Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and materials are disclosed for diffraction unlimited photofabrication. A method is provided where a photoresponsive material is illuminated with a first optical pattern at a first wavelength of light. The first wavelength of light alters a solubility of the photoresponsive organic material. The photoresponsive material is also illuminated with a second optical pattern at a second wavelength of light. The second wavelength of light hinders the ability of the first wavelength of light to alter the solubility of the photoresponsive organic material where the second optical pattern overlaps the first optical pattern. The photoresponsive organic material is then developed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for inducing reversible chain cleavage of polymer chains in a crosslinked polymeric material. Reversible cleavage of the polymer backbone is capable of relieving stress in the polymeric material as the bonds reform in a less stressed state. The invention also provides methods for making polymeric materials capable of reversible chain cleavage, materials made by the methods of the invention, and linear monomers containing reversible chain cleavage groups which are useful in the materials and methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect molecular recognition events. The invention also provides methods to detect the presence of or identify a target species based on its interaction with one or more probe species. The methods of the invention are based on amplification of the signal due to each molecular recognition event. The amplification is achieved through photopolymerization, with the polymer formed being associated with the molecular recognition event. In one aspect, a fluorescent polymer, a magnetic polymer, a radioactive polymer or an electrically conducting polymer can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another aspect, a polymer gel swollen with a fluorescent solution, a magnetic solution, a radioactive solution or an electrically conducting solution can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another aspect, detectable particles can be included in the polymer formed. In another aspect, sufficient polymer forms to be detectable by visual inspection.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for inducing reversible chain cleavage of polymer chains in a crosslinked polymeric material. Reversible cleavage of the polymer backbone is capable of relieving stress in the polymeric material as the bonds reform in a less stressed state. The invention also provides methods for making polymeric materials capable of reversible chain cleavage, materials made by the methods of the invention, and linear monomers containing reversible chain cleavage groups which are useful in the materials and methods of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for single component photoinitiated dental impression materials. The impression material is workable in its pre-cured state, cures rapidly upon exposure to light, and exhibits desirable processing conditions such as short setting time, long working time, no void formation, good wettability, mechanical properties, and detail reproduction.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable polymer composites based on dimethacrylate systems have been increasingly utilized as dental restorative materials. One of the biggest drawbacks of current dental resin systems is the volume shrinkage and shrinkage induced stresses that arise during the polymerization. Other major problems include incomplete double bond conversion and insufficient wear resistance. This invention involves the development of an entirely novel approach to the photopolymerization process that utilizes thiol-ene systems as low shrinkage and ultra-low shrinkage stress dental restorative materials. Compared with the traditional dimethacrylate dental resins, these novel photopolymerizations have demonstrated a dramatically decreased volume shrinkage, extremely rapid polymerization, abilities to photopolymerize ultrathick materials and achieve much higher conversion, lack of oxygen inhibition and ultra-low shrinkage stress due to low volume shrinkage and drastically delayed gel point conversion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a new photopolymerizable resin system for dental restorative materials. The resin system utilizes a thiol-ene component as the reactive diluent in dimethacrylate systems. The ternary resin system comprises a thiol monomer, an ene monomer and a dimethacrylate monomer. Use of an off-stoichiometric ratio of thiol:ene functional groups in favor of excess thiols results in enhanced overall functional group conversion, improved polymer mechanical properties, and reduced shrinkage stress of the ternary system when compared to either traditional dimethacrylate or thiol-ene resin systems.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect molecular recognition events. The invention also provides methods to detect the presence of or identify a target species based on its interaction with one or more probe species. The methods of the invention are based on amplification of the signal due to each molecular recognition event. The amplification is achieved through photopolymerization, with the polymer formed being associated with the molecular recognition event. In one aspect, a fluorescent polymer, a magnetic polymer, a radioactive polymer or an electrically conducting polymer can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another aspect, a polymer gel swollen with a fluorescent solution, a magnetic solution, a radioactive solution or an electrically conducting solution can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another aspect, detectable particles can be included in the polymer formed. In another aspect, sufficient polymer forms to be detectable by visual inspection.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel (meth)acrylic and (meth)acrylamide monomers and polymers produced from those monomers. The monomers of the invention each include only a single vinyl functionality and at least one non-vinyl functionality that can be varied to achieve desired monomer/polymer properties. The invention additionally provides methods of producing polymers from these mono-vinyl monomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymerizable dental compositions comprising a dimer acid-derived monomer such as a dimer acid-derived di(meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modifying a surface of a polymer derived from a mixture comprising a thiol monomer and an olefinic monomer. The method comprises exposing at least a portion of the polymer surface to electromagnetic radiation of sufficient energy to modify the polymer surface. The present invention also provides a polymer derived from polymerizing a mixture of monomers comprising a thiol monomer, an olefinic monomer, and an iniferter.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers and microfluidic devices comprising a covalently attached substrate binding element, and methods for producing and using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for inducing reversible chain cleavage of polymer chains in a crosslinked polymeric material. Reversible cleavage of the polymer backbone is capable of relieving stress in the polymeric material as the bonds reform in a less stressed state. The invention also provides methods for making polymeric materials capable of reversible chain cleavage, materials made by the methods of the invention, and linear monomers containing reversible chain cleavage groups which are useful in the materials and methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel (meth)acrylic and (meth)acrylamide monomers and polymers produced from those monomers. The monomers of the invention each include only a single vinyl functionality and at least one non-vinyl functionality that can be varied to achieve desired monomer/polymer properties. The invention additionally provides methods of producing polymers from these mono-vinyl monomers.

Abstract: A composition for use in dental treatments of damaged or diseased teeth is provided. The composition comprises a combined filler material, photoinitiator and comonomer resin mixture polymerizable upon incidence of light. The comonomer resin mixture comprises a comonomer resin blend comprising at least two monomers from the same monomer series with at least a first monomer having a first molecular weight and a second monomer having a second molecular weight with the second molecular weight being greater than the first molecular weight of the first monomer. The comonomer resin mixture further comprises a third monomer combined with the comonomer resin blend.