Abstract: Sulfonated multiblock copolymers, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The sulfonated copolymers are useful for providing non-thrombogenic coatings, e.g., for medical devices, and for promoting cell growth, differentiation, or production of normal cell products. The sulfonated copolymers are also useful for administration of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method of separating a material from a liquid sample comprising:providing a system for material separation having a stationary phase having a metalloporphyrin coordination compound or a metallophthalocyanine coordination compound or a mixture thereof;oxidizing or reducing the coordination compound, respectively, to an oxidized or reduced state at which the material will bind to the compound;applying a source of electric potential to the system; andcontacting the oxidized or reduced coordination compound with a liquid sample containing the material under conditions effective to separate the material from the liquid.

Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for an electrochemical cell and a fuel cell employing the electrode are disclosed. The electrode includes a porous body in contact with a catalyst layer comprising (i) a catalyst dispersed on the surface of a carbon support; (ii) a water-insoluble sulfonated polystyrene, poly(.alpha.-methylstyrene) or SEBS block copolymer; and (iii) a nonionic fluorocarbon polymer. The fuel cell includes two of the foregoing electrodes and a membrane of a proton-conducting polymer between the electrodes. It also includes an inlet for a gaseous fuel, an inlet for an oxygen-containing gas, and an outlet for reaction products.

Abstract: A biopolymer film and other materials that exhibit nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and a method for making this film. Alignment of biopolymer molecules, which is required for NLO phenomena, is achieved by application of an electric field parallel to the surface of a biopolymer solution as the film is formed. In one embodiment, a solution of poly(.gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamate), PBLG, in methylene chloride is employed. Upon application of an electric field, laminar structures perpendicular to both the field direction and to the film surface are formed. These ordered structures are captured in the film upon evaporation of the biopolymer solvent.

Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of sulfonated silicones is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of (a) hydrosilylating an olefin-terminal silylketene acetal with a hydrosiloxane; (b) treating the ketene acetal with a trialkylsilylsulfonyl chloride and (c) hydrolyzing the resulting .alpha.-trialkylsilyl ester to provide a salt of an .alpha.-sulfonate. Useful products of the process are also disclosed; they comprise several genera of .alpha.-sulfonate esters pendant from siloxanes and polysiloxanes. The products are useful as polymer electrolytes and as sustained or controlled release substrates for the administration of medicines.

Abstract: A novel route to the manufacture of substituted polyacetylenes is disclosed in which polyacetylene is first reduced to render it n-type conductor and then treated with an organic halide to form an organic-substituted polyacetylene.

Abstract: Polyacetylene, doped with iodine, can be stabilized against aqueous deterioration by immersion in moderately concentrated chloride solutions.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive polymer comprising a blend of at least one processable polymer, polyacetylene and a dopant by impregnating the processable polymer with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst; exposing the impregnated polymer to acetylene gas, whereby substantially linear molecules of polyacetylene are formed within a matrix of the processable polymer; and introducing a dopant into the polyacetylene, whereby a conductive blend is formed.