Abstract: A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the polymerization process of the present invention are directed to polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of a polymerization medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst and an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the polymerization process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The polymerization process may further comprises reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the polymerization process.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of well defined star macromolecules wherein the composition of the arms are selected to induce self assembly when the multi-arm segmented star macromolecules are dispersed in a liquid. The self assembled star macromolecules modify the rheology of the dispersing media. When targeting use in aqueous based systems the inner shell of the star macromolecules comprise non-ionizable monomer units. Compositions comprising the self assemblable star macromolecules are suitable for use as rheology modifiers in a number of applications including cosmetic and personal care compositions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the polymerization process of the present invention are directed to polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of a polymerization medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst and an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the polymerization process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The polymerization process may further comprises reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the polymerization process.

Abstract: A procedure for improved temperature control in controlled radical polymerization processes is disclosed. The procedure is directed at controlling the concentration of the persistent radical in ATRP and NMP polymerizations procedures and the concentration of radicals in a RAFT polymerization process by feeding a reducing agent or radical precursor continuously or intermittently to the reaction medium through one of more ports.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.

Abstract: A procedure for improved temperature control in controlled radical polymerization processes is disclosed. The procedure is directed at controlling the concentration of the persistent radical in ATRP and NMP polymerizations procedures and the concentration of radicals in a RAFT polymerization process by feeding a reducing agent or radical precursor continuously or intermittently to the reaction medium through one of more ports.

Abstract: Polymerization processes of the present invention comprise low catalyst concentration. Embodiments include a polymerization process comprising polymerizing free radically (co)polymerizable monomers in a polymerization medium comprising one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers, a transition metal catalyst complex capable of participating in a one electron redox reaction with an ATRP initiator; a free radical initiator; and an ATRP initiator; (wherein the concentration of transition metal catalyst complex in the polymerization medium is less than 100 ppm). Further embodiments include a polymerization process, comprising polymerizing one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers in the presence of at least one transition metal catalyst complex; an ATRP initiator; and a reducing agent; wherein the transition metal catalyst complex is present at less than 10?3 mole compared to the moles of radically transferable atoms or groups present on the ATRP initiator.

Abstract: Polymerization processes of the present invention comprise low catalyst concentration. Embodiments include a polymerization process comprising polymerizing free radically (co)polymerizable monomers in a polymerization medium comprising one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers, a transition metal catalyst complex capable of participating in a one electron redox reaction with an ATRP initiator; a free radical initiator; and an ATRP initiator; (wherein the concentration of transition metal catalyst complex in the polymerization medium is less than 100 ppm). Further embodiments include a polymerization process, comprising polymerizing one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers in the presence of at least one transition metal catalyst complex; and an ATRP initiator; and a reducing agent; wherein the transition metal catalyst complex is present at less than 10?3 mole compared to the moles of radically transferable atoms or groups present on the ATRP initiator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the polymerization process of the present invention are directed to polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of a polymerization medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst and an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the polymerization process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The polymerization process may further comprise reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the polymerization process.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising star macromolecules is provided. Each star macromolecule has a core and five or more arms, wherein the number of arms within a star macromolecule varies across the composition of star molecules. The arms on a star are covalently attached to the core of the star; each arm comprises one or more (co)polymer segments; and at least one arm and/or at least one segment exhibits a different solubility from at least one other arm or one other segment, respectively, in a reference liquid of interest.

Abstract: Polymerization processes of the present invention comprise low catalyst concentration. Embodiments include a polymerization process comprising polymerizing free radically (co)polymerizable monomers in a polymerization medium comprising one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers, a transition metal catalyst complex capable of participating in a one electron redox reaction with an ATRP initiator; a free radical initiator; and an ATRP initiator; (wherein the concentration of transition metal catalyst complex in the polymerization medium is less than 100 ppm). Further embodiments include a polymerization process, comprising polymerizing one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers in the presence of at least one transition metal catalyst complex; and an ATRP initiator; and a reducing agent; wherein the transition metal catalyst complex is present at less than 10?3 mole compared to the moles of radically transferable atoms or groups present on the ATRP initiator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a polymerization process for the preparation of block copolymers. In an embodiment, the polymerization process may comprise low levels of catalyst in an oxidized state that react with a reducing agent to form an active catalyst. Embodiments of the process surprisingly use low levels of catalysts and allow formation of the all blocks with the same catalyst. The catalyst may be deactivated and reactivated to form each block. In one embodiment of the invention, the catalyst is oxidized to the deactivator state when the desired degree of polymerization of a polymer segment or block is reached. The first monomer may be removed prior to addition of the second monomer. The catalyst may then be reactivated for preparation of a second block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the polymerization process of the present invention are directed to polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of a polymerization medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst and an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the polymerization process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The polymerization process may further comprise reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the polymerization process.