Abstract: A process for coating a surface comprising applying a solution containing a polymer obtained by polymerizing a phospholipid of the following formula (I): ##STR1##

Abstract: A graft polymer obtainable by grafting a polymer substrate with a compound of formula (I), in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; X is an aryl group or a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C.sub.1-4 alkyl groups; n is from 2 to 4; and A is a reactive group, is useful as a biocompatible material in contact lenses, biomedical devices and blood-containing devices. In a preferred embodiment A is a polymerizable group and the graft polymer is produced by radical initiated polymerization of the compound of formula (I) on the substrate which is initiated by a radical-forming group on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrochemical reference element is proposed having a metal electrode such as silver coated with the tetraphenyl (TPB) salt of the metal. The element may form the internal reference of an ion selective electrode with an ion selective membrane carried directly upon the TPB coating. The element provides a thermodynamically reversible couple suitable for use in a non-aqueous environment.