Abstract: Methods for killing a microbial are provided that include introducing a functionalized amide polymer to a microbe, where the functionalized amide polymer includes a polymer backbone selected from polyesters and polyurethanes; an amide group with a pendant functional group, where the nitrogen atom of the amide group is part of the polymer backbone; and a net positive charge.

Abstract: A photoactive coumarin monomer includes a substituted coumarin molecule that has at least two functional groups may be used to produce a polymer with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone. The polymer with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone may be photoresponsive and/or bioabsorbable. Photoresponsive polymers with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone may crosslink when irradiated at a wavelength of about 320 nm to about 420 nm. The crosslink may be separated when the polymers are irradiated at a wavelength of about 230 nm to about 300. The polymers may also photocleave when irradiated with light at a wavelength of about 230 nm to about 300.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure sensitive adhesive polymer comprising adhesive polymerscrosslinked with a crosslinker that includes a photoresponsive group. Also provided is a method for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive polymer comprising: polymerizing an vinyl monomer and photoresponsive crosslinker with two acryl end groups.

Abstract: Amide compounds are defined and are polymerized to create polyesters and polyurethanes having amide units bearing a pendant functional group, where the nitrogen atom of the amide group is part of the polymer backbone. The pendant functional group of the functionalized amide polymer may be modified or added by post polymerization functionalization of the functionalized amide polymer. The pendant functional group of the functionalized amide polymer may include a protecting group that may be removed after polymerization. The pendant functional groups of the functionalized amide polymers may be used to modulate the physical, chemical and biological properties of the polymers.

Abstract: Substituted phenacyl molecules are provided and employed to create molecules and polymers/copolymers that exhibit photoresponsiveness. In some instances, the substituted phenacyl molecule is incorporated into the polymer/copolymer backbone, and photoirradiation of the polymer/copolymer causes the substituted phenacyl group to break down and the polymer/copolymer to undergo degradation. In other instances, the substituted phenacyl molecules extend as a side chain from the polymer/copolymer backbone. In yet other instances the substituted phenacyl molecules extend as a side chain from the polymer/copolymer backbone, and a drug or polymer additive is linked to the photoresponsive substituted phenacyl group such that photoirradiation releases the drug or additive. In yet other embodiments the substituted phenacyl molecules extend as a side chain from the polymer/copolymer backbone, and serve to link the polymer/copolymer to another polymer/copolymer backbone, and photoirradiation breaks the links.

Abstract: Polymers including ?-hydroxymethylacrylate units and methods of preparing polymers from ?-hydroxymethylacrylates are provided. Advantageously, ?-hydroxymethylacrylates may be used in an emulsion polymerization and function as a polymerizable surfactant. The ability of the ?-hydroxymethylacrylates to be used as a polymerizable surfactant allows for emulsion polymerization systems to be prepared without other surfactants.

Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, a smart-oven system includes a recipe module accessing a remote recipe database that comprises one or more recipe instructions, and downloading a downloaded recipe instruction to a local memory of the smart oven. A user-input module receives a user-specified cooking instruction. A cooking module manages one or more oven heating mechanisms in the smart oven according to the downloaded recipe instruction and the user-specified cooking instruction. A personalization module obtains a personalized recipe from a user of the smart oven and uploading the personalized recipe to a remote recipe database. A crowd sourcing module records user entered recipe instructions and automatically calculates cooking time and constitutes both into a complete recipe to be uploaded in the recipe store.

Abstract: A thermoresponsive polyester comprising units derived from an amide functional diol compound having a first amide group having a nitrogen atom and a carbonyl group; a second amide group tethered directly or indirectly through an organic group at the carbonyl group of the first amide group; and two organic groups terminated with a hydroxyl group attached to the nitrogen atom of the first amide group. The thermoresponsive polyesters exhibit a lower critical solution temperature at which they undergo a thermally induced reversible hydrophobicity change. This hydrophobicity change may involve the formation of coacervates of the thermoresponsive polyesters which can then coalesce into a precipitated polymer rich phase.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer is provided comprising preparing a Baylis-Hillman adduct by reacting an activated alkene with a carbon electrophile; and polymerizing the Baylis-Hillman adduct. The Baylis-Hillman reaction provides an efficient platform for the synthesis of densely functionalized monomers, from which polymers with multiple functional groups can be readily synthesized. It has been discovered that that Baylis-Hillman adducts are versatile monomers for both controlled radical and step-growth polymerizations.

Abstract: A photoactive coumarin monomer includes a substituted coumarin molecule that has at least two functional groups may be used to produce a polymer with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone. The polymer with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone may be photoresponsive and/or bioabsorbable. Photoresponsive polymers with a coumarin unit or a coumarin derivative unit as part of the polymer backbone may crosslink when irradiated at a wavelength of about 320 nm to about 420 nm. The crosslink may be separated when the polymers are irradiated at a wavelength of about 230 nm to about 300. The polymers may also photocleave when irradiated with light at a wavelength of about 230 nm to about 300.

Abstract: Amide compounds are defined and are polymerized to create polyesters and polyurethanes having amide units bearing a pendant functional group, where the nitrogen atom of the amide group is part of the polymer backbone. The pendant functional group of the functionalized amide polymer may be modified or added by post polymerization functionalization of the functionalized amide polymer. The pendant functional group of the functionalized amide polymer may include a protecting group that may be removed after polymerization. The pendant functional groups of the functionalized amide polymers may be used to modulate the physical, chemical and biological properties of the polymers.

Abstract: Substituted phenacyl molecules are provided and employed to create molecules and polymers/copolymers that exhibit photoresponsiveness. In some instances, the substituted phenacyl molecule is incorporated into the polymer/copolymer backbone, and photoirradiation of the polymer/copolymer causes the substituted phenacyl group to break down and the polymer/copolymer to undergo degradation. In other instances, the substituted phenacyl molecules extend as a side chain from the polymer/copolymer backbone. In yet other instances the substituted phenacyl molecules extend as a side chain from the polymer/copolymer backbone, and a drug or polymer additive is linked to the photoresponsive substituted phenacyl group such that photoirradiation releases the drug or additive. In yet other embodiments the substituted phenacyl molecules extend as a side chain from the polymer/copolymer backbone, and serve to link the polymer/copolymer to another polymer/copolymer backbone, and photoirradiation breaks the links.