Polymer blending is a cost-effective way to control the properties of soft materials, but propensity for blends macrophase separate motivates development efficient compatibilization strategies. Across this broad area, particularly important polysiloxanes, which exhibit strong repulsive interactions with most organic polymers. This review analyzes state-of-the-art polysiloxane strategies silicon...

Herein, the implications of silicone contamination found in solution-processed conjugated polymer solar cells are explored. Similar to a previous work based on molecular cells, we find this contamination as a result of the use of plastic syringes during fabrication. However, in contrast to the molecular case, we find that glass-syringe fabricated devices give superior performance than plastic-s...

Titanium is a successful biomaterial that possesses good biocompatibility. It is covered by a surface layer of titanium dioxide, and this oxide may play a critical role in inhibiting reactive oxygen species, such as peroxynitrite, produced during the inflammatory response. In the present study, titanium dioxide was coated onto silicone substrates by radio-frequency sputtering. Silicone coating ...

Gel formation by surfactant molecules is argued to be a process similar to micellization rather than crystallization; it is controlled by thermodynamics rather than kinetics. The properties of surfactant-based gels are compared with those of gels with crystalline fibrillar networks, and questions associated with the nature of these gels are raised.

PURPOSE In the authors' experience, the color of silicone elastomer following polymerization in molds made of gypsum products is slightly different from the color that was matched in the presence of the patient, before the silicone is packed. It is hypothesized that the investing materials and separating media have an effect on the color during the polymerization process of the silicone. MATE...

We studied the effects of extracellular matrix components on fibroblast contraction of hydrated collagen gels. After 4-h incubations, heparin-containing collagen gels contracted only 10% compared with 50% contraction of control gels. Contraction was not affected by hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, or fibronectin, implying that the activity of heparin was specific. The possibility that heparin...

HEAVY silicone oils have shown promising results in the treatment of retinal detachments in the inferior quadrant in several studies. However, their use remains controversial, attendees at a symposium at the 7th EURETINA Congress heard. Proponents of silicone oil say that the specific gravity of these compounds makes them more efficient than conventional silicone oils in providing inferior tamp...