This paper describes the impact of a physical immobilization methodology, using plasma polymerized 1,1,3,3, tetramethyldisiloxane, on the catalytic performance of β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae in a microfluidic device. The β-galactosidase was immobilized by a polymer coating grown by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PEVCD). Combined with a microchannel patterned in the silic...

Tissue engineering using whole, intact cell sheets has shown promise in many cell-based therapies. However, current systems for the growth and release of these sheets can be expensive to purchase or difficult to fabricate, hindering their widespread use. Here, we describe a new approach to cell sheet release surfaces based on silicone oil-infused polydimethylsiloxane. By coating the surfaces wi...

Particle and electrode surfaces were altered to examine the effects on the electrorheological response of barium titanate/silicone oil suspensions. Unmodified suspensions exhibited nonlinear conduction. The dynamic yield stresses scaled as E, where n < 2 at all electric field frequencies, and the current had substantial harmonic content, a hallmark of nonlinear conduction. Modifying the particl...

Si and N-doped DLC coatings with various Si and N contents were prepared using a magnetron sputter ionplating technology. The antifouling property of DLC coatings was evaluated with Pseudomonas fluorescens which is one of the most common bacteria forming biofilms on the surface of heat exchangers in cooling water systems. The experimental results showed that bacterial removal by a standardised ...

Silicone rubber (SR) is a common soft tissue filler material used in plastic surgery. However, it presents a poor surface for cellular adhesion and suffers from poor biocompatibility. In contrast, hydroxyapatite (HA), a prominent component of animal bone and teeth, can promote improved cell compatibility, but HA is an unsuitable filler material because of the brittleness in mechanism. In this s...

To reinforce skin protection against organophosphates (OPs), the development of new topical skin protectants (TSP) has received a great interest. Nanoparticles like cerium dioxide (CeO2) known to adsorb and neutralize OPs are interesting candidates for TSP. However, NPs are difficult to disperse into formulations and they are suspected of toxicological issues. Thus, we want to study: (1) the ef...

A comprehensive study was carried out to investigate the critical role played by interface between stopper and bottleneck on oxygen penetration into bottle, as well effect of surface treatment stopper. First, compression micro-agglomerated cork, at close 40% (similar that a cork in still wine bottleneck), had very limited transfer. Second, once inserted glass without any treatment, up 99% total...

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a procedure used to support the failing heart and/or lungs via a heart lung machine. Over 145 institutions perform this practice in the United States with more than 24,000 ECLS cases recorded. While many articles are published each year on common perfusion practice, little information is shared on emerging technologies in ECLS and common practices among per...

In this study, a number of abhesion promoting coatings were considered in terms of their physicochemical and release properties. The techniques used to further this study include; FEGSEM, AFM, profilometry, AFM, XPS, AES, SSIMS, FTIR and contact angle analysis for coating physical and chemical characterisation along with PF-AFM and other adhesion and mechanical tests to determine surface releas...

Growth in the aging population has resulted in an increasing number of older persons requiring dentures. The microporous surfaces of an acrylic denture provide a wide range of environments to support microorganisms that can threaten the health of a physically vulnerable patient. The maintenance of denture prostheses is important for the health of patients and to maintain an esthetic, odor-free ...