We report the synthesis and application of an elastic, wearable crosslinked polymer layer (XPL) that mimics the properties of normal, youthful skin. XPL is made of a tunable polysiloxane-based material that can be engineered with specific elasticity, contractility, adhesion, tensile strength and occlusivity. XPL can be topically applied, rapidly curing at the skin interface without the need for heat-or light-mediated activation. In a pilot human study, we examined the performance of a prototype XPL that has a tensile modulus matching normal skin responses at low strain (< 40%), and that withstands elongations exceeding 250%, elastically recoiling with minimal strain-energy loss on repeated deformation. The application of XPL to the herniated lower-eyelid fat pads of 12 subjects resulted in an average 2-grade decrease in herniation appearance in a 5-point severity scale. The XPL platform may offer advanced solutions to compromised skin barrier function, pharmaceutical delivery, and wound dressings.

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Fluorescence confocal microscopy was used to characterize micron‐sized microfabricated silicon particles and planar oxide surfaces after silanization and immobilization of IgG antibody. Surfaces treated with amino‐ and mercaptosilanes were tested for the presence of amine and sulfhydryl groups by labeling with specific fluorescein probes. In addition, human antibody (IgG) was immobilized to the thiol‐coated microparticles using the heterobifunctional crosslinker succinimidyl 4‐(N‐maleimidolmethyl)‐cyclohexane‐1‐carboxylate. Estimates of the surface density of IgG were consistent with 8.3% of a monolayer of covalently‐bound antibody. Confocal images confirmed uniform layers of both silanes and antibodies on the microparticles. The sensitivity limit for the confocal measurements was determined to be as low as 1.5 × 10−5 fluors per nm2. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 60: 137–146, 1998.

Fluorescence confocal microscopy was used to characterize micron-sized microfabricated silicon particles and planar oxide surfaces after silanization and immobilization of IgG antibody. Surfaces treated with amino- and mercaptosilanes were tested for the presence of amine and sulfhydryl groups by labeling with specific fluorescein probes. In addition, human antibody (IgG) was immobilized to the thiol-coated microparticles using the heterobifunctional crosslinker succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidolmethyl)-cyclohexane-1-carboxylate. Estimates of the surface density of IgG were consistent with 8.3% of a monolayer of covalently-bound antibody. Confocal images confirmed uniform layers of both silanes and antibodies on the microparticles. The sensitivity limit for the confocal measurements was determined to be as low as 1.5 x 10(-5) fluors per nm2.