Abstract: This disclosure concerns two novel electrically conducting organic oligomers: oligo(3-amino-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile) or “oligo(AP-CN)” and oligo(4-nitro-1H-pyrazole-3-yl-amine) or “oligo(AP-NO2)”, and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: A redox-active conductive polymer includes a charged tether. An interpenetrating network including such a conducting polymer can be switched between two states of diffusivity (porosity) by application of a voltage. Such a material can be useful in breathable protective clothing, controlled release, intelligent sensing/filtration, novel separation processes, nanomanufacturing, and other areas.

Abstract: Encapsulated fluorescent metal nanoparticles for radiation detection comprising metal ions in an aqueous solution encapsulated in a nanocapsule, wherein the metal ions form atoms when exposed to gamma-ray initiated reduction of the ions and then aggregate to form fluorescent nanoparticles.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns two novel electrically conducting organic oligomers: oligo(3-amino-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile) or “oligo(AP-CN)” and oligo(4-nitro-1H-pyrazole-3-yl-amine) or “oligo(AP-NO2)”, and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: A device having a substrate and an enzyme attached to the substrate. The substrate has a polymeric surface having at least two conductivity states. A minimum voltage that does not cause a redox reaction in the enzyme may be applied to the polymeric surface to change the conductivity state of the surface. A method of controlling enzyme activity by providing the above substrate with polymeric surface, attaching an enzyme to the substrate, and altering the conductivity state of the polymeric surface. Changing the conductivity of the polymer can change the activity of the enzyme.

Abstract: A redox-active conductive polymer includes a charged tether. An interpenetrating network including such a conducting polymer can be switched between two states of diffusivity (porosity) by application of a voltage. Such a material can be useful in breathable protective clothing, controlled release, intelligent sensing/filtration, novel separation processes, nanomanufacturing, and other areas.

Abstract: A compound having the formula below. X is hydroxyl, a sulfonic ester or salt thereof, a phosphonate or salt thereof, a carboxylate or salt thereof, or a boronic ester or salt thereof. The value n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. A polymer made by polymerizing the compound. A method of: reacting NH2—(CH2—CH2—O)n—CH2—CH2—OH with thiophene acid chloride to form a (SC4H3)—CO—NH—(CH2—CH2—O)n—CH2—CH2—OH amide; reacting the amide with a vinyl sulfonic ester, a vinyl phosphonate, a vinyl carboxylate, or a vinyl boronic ester to form an intermediate; and converting the intermediate to a salt form.

Abstract: A method comprising arranging a first heating element on a first liquid crystal elastomer, arranging a first layer of thermal paste on the first heating element, and arranging a second liquid crystal elastomer on the first layer of thermal paste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesoporous monolith containing a conducting polymer such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and methods for making the monolith. The mesoporous monolith is electroactive, at least semi-transparent and has one or more of a large internal pore surface area, pore size and pore volume. It can be used for various applications in photovoltaics, sensing electrochromics, separations, reversible ion exchange and control of protein activity. The method employs hydrothermal treatment and/or substantially complete drying to obtain the desirable properties of the monolith. Conducting polymer can be covalently bound to the internal pore surfaces and polymerized in situ to partially or completely fill the pores producing increased mechanical strength and a high conductivity per unit area.

Abstract: A method comprising arranging a first heating element on a first liquid crystal elastomer, arranging a first layer of thermal paste on the first heating element, and arranging a second liquid crystal elastomer on the first layer of thermal paste.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first liquid crystal elastomer, a first heating element, a first layer of thermal paste, and a second liquid crystal elastomer. The apparatus further comprising a second heating element, a second layer of thermal paste, and a third liquid crystal elastomer. The heating element can be a nickel-chromium heating element. A method comprising arranging a first heating element on a first liquid crystal elastomer, arranging a first layer of thermal paste on the first heating element, and arranging a second liquid crystal elastomer on the first layer of thermal paste.

Abstract: The use of sugar-containing hydrogels as very highly porous, aqueous support material for the immobilization of oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, antigens, antibodies, polysaccharides, and other biomolecules for sensor applications. Unusually large sizes of interconnected pores allow large target molecules to pass rapidly into and through the gel and bind to immobilized biomolecules. Sugar-containing hydrogels have extremely low non-specific absorption of labeled target molecules, providing low background levels. Some hydrogel materials do not have this type of homogeneous interconnected macroporosity, thus large target molecules cannot readily diffuse through them. Additionally, they nearly always experience non-specific absorption of labeled target molecules, limiting their usefulness in sensor applications. A method is provided for preparing sugar polyacrylate hydrogels with functional chemical groups which covalently bond oligonucleotides and peptides.

Abstract: The use of sugar-containing hydrogels as very highly porous, aqueous support material for the immobilization of oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, antigens, antibodies, polysaccharides, and other biomolecules for sensor applications. Unusually large sizes of interconnected pores allow large target molecules to pass rapidly into and through the gel and bind to immobilized biomolecules. Sugar-containing hydrogels have extremely low non-specific absorption of labeled target molecules, providing low background levels. Some hydrogel materials do not have this type of homogeneous interconnected macroporosity, thus large target molecules cannot readily diffuse through them. Additionally, they nearly always experience non-specific absorption of labeled target molecules, limiting their usefulness in sensor applications. A method is provided for preparing sugar polyacrylate hydrogels with functional chemical groups which covalently bond oligonucleotides and peptides.

Abstract: A compound having the formula below. X is hydroxyl, a sulfonic ester or salt thereof, a phosphonate or salt thereof, a carboxylate or salt thereof, or a boronic ester or salt thereof. The value n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. A polymer made by polymerizing the compound. A method of: reacting NH2—(CH2—CH2—O)n—CH2—CH2—OH with thiophene acid chloride to form a (SC4H3)—CO—NH—(CH2—CH2—O)n—CH2—CH2—OH amide; reacting the amide with a vinyl sulfonic ester, a vinyl phosphonate, a vinyl carboxylate, or a vinyl boronic ester to form an intermediate; and converting the intermediate to a salt form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesoporous monolith containing a conducting polymer such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and methods for making the monolith. The mesoporous monolith is electroactive, at least semi-transparent and has one or more of a large internal pore surface area, pore size and pore volume. It can be used for various applications in photovoltaics, sensing electrochromics, separations, reversible ion exchange and control of protein activity. The method employs hydrothermal treatment and/or substantially complete drying to obtain the desirable properties of the monolith. Conducting polymer can be covalently bound to the internal pore surfaces and polymerized in situ to partially or completely fill the pores producing increased mechanical strength and a high conductivity per unit area.

Abstract: A polymer film comprising at least two layers, wherein each layer comprises a compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected organic groups. A method of making a polymer film comprising the steps of: providing a monomer solution comprising one or more monomers comprising the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected organic groups; dispensing the monomer solution onto a substrate; heating the monomer solution on the substrate to polymerize the monomer; and repeating the steps of providing a monomer solution, dispensing, and heating one or more times, wherein the spin-coating is performed on top of the prior spin-coated layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first liquid crystal elastomer, a first heating element, a first layer of thermal paste, and a second liquid crystal elastomer. The apparatus further comprising a second heating element, a second layer of thermal paste, and a third liquid crystal elastomer. The heating element can be a nickel-chromium heating element. A method comprising arranging a first heating element on a first liquid crystal elastomer, arranging a first layer of thermal paste on the first heating element, and arranging a second liquid crystal elastomer on the first layer of thermal paste.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided using a mixture of a solvent, a monomer, an oxidizing agent, and a moderator. The mixture is coated on a substrate and heated to initiate oxidative polymerization. At least one of three process conditions is used: the solvent having a boiling point in excess of about 120° C.; the total concentration of the monomer, the oxidizing agent, and the moderator being at least about 40% by weight; and the molar concentration of the moderator being greater than the molar concentration of the monomer.

Abstract: A polymer film comprising at least two layers, wherein each layer comprises a compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected organic groups. A method of making a polymer film comprising the steps of: providing a monomer solution comprising one or more monomers comprising the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected organic groups; dispensing the monomer solution onto a substrate; heating the monomer solution on the substrate to polymerize the monomer; and repeating the steps of providing a monomer solution, dispensing, and heating one or more times, wherein the spin-coating is performed on top of the prior spin-coated layer.

Abstract: A compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 is a fluorinated organic group and R2 and R3 are independently selected organic groups. A compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 is a fluorinated organic group and R2 and R3 are independently selected organic groups.