Provided are a host-group-containing polymerizable monomer usable as a starting material for producing a macromolecular material with a high degree of freedom in material design, and excellent toughness and strength; a macromolecular material produced using the host-group-containing polymerizable monomer; and a method for producing the macromolecular material. The host-group-containing polymerizable monomer according to the present invention is a host-group-containing polymerizable monomer, and the host group is a monovalent group formed by removing one hydrogen atom or hydroxy group from a cyclodextrin derivative. The cyclodextrin derivative has such a structure that the hydrogen atom of at least one hydroxy group of a cyclodextrin is replaced with a group selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon group, an acyl group, and —CONHR wherein R represents a methyl group or an ethyl group.

Provided are a host-group-containing polymerizable monomer usable as a starting material for producing a macromolecular material with a high degree of freedom in material design, and excellent toughness and strength; a macromolecular material produced using the host-group-containing polymerizable monomer; and a method for producing the macromolecular material. The host-group-containing polymerizable monomer according to the present invention is a host-group-containing polymerizable monomer, and the host group is a monovalent group formed by removing one hydrogen atom or hydroxy group from a cyclodextrin derivative. The cyclodextrin derivative has such a structure that the hydrogen atom of at least one hydroxy group of a cyclodextrin is replaced with a group selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon group, an acyl group, and —CONHR wherein R represents a methyl group or an ethyl group.

Disclosed herein is a cross-linked polymeric system comprising thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA), thiolated chondroitin sulfate (CS), and functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG), wherein said functionalized PEG cross-links thiolated HA and thiolated CS. Methods of fabrication and utilization of the same are also claimed. This polymeric system may be used as an engineered biocompatible cellular matrix for 3D cell culture, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

This invention relates to novel non-composite and composite superabsorbents, wherein the dry superabsorbents are xerogels, more particularly the bio-xerogels or the composites, particularly the biocomposites, more particularly the bionanocomposites and the method(s) of obtaining the same characterized by simultaneous in situ grafting and cross linking of ethylinically unsaturated monomers on to a single biopolymer of plant or animal origin, or on combination of different biopolymers or biopolymer(s) or/and clay(s), in a homogeneous polar phase, in the presence of initiator and crosslinker of chemical or non-chemical origin, at a temperature of 40 to 90° C., achieved by conventional or microwave heating, reaction time varying from instantaneous to 48 hours, involving use of alkali, either in situ or post reaction at room or elevated temperatures for achieving superior absorbency, in an inert or ambient reaction environment, to yield a neutral or near neutral product.

This invention relates to novel non-composite and composite superabsorbents, wherein the dry superabsorbents are xerogels, more particularly the bio-xerogels or the composites, particularly the biocomposites, more particularly the bionanocomposites and the method(s) of obtaining the same characterized by simultaneous in situ grafting and cross linking of ethylinically unsaturated monomers on to a single biopolymer of plant or animal origin, or on combination of different biopolymers or biopolymer(s) or/and clay(s), in a homogeneous polar phase, in the presence of initiator and crosslinker of chemical or non-chemical origin, at a temperature of 40 to 90° C., achieved by conventional or microwave heating, reaction time varying from instantaneous to 48 hours, involving use of alkali, either in situ or post reaction at room or elevated temperatures for achieving superior absorbency, in an inert or ambient reaction environment, to yield a neutral or near neutral product.

This invention relates to novel non-composite and composite superabsorbents, wherein the dry superabsorbents are xerogels, more particularly the bio-xerogels or the composites, particularly the biocomposites, more particularly the bionanocomposites and the method(s) of obtaining the same characterized by simultaneous in situ grafting and cross linking of ethylinically unsaturated monomers on to a single biopolymer of plant or animal origin, or on combination of different biopolymers or biopolymer(s) or/and clay(s), in a homogeneous polar phase, in the presence of initiator and crosslinker of chemical or non-chemical origin, at a temperature of 40 to 90° C., achieved by conventional or microwave heating, reaction time varying from instantaneous to 48 hours, involving use of alkali, either in situ or post reaction at room or elevated temperatures for achieving superior absorbency, in an inert or ambient reaction environment, to yield a neutral or near neutral product.

An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

Synthesis of modified chitosan particles for oral insulin delivery includes amidation of chitosan with a fatty acid, a modified fatty acid, and/or an amino acid. The amidated chitosan can be grafted with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and cross-linked to provide the modified chitosan particles.