Abstract: A compound includes an amphiphilic polymer with a hydrophobic block including monomeric units chosen from alkyl (meth)acrylates, alkyl (meth)acrylamides, and combinations thereof; and a hydrophilic cationic block including monomeric units chosen from alkylamino (meth)acrylates, alkylamino (meth)acrylamides, and combinations thereof. The polymer is in the form of a micelle with a central core derived from the hydrophobic block and shell at least partially surrounding the core. The shell includes a plurality of filamentous arms derived from the hydrophilic block and emanating outward from the core. A biological agent is associated with the arms of the micelle.

Abstract: A compound includes an amphiphilic polymer with a hydrophobic block including monomeric units chosen from alkyl (meth)acrylates, alkyl (meth)acrylamides, and combinations thereof; and a hydrophilic cationic block including monomeric units chosen from alkylamino (meth)acrylates, alkylamino (meth)acrylamides, and combinations thereof. The polymer is in the form of a micelle with a central core derived from the hydrophobic block and shell at least partially surrounding the core. The shell includes a plurality of filamentous arms derived from the hydrophilic block and emanating outward from the core. A biological agent is associated with the arms of the micelle.

Abstract: A graft copolymer can include, in its backbone, at least one segment having repeating units obtainable by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of an optionally substituted cycloalkene, and at least one segment comprising repeating units obtainable by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a (meth)acrylate. The corresponding graft copolymer is highly suitable for use as an oil additive in internal combustion engines, in particular, in combustion engines which are operated for longer periods of time at substantially constant operating temperatures.

Abstract: A graft copolymer can include, in its backbone, at least one segment having repeating units obtainable by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of an optionally substituted cycloalkene, and at least one segment comprising repeating units obtainable by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a (meth)acrylate. The corresponding graft copolymer is highly suitable for use as an oil additive in internal combustion engines, in particular, in combustion engines which are operated for longer periods of time at substantially constant operating temperatures.

Abstract: An ion gel including an ionic liquid and a block copolymer. The block copolymer includes at least three blocks, and the block copolymer forms a self-assembled ion gel in the ionic liquid. Also, thin film transistors including an ion gel insulator layer, capacitors including an ion gel insulator layer, integrated circuits including transistors including an ion gel insulator layer, and methods for forming each of these devices are described.

Abstract: A device (60) and method for measuring the roughness of a playing surface are described. The device includes a carriage (12) which can travel over the playing surface, a rotatable member (80) which can roll over the playing surface, a restraint (84) which constrains the rotatable member (80) to travel with the carriage (12) and a transducer (70) coupled to the rotatable member (80) and which can generate a signal representative of the height and/or lateral translation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: An ion gel including an ionic liquid and a block copolymer. The block copolymer includes at least three blocks, and the block copolymer forms a self-assembled ion gel in the ionic liquid. Also, thin film transistors including an ion gel insulator layer, capacitors including an ion gel insulator layer, integrated circuits including transistors including an ion gel insulator layer, and methods for forming each of these devices are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the post-polymerization fluorination methods of polymers produced via ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Unlike prior art methods that result in low product yields and generally involve chemically aggressive reagents, the inventive methods produce fluorinated polymers in quantitative yields and under mild conditions. In preferred embodiments, a source of difluorocarbene is reacted with the desired polydiene to form a fluorinated polymer product. In preferred embodiments, the source of difluorocarbene is hexafluoropropylene oxide and the polydiene is poly-dicyclopentadiene (“poly-DCPD”). Fluorination and the concomitant removal of unsaturated bonds result in polymers having improved physical properties such as improved strength characteristics, enhanced oxidative and chemical stability, and low surface energies.