Abstract: A method for fabricating surface tethered chiroptical switches that constitute polymer chains bearing chromophoric functional groups with the ability to undergo geometrical re-alignment upon irradiation with polarized light to yield a measurable chiral anisotropy, by formation of a layer on a substrate by deposition of a compound containing at least one functional group and attachment of chiro-optical molecule to said functional group.

Abstract: The invention features a method of creating a polymer brush bearing covalently bound polymeric side chains, comprising the steps of: (a) deposition, onto a substrate, of a halogen containing initiator film or a precursor which is derivatized into a halogen containing initiator film; (b) surface ATRP growth, from the halogen containing initiator film formed in step (a), of a polymeric brush backbone incorporating side groups; (c) growth, from the polymeric brush backbone formed in step (b), of polymeric side chains on the polymeric brush backbone, to form a polymer brush in which the polymeric side chains constitute the bristles of the brush.

Abstract: A method of photopatterning rewritable reactive groups onto surfaces using typically a plasmachemical deposition of functionalized materials, followed by molecular printing of inks. Subsequent treatment of the reactive groups allows for surface rewriting and also the method allows for the creation of either positive or negative image multifunctional rewritable patterned surfaces.

Abstract: A delivery system for an active substance, comprising a substrate on which the substance is loaded for subsequent release, wherein: (i) the substrate has been at least partially coated with a polymer using plasma deposition (preferably pulsed plasma deposition); (ii) the active substance is present as a guest molecule within a cyclodextrin inclusion complex; and (iii) the inclusion complex is bound to the polymer through a chemical linkage formed between a hydroxyl group on the cyclodextrin and a functional group on the polymer. The system may be used to control the release of an active substance such as a perfume. Also provided are methods for preparing (a) the delivery system and (b) a functionalised substrate for use as part of the system, in which the polymer is suitably reacted with a cyclodextrin using an S N 2 nucleophilic substitution reaction, in particular a Williamson ether synthesis reaction.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a reactive aldehyde containing coating to a substrate. The method includes subjecting a substrate to a plasma discharge in the presence of a compound of formula (I): Where X is an optionally substituted straight or branched alkylene chain(s) or aryl group(s); R1, R2 or R3 are optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclic groups, and m is an integer greater than 0.

Abstract: A printing ink for inkjet printing for improving the durability and image quality of an inkjet image including: a) a liquid carrier; b) ionic dye molecules with surface charge dissolved in the liquid carrier; and c) plate-like nanoparticles having parallel main surfaces, and minor edge surfaces, dispersed in the liquid carrier, with the main surfaces of the nanoparticles having a same sign of surface charge as the ionic dye molecule. Durability and image quality of an inkjet image is improved using the inventive ink, while also enabling a stable, printable formulation that does not require milling of the ink colorant.

Abstract: A method of forming a printed image on an image receiving element is disclosed, comprising: providing an image receiving element comprising at least one activatable stiffening and/or thickening layer which comprises a polymer matrix and an activatable material; printing an image over a designated area of said image receiving element, and substantially uniformly and non-imagewise activating said activatable stiffening and/or thickening layer over the designated area of said image receiving element after step (b) to produce a printed image receiving element with an activated stiffened and/or thickened layer.

Abstract: A printing ink for inkjet printing for improving the durability and image quality of an inkjet image comprising: a) a liquid carrier; b) ionic dye molecules with surface charge dissolved in the liquid carrier; and c) plate-like nanoparticles having parallel main surfaces, and minor edge surfaces, dispersed in the liquid carrier, with the main surfaces of the nanoparticles having a same sign of surface charge as the ionic dye molecule. Durability and image quality of an inkjet image is improved using the inventive ink, while also enabling a stable, printable formulation that does not require milling of the ink colorant.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a coating containing reactive nitrogen functionality contained within an aromatic heterocyclic structure to a substrate. The method includes subjecting said substrate to a plasma discharge of a monomer possessing said heterocyclic nitrogen functionality.

Abstract: An ink composition of an organic solvent and composite colorant polymer particles, wherein the composite colorant polymer particles have a colorant phase and a polymer phase, the polymer phase of the particles being formed in situ in the presence of the colorant, the composite colorant polymer particles having a mean particle size of less than about 200 nm.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, comprises latex polymer-carbon black composite particles. Such imaging members can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and the latex polymer-carbon black composite particles as a photothermal conversion material. The latex polymer-carbon black composite particles can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents without agglomeration with other components such as charged polymers.

Abstract: A process for making composite colorant particles comprising, in order: I) suspending in an aqueous medium, under agitation, finely divided colorant particles to form an aqueous colorant mixture; II) adding to the aqueous colorant mixture an addition polymerization initiator; and III) causing the addition polymerization initiator to form a free radical while continuously introducing continuously to the aqueous colorant mixture a monomer mixture comprising: a) an addition polymerization initiator, and b) at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer; thereby forming the composite colorant particles having a colorant phase and a polymer phase.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, comprises latex polymer-carbon black composite particles. Such imaging members can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and the latex polymer-carbon black composite particles as a photothermal conversion material. The latex polymer-carbon black composite particles can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents without agglomeration with other components such as charged polymers.

Abstract: An ink composition of an organic solvent and composite colorant polymer particles, wherein the composite colorant polymer particles have a colorant phase and a polymer phase, the polymer phase of the particles being formed in situ in the presence of the colorant, the composite colorant polymer particles having a mean particle size of less than about 200 nm.

Abstract: A process for making composite colorant particles comprising, in order: