge arc lamp comprises an arc tube, a metal halide in the arc tube, and a coating on the arc tube. The coating comprises a UV absorbent material.

High intensity discharge ARC lamp using UV-absorbant coating

A method of forming particles, comprises accelerating a first stream comprising a first liquid, applying a charging voltage of at most 1.5 kV to the first stream, and vibrating the first stream, to form particles.

Microparticles

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a tube with an ingress opening to receive a liquid, and an egress opening to release the liquid, a conductor positioned in a conduit of the tube, the conductor and the conduit having dimensions to cause a surface tension of the liquid to prevent a constant flow of the liquid from the egress opening, and a power supply coupled to the conductor to apply a charge to the liquid to overcome the surface tension and form at the egress opening a single jet stream of the liquid applicable on a substrate to create a pattern. The single jet stream can be controllable in part by a viscosity of the liquid. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Apparatuses and methods for applying one or more materials on one or more substrates

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having an outer nozzle operable to discharge an outer stream of a shell solution, and an inner nozzle operable to discharge an inner stream of a core solution intermixed with a plurality of materials. The outer stream can substantially surrounds the inner stream, thereby forming a combined stream. A plurality of capsules can be formed responsive to a force applied to the combined stream. At least a portion of the plurality of capsules are desirable capsules, each having a core encapsulated by a portion of the shell solution. The core can have at least one of the plurality of materials encapsulated by a portion of the core solution without protruding an outer surface of the portion of the shell solution. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

One embodiment includes forming a nanowire on a substrate from an organometallic vapor. The nanowire is grown during this formation in a direction away from the substrate and is freestanding during growth. The nanowire has a first dimension of 500 nanometers or less and a second dimension extending from the substrate to a free end of the nanowire at least 10 times greater than the first dimension. In one form, the organometallic vapor includes copper, silver, or gold. Alternatively or additionally, the nanowire is of a monocrystalline structure.

Electron emission device incorporating free standing monocrystalline nanowires

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a plurality of applicators, each applicator with an ingress opening to receive a liquid, and an egress opening to release the liquid, and a conductor positioned in a conduit of each of the plurality of applicators, the conductor and the conduit having dimensions to cause a surface tension of the liquid to prevent a constant flow of the liquid from the egress opening. Each conductor of the plurality of applicators can be coupled to one of one or more power sources operable to apply a charge to the liquid to overcome the surface tension and form at the egress opening of each applicator a plurality of jet sprays of the liquid applicable on a substrate to form a thin film. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

An electrohydrodynamic spray apparatus includes a liquid inlet and a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid inlet, where the spray nozzle has an opening downstream of the liquid inlet. An inner electrode is situated at least partially inside the spray nozzle. An outer electrode is situated external to the spray nozzle and within about 100 mm of the opening of the nozzle. The electrohydrodynamic spray apparatus can be combined with a substrate to form an electrohydrodynamic spray system. The electrohydrodynamic spray apparatus or system can be used to form nanostructures such as nanodrops, nanoparticles and thin films.

Electrohydrodynamic spraying system

A method of forming particles comprises accelerating a stream comprising a liquid; and vibrating the stream, to form particles. The particle may have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle used to form the stream, allowing for the formation of micro- and nano-sized particle.

A method for producing a thin film or nanoparticle deposit includes the step of providing a working liquid, movement of the working liquid at a liquid surface prevented by surface tension. The method also includes the steps of supplying an electric charge having a first polarity to the working liquid at the liquid surface to overcome surface tension at the liquid surface to produce a first plurality of charged nanodrops and directing the first plurality of charged nanodrops against a substrate surface. The method further includes the steps of supplying an electric charge having a second polarity to the working liquid at the liquid surface, the second polarity being opposite to the first polarity, to overcome surface tension at the liquid surface to produce a second plurality of charged nanodrops, and directing the second plurality of charged nanodrops against the substrate surface. The method additionally includes the step of alternating between supplying the electric charge having the first polarity and supplying the electric charge having the second polarity to the working liquid at the liquid surface. An apparatus for producing a thin film or nanoparticle deposit includes an apparatus for supplying a working liquid, surface tension preventing movement of the working liquid from the apparatus for supplying a working fluid at a liquid surface, an apparatus for supplying an electric charge to the working liquid at the liquid surface to overcome the surface tension to produce a stream of nanodrops, and an apparatus for supplying electric charge of alternating polarity to the apparatus for supplying the electric charge to the working liquid at the liquid surface.

Growing community of inventors

Champaign, IL, United States of America

Kyekyoon Kim