Abstract: This invention relates to polymers made from low molecular weight polyamide oligomers and telechelic polyamides (including copolymers) containing N-alkylated amide groups in the backbone structure. The described telechelic polyamides are used as the soft segment in the described TPU. These telechelic polyamides are unique in that they have an unexpectedly low glass-transition (desirably 30 degrees C. or lower) which makes them suitable for further reaction and polymerization, allowing for the formation of the described TPU. The resulting TPU can provide improved hydrolytic, oxidative and/or thermal stability as well as improved adhesion to other materials, especially polar materials.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of 1,3-di(chloropropyl)-5-tert-butyl benzene includes the steps of conducting Friedl-Crafts alkylation of 1,3-diisopropyl benzene by tert-butyl chloride in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to obtain 1-tert-butyl-3,5-diisopropylbenzene; peroxidizing the 1-tert-butyl-3,5-diisopropyl benzene by gaseous oxygen in the presence of a peroxidation catalyst in a basic solution to obtain 1,3-di(peroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene; reducing the 1,3-di(peroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene with a reducing agent to 1,3-di(hydroxylpropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene; and chlorinating the 1,3-di(hydroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene to obtain 1,3-di(chloropropyl)-5-tert-butyl benzene.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of 1,3-di(chloropropyl)-5-tert-butyl benzene includes the steps of conducting Friedl-Crafts alkylation of 1,3-diisopropyl benzene by tert-butyl chloride in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to obtain 1-tert-butyl-3,5-diisopropylbenzene; peroxidizing the 1-tert-butyl-3,5-diisopropyl benzene by gaseous oxygen in the presence of a peroxidation catalyst in a basic solution to obtain 1,3-di(peroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene; reducing the 1,3-di(peroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene with a reducing agent to 1,3-di(hydroxyl propyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene; and chlorinating the 1,3-di(hydroxypropyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene to obtain 1,3-di(chloropropyl)-5-tert-butyl benzene.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals and to methods of making same. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas also include at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE). In another embodiment, amine telechelic and hydroxyl telechelic polyisobutylenes are utilized with at least one at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE) to produce polyurethane-polyureas having various desired mechanical properties in combination with various desired oxidative/hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: A polymer conetwork formed from the polymerization reaction of octyl-cyanoacrylate and a tri-telechelic star polymer comprising polyisobutylene terminated with cyanoacrylate groups (Ø(PIB-CA)3), wherein the ratio of octyl cyanoacrylate to Ø(PIB-CA)3 is from about 10:1 to about 40:1.

Abstract: A polyurea or polyurea-urethane elastomer comprises a soft polymer segment and a hard polymer segment, wherein the hard polymer segment includes polyurea groups in combination with H-bond accepting chain extenders (HACEs) to reduce the flow temperature (Tflow) while maintaining the excellent mechanical properties such that the resulting polyurea elatomer is rendered melt-processable.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermoplastic amphiphilic networks and/or co-networks. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic (TP) amphiphilic co-networks (APCNs) and the preparation of membranes from such APCNs. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an amphiphilic network comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer-derived portion, at least one hydrophobic polymer-derived portion and at least one thermoplastic polymer-derived portion. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic amphiphilic co-networks prepared by combining the chemistries of APCNs and polyurethanes (PUs) and to the preparation of membranes therefrom.

Abstract: A new methodology for the synthesis of a novel difunctional- and a known trifunctional initiator, i.e., 1,3-di(2-methoxy-2-propyl)-5-isopropyl benzene and 1,3,5-tri(2-methoxy-2-propyl)benzene, respectively, for the preparation of di- and tri-telechelic polyisobutylenes. The synthesis proceeds in three steps: 1) catalytic peroxidation of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene, 2) reduction of the peroxides to the corresponding alcohols, and 3) methylation of the alcohols. By controlling the conversion of the key peroxidation step the relative ratio of di- and tri-functional intermediates can be controlled. By the use of the 1,3-di(2-methoxy-2-propyl)-5-isopropyl-benzene, well-defined di-methoxy telechelic polyisobutylenes can be synthesized. Although the overall combined yield of the two initiators was only 14-20%, because of the low cost of the starting material, reagents used, and simple manipulations these compounds represent the most cost effective initiators to-date for the preparation of telechelic polyisobutylenes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to alcohol- and amine-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB) compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to primary alcohol- and amine-terminated polyisobutylene compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds that can be used to synthesize polyurethanes and polyureas, to polyurethane and polyurea compounds made via the use of such polyisobutylene compounds, and to processes for making such compounds. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds containing urea or urethane segments therein, and to a method of producing such compounds. In still yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a polymer having one or more different soft segments and one or more different hard segments.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas also include at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE). In another embodiment, amine telechelic and hydroxyl telechelic polyisobutylenes are utilized with at least one at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE) to produce polyurethane-polyureas having various desired mechanical properties in combination with various desired oxidative/hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to amphiphilic grafts and co-networks made from at least one hydrophilic polymer and at least one hydrophobic polymer, and to processes for preparing such amphiphilic grafts and co-networks. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to amphiphilic co-networks formed from the combination of at least one polysiloxane and at least one polyacrylamide. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to amphiphilic co-networks formed from the combination of at least one polysiloxane, at least one polyacrylamide and at least one crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of amphiphilic copolymer networks or co-networks that are both hydrophobic and hydrophilic, the copolymer networks comprise polyalkylene glycol segments and disubstituted polysiloxane segments. Furthermore, the present invention relates to products and/or films made from the amphiphilic copolymer networks or co-networks produced in accordance with the synthesis methods of the present invention. In one embodiment, amphiphilic networks or co-networks are synthesized using functional multiblock co-polymers according to the formula (AY)x(BY)y, where A represents an alkylene glycol polymer having n repeating alkylene glycol units, B represents a disubstituted siloxane polymer having m repeating siloxane units, and Y represents a molecule (e.g., a silane) that functions both as a chain extender and a crosslinker.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to alcohol- and amine-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB) compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to primary alcohol- and amine-terminated polyisobutylene compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds that can be used to synthesize polyurethanes and polyureas, to polyurethane and polyurea compounds made via the use of such polyisobutylene compounds, and to processes for making such compounds. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds containing urea or urethane segments therein, and to a method of producing such compounds. In still yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a polymer having one or more different soft segments and one or more different hard segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermoplastic amphiphilic networks and/or co-networks. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic (TP) amphiphilic co-networks (APCNs) and the preparation of membranes from such APCNs. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an amphiphilic network comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer-derived portion, at least one hydrophobic polymer-derived portion and at least one thermoplastic polymer-derived portion. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic amphiphilic co-networks prepared by combining the chemistries of APCNs and polyurethanes (PUs) and to the preparation of membranes therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is relates to an apparatus and method for the determination of the oxygen gas permeability of a polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the oxygen gas permeability of a polymer membrane (e.g., a polydimethylsiloxane and/or polysiloxane polymer or copolymer). In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to oxygen gas permeable polymer compositions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals and to methods of making same. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to amphiphilic grafts and co-networks made from at least one hydrophilic polymer and at least one hydrophobic polymer, and to processes for preparing such amphiphilic grafts and co-networks. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to amphiphilic co-networks formed from the combination of at least one polysiloxane and at least one polyacrylamide. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to amphiphilic co-networks formed from the combination of at least one polysiloxane, at least one polyacrylamide and at least one crosslinking agent.