Abstract: Cationic, anionic, and/or zwitterionic bis-urea compounds self-assemble by non-covalent interactions in aqueous solution to form high aspect ratio nanofibers. The nanofibers reversibly bind drugs by non-covalent interactions, forming drug compositions for exhibiting sustained release of the drug.

Abstract: Antimicrobial cationic polymers having one or two cationic polycarbonate chains were prepared by organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization. One antimicrobial cationic polymer has a polymer chain consisting essentially of cationic carbonate repeat units linked to one or two end groups. The end groups can comprise a covalently bound form of biologically active compound such as cholesterol. Other antimicrobial cationic polymers have a random copolycarbonate chain comprising a minor mole fraction of hydrophobic repeat units bearing a covalently bound form of a vitamin E and/or vitamin D2. The cationic polymers exhibit high activity and selectivity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive microbes and fungi.

Abstract: A salt catalyst comprises an ionic complex of i) a nitrogen base comprising one or more guanidine and/or amidine functional groups, and ii) an oxoacid comprising one or more active acid groups, the active acid groups independently comprising a carbonyl group (C?O), sulfoxide group (S?O), and/or a phosphonyl group (P?O) bonded to one or more active hydroxy groups; wherein a ratio of moles of the active hydroxy groups to moles of the guanidine and/or amidine functional groups is greater than 0 and less than 2.0. The salt catalysts are capable of catalyzing ring opening polymerization of cyclic carbonyl compounds.

Abstract: Polymeric compounds containing polymer backbones functionalized with ion-specific recognition elements and methods for the use of these compounds are described herein. The polymeric compounds may contain multiple types of ion-specific recognition elements depending on a specific application. The polymeric compounds can be used to remove ionic species from a solution, for example, in separations applications in which a single or multiple types of ionic species are desired to be removed from the solution.

Abstract: A cationic star polymer is disclosed of the general formula (1): wherein w? is a positive number greater than or equal to 3, I? is a dendritic polyester core covalently linked to w? independent peripheral linear cationic polymer chains P?. Each of the chains P? comprises a cationic repeat unit comprising i) a backbone functional group selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carbonates, aliphatic esters, aliphatic carbamates, aliphatic ureas, aliphatic thiocarbamates, aliphatic dithiocarbonates, and combinations thereof, and ii) a side chain comprising a quaternary amine group. The quaternary amine group comprises a divalent methylene group directly covalently linked to i) a positive charged nitrogen and ii) an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A method of preparing particles comprises forming by optical lithography a topographic template layer disposed on a surface of a substrate, which is suitable for spin casting. The template layer comprises a non-crosslinked template polymer having a pattern of independent wells therein for molding independent particles. Spin casting a particle-forming composition onto the template layer forms a composite layer comprising the template polymer and the particles disposed in the wells. The composite layer is removed from the substrate using a stripping agent that dissolves the template polymer without dissolving the particles. The particles are then isolated.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 45 to about 70 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 90 to about 140 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 45 to about 70, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent radical comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 47%.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 45 to about 70 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 90 to about 140 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 45 to about 70, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent radical comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 47%.

Abstract: A branched polyamine comprises about 8 to about 12 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 18 to about 24 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n? greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n?+q) is a number equal to about 8 to about 12, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L? is a divalent linking group comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n?+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 40%.

Abstract: A composite hydrogel comprises an amphiphilic triblock copolymer (ABA) and a loaded micelle bound by noncovalent interactions. The loaded micelle comprises a biologically active substance and an amphiphilic diblock copolymer (CD). The A blocks comprise a steroidal repeat unit (repeat unit 1) having both a backbone carbonate and a side chain bearing a steroid functional group. Each of the A blocks has a degree of polymerization of about 0.5 to about 4.0. The B block comprises a first poly(alkylene oxide) backbone. The C block comprises a second poly(alkylene oxide) backbone. The D block comprises a steroidal repeat unit (repeat unit 2) having both a backbone carbonate group and a side chain comprising a steroid functional group. The composite hydrogel is capable of controlled release of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a cationic polymer comprising a polycarbonate chain fragment, the polycarbonate chain fragment comprising a repeat unit comprising a side chain moiety containing a quaternary amine group; and a non-charged polymer comprising a polyester chain segment and a poly(alkylene oxide) chain segment; wherein i) the cationic polymer and the non-charged polymer are amphiphilic and biocompatible, ii) the cationic polymer and the non-charged polymer form a mixed complex by non-covalent interactions in water, and iii) the mixed complex is a more effective antimicrobial agent against at least a Gram-negative microbe compared to the cationic polymer and the non-charged polymer alone when tested using otherwise identical conditions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

Abstract: Polymeric compounds containing polymer backbones functionalized with ion-specific recognition elements and methods for the use of these compounds are described herein. The polymeric compounds may contain multiple types of ion-specific recognition elements depending on a specific application. The polymeric compounds can be used to remove ionic species from a solution, for example, in separations applications in which a single or multiple types of ionic species are desired to be removed from the solution.