Abstract: Polymerizable ionic liquid monomers and their corresponding polymers (poly(ionic liquid)s) are created and found to exhibit high absorption of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the microwave and radar bands. These materials are useful for coating objects to make them less reflective of radio frequency radiation and for making objects that absorb radio frequency radiation and are of minimal reflectivity to radio frequency radiation. Free-radical and condensation polymerization approaches are used in the preparation of the poly(ionic liquids).

Abstract: Polymerizable ionic liquid monomers and their corresponding polymers (poly(ionic liquid)s) are created and found to exhibit high CO2 sorption. The poly(ionic liquid)s have enhanced and reproducible CO2 sorption capacities and sorption/desorption rates relative to room-temperature ionic liquids. Furthermore, these materials exhibit selectivity relative to other gases such as nitrogen, methane, and oxygen. They are useful as efficient separation agents, such sorbents and membranes. Novel free-radical and condensation polymerization approaches are used in the preparation of the poly(ionic liquids).

Abstract: Polymerizable ionic liquid monomers and their corresponding polymers (poly(ionic liquid)s) are created and found to exhibit high CO2 sorption. The poly(ionic liquid)s have enhanced and reproducible CO2 sorption capacities and sorption/desorption rates relative to room-temperature ionic liquids. Furthermore, these materials exhibit selectivity relative to other gases such as nitrogen, methane, and oxygen. They are useful as efficient separation agents, such sorbents and membranes. Novel radical and condensation polymerization approaches are used in the preparation of the poly(ionic liquids).

Abstract: A method of developing degradable linear poly(ethylene glycol) PEG (DPEG) with multiple functioning capacities, which can be used as drug carriers for cancer cell delivery. A DPEG may be effective in targeting cancerous tumors through an enhanced permeation and retention effect (EPR). The DPEG will then degrade in the acidic extracellular fluid of solid tumors leading to fast cellular internalizations, finally degrading in the lysosome for efficient renal clearance. These may be used in conjunction with drugs and/or targeting groups. Furthermore, DPEGs are thermoresponsive, on an as needed basis, making them useful for in vivo application.

Abstract: Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome turmeric, has been polymerized to produce a polymer material having a backbone of one or more repeating structural units, at least one of which comprises a curcumin monomer residue. These curcumin-containing polymers have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including, among others antitumor, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antithrombotic and antibacterial activities. Certain species of these polymers have exhibited remarkable antitumor activity. Water-soluble curcumin derivatives and their use as prodrugs and prodrug carriers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are charge reversible polymers, peptides and their resulting colloidal particles, comprising polymers and peptides having primary and secondary amines that are protected as easily hydrolysable amides. The amides are charge-reversible such that at neutral pH they are negatively charged but become positively charged at pH less than 6 and thus are relatively stable at neutral pH but quickly hydrolyze at pH below 6. Incorporating a drug in a micelle or a polymer comprised of the charge-reversible polymers or peptides provides a drug carrier for delivering the drug preferentially to the solid tumor or other targeted cells.

Abstract: A class of catalysts with unusually high activity for polymerizing vinyl monomers such as acrylates, methacrylates and styrene is described. The catalysts consists of a metal halide such as CuBr and FeBr2 ligated with multidentate amine-based ligands, for example N,N,N?,N?-tetra[(2-pyridal)methyl]ethylenediamine, and additives. The additives, which are tertiary amine compounds, can greatly increase the catalytic activity. The complex is capable of catalyzing a living polymerization reaction at a concentration of the complex below about 0.1 mol %.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming nanoparticles by the micellization of blocky copolymers in either subcritical or supercritical solvents and antisolvents. The nanoparticles are suited for use as delivery vehicles for drugs and genes.

Abstract: A low-pressure multifunctional filter separates CO2 and other air pollutants from flue, coal, natural and other gas mixtures. The separation agent is a solid carbon-rich sorbent, such as coke, charcoal, coal or activated carbon, that captures CO2 and other air pollutants at lower temperatures and liberates them at higher temperatures. The sorbent is regenerated by heating with direct steam, hot CO2 or other source of thermal energy. The recovered CO2-rich product can be used for enhanced oil recovery, enhanced methane recovery, and subsequent storage in depleted oil and gas reservoirs.

Abstract: The invention is a nanoparticle that contains an anticancer drug that is released in cancer cells when administered to a subject. The nanoparticles have a core including the anticancer drug and polymer chains that are soluble at the pH of the cancer cell. The core is surrounded by a layer of polymer chains that are insoluble at the pH of healthy tissue but soluble at the pH of the cancer interstitium. An outside layer is made of water-soluble polymer chains to shield the nanoparticle from RES recognition and give the nanoparticle a long circulation time in the bloodstream of the subject. The outside layer may also include folic acid moieties that bind folic acid receptors on the surface of the cancer cell.

Abstract: Novel brominated poly(2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) compounds are synthesized and found to have improved carbon dioxide separation properties, including improved carbon dioxide permeability and improved carbon dioxide/nitrogen selectivity.

Abstract: Polymerizable ionic liquid monomers and their corresponding polymers (poly(ionic liquid)s) are created and found to exhibit high CO2 sorption. The poly(ionic liquid)s have enhanced and reproducible CO2 sorption capacities and sorption/desorption rates relative to room-temperature ionic liquids. Furthermore, these materials exhibit selectivity relative to other gases such as nitrogen, methane, and oxygen. They are useful as efficient separation agents, such sorbents and membranes. Novel radical and condensation polymerization approaches are used in the preparation of the poly(ionic liquids).

Abstract: Disclosed are new, highly active and versatile atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalysts. These catalysts catalyze ATRP for acrylates, methacrylates, and styrenes at surprisingly low concentrations. These catalysts mediated ATRP at a catalyst/initiator molar ratio at 0.005 and produced polymers with well-controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities. ATRP occurred even at a catalyst/initiator molar ratio as low as 0.001 with metal concentration in the produced polymers as low as 6-8 ppm. Amine-containing compounds, such as triethylamine, can significantly increase the catalyst activity of theses catalysts. The amine compounds can also used to the terminal halogen groups such as Br and Cl in the polymers prepared by ATRP.

Abstract: Described are charge reversible polymers, peptides and their resulting colloidal particles, comprising polymers and peptides having primary and secondary amines that are protected as easily hydrolysable amides. The amides are charge-reversible such that at neutral pH they are negatively charged but become positively charged at pH less than 6 and thus are relatively stable at neutral pH but quickly hydrolyze at pH below 6. Incorporating a drug in a micelle or a polymer comprised of the charge-reversible polymers or peptides provides a drug carrier for delivering the drug preferentially to the solid tumor or other targeted cells.

Abstract: Polymerizable ionic liquid monomers and their corresponding polymers (poly(ionic liquid)s) are created and found to exhibit high absorption of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the microwave and radar bands. These materials are useful for coating objects to make them less reflective of radio frequency radiation and for making objects that absorb radio frequency radiation and are of minimal reflectivity to radio frequency radiation. Free-radical and condensation polymerization approaches are used in the preparation of the poly(ionic liquids).

Abstract: A nano-sized hydrogel is made of a water-soluble chain containing carboxylic acid moieties and polyethylene side chains. Such a nanogel is applicable as a cancer-drug delivery agent or an imagining agent, where either a cancer drug, such as cisplatin, or an imaging agent, such as Gd3+. The complexation of the cancer drug or the imaging agent with the carboxyl moieties leads to the hydrogel formation.

Abstract: A class of catalysts with unusually high activity for polymerizing vinyl monomers such as acrylates, methacrylates and styrene is described. The catalysts consists of a metal halide such as CuBr and FeBr2 ligated with multidentate amine-based ligands, for example N,N,N?,N?-tetra[(2-pyridal)methyl]ethylenediamine, and additives. The additives, which are tertiary amine compounds, can greatly increase the catalytic activity. The complex is capable of catalyzing a living polymerization reaction at a concentration of the complex below about 0.1 mol %.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I), the described methods to prepare these macromonomer compounds, and the copolymer products of these compounds with other vinyl monomers. Wherein W is a capping group; l is 0 or 1; n is 2-1000; m is 2-5; R1 is CH2═CH—CH2—, or CH2═CH—O—R8—; R2 is selected from H, CH2═CH—CH2—, and phenyl or alkyl and wherein R3-R7 is H1, C1-C4 alkyl, and quaternary salts thereof. When R7 and X— is absent, the polymer is amphiphilic. When R7 is alkyl and X— is an anion, the polymer is cationic polymer.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I), the described methods to prepare these macromonomer compounds, and the copolymer products of these compounds with other vinyl monomers. Wherein W is a capping group; l is 0 or 1; n is 2-1000; m is 2-5; R1 is CH2═CH—CH2—, or CH2═CH—O—R8—; R2 is selected from H, CH2═CH—CH2—, and phenyl or alkyl and wherein R3-R7 is H1, C1-C4 alkyl, and quaternary salts thereof. When R7 and X— is absent, the polymer is amphiphilic. When R7 is alkyl and X— is an anion, the polymer is cationic polymer.