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Modern strategies to deliver drugs efficiently via less toxic non-aqueous carriers like deep eutectic solvents (DES) has grown tremendously. Herein, we develop several synthetic and natural DES to improve solubility of poorly soluble drug, docetaxel (DTX). Menthol:thymol-based natural DES showed 1500-folds higher solubility for DTX than that in water. FTIR-spectroscopy confirmed reduced crystallinity and stable encapsulation of DTX in DES through formation of hydrogen-bond. DTX-DES was developed further into self-emulsified formulation that upon dilution formed nanostructured globules (< 200 nm) and released 20-folds higher DTX than pure drug thereby highlighting the potential of DES for designing formulations of poorly soluble drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensor platforms that exploit the fibrous textile threads as substrates offer great promise since they can be directly sewn, woven or stitched on to any clothing. They can also be placed directly in intimate contact with the skin. In this work, we present a thread-based sensing platform in the form of a multiplexed sensing patch for continuous simultaneous on-skin monitoring of sweat. The patch performs real-time, on-body measurements of important biomarkers present in sweat such as electrolytes (sodium and ammonium ions), metabolites (lactate) and acidity (pH). Flexible threads coated with conductive inks were used as sensing electrodes. Selective potentiometric detection of electrolytes and pH was made possible through ion-selective membrane deposition and pH-sensitive polyaniline coating on threads, respectively. An amperometric enzymatic sensing scheme with lactate oxidase was used for the detection of lactate. An array of the thread sensors is integrated onto a patch with connectivity to a miniaturized circuit module containing a potentiostat, microprocessor and wireless circuitry for wireless smartphone readout. Extensive in vitro validation and an in vivo human pilot study involving a maximal exertion test show the promise of this platform for real-time physiological monitoring of human performance/fitness under stress, as well as diagnostic monitoring through sweat analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional printers have revolutionized many scientific fields with its low-cost, accessibility and ease of printing. In this paper, we show how stereolithography (SLA) based 3D printers can enable realization of innovative 3D optical devices formed through the fusion of metamaterials with geometrical optics or MEGO. It utilizes a combination of desktop SLA 3D printer and metal deposition/coating systems. Using this approach, we present innovative metamaterial embedded optical components such as mushroom-type metamaterials, curved wide-angle metamaterial absorbers/reflectors and a frequency selective moth eye hemispherical absorber. Finally a unique MEGO device formed through the fusion of a frequency selective metamaterial with an optical parabolic reflector has been demonstrated that combines their individual properties in a single device. The fabricated MEGO devices operate in the millimeter wave frequency range. Simulation and measurement results using terahertz continuous-wave spectrometer validate their functionality and performance. With improving resolution in 3D printing, MEGO devices will be able to reach Terahertz and optical frequencies in the near future. Metamaterials: multi-functional optics emerge from 3D printers A technique that uses large area 3D printing and metal layer patterning can realize complex optical devices at a fraction of the cost of typical fabrications. Sameer Sonkusale and colleagues from Tufts University in the United States designed geometric surface patterns, such as tiny forests of mushroom-topped cylinders, capable of interacting strongly with microwave light. Optimizing the conditions needed to 3D print these arrays using photo-curable polymers and to coat them with reflective gold or silver layers led the researchers to explore other unique device possibilities. They created a surface capable of selective high-frequency energy absorption by patterning hemispherical surfaces that resemble an insect's eye. Combining the frequency selective metamaterials with a 3D-printed parabolic lens yielded a prototype that could reduce the expense and size of conventional terahertz spectrometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]