Abstract: A method for fabricating a shape memory polymer into a three-dimensional object is provided. The method includes forming a film of crosslinked poly(amic acid) on a substrate to provide a laminated substrate; forming the laminated substrate into a first configuration that is in a three-dimensional form; curing the cross-linked poly(amic acid) to provide the shape memory polymer having a permanent shape corresponding to the first configuration; and removing the substrate from the laminated substrate to provide the three-dimensional object comprising the shape memory polymer. The formation of the laminated substrate into the three-dimensional object may be based on origami techniques.

Abstract: A sulfonyl-substituted polyphenylene-ether polymer having improved dielectric properties and methods for making the same. The sulfonyl-substituted PPE include sulfone-containing polyphenylene oxides (“PPO”) polymers having repeating units of the formulas: wherein each of R1 and R2 is H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group containing from 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R4 is selected from a group consisting of an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group, and CF3, and X is a halogen atom. The subscript n is 0 or 1; the subscript m is 1 or 2, provided that when m is 2, R2 is H. A degree of polymerization ranges from about 5 to about 1,000, and a ratio of units having formula (1) to units having formula (2) of the sulfone-containing PPO polymer ranges from about 10:90 to about 90:10.

Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.

Abstract: A sulfonyl-substituted polyphenylene-ether polymer having improved dielectric properties and methods for making the same. The sulfonyl-substituted PPE include sulfone-containing polyphenylene oxides (“PPO”) polymers having repeating units of the formulas: wherein each of R1 and R2 is H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group containing from 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R4 is selected from a group consisting of an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group, and CF3, and X is a halogen atom. The subscript n is 0 or 1; the subscript m is 1 or 2, provided that when m is 2, R2 is H. A degree of polymerization ranges from about 5 to about 1,000, and a ratio of units having formula (1) to units having formula (2) of the sulfone-containing PPO polymer ranges from about 10:90 to about 90:10.

Abstract: A sulfonyl-substituted polyphenylene-ether polymer having improved dielectric properties and methods for making the same. The sulfonyl-substituted PPE include sulfone-containing polyphenylene oxides (“PPO”) polymers having repeating units of the formulas: wherein each of R1 and R2 is H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group containing from 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R4 is selected from a group consisting of an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group, and CF3, and X is a halogen atom. The subscript n is 0 or 1; the subscript m is 1 or 2, provided that when m is 2, R2 is H. A degree of polymerization ranges from about 5 to about 1,000, and a ratio of units having formula (1) to units having formula (2) of the sulfone-containing PPO polymer ranges from about 10:90 to about 90:10.

Abstract: Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: A multifunctional crosslinking agent, a crosslinked polymer, and a method of making the same are disclosed. The multifunctional crosslinking agent, which may be used to crosslink amine-terminated polyamides, polyimides, or poly(amide-imide)s, includes three or four anhydride functional groups. The multifunctional crosslinking agent may be defined by a general chemical formula (I): (Z—Ar—)n—W, wherein W represents an anhydride functional group that is directly or indirectly bonded to Ar; Ar represents an aryl group that is directly bonded to W; and n is equal to 3 when W is P?O or N, or n is equal to 4 when W is Si or a carbon moiety.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a shape memory polymer into a three-dimensional object is provided. The method includes forming a film of crosslinked poly(amic acid) on a substrate to provide a laminated substrate; forming the laminated substrate into a first configuration that is in a three-dimensional form; curing the cross-linked poly(amic acid) to provide the shape memory polymer having a permanent shape corresponding to the first configuration; and removing the substrate from the laminated substrate to provide the three-dimensional object comprising the shape memory polymer. The formation of the laminated substrate into the three-dimensional object may be based on origami techniques.

Abstract: A sulfonyl-substituted polyphenylene-ether polymer having improved dielectric properties and methods for making the same. The sulfonyl-substituted PPE include sulfone-containing polyphenylene oxides (“PPO”) polymers having repeating units of the formulas: wherein each of R1 and R2 is H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkylene group containing from 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R4 is selected from a group consisting of an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryl group, and CF3, and X is a halogen atom. The subscript n is 0 or 1; the subscript m is 1 or 2, provided that when m is 2, R2 is H. A degree of polymerization ranges from about 5 to about 1,000, and a ratio of units having formula (1) to units having formula (2) of the sulfone-containing PPO polymer ranges from about 10:90 to about 90:10.

Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.

Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.

Abstract: Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: Compositions of azobenzene-containing, photomechanically active, copoly(amic acids) and linear copolyimides including an azobenzenediamine, a rigid dianhydride, and a flexible dianhydride are provided; and methods of making the same.

Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.

Abstract: Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: Bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers and a method of synthesizing the monomers are provided. The bis(azo-benzene) diamine monomers, in combination with amine reactive monomers, form polymers, such as polyimides and copolyimides, having photomechanical and thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: Photo-active cross-linkers derived from a tris(azobenzene)-containing compound with the following generic structure: wherein for meta-azo substitution, R is equal to H, and for para-azo substitution, R is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, CF3, and CH3.

Abstract: Ketoxime- and amide-functionalized nanomaterials. The nanomaterials including a nanomaterial comprising a carbon nanotube or a carbon nanofiber. At least one ketoxime group coupled to a first location on the nanomaterial, and at least one amide group coupled to a second location on the nanomaterial.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of preparation for symmetrical and unsymmetrical diamines containing three ether-linked benzonitrile moieties that may be used as monomers for the manufacture of a variety of functional polymers. For example, the presently disclosed multi(ether-benzonitrile) diamines may polymerize with: (i) a dianhydride to form a polyimide; (ii) a diacid chloride directly or with a dicarboxylic acid (diacid) in conjunction with a suitable promoter/catalyst combination such as triethylphosphite/pyridine to form a polyamide; and (iii) 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride (trimellitic anhydride), trimellitic anhydride chloride, or a diacid/diacid chloride derived from trimellitic anhydride and an aromatic diamine to form a poly(amide-imide).