Abstract: There is provided a material comprising a multi-block thermogelling polymer, said multi-block thermogelling polymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer block; a thermosensitive polymer block; and a hydrophobic polymer block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer block, the thermosensitive polymer block and the hydrophobic polymer block are chemically coupled together by at least one of urethane/carbamate, carbonate, ester linkages or combinations thereof, and wherein the material is suitable for use as a vitreous substitute. Also provided are a method of preparing said material and a synthetic vitreous humour or part thereof comprising said material.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel has a supramolecular cross-linked network obtainable or obtained from the complexation of an aqueous composition including a host, such as cucurbituril, and one or more polymers having suitable guest functionality. One or more polymers in the aqueous composition may have a molecular weight of 50 kDa or more, such as 200 kDa or more. The hydrogel may hold a component, such as a therapeutic compound or a biological molecule. The hydrogels are suitable for use in medicine.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode structure comprising an element selected from the group consisting of group 1, group 2, group 8, group 12 and group 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements; a cathode structure comprising a catalyst; and a hydrogel located between the anode structure and the cathode structure. In a preferred embodiment, the cell comprises the anode of Zinc, the catalyst of CoOx/C, the hydrogel of free-standing alkaline polyacrylamide hydrogel, wherein said hydrogel was first synthesized via UV-initiated radical polymerization of acrylamides, followed by exchange of water with an alkaline electrolyte of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such an electrochemical cell and the use of a hydrogel in a metal/air battery.

Abstract: There is provided a material comprising a multi-block thermogelling polymer, said multi-block thermogelling polymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer block; a thermosensitive polymer block; and a hydrophobic polymer block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer block, the thermosensitive polymer block and the hydrophobic polymer block are chemically coupled together by at least one of urethane/carbamate, carbonate, ester linkages or combinations thereof, and wherein the material is suitable for use as a vitreous substitute. Also provided are a method of preparing said material and a synthetic vitreous humour or part thereof comprising said material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a core-shell nanoparticle comprising (a) an inorganic core comprising a nanoparticle comprising a metal, a metal oxide or combination thereof, and a silica component; (b) a shell material comprising a copolymer having at least two polymers selected from a pH-responsive polymer and a hydrophobic polymer; and (c) a crosslinker that conjugates the shell material to the inorganic core. There is also provided a method for producing the core-shell nanoparticle and uses thereof.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising an oxygenated polyaromatic alcohol and a poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth)acrylate is disclosed, wherein the oxygenated polyaromatic alcohol is preferably lignin or lignin derivative. A hydrogel comprising the copolymer and a cyclic oligosaccharide such as ?-cyclodextrin is also disclosed, which can be used in biomedical or personal care industries, for example as a carrier for an active agent.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymer having formula I: where m, n, and R1 are as defined herein, and the polymer has a number average molecular weight of the polymer of from 500 to 80,000 Daltons. Also provided herein are block copolymers of the polymer of formula I, as well as processes to make the polymer and block copolymers thereof.

Abstract: In the present invention, a method of producing a colourant-incorporated silk fibroin is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: i) decrystallizing a degummed silk fibroin in the presence of an acidic solution or a metal salt solution (i.e. lithium bromide); ii) mixing one or more colourants with the decrystallized silk fibroin and iii) recrystallizing the decrystallized silk fibroin containing the colourants such that it forms a recrystallized region encapsulating the colourants, thereby obtaining the colourant-incorporated silk fibroin. In addition, a cosmetic product comprising the colourant-incorporated silk fibroin is provided.

Abstract: Described herein are copolymers comprising at least one first water-soluble monomeric unit, at least one second water-soluble monomeric unit, and at least one monomeric unit containing a basic residue.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymer having formula I: where m, n, and R1 are as defined herein, and the polymer has a number average molecular weight of the polymer of from 500 to 80,000 Daltons. Also provided herein are block copolymers of the polymer of formula I, as well as processes to make the polymer and block copolymers thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymer having formula I: where m, n, and R1 are as defined herein, and the polymer has a number average molecular weight of the polymer of from 500 to 80,000 Daltons. Also provided herein are block copolymers of the polymer of formula I, as well as processes to make the polymer and block copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising an oxygenated polyaromatic alcohol and a poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth)acrylate is disclosed, wherein the oxygenated polyaromatic alcohol is preferably lignin or lignin derivative. A hydrogel comprising the copolymer and a cyclic oligosaccharide such as ?-cyclodextrin is also disclosed, which can be used in biomedical or personal care industries, for example as a carrier for an active agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to shape memory block copolymers comprising: at least one switching segment having a Ttrans from 10 to 70° C.; and at least one soft segment, wherein at least one of the switching segments in linked to at least one of the soft segments by at least one linkage, and wherein the copolymer transforms from a first shape to a second shape by application of a first stimulus and the copolymer transforms back to the first shape from the second shape by application of a second stimulus. The shape memory block copolymers may be biocompatible and biodegradable.

Abstract: There is provided a core-shell particle having pores extending through its shell and a plurality of polymers that are bonded to the outer surface of the shell, wherein the polymers are comprised of repeating monomer units of formula (1): [Formula should be inserted here] wherein the substituents are as defined herein. There is also provided a method of synthesizing the core-shell particle and use of the core-shell particle as a delivery agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to shape memory block copolymers comprising: at least one switching segment having a Ttrans from 10 to 70° C.; and at least one soft segment, wherein at least one of the switching segments in linked to at least one of the soft segments by at least one linkage, and wherein the copolymer transforms from a first shape to a second shape by application of a first stimulus and the copolymer transforms back to the first shape from the second shape by application of a second stimulus. The shape memory block copolymers may be biocompatible and biodegradable.

Abstract: This invention relates to shape memory block copolymers comprising: at least one switching segment having a Ttrans from 10 to 70° C.; and at least one soft segment, wherein at least one of the switching segments is linked to at least one of the soft segments by at least one linkage, and wherein the copolymer transforms from a first shape to a second shape by application of a first stimulus and the copolymer transforms back to the first shape from the second shape by application of a second stimulus. The shape memory block copolymers may be biocompatible and biodegradable.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel has a supramolecular cross-linked network obtainable or obtained from the complexation of an aqueous composition including a host, such as cucurbituril, and one or more polymers having suitable guest functionality. One or more polymers in the aqueous composition may have a molecular weight of 50 kDa or more, such as 200 kDa or more. The hydrogel may hold a component, such as a therapeutic compound or a biological molecule. The hydrogels are suitable for use in medicine.

Abstract: Described herein are copolymers comprising at least one first water-soluble monomeric unit, at least one second water-soluble monomeric unit, and at least one monomeric unit containing a basic residue.

Abstract: This invention relates to shape memory block copolymers comprising: at least one switching segment having a Ttrans from 10 to 70° C.; and at least one soft segment, wherein at least one of the switching segments is linked to at least one of the soft segments by at least one linkage, and wherein the copolymer transforms from a first shape to a second shape by application of a first stimulus and the copolymer transforms back to the first shape from the second shape by application of a second stimulus. The shape memory block copolymers may be biocompatible and biodegradable.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer comprising blocks of at least one polyethylene glycol) block, at least one poly(propylene glycol) block and at least one poly(hydroxybutyrate) block. Also provided is a method of making the polymer and a method of using the polymer.