BIOLOGICALLY ENGINEERED MICROSTRUCTURES - CONTROLLED-RELEASE APPLICATIONS

The area of self-assembled ultrafine particulate-based composites (nano composites) has been a major thrust in advanced material development. In this paper we report on the application of biologically derived, self-assembled cylindrical microstructures to form advanced composite materials for controlled release applications. These microstructures (we call them tubules) have many applications in the material sciences. This paper will focus on the potential for rationally controlling the fabrication of submicron microstructures for controlled release applications.