1. A method of manufacturing a fire proof board from strands of wood, the method comprising the following steps in the given order:
(a) providing strands of wood, and
measuring whether the provided strands of wood have a desired humidity between 5% and 20%, preferably between 8% and 20%,
increasing the humidity of the strands if the measurement shows that they have a humidity that is lower than the desired one, or pre-drying the strands, if the measurement shows that they have a humidity that is larger than the desired one,
(b) immersing the strands of wood in a watery solution of a flame retardant chemical composition,
(c) separating the strands of wood from each other by stirring the mixture of strands and watery solution of the flame retardant chemical composition,
(d) at least in part drying the strands of wood to a humidity of between 4% and 10%, preferably between 4% and 8%, thereby providing dry impregnated strands of wood,
(e) applying an adhesive to the strands of wood, and
(f) forming a board of a predetermined shape from the strands.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) of drying the strands of wood comprises the step of drying the strands for 2 minutes-10 minutes, preferably for 2 minutes-8 minutes, even more preferably for 2 minutes-6 minutes, yet even more preferably for 3 minutes-4 minutes.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the watery solution of the fire retardant chemical composition comprises an unsaturated solution of said chemical composition.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the watery solution of the fire retardant chemical composition comprises less than 25% by weight of said solution, preferably between 15% and 22%, such as 18.5% by weight of said solution.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (b) of immersing the strands of wood in a watery solution of a flame retardant chemical composition comprises the sub step of immersing the strands of wood in a watery solution of a flame retardant chemical composition for less than 10 minutes on average, preferably between 2 minutes and 6 minutes, even more preferably between 3 minutes and 4 minutes.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (f) further comprises the sub steps of
aligning the strands so that they are substantially parallel to each other,
compressing the aligned strands and adhesive with pressure into a predetermined shape, and
curing said compressed mixture of strands and adhesive to produce a board of strands having a predetermined shape.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (f) further comprises the sub steps of
mixing the dry impregnated strands with non-impregnated strands,
aligning said mixture of impregnated and non-impregnated strands so that they are substantially parallel to each other,
compressing the aligned strands and adhesive with pressure into a predetermined shape, and
curing said compressed mixture of strands and adhesive to produce a board of strands having a predetermined shape.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (f) further comprises the sub steps of
forming at least two layers of strands, wherein the strands of each layer are substantially parallel to each other,
placing the layers on top of each other in such a way that the strands of two abutting layers are not parallel to each other,
compressing the layers of strands and adhesive with pressure into a predetermined shape, and
curing said compressed mixture of strands and adhesive to produce a layered board of strands having a predetermined shape.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (f) further comprises the sub steps of
forming at least three layers of strands, wherein the strands of each layer are substantially parallel to each other,
placing the layers on top of each other in such a way that the strands of two abutting layers are not parallel to each other,
forming the two outer layers, i.e. the top and bottom layer from impregnated strands, and forming the middle layer of non-impregnated strands,
compressing the layers of strands and adhesive with pressure into a predetermined shape, and
curing said compressed mixture of strands and adhesive to produce a layered board of strands having a predetermined shape.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (f) further comprises the sub steps of
compressing the strands and adhesive with pressure into a predetermined shape, and
curing said compressed mixture of strands and adhesive to produce a board of strands having a predetermined shape.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (f) further comprises the sub steps of
mixing the impregnated strands of wood with non-impregnated strands of wood,
compressing the mix of impregnated and non-impregnated strands and adhesive with pressure into a predetermined shape, and
curing said compressed mixture of strands and adhesive to produce a board of strands having a predetermined shape.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) of drying the strands of wood comprises the step of
subjecting the strands of wood to an air-jet, which has a direction that is substantially opposite to the force of gravity on the strands.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (d) of drying the strands of wood comprises the step of
drip-drying the strands of wood.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (e) of applying an adhesive to the strands of wood, comprises the sub step of spraying the adhesive on the strands of wood andor placing the strands of wood in the adhesive.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flame retardant chemical composition comprises a phosphate compound.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the phosphate compound is any one of the following: ammonium phosphate, potassium phosphate, and sodium phosphate.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the phosphate compound forms between 5% and 30% by weight of the flame retardant chemical composition.
18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flame retardant chemical composition comprises a pH regulating compound.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the pH regulating compound is a weak organic acid.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the pH regulating compound forms between 0.25% and 10% by weight of the flame retardant chemical composition.
21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flame retardant chemical composition comprises a preservative compound.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the preservative compound is a source of benzoate ion.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the preservative compound forms between 0.25% and 15% by weight of the flame retardant chemical composition.
24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flame retardant chemical compound comprises in a mixture: ammonium phosphate, a source of citrate ion, a source of benzoate ion, wherein there is 1 part by weight of the source of citrate ion, 12.7 to 20 parts by weight of ammonium phosphate, and 0.8 to 2.2 parts by weight of the source of benzoate ion.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A device comprising a surface and a functional layer associated with the surface, wherein the functional layer comprises particles having a structure substituted with a functional group, wherein the functional group is adapted to modify a property of the device, the device is sufficiently biocompatible for application to a multicellular organism and the particles have an average diameter of about 5 nm to about 10 microns.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an implantable device.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a drug delivery device.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an outer surface contacting device adapted to contact an outer surface of the multicellular organism.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the multicellular organism is a human.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is a member selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, silicon dioxide, a ceramic, a glass, a glass ceramic, a polymer, and a carbonaceous material.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the metal is a member selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, silver, stainless steel, ferrous alloys, titanium, cobalt, nickel, mixtures thereof and alloys thereof.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the ceramic is a member selected from the group consisting alumina, zirconia, silica, magnesia, mullite, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, calcium carbonate, mixtures thereof and alloys thereof.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polymers, non-biodegradable water-soluble polymers, non-biodegradable non-water soluble polymers, conductive polymers, and biopolymers.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethelene, polypropylene, poly(oxymethylene), polyacetal, poly(tetrafluroethyelene), silicone elastomer, polyvinylidine difluoride, polysulfone, and poly(methylmethacrylate).
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of poly(pyrrole), poly(aniline), poly(thiophene), and poly(phenylene).
12. The device of claim 6, wherein the carbonaceous material is a pyrolytic carbon or a non-pyrolytic carbon.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is a member selected from the group consisting of a fiber, a filament, a coil, a tube, a sheet, a foil, a cylinder, a sphere, a mesh, a mat, a gel, and a hydrogel.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the average diameter of particles is from 5 nm to 1 micron.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein the particles are substantially spherical and have a ratio of a major axis to a minor axis in a range of about 1.0 and to about 2.0.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the ratio is in a range of 1.0 to 1.2.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein the particles have a polydispersity of less than 0.3.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the polydispersity is less than 0.1.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein the polydispersity is less than 0.01.
20. The device of claim 1, wherein the structure is an inorganic molecule selected from the group consisting of an oxide, a nitride, a carbide, calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, a carbonaceous material, a metal, and a semiconductor.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the metal is a member selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, silver, stainless steel, iron, titanium, cobalt, nickel, and alloys thereof.
22. The device of claim 20, wherein the oxide is a member selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, Y2O3, ferric oxide, ferrous oxide, a rare earth metal oxide, a transitional metal oxide, SiO2, mixtures thereof and alloys thereof.
23. The device of claim 1, wherein the structure is a polymer, and the polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polymers, non-biodegradable water-soluble polymers, non-biodegradable non-water soluble polymers, lipophilic moieties, and biopolymers.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein the polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyurethane, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyester, poly(alpha-hydroxy acid), poly(-caprolactone), poly(dioxanone), poly(orthoester), poly(ether-ester), poly(lactone) mixtures thereof and copolymers thereof.
25. The device of claim 1, wherein the functional group is a member selected from the group consisting of a chemical functional group, a biomolecule, a photo-reactive moiety, and a photo-initiator moiety.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the chemical functional group is a member selected from the group consisting of an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxy group, a SO3H group, a SH group, an OCN group, a phosphorous group, an epoxy group, a vinylic moiety, a silane coupling agent, an acrylate, a methylacrylate, a metal alkoxy group, and derivatives thereof.
27. The device of claim 25, wherein when the structure is silica, the functional group does not include an amino group.
28. The device of claim 25, wherein the biomolecule is a member selected from the group consisting of a bioactive polypeptide, a polynucleotide coding for the bioactive polypeptide, a cell regulatory small molecule, a peptide, a protein, an oligonucleotide, adenoviral vectors, a gene transfection vector, a drug, and a drug delivering agent.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein the bioactive polypeptide is a growth factor and such growth factor is a member selected from the group consisting of an epidermal growth factor, an acidic fibroblast growth factor, a basic fibroblast growth factor, a glial growth factor, a vascular endothelial growth factor, a nerve growth factor, a chondrogenic growth factor, a platelet-derived growth factor, a transforming growth factor beta, an insulin-like growth factor, a hepatocyte growth factor, bone morphogenic proteins and osteogenic proteins.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein such growth factor is a member selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenic proteins and osteogenic proteins.
31. The device of claim 1, wherein the property is a member selected from the group consisting of adhesion, friction, wettability, texture and roughness.
32. A method of modifying a surface, said method comprising providing on the surface a functional layer comprising particles having a structure substituted with a functional group andor associated with a functional moiety such that the functional layer modifies a property of the surface to provide a modified surface, wherein the modified surface is sufficiently biocompatible for application to a multicellular organism and the particles have an average diameter of about 5 nm to about 10 microns.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the property is a member selected from the group consisting of adhesion, friction, wettability, texture and roughness.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the functional layer modifies a reaction to the surface of a cell of the multicellular organism.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the functional layer modifies a reaction to the surface of a tissue of the multicellular organism.
36. The method of claim 32, wherein the modified surface transfects with genomic material adjacent cells and tissue.
37. The method of claim 32, wherein the modified surface delivers bioactive agents to adjacent cells and tissue.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein the modified surface promotes adhesion of the modified surface to a plurality of adjacent surfaces.
39. The method of claim 32, wherein the modified surface promotes adhesion of the modified surface to adjacent cells and tissue.
40. A device comprising a surface and a functional layer associated with the surface, wherein the functional layer comprises monomeric particles having a structure substituted with a functional group, wherein the functional group is adapted to modify a property of the device, the device is sufficiently biocompatible for application to a multicellular organism, and the particles have an average diameter of about 5 nm to about 10 microns, provided that when the structure is silica, the functional group does not include an amino group.
41. A device comprising a surface and a functional layer associated with the surface, wherein the functional layer comprises particles having a structure associated with a functional moiety, wherein the functional moiety is adapted to modify a property of the device, the device is sufficiently biocompatible for application to a multicellular organism, and the particles have an average diameter of about 5 nm to about 10 microns, provided that when the structure is an unsubstituted silica, the functional moiety does not include collagen.
42. The device of claim 41, wherein the structure is non-covalently associated with the functional moiety.
43. The device of claim 41, wherein the functional moiety is a member selected from the group consisting of a growth factor, a bioactive polypeptide, a polynucleotide coding for the bioactive polypeptide, a cell regulatory small molecule, a peptide, a protein, an oligonucleotide, adenoviral vectors, a gene transfection vector, a drug, and a drug delivering agent.
44. The device of claim 41, wherein the structure is an inorganic molecule selected from the group consisting of an oxide, a nitride, a carbide, calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, a carbonaceous material, a metal, and a semiconductor.
45. The device of claim 44, wherein the metal is a member selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, silver, stainless steel, iron, titanium, cobalt, nickel, and alloys thereof.
46. The device of claim 44, wherein the oxide is a member selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, Y2O3, ferric oxide, ferrous oxide, a rare earth metal oxide, a transitional metal oxide, SiO2, mixtures thereof and alloys thereof.
47. The device of claim 41, wherein the structure is a polymer, and the polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of biodegradable polymers, non-biodegradable water-soluble polymers, non-biodegradable non-water soluble polymers, lipophilic moieties, and biopolymers.
48. The device of claim 41, wherein the structure is substituted with a functional group such that the functional group is adapted to modify a property of the device and the functional group can be the same as or different from the functional moiety.
49. The device of claim 48, wherein the functional group is a member selected from the group consisting of a chemical functional group, a biomolecule, a photo-reactive moiety, and a photo-initiator moiety.
50. An implantable device comprising a surface and a functional layer associated with the surface, wherein the functional layer comprises particles having a structure associated with a functional moiety, wherein the functional moiety is adapted to modify a property of the device, the device is sufficiently biocompatible for application to a multicellular organism, and the particles have an average diameter of about 5 nm to about 10 microns, provided that when the structure is unsubstituted silica, the functional moiety does not include collagen nor an amino group.
51. A method of making the device of claim 1, comprising:
providing a surface; and
providing one or more functional layers on the surface, wherein at least one of the functional layers contains a functional group, such that a property of the device is modified by the functional group to provide the device.
52. A method of making the device of claim 41, comprising:
providing a surface; and
providing one or more functional layers on the surface, wherein at least one of the layers contains a functional moiety, such that a property of the device is modified by the functional moiety to provide the device.