Abstract: Bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens prepared as nanoparticles via oil/water microemulsion polymerization, sol-gel polymerizations, or a modified Stöber process. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation, with bridged incorporation necessary to ensure isolation of the sunscreen and any photo-products from skin. SPF values were found to be comparable to existing commercial sunscreens. Furthermore the bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens can be classified as broad-spectrum, and rated from moderate to superior in terms of UVA protective ability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymers comprising glycolipids and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, the polymers of the invention comprise a polymer backbone and a plurality of glycolipid side chains. The glycolipid moieties present in polymers of the invention are metal ion complexing agents. As such, polymers described herein can be used for the remediation of aqueous solutions to remove metal ions.

Abstract: The present invention features a liquid, solvent-free, silica precursor and two-photon 3D printing process to meet the increasing needs of high-precision glass micro-optics and address the major limitations of current three-dimensional (3D) printing optics. The printed optical elements may be fully converted to transparent inorganic glass at temperatures as low as 600° C. with shrinkages as low as 17%. The present invention includes a complete process chain, from material development, printing process, and performance evaluation of the printed glass micro-optics. 3D printing of glass micro-optics with isotropic shrinkage, micrometer resolution, low deviation peak-to-valley value (<100 nm), and low surface roughness (<6 nm) has been demonstrated. The present invention enables the rapid fabrication of complex glass micro-optics previously impossible using conventional glass optics fabrication processes.

Abstract: Bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens prepared as nanoparticles via oil/water microemulsion polymerization, sol-gel polymerizations, or a modified Stöber process. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation, with bridged incorporation necessary to ensure isolation of the sunscreen and any photo-products from skin. SPF values were found to be comparable to existing commercial sunscreens. Furthermore the bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens can be classified as broad-spectrum, and rated from moderate to superior in terms of UVA protective ability.

Abstract: Bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens prepared as nanoparticles via oil/water microemulsion polymerization, sol-gel polymerizations, or a modified Stober process. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation, with bridged incorporation necessary to ensure isolation of the sunscreen and any photo-products from skin. SPF values of were found to be comparable to existing commercial sunscreens. Furthermore the bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens can be classified as broad-spectrum, and rate from moderate to superior in terms of UVA protective ability.

Abstract: Organosilicon polymer foams are synthesized using a Carboni-Lindsey reaction of a tetrazine with a siloxane polymer having at least one of alkenyl or alkynyl functional groups. Optionally, the reaction may also comprise a second polymer having at least one of alkenyl or alkynyl functional groups. The organosilicon polymer foams may be crosslinked thermoset foams. The foams may be flexible or rubbery.

Abstract: Herein polymers and particles which comprise a plurality of dihydropyridazine or hydropyridazine functional groups are described. Methods for their formation and specific monomers which may be used in their formation are also described. The polymers and particles are UV absorbing, hydrogen-donor antioxidant materials which signal a depletion of antioxidant ability by a decrease in visible fluorescence. These polymers and particles may be used as UV protectants for a variety of materials and substrates and may even be used in a topically applied formulation for human skin.

Abstract: Organosilicon polymer foams are synthesized using a Carboni-Lindsey reaction of a tetrazine with a siloxane polymer having at least one of alkenyl or alkynyl functional groups. Optionally, the reaction may also comprise a second polymer having at least one of alkenyl or alkynyl functional groups. The organosilicon polymer foams may be crosslinked thermoset foams. The foams may be flexible or rubbery.

Abstract: Dihydropyridazines compounds having antioxidant properties and uses thereof are described herein. These compounds can function as antioxidants that prevent oxidation of materials, including polymers, and as free radical inhibitors to stabilize reactive chemicals, such as monomers against free radical reactions. The dihydropyridazines can be added as small molecule additives or they can be incorporated into molecules bearing dienophilic C?C double bonds through a Carboni Lindsey reaction, which can reduce environmental and health exposure to antioxidants in plastics and allow for a greater quantity of the antioxidants to be used.

Abstract: Herein polymers and particles which comprise a plurality of dihydropyridazine or hydropyridazine functional groups are described. Methods for their formation and specific monomers which may be used in their formation are also described. The polymers and particles are UV absorbing, hydrogen-donor antioxidant materials which signal a depletion of antioxidant ability by a decrease in visible fluorescence. These polymers and particles may be used as UV protectants for a variety of materials and substrates and may even be used in a topically applied formulation for human skin.

Abstract: Antioxidant polymer foams and uses thereof are described herein. These foams are synthesized using a Carboni-Lindsey reaction of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine with a polymer having alkenyl functional groups. The foams feature dihydropyridazine functional groups which can be oxidized to consume surrounding reactive oxidizing chemicals and are consequently antioxidant.

Abstract: Coumarin modification of epoxies provide for epoxy adhesives that fluoresce under short wave ultraviolet irradiation while remaining invisible under normal light. Furthermore, these modified epoxy adhesives can have increased adhesive bond strengths. In addition, photochemical curing of an epoxy modified coumarin and a hardening agent with UV irradiation at certain wavelengths affords an epoxy adhesive composition. Further UV irradiation of the composition at certain wavelengths causes photoscission, which breaks the crosslinks that make the cured epoxy adhesive insoluble and intractable.

Abstract: Thermally reworkable epoxy resins prepared through a Diels-Alder reaction are described herein. A maleimide component is reacted with an electron donating component having a furan ring attached to an epoxy ether to produce the epoxy resins. The epoxy component generated by this method can be cured with different diamines lo form a robust network of epoxy material. The robust epoxy material is used as a reversible thermoset and as an adhesive. The robust epoxy network is heated at 90° C. temperature in a retro Diels-Alder fashion to produce colorless starting materials of the maleimide component and the furan component.

Abstract: Hydrotetrazine compounds having antioxidant properties and uses thereof are described herein. These compounds may be dihydrotetrazines, tetrahydrotetrazines, or hexahydrotetrazines that can be utilized as antioxidants for use in thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers; free radical inhibitors to stabilize reactive chemicals, such as monomers against free radical polymerizations; and as anticorrosion agents in coatings to protect against metal oxidation. The hydrogenated tetrazines can donate hydrogen atom equivalents to terminate radical chain reactions. These compounds can change colors to signal when oxidation has occurred, and can be further recycled by reduction reactions.

Abstract: A method of making a solid composition by reacting a tetrazine component and a polymer component through an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction (IEDDA). The solid composition formed by the Diels-Alder reaction is in the form of either a foam or a powder depending on the functional groups of the tetrazine component. The polymer component can be various substituted polybutadienes, mixtures of stereoisomeric polydienes, and polybutadiene copolymers. The gas produced during the reaction is nitrogen, hence, the solid composition can be considered a greener material than polyurethanes, which involves carbon monoxide release during the course of the reaction. The aromatized polymer can act as a built in anti-oxidant with up to two hydrogen atom equivalents per dihydropyridazine group. The polymers of dihydropyridazines are converted to polymeric pyridazine groups by aromatization and the aromatic polymer becomes more stable.

Abstract: Polymeric sunscreen particles are prepared from organic monomers such as aldehydes, phenols, amines and carboxylic acids. Polymerization methods include, oxidative polymerization, micro-emulsion polymerization and nucleation-directed polymerization. The particles have the ability to absorb both UVA and UVB radiation. The sunscreens prepared in the present invention are inexpensive and non-toxic and may be prepared from bio-based materials.

Abstract: Bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens prepared as nanoparticles via sunscreen oil/water microemulsion polymerization, sol-gel polymerizations, or a modified Stöber process. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation, with bridged incorporation necessary to ensure isolation of the sunscreen and any photo-products from skin. SPF values of were found to be comparable to existing commercial sunscreens. Furthermore the bridged poly-silsesquioxane based sunscreens can be classified as broad-spectrum, and rate from moderate to superior in terms of UVA protective ability.

Abstract: Coumarin modification of epoxies provide for epoxy adhesives that fluoresce under short wave ultraviolet irradiation while remaining invisible under normal light. Furthermore, these modified epoxy adhesives can have increased adhesive bond strengths. In addition, photochemical curing of an epoxy modified coumarin and a hardening agent with UV irradiation at certain wavelengths affords an epoxy adhesive composition. Further UV irradiation of the composition at certain wavelengths causes photoscission, which breaks the crosslinks that make the cured epoxy adhesive insoluble and intractable.

Abstract: UV absorbing monomers having one or more alkoxysilyl functional groups are produced through epoxide reaction chemistry. Sol-gel or emulsion polymerization of said UV absorbing monomers by themselves, or with alkoxysilane comonomers, affords nanoparticle sunscreens with reduced chemical exposure and improved photostability. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation to ensure isolation of the sunscreen chromophores and any photo-products from the skin.

Abstract: Antioxidant polymer foams and uses thereof are described herein. These foams are synthesized using a Carboni-Lindsey reaction of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine with a polymer having alkenyl functional groups. The foams feature dihydropyridazine functional groups which can be oxidized to consume surrounding reactive oxidizing chemicals and are consequently antioxidant.