There is provided a polymeric microsphere comprising a thermally responsive monomer crosslinked with a functional group monomer, wherein the functional group monomer comprises at least one of a carboxylic acid functional group or an amine functional group. The thermally responsive monomer is preferably N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), and the microspheres preferably comprise a coating of polymerized catecholamines (e.g. DOPA). There is also provided a method of preparing the polymeric microsphere and uses of the polymeric microsphere in culturing, harvesting, or expanding stem cells or stromal cells. Preferably, the cells, e.g. hMSCs (human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells), are expanded or harvested in serum-free and xeno-free medium.

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a synthetic rubber blend, wherein the blend comprises a high molecular weight polydiene (A) and a low molecular weight polydiene (B). The present invention further relates to a synthetic rubber blend obtainable according to the method described herein; as well as to rubber compositions comprising the blend; and articles, such as tires.

A polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is taught. The polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is synthesized by first providing a polystyrene backbone. Once the polystyrene backbone is provided, the polystyrene backbone is acetylated to provide acetyl groups on the polystyrene backbone. Next, the acetyl groups are converted to C(CH.sub.3).sub.2OH groups. Finally, the living polymerization of isobutylene is initiated, which is then followed by the living block polymerization of styrene. A polymer network of polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene)s is also provided.

A polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is taught. The polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is synthesized by first providing a polystyrene backbone. Once the polystyrene backbone is provided, the polystyrene backbone is acetylated to provide acetyl groups on the polystyrene backbone. Next, the acetyl groups are converted to C(CH.sub.3).sub.2OH groups. Finally, the living polymerization of isobutylene is initiated, which is then followed by the living block polymerization of styrene. A polymer network of polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene)s is also provided.

Butadiene-isoprene diblock copolymer formed by a block of crystalline polybutadiene (hard block) and by a block of amorphous polyisoprene (soft block). Said butadiene-isoprene diblock copolymer can be advantageously used both in the footwear industry (for example, in the production of shoe soles), and in the production of tires for motor vehicles and/or trucks.

The present application pertains to a production method for a polymer, including a step for polymerizing a starting material composition (I) that includes: a monomer mixture (I-1) containing a macromonomer (a) represented by the following formula (1), and (b) a vinyl monomer; and 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of a non-metallic chain transfer agent with respect to 100 parts by mass of the monomer mixture (I-1); a polymer obtained by the production method; and a molded article. According to the present invention, there can be provided a polymer having exceptional resistance to dwell-induced degradation, and a molded article having exceptional yellowing resistance, a low haze value, and exceptional pliability. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a multi-layered article made from a perfluoropolymer and to a method for its manufacturing, the multi-layered article being made of a composition (C) comprising at least one melt-processable fully fluorinated polymer (FMP), said article having at least one surface (S) comprising:at least one molecule grafted onto said surface (S), said molecule comprising at least one nitrogen atom and at least one carbon atom, andat least one layer (LI) adhered to said surface (S) comprising at least one metal compound (M).

A resin composition is provided which has high transparency, light guiding properties and luminescent properties and can guide light therethrough with little change in chromaticity. A shaped article such as an optical element including the resin composition is also provided. The resin composition includes an acrylic block copolymer (A) and a light diffusing agent (B), wherein the acrylic block copolymer (A) has at least one structure in which polymer blocks (a1) based on methacrylic acid ester units are bonded to both ends of a polymer block (a2) based on acrylic acid ester units, and has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 150,000 and a tensile elastic modulus of 1 to 1,500 MPa, the light diffusing agent (B) is rutile titanium oxide having an average particle size of 0.5 to 2.0 m, and the content of the light diffusing agent (B) is 0.5 to 10 ppm (on mass basis) based on the acrylic block copolymer (A).

An organic tellurium compound is disclosed having a versatility that, when used as a living radical polymerization initiator, it is applicable to polymerization of a vinyl monomer in an aqueous vehicle without using any surfactant or dispersant. The organic tellurium compound is represented by a general formula (1),

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, A represents an alkali metal atom or an alkaline earth metal atom, x=1 when A is monovalent, x= when A is divalent, and R.sup.3 is represented by a general formula (2),

##STR00002##

where in the general formula (2) R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each independently represent an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and a represents an integer from 0 to 10.

Provided is a composition for emulsion polymerization which includes: an asymmetric compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; an aromatic vinyl monomer; and a conjugated diene-based monomer, and a rubber compound prepared from the same. ##STR00001## (in Chemical Formula 1, X is a C1-C10 alkoxy group.)