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: A conductive polymer is formed enzymatically in the presence of a polynucleotide template. The method includes combining at least one redox monomer with a polynucleotide template and a redox enzyme, such as horseradish peroxidase, to form a reaction mixture. The monomer aligns along the template before or during the polymerization. Therefore, the polynucleotide template thereby affects the molecular weight and conformation of the conductive polymer. When the conductive polymer is complexed to a polynucleotide duplex, the conformation of the polynucleotide duplex can be modulated by changing the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.

Abstract: A conductive polymer is formed enzymatically in the presence of a polynucleotide template. The method includes combining at least one redox monomer with a polynucleotide template and a redox enzyme, such as horseradish peroxidase, to form a reaction mixture. The monomer aligns along the template before or during the polymerization. Therefore, the polynucleotide template thereby affects the molecular weight and conformation of the conductive polymer. When the conductive polymer is complexed to a polynucleotide duplex, the conformation of the polynucleotide duplex can be modulated by changing the oxidation state of the conductive polymer.

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: 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: The separation profile results of capillary zone electrophoresis can be analyzed very rapidly, e.g., in 45 seconds or less, if the results are analyzed using a successive subtracting procedure to establish the separation profile as a function of time and projecting this separation profile forward in time to quantitatively analyze the separate species in the profile. The projection step can be accomplished using an algorithm along with or without Fourier transform (FT) techniques and the quantitative analysis can be carried out using principle component regression analysis (PCA) or suitable calibration procedures.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of a substance being monitored in a medium, selected from the group of substances including organophosphorus compounds and the metal ions Zn, Be and Bi, including the steps of: providing a 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound; providing a phosphatase that catalytically degrades the 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound to produce light, the catalytic activity of the phosphatase toward 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound being altered by the substance being monitored; exposing the 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound and the phosphatase together to a medium which may contain the substance being monitored; detecting light produced after the exposing step; and determining, from the detected light, the presence and concentration in the medium of the substance being monitored.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical interpenetrating polymer network which can exhibit nonlinear optical properties includes a first polymer, and a second polymer interpenetrating the first polymer. At least one of the polymers includes a nonlinear optical component. A method of forming a nonlinear optical interpenetrating polymer network which can exhibit nonlinear optical properties includes combining a first prepolymer, which can react to form a first polymer, with at least one monomer which can react to form a second polymer. At least one of either the first prepolymer or the monomer include a nonlinear optical component. The nonlinear optical component is poled and the first prepolymer and the monomer, or monomers, of the second prepolymer are reacted while the nonlinear optical component is being poled.

Abstract: A novel photocrosslinkable polymeric system has been developed for processing into films having stable second-order nonlinear optical properties. In the present system, polymers bearing photo-crosslinkable chromophores, such as polyvinylcinnamate and are reacted with appropriately designed nonlinear optical molecules with the cinnamate or other photocrosslinkable functionalities for photocrosslinking at one, two or more points. The system can be poled and photocrosslinked in the poled state to yield a material with stable optical nonlinearity and large electro-optic coefficients.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a nucleic acid polymer without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer. The method includes contacting a liquid medium, in which the nucleic acid polymer is disposed, with an electrically conductive polymer substrate. The substrate has an electrical charge which, when the substrate is contacted with said liquid medium, causes at least a portion of the nucleic acid polymer in the liquid medium to bind to said substrate without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer. The substrate is then separated from the liquid medium, whereby the bound nucleic acid polymer is removed from the liquid medium, thereby isolating the bound nucleic acid polymer from the liquid medium without substantially denaturing the nucleic acid polymer.

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: A nonlinear optical composition and a method of forming the nonlinear optical composition are disclosed. The nonlinear optical composition includes a silicon-containing component and a nonlinear optical component which causes the nonlinear optical composition to exhibit second order nonlinear optical polarization of electromagnetic radiation, such as light. The method includes forming a sol of the silicon-containing component and the nonlinear optical component of the composition. A gel is formed from the sol. The nonlinear optical component is then poled while the gel is exposed to conditions sufficient to cause formation of a nonlinear optical composition which exhibits second order nonlinear optical polarization of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A novel photocrosslinkable polymeric system has been developed for processing into films having stable second-order nonlinear optical properties. In the present system, polymers bearing photo-crosslinkable chromophores, such as polyvinylcinnamate and are reacted with appropriately designed nonlinear optical molecules with the cinnamate or other photocrosslinkable functionalities for photocrosslinking at one, two or more points. The system can be poled and photocrosslinked in the poled state to yield a material with stable optical nonlinearity and large electro-optic coefficients.

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 novel photocrosslinkable polymeric system has been developed for processing into films having stable second-order nonlinear optical properties. In the present system, polymers bearing photo-crosslinkable chromophores, such as polyvinylcinnamate and are reacted with appropriately designed nonlinear optical molecules with the cinnamate or other photocrosslinkable functionalities for photocrosslinking at one, two or more points. The system can be poled and photocrosslinked in the poled state to yield a material with stable optical nonlinearity and large electro-optic coefficients.

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.

Abstract: A novel photocrosslinkable polymeric system has been developed for processing into films having stable second-order nonlinear optical properties. In the present system, polymers bearing photocrosslinkable chromophores, such as polyvinylcinnamate and are reacted with appropriately designed nonlinear optical molecules with the cinnamate or other photocrosslinkable functionalities for photocrosslinking at one, two or more points. The system can be poled and photocrosslinked in the poled state to yield a material with stable optical nonlinearity and large electro-optic coefficients.

Abstract: A method for preparing thin large-area single crystals of diacetylene monomer represented by the formula:R--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--R'wherein R and R' are side groups selected such that the diacetylene monomer is polymerizable by a 1,4-addition solid state reaction upon exposure to actinic radiation. The method involves forming a liquid layer containing pure diacetylene monomer between two opposed surfaces; applying pressure to the liquid layer disposed between the two opposed surfaces; and crystallizing the liquid layer disposed between the two opposed surfaces while by evaporation the liquid layer is kept under constant pressure to form a thin large-area single crystal of pure diacetylene monomer.A method for preparing thin large-area single crystals of polydiacetylene is also provided. The method further involves exposing a surface of a thin large-area single crystal of diacetylene monomer to ultraviolet or gamma radiation to form a thin large-area single crystal of polydiacetylene.