Abstract: A solution including an antimicrobial polymer in a polar solvent and a method of producing the solution. The polymer has the structure of Formula (I). The antimicrobial solution may be coated onto a substrate and cured to provide an antimicrobial substrate in which the polymer is covalently bonded to the substrate so that it cannot leach from the substrate.

Abstract: A peptide-polymer conjugate is provided for use in treating malaria infections, and in particular terminal or drug resistant malaria infections. The conjugate is formed from a polymer to which a peptide having activity against a malaria parasite is co-valently attached. The peptide is a cyclic decapeptide from the closely-related group of tyrocidines, tryptocidines, phenycidines and gramicidin S, and the polymer is a hydrophilic and biocompatible polymer with a terminal thiol, such as poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The polymer chains can be decorated with a hydrophilic targeting ligand that specifically targets an epitope on red blood cells, and in particular red blood cells infected with a plasmodial parasite. A method for synthesising the peptide-polymer conjugate is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides protein-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles comprising magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to which a lactose-binding protein or enzyme has been immobilized. The protein-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are particularly suitable for separating lactose from a lactose-containing solution, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, flavored milk or the like. The protein-functionalized MNPs can be added to the lactose-containing solution and be allowed to bind to the lactose in the solution. The MNPs, to which the lactose is bound, can then be magnetically removed from the solution, e.g. by applying an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A solution including an antimicrobial polymer in a polar solvent and a method of producing the solution. The polymer has the structure of Formula (I). The antimicrobial solution may be coated onto a substrate and cured to provide an antimicrobial substrate in which the polymer is covalently bonded to the substrate so that it cannot leach from the substrate.

Abstract: A peptide-polymer conjugate is provided for use in treating malaria infections, and in particular terminal or drug resistant malaria infections. The conjugate is formed from a polymer to which a peptide having activity against a malaria parasite is co-valently attached. The peptide is a cyclic decapeptide from the closely-related group of tyrocidines, tryptocidines, phenycidines and gramicidin S, and the polymer is a hydrophilic and biocompatible polymer with a terminal thiol, such as poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The polymer chains can be decorated with a hydrophilic targeting ligand that specifically targets an epitope on red blood cells, and in particular red blood cells infected with a plasmodial parasite. A method for synthesising the peptide-polymer conjugate is also provided.

Abstract: A polymeric compound is provided having the general formula (A) wherein R is an alkyl chain preferably having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be either saturated or unsaturated and may have substituents attached to the chain, and R? and R?, which may be the same or different from each other and preferably have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in a chain, are selected from alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted, or R? and R? are linked to form a saturated or unsaturated cyclic moiety incorporating the adjacent nitrogen atom, with or without additional heteroatoms in the ring. The polymeric compound is preferably in a particulate form and most particularly in the form of nanoparticles. A method of producing the polymers is disclosed. A method of adsorbing, separating and stripping the polymers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides protein-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles comprising magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to which a lactose-binding protein or enzyme has been immobilized. The protein-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles are particularly suitable for separating lactose from a lactose-containing solution, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, flavoured milk or the like. The protein-functionalised MNPs can be added to the lactose-containing solution and be allowed to bind to the lactose in the solution. The MNPs, to which the lactose is bound, can then be magnetically removed from the solution, e.g. by applying an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A polymer compound (I) with bacteria-adhesion inhibition properties against bacteria such as P. aeruginosa Xen 5, E. coli Xen 14, S. typhimurium Xen 26, S. aureus Xen 36 and K. pneumoniae Xen 39 is described. The group R is provided by a substituted furanone linked by an alkyl chain or, more preferably a hydrophilic moiety such as oligo(ethylene oxide) ((CH2—CH2—O)i) to the polymer backbone. The group R may be the same or different along the polymer backbone. The invention also provides nanofibers and coatings which include a polymer compound as defined above.

Abstract: A polymer compound (I) with bacteria-adhesion inhibition properties against bacteria such as P. aeruginosa Xen 5, E. coli Xen 14, S. typhimurium Xen 26, S. aureus Xen 36 and K. pneumoniae Xen 39 is described. The group R is provided by a substituted furanone linked by an alkyl chain or, more preferably a hydrophilic moiety such as oligo(ethylene oxide) ((CH2—CH2—O)i) to the polymer backbone. The group R may be the same or different along the polymer backbone. The invention also provides nanofibres and coatings which include a polymer compound as defined above.

Abstract: A polymeric compound is provided having the general formula (A) wherein R is an alkyl chain preferably having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be either saturated or unsaturated and may have substituents attached to the chain, and R? and R?, which may be the same or different from each other and preferably have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in a chain, are selected from alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted, or R? and R? are linked to form a saturated or unsaturated cyclic moiety incorporating the adjacent nitrogen atom, with or without additional heteroatoms in the ring. The polymeric compound is preferably in a particulate form and most particularly in the form of nanoparticles. A method of producing the polymers is disclosed. A method of adsorbing, separating and stripping the polymers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a conductive polymer composition comprising the steps of A) providing a latex containing a conductive polymer; B) mixing the latex from A with either an aqueous latex of a polymer, or with (a) water-soluble precursor(s) of a polymer; C) removing water from the so obtained mixture; D) heating the product from step C) to a temperature at which the polymer added in step B flows or where the polymer introduced in step B is formed from out of its precursor(s); and E) processing and/or solidifying the product of step D) into a desired form, wherein the amount of conductive polymer is between 0.1 and 10 wt % relative to the total of the total of components in step A and B. In step A optionally carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an aqueous medium are preferably added to the latex containing conductive polymer. In that case the conductive polymer may behave as a conductive polymeric surfactant for the CNTs dispersed in water.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer compound is provided having the formula (I) in which R is selected to provide acceptable characteristics to the compound. R is preferably selected from simple alkyl chains having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and generally no more than 4 or 6 carbon atoms; tertiary amine groups having short chain alkyl groups with from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and generally no more than 4 or 6 carbon atoms; aromatic compounds having only one aromatic ring with one or more simple substituents such as hydroxide; and quaternary ammonium salts, preferably bromide or iodide, wherein the substituents are short chain alkyl groups with from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and generally no more than 4 or 6 carbon atoms. The antimicrobial polymer compound may be formed into fibers, especially nano fibers, and the fibers may be formed into filter elements especially for air or water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a conductive polymer composition comprising the steps of A) providing a latex containing a conductive polymer; B) mixing the latex from A with either an aqueous latex of a polymer, or with (a) water-soluble precursor(s) of a polymer; C) removing water from the so obtained mixture; D) heating the product from step C) to a temperature at which the polymer added in step B flows or where the polymer introduced in step B is formed from out of its precursor(s); and E) processing and/or solidifying the product of step D) into a desired form, wherein the amount of conductive polymer is between 0.1 and 10 wt % relative to the total of the total of components in step A and B. In step A optionally carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an aqueous medium are preferably added to the latex containing conductive polymer. In that case the conductive polymer may behave as a conductive polymeric surfactant for the CNTs dispersed in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of copolymers A) comprising A1) one or more vinylaromatic monomers, A2) one or more vinyl cyanides, and A3) one or more dicarboxylic anhydrides via bulk polymerization or via solution polymerization, an important feature of the invention being that the polymerization is carried out in the presence of from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture. The present invention further relates to the copolymers A), to thermoplastic molding compositions comprising the copolymers A), to the use of the copolymers A) and of the thermoplastic molding compositions, and also to the moldings, foils, fibers, or foams obtainable from the copolymers A) or from the thermoplastic molding compositions.

Abstract: Process and intermediate for preparing an intrinsically foamed thermoplastic polymer comprising a vinyl monomer and maleic acid and/or maleic anhydride, in which process a polymer composition comprising:a) a core polymer based ona.1) 12-50 moles % maleic acid and/or maleic anhydridea.2) a vinyl monomer, anda.3) optionally a third monomer, where the sum total of a1+a2+a3 is 100 moles % and the weight average molecular weight of the core polymer is 50000-500000, andb) optionally a nucleating agent, is introduced into equipment suited for making foam, in which process the core polymer, and optionally the nucleating agent, are brought to a temperature which is high enough to release CO.sub.2 from the core polymer, and in which process the polymer melt is expanded to form a polymer foam with the desired density. The core polymer is preferably a polymer of styrene and maleic anhydride.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic polymer based on a vinyl monomer, which is characterized in that the polymer composition contains more than 1% (wt) of one or more compounds according to formula I and/or II: ##STR1## where R1 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloaryl and/or a halogen.By applying a polymer according to the invention the composition is protected against thermal decomposition so that the CO2 emission during or after processing is lower than 0.5% (wt). Polymers according to the invention are excellently suited for the production therefrom of dashboards for motor cars and of housings for electric equipment.