Abstract: Materials and methods for conducting an atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of oxygen by interlocking enzymatic activities are provided herein.

Abstract: A mixture of polymers with lubricating properties is provided. The polymer can be used to produce a lubricating fluid. They can also be born on a surface or embedded in a porous material. This mixture of polymers comprises (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable bottle-brush polymer comprising a backbone with polymeric pendant chains, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable linear polymer. In the lubricating fluid, the bottle-brush polymer and the linear polymer are dissolved together in a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent.

Abstract: A composition formed by dispersing at least a plurality of first particles within a matrix material and dispersing at least a plurality of second particles within the matrix material, the second particles being different from the first particles, wherein interaction between the at least a plurality of second particles and the at least a plurality of first particles determines a spatial distribution of the plurality of second particles within the matrix material.

Abstract: A biocompatible, water-soluble polymer includes segments formed via an atom transfer radical polymerization and including sulfoxide functionality. The segments including sulfoxide functionality have a dispersity less than or equal to 1.

Abstract: Methods for conducting controlled grafting-from radical polymerizations from biomolecules under conditions that are biologically compatible are described. The methods provide biomolecule-polymer conjugates with highly controlled structures and narrow polydispersities under aqueous reaction conditions and biological temperatures. Biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleotides can be conjugated to polymers with high levels of control.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing radically (co)polymerizable monomers at a temperature between ?10° C. and 110° C. in an aqueous system comprising one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomer(s) is disclosed, and includes a molar excess of a ligand forming a soluble transition metal complex with an added transition metal salt that participates in a reversible reduction-oxidation cycle with one of an added site specific functional initiator and a dormant polymer chain having a radically transferable atom or group. The initial soluble catalyst complex concentration in the higher oxidation state is less than or equal to 2500 ppm. The reaction is conducted in the presence of an activator regenerator. The mole fraction of the soluble lower activator oxidation state transition metal formed by action of the activator regenerator, to transition metal in a higher deactivator oxidation state is less than 10%. The formed polymer chains have a dispersity of less than 1.5.

Abstract: A composition includes a polymer including extending chains, side chains, or branches. One (or more) of a plurality of a first strand of nucleic acid is attached to each of a plurality of the side chains. One (or more) of a plurality of a second strand of nucleic acid, which is complementary to the first strand of nucleic acid, is complexed to each of the plurality of the first strand of nucleic acid to form a double strand of nucleic acid on each of the plurality of the side chains. At least one fluorescent compound is associated with the double strand of nucleic acid on each of the plurality of the side chains.

Abstract: Herein, we describe polymerized ionic liquids, demonstrate the synthesis of polymerized ionic liquids, and demonstrate the polymerization of triazolium monomers. One embodiment shows the polymeriazation of the triazolium monomers with bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anions. In another embodiment we show the feasibility of copolymerizing with commodity monomers such as styrene using free radical polymerization techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a protein-polymer composition having a protein with a site-specifically incorporated unnatural amino acid initiator and a covalently attached polymer.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a polynucleotide composition includes attaching a compound including at least one initiator or at least one transfer agent for a reversible deactivation radical polymerization to an end of a nucleotide chain assembly immobilized upon a solid phase support during a solid phase synthesis of a polynucleotide so that the initiator or the transfer agent is attacked to the end of a nucleotide chain assembly in a manner which is stable under conditions of deprotection of the polynucleotide, and growing a polymer from the initiator of from a site of the chain transfer agent via the reversible deactivation radical polymerization to form the polynucleotide composition.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally ordered macroporous hydrogel for immobilizing a selected bioresponsive molecule and method of making are disclosed. The three-dimensionally ordered macroporous hydrogel comprises a crosslinked polymer that has a system of interconnected pores. The interconnected pores have a uniform pore size in the range of 50 to 5000 nm, and a plurality of first pore functional groups. The plurality of first pore functional groups is selected to immobilize a selected bioresponsive molecule. Examples of bioresponsive molecules include an enzyme; a molecule for: a protein scaffold, solid phase synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, polypeptide synthesis, analyte detection, adsorption of analytes and measuring analyte concentrations, organic synthesis, and degradation of biologically active agents in wastewater. A method includes forming a colloidal crystal template, polymerizing a hydrogel within the pores of the colloidal crystal template, and selectively removing the colloidal crystal template.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a polynucleotide composition includes attaching a compound including at least one initiator or at least one transfer agent for a reversible deactivation radical polymerization to an end of a nucleotide chain assembly immobilized upon a solid phase support during a solid phase synthesis of a polynucleotide so that the initiator or the transfer agent is attacked to the end of a nucleotide chain assembly in a manner which is stable under conditions of deprotection of the polynucleotide, and growing a polymer from the initiator of from a site of the chain transfer agent via the reversible deactivation radical polymerization to form the polynucleotide composition.

Abstract: Methods for conducting controlled grafting-from radical polymerizations from biomolecules under conditions that are biologically compatible are described. The methods provide biomolecule-polymer conjugates with highly controlled structures and narrow polydispersities under aqueous reaction conditions and biological temperatures. Biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleotides can be conjugated to polymers with high levels of control.

Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of an exemplary ATRP catalyst, CIIBr2/Me6TREN, is shown to be an efficient process to mediate and execute an ATRP. The onset of polymerization occurs only through passage of a cathodic current achieved under a reductive potential to form CuIBr2/Me6TREN, within the reaction medium. Unprecedented control over the polymerization kinetics can be attained through electrochemical methods by modulating the magnitude of the applied potential allowing polymerization rate enhancement or retardation. Additional polymerization control is gained through electrochemical “dials” allowing polymerization rate enhancements achieved by larger applied potentials and the ability to successfully switch a polymerization “on” and “off between dormant and active states by application of multistep intermittent potentials.

Abstract: Carbon-based nanomaterials comprising graphitic domains that are doped with heteroatoms are disclosed. Processes for the production the nanomaterials, methods of using the nanomaterials, and articles or devices comprising the nanomaterials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A series of ligands with site specific electron donating substituents that form a catalyst complex with a transition metal and are suitable for catalysis of atom transfer radical reactions, including ATRP are described. Faster catalysis rates were observed allowing for low catalyst concentrations and linear increases in molecular weight with monomer conversion, and narrow molecular weight distributions. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that increasing the strength and number of conjugated electron donating groups resulted in more stable complexes and larger ATRP equilibrium constants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization inhibitor composition and a method of inhibiting polymerization of distillable monomers in liquid and evaporated/condensed phases with the polymerization inhibitor composition. The polymerization inhibitor composition is useful for inhibiting polymerization of the distillable monomers during manufacture, purification (e.g., distillation), handling, and storage thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a protein-polymer composition having a protein with a site-specifically incorporated unnatural amino acid initiator and a covalently attached polymer.

Abstract: A method of forming a composition includes adding together a plurality of particle brush systems wherein each of the particle brush systems includes a particle and a polymer brush including a plurality of polymer chains attached to the particle. The plurality of polymer chains of the polymer brush exhibit two chain conformations as the degree of polymerization of the polymer chains increases so that the polymer brush includes a concentrated polymer brush region with stretched polymer chains and a semi-dilute polymer brush region with relaxed chains that is radially outside of the concentrated polymer brush region. The degree of polymerization of the polymer brush is no less than 10% less than a critical degree of polymerization and no more than 20% greater than the critical degree of polymerization. The critical degree of polymerization is defined as the degree of polymerization required to achieve a transition from the concentrated polymer brush region to the semi-dilute polymer brush region.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing radically (co)polymerizable monomers at a temperature between ?10° C. and 110° C. in an aqueous system comprising one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomer(s) is disclosed, and includes a molar excess of a ligand forming a soluble transition metal complex with an added transition metal salt that participates in a reversible reduction-oxidation cycle with one of an added site specific functional initiator and a dormant polymer chain having a radically transferable atom or group. The initial soluble catalyst complex concentration in the higher oxidation state is less than or equal to 2500 ppm. The reaction is conducted in the presence of an activator regenerator. The mole fraction of the soluble lower activator oxidation state transition metal formed by action of the activator regenerator, to transition metal in a higher deactivator oxidation state is less than 10%. The formed polymer chains have a dispersity of less than 1.5.