Compositions, systems and methods for the encapsulation and delivery of a substance

A method for making silicone particles with narrow size distributions and tunable degrees of crosslinking for encapsulation of an active ingredient in a matrix of the particles for controlled release of the active ingredient, the method comprising the steps of:

• agitating at least one type of silane monomer having two, three or four siloxane bonds in an acidic aqueous solution under conditions sufficient to allow for hydrolysis of the monomers;
• adding to the acidic aqueous solution a catalyst for forming polymers, gels and oligomers;
• preparing a second solution comprising a co-solvent and a hydrophobic active ingredient dissolved in the co-solvent;
• adding to the acidic aqueous solution the second solution of the active ingredient before or during silicone particle growth to form a combined solution, wherein the concentration of the co-solvent in the combined solution is at a minimum concentration necessary to allow precipitation of the active ingredient on and subsequently encapsulation in the growing silicone particles;
• and
• continuing to agitate the combined solutions to allow for a condensation reaction and formation of silicone particles with a size distribution wherein the diameter of the particles possess a coefficient of variance of 50% or less, the silicone particles encapsulating at least a portion of the active ingredient, wherein the tunable degree of crosslink density of the particles formed is based on the ratios of the monomers used.