UV- and Visible-Light Photopatterning of Molecular Gradients Using the Thiol-yne Click Reaction.

The rational design of chemical coatings is used to control surface interactions with small molecules, biomolecules, nanoparticles, and liquids as well as optical and other properties. Specifically, micropatterned surface coatings have been used in a wide variety of applications, including biosensing, cell growth assays, multiplexed biomolecule interaction arrays, and responsive surfaces. Here, a maskless photopatterning process is studied, using the photocatalyzed thiol-yne "click" reaction to create both binary and gradient patterns on thiolated surfaces.

Natural Sporopollenin Microcapsules Facilitated Encapsulation of Phase Change Material into Cellulose Composites for Smart and Biocompatible Materials.

Sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) are empty microcapsules that are 25 μm in diameter and have extensive networks of ∼200 nm diameter holes obtained by chemically removing all external and internal cytoplastic materials from the natural pollen grains. We have demonstrated that a phase change material (PCM) such as -eicosane (EIS), a natural paraffin wax, can be successfully encapsulated in the SECs to produce [EIS@SEC]. The high stability and robust nature of SECs retain EIS in the microcavity even during phase transitions, enabling EIS to fully maintain its phase change property while also protecting the EIS from elevated temperatures and corrosive environments.