Abstract: An (meth)acryloyl group-modified ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer (A) which has (meth)acryloyl group as a the side-chain thereof, wherein the intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;] was 0.01 to 10 dl/g measured in decalin at a temperature of 135° C.; and a rubber composition which comprises said (meth)acryloyl group-modified ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer, a vulcanizing agent, and/or a crosslinking agent; in addition, a liquid curable rubber composition which comprises, component (A), reactive diluent (D), and if necessary, photopolymerization initiator (E).

Abstract: The invention provides novel defoamers which are useful as defoamers for top coat paints for motor vehicles. When the defoamers are incorporated with paints which do not use melamine resins as the curing agent, they can impart defoaming property to the paints without inviting turbidity in the painted films caused by infiltration of water. Hence the defoamers are particularly useful when used for baking finish type clear top coat paints for motor vehicles. The defoamer is characterized by comprising a copolymer of 2-50% by weight of (A) a polymerizable monomer capable of forming a copolymer having isocyanate groups which can react with a binder resin in thermosetting type paint or (b) a polymerizable monomer capable of forming a copolymer having the groups which produce isocyanate groups reactable with a binder resin in thermosetting type paint during the baking step of the same paint, and 98-50% by weight of (C) a monomer or polymer conventionally used for defoamers.

Abstract: Solid compositions comprising (A) at least one solid (meth)acrylate copolymer with a number-average molecular weight of from 850 to 10 000 and a molecular weight polydispersity Mw/Mn of from 1.0 to 5.0, containing at least one group (a) having at least one bond which can be activated with actinic radiation; and (B) at least one solid compound comprising a parent structure and, attached thereto, on average per molecule more than one group (a) having at least one bond which can be activated with actinic radiation; and their use as coating materials, adhesives or sealing compounds which can be crosslinked thermally and/or with actinic radiation, or for preparing coating materials, adhesives or sealing compounds which can be crosslinked thermally and/or with actinic radiation.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a modified polymer rubber having modified both ends, which comprises the steps of: (1) reacting a compound represented by the following formula (1) with an organic alkali metal compound to produce a chemical species, (2) polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer or a combination of a conjugated diene monomer with an aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of the chemical species to produce an active polymer having an alkali metal at an end thereof, and (3) reacting the active polymer with a functional group-carrying modifying agent in a hydrocarbon solvent to produce the modified polymer rubber having modified both ends.

Abstract: A branched olefin copolymer demonstrating excellent performance in various uses, comprising a building block (A) represented by formula (1) below and a building block (B) represented by formula (2) below, obtained by e.g.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making graft copolymers. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) providing (i) an ethylene/propylene (EP) copolymer or other graftable polymer, (ii) an ethylenically unsaturated sulfur-, nitrogen- and/or oxygen-containing monomer, and (iii) an amount of an initiator sufficient to graft said monomer and EP copolymer or other graftable polymer, (b) introducing said EP copolymer or other graftable polymer into an extruder; (c) introducing said monomer into the extruder; (d) introducing said initiator into the extruder, wherein at least one of the above-identified reactants in (a) is introduced in the presence of a polar solvent; and (e) reacting said EP copolymer or other graftable polymer, monomer and initiator by operating said extruder, thereby forming the graft copolymer. This invention also relates to methods of making a dispersant viscosity index improver and methods for making a lubricating oil.

Abstract: A novel star block copolymer which can be made to have a high molecular weight and gives a solution having a lower viscosity than solutions of linear polymers having the same molecular weight as the copolymer and which is expected to be used as a resist material; and a process for producing the copolymer. The star block copolymer having alkenylphenol skeletons is obtained by homopolymerizing by living anion polymerization an alkenylphenol compound in which the hydroxyl group of the phenol moiety has been protected by a saturated aliphatic protective group or copolymerizing the alkenylphenol compound with a vinylaromatic compound by living anion polymerization, subsequently copolymerizing the resultant polymer using a polyfunctional coupling agent such as divinylbenzene to obtain a star block copolymer, and eliminating the saturated aliphatic protective groups with an acid reagent.

Abstract: A grafted polyolefin containing one or more of N-vinylimidazole, 4-vinylpyridine, or other ethylenically-unsaturated nitrogen-containing or oxygen-containing graftable monomers grafted to a polyolefin copolymer is disclosed. The grafted polyolefin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 500,000, a polydispersity of less than about 10, and an ADT value of at least about 8. The grafted polyolefin can be defined as containing more than about 1.2% by weight of grafted monomer on a polyolefin, or as containing at least about 13 moles of graftable monomers per mole of polyolefin, or as having an asphaltene dispersancy test (ADT) value of at least about 8. Also described is a lubricating oil comprising a lubricant base oil and a grafted polyolefin as described above. Also described is a method of making a dispersant viscosity index improver.

Abstract: Curable (meth)acrylate adhesives are formulated with aliphatic urethane (meth)acrylate resins. The resins are urethane (meth)acrylate capped polyols wherein the urethane acrylate capping is derived from isophorone diisocyanate and a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate and the polyol is an oligomeric aliphatic diol or triol having a number average molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 3500. The hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate may be hydroxy ethyl acrylate. The polyol may be a member selected from the group consisting of polyoxypropylene triols, polyTHF diols, polycaprolactone/polyTHF block copolymers, and polycaprolactone diols. The adhesives give good adhesion to common DVD substrate materials, and display excellent corrosion resistance in dissimilar metal bonding applications.

Abstract: There is provided a treating agent for a sheet surface comprising a graft copolymer composed of a back bone polymer and branch polymer, either of which is a polymer having vinyl alcohol units, and the other of which is a polymer having cationic groups, the treating agent is applied onto a pulp sheet or plastic sheet, and the coated sheet is used in ink jet printing. Cationic groups are introduced by graft copolymerization using di(meth)allylamine-based and/or (meth)acryl-based monomer. Alternatively, the graft copolymer of the present invention is obtained by grafting N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide monomer followed by hydrolysis thereof. A formula weight ratio of vinylalcohol units and the introduced cationic groups of 1:20 to 2:1 is preferable in terms of balanced performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming graft copolymers from perfluoroolefins and perfluorovinyl ethers having fluorosulfonyl and fluorosulfonate functionality with selected polymers, and the uncrosslinked graft copolymers resulting therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a rubber-reinforced thermoplastic resin as component (A) and an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 100° C.) of 40 to 110 as component (B), the amount of component (B) being 1 to 70 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of component (A).

Abstract: Graft stereoblock polymers are described which contain at least one polyolefin or polydiene type sequence comprising at least one succinimide ring substituted on the nitrogen atom by a reactive group with formula —R(—X)n, where —X represents a reactive group, n is a number greater than or equal to 1 and —R is a residue containing at least one carbon atom, and containing at least one sequence of a variety of natures, different from a polyolefin or polydiene. Their preparations and uses are also described. Mixtures of polymers comprising at least two polymers which are different from each other, at least one of which is a graft stereoblock polymer as defined above, and their uses, are also described.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of aqueous dispersions of (co)polymerizates using a polymer with cationic functionality, optionally accompanied by the use of conventional additives, the polymer with cationic functionality being obtained by (co)polymerization in an aqueous medium of olefinically unsaturated (co)monomers, in which at least one (co)monomer has a cationic functionality, further (co)monomers are added and polymerization takes place in the presence of suitable initiators, wherein the polymers and/or (co)monomers are so chosen and the process is so controlled that a (co)polymerizate particle with heterogeneous morphology is formed and the dispersed (co)polymerizate obtained has a glass transition temperature Tg of more than about 50° C. The invention also relates to a process in which the polymer with cationic functionality is formed in situ in the presence of a seed. Redispersible powders and the use thereof are also described.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer which comprises (A) from 60 to 3 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups therein and (B) from 40 to 97 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing no electron-withdrawing groups therein (provided that (A)+(B)=100 mol %), and a proton-conductive membrane comprising the polyarylene copolymer having sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: A vinyl polymer having, at a molecular chain terminus, a structure represented by the general formula 1: 1

Abstract: A polymer dispersant for pigments based on an acrylic graft copolymer wherein the graft copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 3,000-100,000 and comprises a polymeric backbone and macromonomer side chains attached to the backbone, wherein (1) the polymeric backbone is formed of polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers and (2) the side chains are macromonomers that are attached to the backbone at a single terminal point and are formed from polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers and have a weight average molecular weight of about 1,000-30,000 wherein the graft copolymer contains about 2 to 70% by weight, based on the weight of the graft copolymer, of polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing acetoacetate groups that are polymerized into the backbone, side chains, or both, and the acetoacetate groups are reacted with a primary amine to form a pendant acetoacetyl amine group on the graft copolymer which serves as the pigment anchoring group.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gelling aqueous composition comprising block copolymers containing at least one water-soluble block and at least one block predominantly hydrophobic in nature, and forming a viscoelastic gel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to graft polymer which is characterized in that it is formed by graft polymerization of structural units containing. a quaternary ammonium group represented by general formula (A), (R2 and R3 each represent an alkyl group with from 1 to 3 carbons, and R4 represents an alkyl group with from 3 to 18 carbons. X represents at least one type of ion selected from halogen, sulphate, hydroxide and carboxylic acid ions.), preferably to graft polymer where the structural units containing a quaternary ammonium group represented by general formula (A) are structural units which are represented by general formula (I), (R1 represents at least one species selected from hydrogen, the methyl group and the ethyl group, and n represents an integer in the range 1 to 12. A represents at least one species selected from O, S and NR5. R5 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group with 1 to 12 carbons.

Abstract: Melt-processable thermally crosslinkable compositions comprising:

Abstract: A polymer dispersant for pigments based on a graft copolymer wherein the graft copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 3000 and has 10 to 90% by weight of a polymeric backbone and 90 to 10% by weight of macromonomer side chains attached to the backbone and wherein at least 20% by weight of the polymeric backbone has attached thereto an amide group which serves as a pigment anchoring group. The backbone may also have attached thereto an additional pigment anchoring group selected from the group consisting of aromatic ester, aromatic amine, aliphatic amine, and quaternary ammonium groups, or mixtures thereof. These materials disperse a wide variety of pigments and are useful in solvent borne coatings where they can provide improved efficiency of pigment use, lower paint viscosity, and reduced emission of volatile organic solvent.

Abstract: The rheological properties of a crosslinkable resin system are modified by the presence of a side chain crystalline (SCC) polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The polymer dissolves in the curable system at temperatures above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (Tp), but when the system is then cooled to a temperature below Tp, at least partially forms a separate phase in the curable system. Below Tp, this separate phase substantially increases the viscosity of the curable system (i.e. makes it thicker than the same system without the crystalline polymer). This is particularly valuable for sheet molding composites (SMCs) in which the increase in viscosity makes the composites less tacky, and for dry film resists (DFRs). Above Tp, the curable system containing the dissolved crystalline polymer has a viscosity which is substantially less than its viscosity below Tp.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making graft copolymers. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) providing (i) an ethylene/propylene (EP) copolymer or other graftable polymer, (ii) an ethylenically unsaturated sulfur-, nitrogen- and/or oxygen-containing monomer, and (iii) an amount of an initiator sufficient to graft said monomer and EP copolymer or other graftable polymer, (b) introducing said EP copolymer or other graftable polymer into an extruder; (c) introducing said monomer into the extruder; (d) introducing said initiator into the extruder, wherein at least one of the above-identified reactants in (a) is introduced in the presence of a polar solvent; and (e) reacting said EP copolymer or other graftable polymer, monomer and initiator by operating said extruder, thereby forming the graft copolymer. This invention also relates to methods of making a dispersant viscosity index improver and methods for making a lubricating oil.

Abstract: A vinyl polymer having, at a molecular chain terminus, a structure represented by the general formula 1: (wherein R3 is a hydroxy, amino, epoxy, carboxylic acid, ester, ether, amide or silyl group, an alkenyl group having low polymerizability, an organic compound having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a halogen atom, a nitroxide or sulfide group or a cobalt porphyrin complex).

Abstract: The present invention is related to melt-processable thermally crosslinkable compositions consisting of I) thermoprocessable copolymers of ethylene (E) with tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and/or chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), and acrylic monomers of formula CH2═CH—CO—O—R2 (a); and II) one or more crosslinking agents.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with water soluble high-molecular weight quaternary ammonium graft polymer, wherein ammonium salt side chains are grafted onto a polyamine backbone under free radical conditions, and wherein the initiator system comprises a free radical-producing oxidizing agent and the polyamine backbone polymer.

Abstract: Methods for making graft copolymers include (a) providing (i) an ethylene/propylene 9EP) copolymer or other graftable polymer, (ii) an ethylenically unsaturated sulfur-, nitrogen- and/or oxygen-containing monomer, and (iii) an amount of an initiator sufficient to graft said monomer and EP copolymer or other graftable polymer, (b) introducing the EP copolymer or other graftable polymer into an extruder, (c) introducing the monomer into the extruder, (d) introducing the initiator into the extruder, wherein at least one of the reactants employed in step (a) is introduced in the presence of a polar solvent, and (e) reacting the EP copolymer or other graftable polymer, monomer and initiator by operating the extruder, thereby forming the graft copolymer. Methods of making dispersant viscosity index improver and methods for making a lubricating oil, as well as graft copolymers, viscosity index improvers and lubricating oils made by such methods are also contemplated.

Abstract: An epoxy-containing copolymer resin having 0 to 55% by mole of formula (1), 5 to 95% by mole of formula (2), and 5 to 95% by mole of formula (3), the formula (1) units having been partially reacted, through carboxyl groups, with a (meth)acryloylalkyl isocyanate compound, the formula (2) units having been partially reacted, through hydroxyl groups, with a (meth)acryloylalkyl isocyanate compound, the copolymer resin containing 5 to 95% by mole of (meth)acryloyl groups, an acid value of 0 to 400 mg KOH/g, and a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 1,000,000: wherein R is hydrogen or a C1 to C5 alkyl group; R1 represents a C2 to C4 alkylene group; R2 represents a C1 to C4 alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is 1,2-epoxy,1,3-epoxy, or 1,4-epoxy; and a, b, and c are integers respectively corresponding to the molar percentages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming graft copolymers from perfluoroolefins and perfluorovinyl ethers having fluorosulfonyl and fluorosulfonate functionality with selected polymers, and the uncrosslinked graft copolymers resulting therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel photosensitive resin which can be developed in water and which can be used as a photosensitive resin composition. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition which is useful as a photosensitive soldering resist for printed circuit board.

Abstract: A grafted polyolefin containing one or more of N-vinylimidazole, 4-vinylpyridine, or other ethylenically-unsaturated nitrogen-containing or oxygen-containing graftable monomers grafted to a polyolefin copolymer is disclosed. The grafted polyolefin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 500,000, a polydispersity of less than about 10, and an ADT value of at least about 8. The grafted polyolefin can be defined as containing more than about 1.2% by weight of grafted monomer on a polyolefin, or as containing at least about 13 moles of graftable monomers per mole of polyolefin, or as having an asphaltene dispersancy test (ADT) value of at least about 8. Also described is a lubricating oil comprising a lubricant base oil and a grafted polyolefin as described above. Also described is a method of making a dispersant viscosity index improver.

Abstract: There is described the use of monomeric and polymeric N-pyrrolidinone-containing compounds as compatibilizers for plastic compositions, a process for improving the compatibility of plastic compositions, the improved plastic compositions obtainable thereby as well as novel polymeric N-pyrrolidinone-containing compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to grafted copolymers comprising at least three sequences of distinct chemical nature, among which one or more sequence(s) for anchoring on solid particles, one or more sequence(s) of hydrophobic character and one or more sequence(s) of hydrophilic character. The invention also concerns their process of preparation, the compositions containing them, their use as agent for dispersing, stabilizing solid particles and/or emulsifying in an aqueous and/or organic medium, as well as use thereof for preparing pigmentary dispersions in aqueous and/or organic medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming graft copolymers from perfluoroolefins and perfluorovinyl ethers having fluorosulfonyl and fluorosulfonate functionality with selected polymers, and the uncrosslinked graft copolymers resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A water dispersed primer composition comprising a solution of a halogenated hydrocarbon polymer in organic solvent; and a dispersing agent added to the solution to form a fluid primer to be dispersed in water to provide the water dispersed primer composition. Optionally, fluid primers may include photoreactive components to provide photoreactive water dispersed primer compositions. The invention further includes water based priming adhesive compositions comprising an adhesive dispersion of an adhesive polymer dispersed in water, and a primer mixed with the adhesive dispersion to form the priming adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble block copolymers comprising at least one block of hydrophobic nature and at least one block of hydrophilic nature, the block of hydrophobic nature exhibiting hydrophilic units in an amount of between 33% and 99% by weight with respect to the total weight of the units of the hydrophobic block. These copolymers are preferably diblocks or triblocks and are prepared by a polymerization process referred to as a living or controlled. Control of their hydrophilic-lipophilic balance makes it possible to adjust their solubility in water and their self-association properties. These copolymers can be used in particular as adhesion agents or wetting agents.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer which comprises (A) from 60 to 3 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups therein and (B) from 40 to 97 mol % aromatic compound units having a main chain containing no electron-withdrawing groups therein (provided that (A)+(B)=100 mol %), and a proton-conductive membrane comprising the polyarylene copolymer having sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: A grafted polyolefin containing one or more of N-vinylimidazole, 4-vinylpyridine, or other ethylenically-unsaturated nitrogen-containing or oxygen-containing graftable monomers grafted to a polyolefin copolymer is disclosed. The grafted polyolefin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 500,000, a polydispersity of less than about 10, and an ADT value of at least about 8. The grafted polyolefin can be defined as containing more than about 1.2% by weight of grafted monomer on a polyolefin, or as containing at least about 13 moles of graftable monomers per mole of polyolefin, or as having an asphaltene dispersancy test (ADT) value of at least about 8. Also described is a lubricating oil comprising a lubricant base oil and a grafted polyolefin as described above. Also described is a method of making a dispersant viscosity index improver.

Abstract: A polyacrylate ester, and more particularly a polymethacrylate ester based dispersant-viscosity improver for lubricating oil compositions. Specifically, the dispersant viscosity improvers of this invention are nitrogen-containing copolymers comprising units derived from (A) from about 5% to about 75% by weight of alkyl acrylate ester monomers containing from 1 to 11 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; (B) from about 25% to about 95% by weight of alkyl acrylate ester monomers containing from 12 to about 24 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; and (C) from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of at least one nitrogen containing monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl substituted nitrogen heterocyclic monomers, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate monomers, N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide monomers and tertiary-alkyl acrylamides, provided that the total equals 100%. Processes for preparing the compositions, additive concentrates and lubricating oil compositions are described.

Abstract: Vulcanization accelerators consisting of compounds belonging to the group of enamines having general formula (I):

Abstract: A colored photosensitive composition is composed of a pigment composition, a binder polymer having an acidic group, a multi-functional monomer having at least two ethylenic unsaturated double bonds, and a photopolymerization initiator. The pigment composition is composed of an organic pigment, a dispersant, and an organic solvent. The dispersant is a copolymer of a polymerizable oligomer having an ethylenic unsaturated double bond in its terminal position and one or more monomers at least one of which has a nitrogen-containing group and an ethylenic unsaturated double bond.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method of making polymers. The method utilizes at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one polymerizable surface active agent. The polymerizable surface active agent is capable of co-polymerization with traditional monomers and/or polymerization with itself (i.e. homopolymerization) and is preferably substantially completely consumed during the course of the polymerization. Polymers produced by the method of the present invention are well suited for use in coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and the like, as they form stable films, possess excellent adhesion properties and have improved hydrolytic stability characteristics. The present invention also encompasses homopolymeric surface active agents and their use in polymerization reactions.

Abstract: Novel water-soluble or water-dispersible grafted copolymers comprising polyvinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone or oxyalkylene oligomer or polymer units and hydrophilic copolymer units derived from ethylenically unsaturated anionic and amphoteric water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reaction products formed from maleic anhydride and amino carboxylic acids. The reaction products are particularly useful for grafting polyolefins to increase their polarity and therefore enhance their physical properties.

Abstract: Optical waveguides prepared by irradiating selected regions of positive photochromic polymeric materials with actinic radiation are disclosed. The photochromic materials undergo an irreversible photochemical change which results in an increase in the refractive index of light-exposed regions. In addition, the materials exhibit negligible second-order polarizability prior to exposure and excellent nonlinear optical properties after exposure and polarization. Thus, the exposed regions are particularly useful as the core in active waveguides for use in second-order nonlinear optical applications, as well as the core in passive waveguides. In addition, a simple two step process is disclosed for forming optical waveguides from the positive photochromic polymers. Optical structures, such as optical integrated circuits, and optical devices which incorporate the waveguides are also disclosed.