Abstract: Methods of increasing thermal conductivity of a bulk polymer are provided. The methods include contacting a bulk polyelectrolyte polymer comprising an ionizable repeating pendant group with an aqueous liquid having a pH that ionizes the pendant group and isotropically extend the polyelectrolyte polymer to an extended non-globular chain conformation. The polyelectrolyte polymer so treated thus exhibits a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 0.6 W/m·K and optionally greater than or equal to about 1 W/m·K. In other aspects, the present disclosure provides a high thermal conductivity material comprising a bulk polyelectrolyte polymer bearing a repeating charged group and having an extended non-globular chain conformation and that exhibits a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 0.6 W/m·K and optionally greater than or equal to about 1 W/m·K. The high thermal conductivity material may be used in electronic devices, including as housings/encapsulation and thermal interfaces.

Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.

Abstract: Methods of increasing thermal conductivity of a bulk polymer are provided. The methods include contacting a bulk polyelectrolyte polymer comprising an ionizable repeating pendant group with an aqueous liquid having a pH that ionizes the pendant group and isotropically extend the polyelectrolyte polymer to an extended non-globular chain conformation. The polyelectrolyte polymer so treated thus exhibits a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 0.6 W/m·K and optionally greater than or equal to about 1 W/m·K. In other aspects, the present disclosure provides a high thermal conductivity material comprising a bulk polyelectrolyte polymer bearing a repeating charged group and having an extended non-globular chain conformation and that exhibits a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 0.6 W/m·K and optionally greater than or equal to about 1 W/m·K. The high thermal conductivity material may be used in electronic devices, including as housings/encapsulation and thermal interfaces.

Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.