Abstract: A conductive (electrical, ionic, and photoelectric) polymer membrane article, comprising a non-woven membrane of polymer fibers, wherein at least some of the fibers have diameters of less than one micron; and wherein the membrane has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10−6 S/cm. Also disclosed is the method of making such an article, comprising electrostatically spinning a spin dope comprising a polymer carrier and/or a conductive polymer or conductive nanoparticles, to provide inherent conductivity in the article.

Abstract: A conductive (electrical, ionic, and photoelectric) polymer membrane article, comprising a non-woven membrane of polymer fibers, wherein at least some of the fibers have diameters of less than one micron; and wherein the membrane has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10−6 S/cm. Also disclosed is the method of making such an article, comprising electrostatically spinning a spin dope comprising a polymer carrier and/or a conductive polymer or conductive nanoparticles, to provide inherent conductivity in the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for enzymatic polymerization which includes (1) obtaining a reaction mixture including a monomer, a template, and an enzyme; and (2) incubating the reaction mixture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the monomer to align along the template and polymerize to form a polymer-template complex. The template can be a micelle, a borate-containing electrolyte, or lignin sulfonate. Such a complex possesses exceptional electrical and optical stability, water solubility, and processibility, and can be used in applications such as light-weight energy storage devices (e.g., rechargeable batteries), electrolytic capacitors, anti-static and anti-corrosive coatings for smart windows, and biological sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for enzymatic polymerization which includes (1) obtaining a reaction mixture including a monomer, a template, and an enzyme; and (2) incubating the reaction mixture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the monomer to align along the template and polymerize to form a polymer-template complex. The template can be a micelle, a borate-containing electrolyte, or lignin sulfonate. Such a complex possesses exceptional electrical and optical stability, water solubility, and processibility, and can be used in applications such as light-weight energy storage devices (e.g., rechargeable batteries), electrolytic capacitors, anti-static and anti-corrosive coatings for smart windows, and biological sensors.

Abstract: The micelle contains multiple units, each of which contains a hydrophobic part and a hydrophilic part. A preferred unit is dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid. Borate-containing electrolytes include trifluoroborate, trimethylborate and hydrobis(pyridine)boron. Enzymes include peroxidases such as horseradish peroxidase or lignin peroxidase, and laccase. Monomers include unsubstituted and substituted anilines and unsubstituted and substituted phenols. A method is provided for enzymatic polymerization which includes (1) obtaining a reaction mixture including a monomer, a template, and an enzyme; and (2) incubating the reaction mixture for a time and under conditions sufficient for the monomer to align along the template and polymerize to form a polymer-template complex. The template can be a micelle, a borate-containing electrolyte, or lignin sulfonate.

Abstract: Hematin, a hydroxyferriprotoporphyrin, is derivatized with one or more non-proteinaceous amphipathic groups. The derivatized hematin can serve as a mimic of horseradish peroxidase in polymerizing aromatic monomers, such as aromatic compounds. These derivatized hematins can also be used as catalysts in polymerizing aromatic monomers, and can exhibit significantly greater catalytic activity than underivatized hematin in acidic solutions. In one embodiment, polymerization is in the presence of a template, along which aromatic monomers align. An assembled hematin includes alternating layers of hematin and a polyelectrolyte, which are deposited on an electrically charged substrate. Assembled hematin can also be used to polymerize aromatic monomers.

Abstract: A conductive (electrical, ionic, and photoelectric) polymer membrane article, comprising a non-woven membrane of polymer fibers, wherein at least some of the fibers have diameters of less than one micron; and wherein the membrane has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10−6 S/cm. Also disclosed is the method of making such an article, comprising electrostatically spinning a spin dope comprising a polymer carrier and/or a conductive polymer or conductive nanoparticles, to provide inherent conductivity in the article.

Abstract: Polymers are formed enzymatically in the presence of an oligomeric or polymeric template. The method includes combining at least one redox monomer or, in some cases, a redox oligomer, with a template and an enzyme, such as horseradish peroxidase, to form a reaction mixture. The redox monomer or oligomer aligns along the template before or during the polymerization, the template thereby affecting at least one physical property of the resulting polymer, such as the molecular weight or shape of the polymer. In one embodiment, the template can be a polyelectrolyte or an optically active polymer.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers are formed by combining a water-soluble analog of a water-insoluble monomer, such as a water-insoluble redox monomer, with a water-based solvent and an enzyme. The water-soluble polymers formed can be electrically conductive or optically active. The water-soluble analog can be copolymerized with a water-insoluble redox monomer to form a copolymer that is also water-soluble. Polymers formed by the method of this invention can be layered on a surface to form, for example, alternating layers of polyanions and polycations.

Abstract: A photodetection device uses configurations of photodynamic proteins which exhibit a change in electrical conductivity in response to a corresponding change in incident light intensity in the presence of an applied voltage. The photodynamic proteins are coupled to an electrical conductor, a voltage source and a conductivity sensor. The photodynamic protein complex includes at least one layer of a photodynamic protein and preferably includes a multi-layered thin-film structure with each layer comprised of either a photodynamic protein or a conductive polymer or oligomer. Groups of linked photodetectors where the photodetectors have different, but overlapping, spectral response ranges are used to detect specific wavelengths of incident light. An array of these groups of linked photodetectors arranged in a predetermined spatial pattern allows detection of both colon and images.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having photo-electronic properties and methods of making the same. The instant films may be made, for example, by spreading a mixture of one or more types of biotinylated lipids and one or more types of electrically-conductive lipids over a water-miscible liquid subphase. Conjugated molecules comprising a biotin-binding component made up of an avidin or streptavidin molecule or a fragment or derivative thereof having biotin-binding activity and a photodynamic proteinaceous component are then injected into the subphase. Because of the affinity between biotin and the biotin-binding component, the conjugated molecules bind to the biotinylated lipids. The air-subphase interface is then compressed, causing the biotinylated lipids and electrically-conductive lipids to form a monolayer thereat.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing enzyme-catalyzed polymers using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In one embodiment, the process comprises spreading one or more enzyme-polymerizable monomers on a water-miscible solvent. The monomers are sufficiently surface active that they align themselves on the air-solvent interface. Next, pressure is applied to the interface to form a monolayer made up of the monomers. An enzyme is then introduced into the solvent, causing polymerization of the monomers in the monolayer. The polymeric monolayers produced by the present method are easier to process and have reduced cross-linking and branching as compared to similar polymers produced in bulk by enzyme-catalyzed reactions.