Abstract: The present invention provides organic polymers and compounds containing such polymers which have enhanced melt processing characteristics. A composition of the present invention includes at least one organic polymer and from 0.1 percent by weight to 5 percent by weight of a diblock copolymer of polystyrene and a polysiloxane or polyethylene and a polysiloxane. The overall weight average molecular weight of the diblock copolymer ranges from 500 to 50,000. The polysiloxane content of the block copolymer is from 20 to 90 percent by weight. The organic polymer incorporating the above-described melt processing aid can be incorporated into a compound of the organic polymer and another polymer and/or an oil and/or a filler material. Preferably, the composition includes two different organic polymers, especially including a block copolymer.

Abstract: An aqueous, two component system for coating a substrate includes either a filler incorporated in both components prior to combining the components or an elevated amount of a filler, such as 50% by dry volume, in either component. The filler is preferably calcium carbonate, but may also be selected from titanium dioxide, sand, clay, mica, dolomite, silica, talc, perlite, gypsum, wallastonite, aluminum trihydrate, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, zinc sulfate, and combinations thereof. The first component includes a first polymer containing hydroxyl functional groups or amine functional groups and, optionally, a catalyst, preferably an organotin catalyst. The first polymer is selected from a polyester polyol, an acrylic polyol, a urethane polyol, a polyether polyol, a polyamine, an aldimine, a short oil alkyd, a silicone polyol, a cellulose ester, a vinyl polyol, and combinations thereof and preferably is a polyaspartic ester.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blend comprising (a) about 2% to about 98% by weight of at least one ester of cellulose comprising an alkanoyl chain having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and having at a D.S. of about 2.3 to about 3.0, and an inherent viscosity of about 0.2 to about 3.0 deciliters/gram as measured at a temperature of 25° C. for a 0.5 g sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 parts by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane, and (b) about 98% to about 2% by weight of at least one ester of cellulose comprising an alkanoyl chain having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and having a D.S. of about 1.5 to about 2.2, and an inherent viscosity of about 0.2 to about 3.0 deciliters/gram as measured at a temperature of 25° C. for a 0.5 g sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 parts by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane, said percentages being based on the weight of component (a) plus component (b).

Abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a highly biocompatible hydrophilic polyether, is tethered to poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF), a biodegradable polyester. To avoid change in molecular weight distribution of PPF, end hydroxyl groups of PPF are reacted with bis-carboxymethyl PEG after being treated with thionyl chloride. New end carboxyl groups of the PEG-tethered PPF are further reacted with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to couple bioactive molecules. Glutamine and glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (GRGD) are attached to the PEG-tethered PPF in 50 mM phosphate buffer of pH of 7.4. The method is valuable for the preparation of a triblock copolymer with PEG end blocks and the coupling of biologically active molecules.

Abstract: Methods for irradiation induced graft polymerization of a monomers, such as styrenes, onto fluoropolymers are provided. The methods, which involve either the use of acids, preferably mineral acids, or creating a rough surface on the fluoropolymer, provide higher levels of grafting of the copolymer than grafting in the absence of the acid or of the rough surface on the fluoropolymer. Also provided are grafted copolymers produced by the methods. Methods for increasing the performance of solid phase assays, such as scintillation proximity assays, are also provided.

Abstract: A thermoplastic compound comprising at least one linear or branched thermoplastic polymer or copolymer, having at least one reactive or graftable site (F1), which polymer is compounded with at least one hyperbranched dendritic polyester macromolecule being composed of a monomeric or polymeric nucleus and one or more monomeric or polymeric branching or spacing chain extenders. The macromolecule is optionally chain terminated and/or functionalized, whereby terminal chain extender functions, chain termination and/or functionalization provides the macromolecule with at least one reactive or graftable site (F2) being reactive to or graftable onto said reactive or graftable site (F1). In a further aspect, the invention relates to a thermoplastic composition comprising two or more components, whereby at least one is said thermoplastic compound. In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to a thermoplastic article made of one or more thermoplastic compounds, whereby at least one is said thermoplastic compound.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the preparation of crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. First, an aqueous polymer solution containing a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group or charge, is combined with aqueous medium. The aqueous polymer solution is then mixed under moderate agitation with an oil medium and an emulsifier to form an emulsion of droplets of the water-soluble polymer. A crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the functional groups and/or charges in the water-soluble polymer is then added to the emulsion to form crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. The invention also includes the particles formed by the process and aqueous dispersions containing the particles which are useful for administering to an individual. The particles of the invention are useful for implantation, soft tissue augmentation, and scaffolding to promote cell growth.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an electrically conductive copolymer of the general formula I: wherein A is a first polymerizable monomer which produces an electrically conductive polymer when polymerized, and represents a polymerized unit of said monomer A in the electrically conductive polymer; B is a second polymerizable monomer which when copolymerized with monomer A produces an electrically conductive polymer, and represents a polymerized unit of said monomer B in the electrically conductive polymer; w is an integer greater than or equal to 0; x is an integer greater than or equal to 1; y is an integer greater than or equal to 0; z is an integer greater than or equal to I; 11, and 12 are each independently covalent linkers or spacer arms; 13 is substituent group having a desired chemical functionality; and Bt′ is selected from the group consisting of biotin and complexes of biotin with a molecule selected from the group consisting of avidin, streptavidin, derivatives of avidin