Stevens Institute of Technology

About: Stevens Institute of Technology is a education organization based out in Hoboken, New Jersey, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Cognitive radio. The organization has 5440 authors who have published 12684 publications receiving 296875 citations. The organization is also known as: Stevens & Stevens Tech.

Self-defensive layer-by-layer films with bacteria-triggered antibiotic release.

Abstract: We report on highly efficient, bioresponsive, controlled-release antibacterial coatings constructed by direct assembly of tannic acid (TA) with one of several cationic antibiotics (tobromycin, gentamicin, and polymyxin B) using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. These films exhibit a distinct “self-defense” behavior triggered by acidification of the immediate environment by pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Films assembled using spin-assisted and dip-assisted techniques show drastically different morphology, thickness and pH-/bacteria-triggered antibiotic release characteristics. While dip-deposited films have rough surfaces with island-like, granular structures regardless of the film thickness, spin-assisted LbL assemblies demonstrate a transition from linear deposition of uniform 2D films to a highly developed 3D morphology for films thicker than ∼45 nm. Ellipsometry, UV–vis and mass spectrometry confirm that all coatings do not rele...

Poly(methacrylic acid) Hydrogel Films and Capsules: Response to pH and Ionic Strength, and Encapsulation of Macromolecules

Abstract: Hydrogen-bonded multilayers of a neutral polymer (poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), PVPON) with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) were used as templates to introduce cross-links between PMAA layers using carbodiimide chemistry and ethylenediamine as a cross-linking agent. Upon exposure to high pH, PVPON is completely released from the hydrogel matrix, producing surface-attached PMAA hydrogels. When such hydrogels are deposited at the surface of silica particles, and the particle core is subsequently dissolved, hollow one-component hydrogel capsules are produced. PMAA hydrogel films and hollow capsules underwent reversible, large (factors of 2 or 3) changes in size in response to changes in solution pH and/or ionic strength. The capsules were used for entrapment and storage of macromolecules such as 500 kDa FITC-dextran by “locking” the capsule wall with an electrostatically associating polycation, poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide (QPVP). The release of the encapsulated macromolecules was achieved under high sal...