Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a liquid entrapping device comprising an absorbent component, hydrophilic elastomeric fibrous component in fluid communication therewith, and optionally an adhesive component. The present invention is also directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids while maintaining a suitable degree of mechanical strength. Furthermore, the present invention is generally directed to methods for making and using the foregoing devices and materials.

Abstract: A method for creating a non-adhesive, water-absorbent wound dressing includes creating a mixture of monomers, crosslinker, initiator, and solvent, initiating polymerization of the monomers to begin polymerization of the monomers; quenching the polymerization of the monomers when the mixture has a viscosity suitable for electrospinning; electrospinning the polymer mixture to form a fibrous membrane; and thereafter further polymerizing and crosslinking the fibrous membrane. The monomers are chosen from select species and, following this process, provide wound dressings that are nonadherent to a wound so as to be potentially reusable; superabsorbent; non-biofouling. With the addition of antimicrobial cations, the wound dressings also provide antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new method of polymerizing ethylene. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds utilized in the polymerization of ethylene and to a synthesis/polymerization method that uses same. In another embodiment branched polyethylene is synthesized from an ethylene monomer using, in this embodiment, at least one nickel iminophosphonamide (PN2) complex. In still another embodiment, the reaction of (phenyl) (triphenylphosphine) (diphenyl-bis (trimethylsilylimino) phosphorato)-nickel, with Rh(acac) (C2H4)2 and ethylene yield a branched polyethylene. In an alternative of this embodiment, the reaction of (phenyl) (triphenylphosphine) (methyl-cis(trimethylsilyl)amino-bis(trimethylsilylimino) phosphorato)-nickel and ethylene, with or without Ni(COD)2, yields a branched polyethylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to block polymers, for example, arborescent copolymer compounds, and to methods of making and purifying such compounds. In one embodiment, the invention relates to arborescent polymer compounds that contain one or more styrene polymeric blocks in combination with one or more isobutylene polymeric blocks. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for purifying arborescent polymer compounds that contain at least one styrene polymeric block in combination with at least one isobutylene polymeric block.

Abstract: A method for the production of hyperbranched polyacrylates includes the step of reacting acrylic inimers through controlled living polymerization in aqueous conditions. The inimers may have the formula: Wherein X is a halogen, a thiocarbonylthio or nitroxide group, and R is hydrogen, methyl, dodecyl, and groups containing mesogenin substituents, fluorocarbon substituents, siloxane substituents and oxyethylene substituents. In particular, the aqueous condition is emulsion or miniemulsion. The polymerization may be reverse ATRP, SN&RI and AGET polymerization or RAFT polymerization (with thiocarbonylthio X groups) or nitroxide mediated polyeization (with nitroxide X groups).