Abstract: The HBP Free-POSS compounds of Formula I are superior to prior HB polymers and linear polymers in space and electronic applications because they have better resistance to electrons, protons and atomic oxygen, have superior out-gassing performance, and are transparent. They are used as coatings, films, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes to introduce antifouling properties without compromising the separation properties of the original membranes. This approach utilizes: providing a coated membrane surface having enhanced hydrophilic characteristics that prevents the biofoulants from settling; have a surface that consists of hydrophilic brushes that unsettle any biofoulants that get through; and having antimicrobial ions present in the membrane coatings and able to remove or minimize any remaining biofoulants without leaching into the permeate. These coatings are made using dendritic polymers such as hyperbranched polymers or dendrimers.

Abstract: The HBP Free-POSS compounds of Formula I are superior to prior HB polymers and linear polymers in space and electronic applications because they have better resistance to electrons, protons and atomic oxygen, have superior out-gassing performance, and are transparent. They are used as coatings, films, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer delivery system for the in vivo binding and release of growth factors, preferably orthobiologic GF, comprising a hyperbranched polymer having physiologically-acceptable anionic phosphorous groups. The hyperbranched polymer is preferred to be a polyurea with phosphonate anions. This polymer can be cross-linked to form a network and provide a coating for implanted devices.

Abstract: A modified carbon-supported metal catalyst is disclosed which has durability and activity wherein the surface of the carbon support has been modified by the addition of silicon carbides or boron carbides made by calcination. This catalyst is used as a catalyzed electrode in fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising an antimicrobial bilayer coating on a substrate which coating comprises: (1) a polyionic material, in alternating layers, where one layer is a cationic polymer containing —NHR1 or —C(O)NHR2 groups, where R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, straight- or branch-chain C1-C10 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or C6-C14 aryl; and another layer is an anionic polymer containing —COOH or —COOR groups, where R is straight- or branch-chain C1-C10 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or C6-C14 aryl; and (2) At least two full bilayers are coated on the substrate; and (3) the layers are crosslinked through amide, imide, urea, or carbamate bonds; and (4) at least 1% of the amine or amide N—H groups in the coating are converted to N—X, where X is Cl or Br. The bilayers, where an anionic outermost layer is present, is preferred. These coating compositions, applied to a substrate, are then crosslinked and finally treated with aqueous hypochlorite when N—X is N—Cl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes to introduce antifouling properties without compromising the separation properties of the original membranes. This approach utilizes: providing a coated membrane surface having enhanced hydrophilic characteristics that prevents the biofoulants from settling; have a surface that consists of hydrophilic brushes that unsettle any biofoulants that get through; and having antimicrobial ions present in the membrane coatings and able to remove or minimize any remaining biofoulants without leaching into the permeate. These coatings are made using dendritic polymers such as hyperbranched polymers or dendrimers.

Abstract: A chemical sensor having a transducer element and a layer of composite material including a polymer matrix and a solid particulate filler disposed in the polymer matrix provides chemical sensors exhibiting improved properties. In particular, the device allows polymer matrix materials to be selected based primarily on diffusion properties, strength, stability and other physical characteristics substantially independent of limitations and compromises that arise when attempting to synthesize polymers having specific types of sensory groups chemically bound to the polymer. The invention also allows greater ability to modify sensor response characteristics by appropriate modification of the particulate filler, whereby a diverse sensor array may be fabricated more easily and at a lower cost.

Abstract: A chemical sensor having a transducer element and a layer of composite material including a polymer matrix and a solid particulate filler disposed in the polymer matrix provides chemical sensors exhibiting improved properties. In particular, the device allows polymer matrix materials to be selected based primarily on diffusion properties, strength, stability and other physical characteristics substantially independent of limitations and compromises that arise when attempting to synthesize polymers having specific types of sensory groups chemically bound to the polymer. The invention also allows greater ability to modify sensor response characteristics by appropriate modification of the particulate filler, whereby a diverse sensor array may be fabricated more easily and at a lower cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer delivery system for the in vivo binding and release of growth factors, preferably orthobiologic GF, comprising a hyperbranched polymer having physiologically-acceptable anionic phosphorous groups. The hyperbranched polymer is preferred to be a polyurea with phosphonate anions. This polymer can be cross-linked to form a network and provide a coating for implanted devices.

Abstract: A chemical sensor having a transducer element and a layer of composite material including a polymer matrix and a solid particulate filler disposed in the polymer matrix provides chemical sensors exhibiting improved properties. In particular, the device allows polymer matrix materials to be selected based primarily on diffusion properties, strength, stability and other physical characteristics substantially independent of limitations and compromises that arise when attempting to synthesize polymers having specific types of sensory groups chemically bound to the polymer. The invention also allows greater ability to modify sensor response characteristics by appropriate modification of the particulate filler, whereby a diverse sensor array may be fabricated more easily and at a lower cost.

Abstract: An improved synthetic blood substitute which exhibits excellent long-term storage stability at both high and low temperatures is suitable for use in various biomedical and biotechnical applications, including resuscitation of trauma victims that have suffered massive hemorrhaging, and transfusions for human and veterinary surgical procedures. The artificial blood solution comprises an aqueous carrier, and a dendritic polymer that is capable of carrying oxygen dissolved in the aqueous carrier. The dendritic polymer comprises fluorocarbon moieties and hydrophilic moieties.

Abstract: An improved fragrance delivery system capable of providing controlled release of fragrance molecules in various consumer products is composed of a polymer having covalently bound fragrance moieties that are releasable in the form of fragrance molecules. Certain embodiments comprise globular polymer particles in which unbound fragrance molecules are occluded, absorbed and/or adsorbed. Certain other embodiments incorporate fragrance monomer units, which achieve reduced residuals upon complete release of the fragrance.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved PEM for fuel cell applications such that the membrane is more robust. Specifically, this invention provides PEM in MEA systems that have nano-particles carrying proton conducting groups, and improved dimensional stability relative to conductivity. This invention provides a composition of matter for a high proton conductance, solid polymer electrolyte membrane, said membrane comprising: A) a nano-additive carrying proton conducting groups having a size from about 1 nm to about 1,000 run; B) a carrier polymer for the nano-additive of Part A; and C) a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or membrane electrode assembly (MEA) formed by mixing the components of Part A and Part B above. These proton conducting groups are contributed by POSS-based nano-additives or cyclic phosphazene-based nano-additives or small molecules carrying sulfonic acid groups in fuel cells or batteries.

Abstract: This invention concerns the remote detection of threat clouds and evaluation of their components. Also included is the remote detection and evaluation of contamination on surfaces or in air streams. To enable this detection, fluorophores that are attached to POSS are used with two-photon LIF imaging that provides enhanced background-free imaging even in the presence of scattering particles such as dust, sand and water droplets.

Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.

Abstract: Solid-state colorimetric biosensors having sensory groups and interdendritic cross-linking segments of alternating conjugated double and triple bonds are prepared by intermolecular polymerization of diacetylene-functionalized dendritic polymer precursors. The polymerization process may be used to form solid films that are capable of indicating the presence of an analyte by a detectable change in color. The disclosed solid-state colorimetric biosensors may exhibit excellent stability at elevated temperatures and in the presence of organic solvents, and due to the dendritic architecture and high density of sensing functionality achieve high sensitivity to analytes.

Abstract: Molecular chemical and/or biological sensors that exhibit a very high density of sensing functionality and which are applicable to a wide variety of different analytes, and enable rapid, convenient and economical detection of analytes are prepared by reacting a dendritic polymer with a diacetylene reagent wherein the diacetylene functional groups are subsequently intramolecularly polymerized to form segments having alternating conjugated double and triple bonds. Sensory groups that can bind with an analyte are bonded to the acetylene monomer units to form molecular sensors that produce observable and measurable color changes when an analyte binds with the sensory groups.