Abstract: A method for enhancing charge carrier mobility of a field-effect transistor device. The method comprises generating uniaxial nanogrooves on a substrate and blade coating a solution comprising a semiconducting polymer onto the substrate. The polymer solution is spread onto the substrate in a direction parallel to the nanogrooves and a main-chain axis of the polymer is parallel to the nanogrooves. The semiconducting polymer can be then annealed, so that a polymer film is formed which is layered on top of the substrate, with polymer chains aligned parallel to a direction of charge carrier movement.

Abstract: A method for enhancing charge carrier mobility of a field-effect transistor device. The method comprises generating uniaxial nanogrooves on a substrate and blade coating a solution comprising a semiconducting polymer onto the substrate. The polymer solution is spread onto the substrate in a direction parallel to the nanogrooves and a main-chain axis of the polymer is parallel to the nanogrooves. The semiconducting polymer can be then annealed, so that a polymer film is formed which is layered on top of the substrate, with polymer chains aligned parallel to a direction of charge carrier movement.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancing order and nanostructures in organosilicon block copolymers compositions by including certain organic additives in such compositions that include one or more moieties comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrogen bond donor. Such block copolymer compositions may be used, for example, as a mask for lithographic patterning as is used, for example, during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.

Abstract: Junction-functionalized block copolymers can be used in forming nanostructures. A junction-functionalized block copolymer can include a first polymer block joined to a second polymer block by a junction, where the junction includes one or more electrostatically charged moieties. The block copolymer can include a moiety of formula (I): A-J-B??(I) where A is a first polymer block, B is a second polymer block, where the A block and the B block are chemically dissimilar, and J is a junction linking the A block to the B block, and including one or more electrostatically charged moieties.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancing order and nanostructures in organosilicon block copolymers compositions by including certain organic additives in such compositions that include one or more moieties comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrogen bond donor. Such block copolymer compositions may be used, for example, as a mask for lithographic patterning as is used, for example, during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancing order and nanostructures in organosilicon block copolymers compositions by including certain organic additives in such compositions that include one or more moieties comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrogen bond donor. Such block copolymer compositions may be used, for example, as a mask for lithographic patterning as is used, for example, during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.

Abstract: Junction-functionalized block copolymers can be used in forming nanostructures. A junction-functionalized block copolymer can include a first polymer block joined to a second polymer block by a junction, where the junction includes one or more electrostatically charged moieties. The block copolymer can include a moiety of formula (I): A-J-B??(I) where A is a first polymer block, B is a second polymer block, where the A block and the B block are chemically dissimilar, and J is a junction linking the A block to the B block, and including one or more electrostatically charged moieties.

Abstract: Polyolefin block and graft copolymers comprised of two or more semicrystalline polyolefin blocks or grafts and one or more amorphous polyolefin blocks can be blended with a low molecular weight fluid diluent that preferentially locates within and swells the amorphous domains of the block or graft copolymer, while preserving the crystallinity of the semicrystalline block domains. After mechanical or thermomechanical processing, such compositions combine softness with high strength and high recoverable elasticity. Compositions are also disclosed whereby the diluent species is removed from the composition, either before or after the mechanical or thermomechanical processing, in order to create a strong elastic material with an ultra-low entanglement density within the amorphous domains.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte composition including a metal salt and at least one polymer comprising a poly(glycidyl ether), where the at least one polymer is amorphous at ambient temperature. The poly(glycidyl ether) polymer can be a blend of poly(glycidyl ether) polymers, can be a poly(glycidyl ether) polymer blended with a mechanically strong solid polymer, and can be a block of a block copolymer that also includes a polymer block forming a mechanically strong solid polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancing order and nanostructures in organosilicon block copolymers compositions by including certain organic additives in such compositions that include one or more moieties comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrogen bond donor. Such block copolymer compositions may be used, for example, as a mask for lithographic patterning as is used, for example, during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte composition including a metal salt and at least one polymer comprising a poly(glycidyl ether), where the at least one polymer is amorphous at ambient temperature. The poly(glycidyl ether) polymer can be a blend of poly(glycidyl ether) polymers, can be a poly(glycidyl ether) polymer blended with a mechanically strong solid polymer, and can be a block of a block copolymer that also includes a polymer block forming a mechanically strong solid polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric composition and method of preparation for application in sub-micron lithography, comprising a blend of A-B and B?-C block, random, branched, or graft copolymers, where: (i) the B and B? blocks or grafts have attractive supramolecular interactions characterized by a negative Flory-Huggins parameter; (ii) the composition exhibits a microphase-separated, three-domain morphology with A, C, and B/B? domains comprised largely of A blocks or grafts, C blocks or grafts, and a mixture of B and B? blocks or grafts, respectively. Long-range ordering of nanometer-scale domain features has been achieved in thin films of such supramolecular polymer blends, while avoiding macrophase separation. The strategy offers a diversity of morphologies for sub-micron lithographic applications in tandem with ease of chemical synthesis.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer having a tapered block copolymer structure. The method comprises polymerizing a first olefin monomer and a different second olefin monomer in the presence of a catalyst supporting living or quasi-living polymerization. In certain embodiments, the catalyst comprises two neutral metal complexes. In preferred embodiments, a tapered block copolymer structure is formed by adding one monomer in a single batch at the start of the polymerization reaction, and adding a second monomer throughout the course of the reaction. The present invention also provides polymers having one or more tapered block copolymer sections, and compositions based on these polymers.

Abstract: A method and resultant device, in which metal nanoparticles are self-assembled into two-dimensional lattices. A periodic hole pattern (wells) is fabricated on a photoresist substrate, the wells having an aspect ratio of less than 0.37. The nanoparticles are synthesized within inverse micelles of a polymer, preferably a block copolymer, and are self-assembled onto the photoresist nanopatterns. The nanoparticles are selectively positioned in the holes due to the capillary forces related to the pattern geometry, with a controllable number of particles per lattice point.

Abstract: Polyolefin block and graft copolymers comprised of two or more semicrystalline polyolefin blocks or grafts and one or more amorphous polyolefin blocks can be blended with a low molecular weight fluid diluent that preferentially locates within and swells the amorphous domains of the block or graft copolymer, while preserving the crystallinity of the semicrystalline block domains. After mechanical or thermomechanical processing, such compositions combine softness with high strength and high recoverable elasticity. Compositions are also disclosed whereby the diluent species is removed from the composition, either before or after the mechanical or thermomechanical processing, in order to create a strong elastic material with an ultra-low entanglement density within the amorphous domains.

Abstract: A “high internal phase polymeric emulsion” (“HIPPE”) composition is described which comprises an emulsion of a discrete phase (component A) and a continuous phase (component B), wherein the volume fraction of the discrete phase is the majority fraction (on a volume basis) of the total volume of the emulsion. A compatibilizer, component C, is used to lower the interfacial tension between the phases containing components A and B. A process is described for creating such HIPPE composition in which the A component is a colloidal polymer particle.

Abstract: A method and resultant device, in which metal nanoparticles are self-assembled into two-dimensional lattices. A periodic hole pattern (wells) is fabricated on a photoresist substrate, the wells having an aspect ratio of less than 0.37. The nanoparticles are synthesized within inverse micelles of a polymer, preferably a block copolymer, and are self-assembled onto the photoresist nanopatterns. The nanoparticles are selectively positioned in the holes due to the capillary forces related to the pattern geometry, with a controllable number of particles per lattice point.

Abstract: A portable cartridge loading apparatus for holding, locating, and individually dispensing electrical junction boxes. The apparatus includes a positioning apparatus for locating the loader on a predetermined building element or stud. The apparatus has devices to locate each junction box in a predetermined depth and height location on each wall, at least two different height locations. The different height installation of each junction box is achieved without setting any other location device, other than repositioning the loading device in a second attitude on the building element or stud.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula F(CF.sub.2).sub.q --(CH.sub.2).sub.p-1 --COX' wherein q ranges from 6-15, p ranges from 3-15 and X' is halogen are useful as reactants for hydroxylated block copolymers or polyamines to produce fluorinated polymers.

Abstract: Fluorinated polymers for use per se or in a blend with compatible homopolymer or copolymer which is not fluorinated, for providing a low surface energy (anti-stick, non-wetting, low friction) surface which is stable on immersion in water, has a weight average molecular weight ranging from 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.6 and comprises backbone containing (a) methylene groups and (b) side chain bearing groups with side chain on each side chain bearing group having the formula --Q--(CF.sub.2).sub.q F wherein Q comprises alkylene moiety and wherein the fluoroalkyl group attached to Q is spaced by r atoms from the atom in the backbone to which Q is attached, wherein q ranges from 6 to 15, r ranges from 6 to 18, and the ratio of q to r ranges from 0.6:1 to 1.8:1. Preferred fluorinated polymers include semifluorinated block copolymers of modified isoprene and styrene and semifluorinated ionenes.