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: A method for producing a surface-functionalised object involves: (i) providing negative mould (2) with a surface topography complementary to that desired on the object; (ii) applying a functional entity (20) to the mould surface, in an exciting medium; (iii) forming the object (21) in or on the mould (2), the object being in direct contact, as it forms, with the functional entity (20); and (iv) releasing the object (21) from the mould, wherein during steps (iii) and/or (iv), at least some (22) of the functional entity (20) is transferred from the mould to the object, whilst a proportion remains on the mould (2) surface. The method can be used to functionalise the surface of an object as it is cast, and the mould can be re-used to form multiple replicate objects. The invention also provides an object produced using the method, and a surface-functionalised negative mould for use in the method.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous polymer structure involves (i) forming a polymer; (ii) subsequently contacting the polymer with a nonsolvent and inducing the formation of an emulsion in which the nonsolvent is present as the dispersed phase and the polymer as the continuous phase; and (iii) removing at least some of the nonsolvent so as to leave pores within the polymer, wherein the polymer is formed by exciting one or more molecules in an exciting medium, in particular by pulsed plasma deposition. Emulsion formation in step (ii) may be induced by or in the presence of an emulsion stabilising agent. Also provided is a porous polymer structure produced using the method, and a polymer which is impregnated with an emulsion stabilising agent, for use in the emulsion formation step of the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a reactive thiol containing coating to a substrate. The method includes subjecting the substrate to a plasma discharge in the presence of a compound of formula (I) or formula (Ia): 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; Rn is a number of optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or heterocyclic groups, where n is 0-5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of rendering the surface of a substrate, or at least part of the substrate, to have increased protein resistance. This is achieved by applying an n-substituted glyconic derivative onto the surface of the substrate, or areas or domains of the substrate surface, to allow the pattern resistance to be changed in those areas where the material is applied. In one embodiment the deposition is performed in or in conjunction with a plasma.

Abstract: A thin fluoropolymer film is bonded to a substrate for medical, filtration or packaging purposes by using a pulsed or combination of gas and electrical pulsed cold plasma polymerization procedures.

Abstract: A method of applying a thin film to a body comprising exposing the body to pulsed-gas cold-plasma polymerization of an unsaturated-carboxylic acid monomer thereby forming a polymer film on a surface of the body.