While the potential applications of nitric oxide for both understanding human physiology and treating disease are far reaching, the development of a reliable, cost-effective, and practical sustained delivery system for nitric oxide has yet to emerge. Using a sol–gel/glass hybrid system, we have demonstrated controlled, sustained release of nitric oxide from a stable, dry powder. Upon exposure to an aqueous environment, the material begins releasing therapeutic levels of nitric oxide over several hours to days, making it an ideal material for evaluation of nitric oxide efficacy for both clinical and research applications.
