A process for producing a photocured three-dimensional stereoscopic shaped object includes ejecting and applying a droplet of a photocurable resin composition (A) having a viscosity of 20 mPa.Math.s to 500 Pa.Math.s at 23 C. using a non-contact dispenser, wherein the droplet has a volume of 1 nL or more.

A methodology is described for the synthesis of polyolefin containing block-copolymers using a catalytic postpolymerization modification strategy. Common polyolefin grades may be converted into macroinitiators using a cross-metathesis reaction. The functionalized polyolefins may then be used to initiate living: coordinative ring opening polymerization of cyclic ester monomer, anionic ring opening polymerization of epoxide monomer, and radical polymerization of vinylic monomer, to yield the corresponding block copolymers.

A strategy for the synthesis of semi-telechelic polyethylene through the palladium diimine-catalyzed chain transfer polymerization of ethylene using various silanes as chain transfer agents is reported. Polymer molecular weight and end-group chemical structure can be tuned by varying the chain transfer agent as well as its concentration. NMR spectroscopy confirms that the silicon of the chain transfer agent is incorporated into the polymer. The stability of the catalyst toward polar monomer enables the chain transfer polymerization of semi-telechelic poly(ethylene-methyl acrylate) copolymers.

Described is a tri-block prepolymer having a chemical structure of [A]-[B]-[C], comprising at least one monovalent reactive group, wherein segment [A] and [C] independently comprise polymeric segments based on a first hydrophilic monomer comprising functionality selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl, alkylamine, and mixtures thereof and optionally a second hydrophilic monomer, and [B] comprises a polymeric segment of at least one silicone-containing macromer and optionally a third hydrophilic monomer comprising functionality selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl, alkylamine, and mixtures thereof and optionally a silicone-containing monomer. These prepolymers may be used alone or in combination with other components in reactive monomer mixtures for making silicone hydrogels and ophthalmic devices made therefrom, including contact lenses.

Coated articles and medical devices are provided comprising a substrate with a surface having reactive functional groups, a polymerization initiator chemically bonded to the substrate via reaction with the reactive functional groups on the surface of the substrate; and a polymeric coating layer having a thickness greater than 10 nanometers and less than 2.5 microns. The polymeric coating layer is prepared from an aqueous monomer composition comprising at least 50 percent by weight of at least one (meth)acrylamide monomer having at least one ionic functional group. The polymeric coating layer is chemically bonded to and propagated from the polymerization initiator, and the polymeric coating layer demonstrates a water contact angle less than 10 degrees. The coated article retains a contact angle of less than 10 degrees after immersion in phosphate buffered aqueous saline solution at 22 C. for a period of 28 days.

A thermoplastic resin composition containing a compound (F) which is at least one selected from the group consisting of a macromonomer (A) represented by Formula (1) and a copolymer (C) containing a structural unit derived from the macromonomer (A), and a compound (G) represented by Formula (2). (In Formula (1), R.sup.0 to R.sup.n each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group, X.sup.1 to X.sup.n each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Z represents a terminal group, and n represents a natural number of 1 to 10,000.) (In Formula (2), R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and R.sup.5 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a hydrogen atom.)

##STR00001##

The present invention provides a preparing method of a polymer which is low-toxic, environmental-friendly, highly controllable, and low cost to obtain a polymer with high molecular weight. The preparing method comprises conducting a controlled radical polymerization process of monomer (Y). In the controlled radical polymerization process, organic compound (A) which has the formula (I) and radical initiator (B) are existing in a mole ratio (B/A) ranged from 0.5 to 25, ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group, or hydroxyl group, the alkyl group can be alkyl having substituents or alkyl substituent, and the aryl group can be aryl having substituents or aryl substituent.

An object of the present invention is to provide a living radical polymerization catalyst that is excellent in terms of safety and cost, and is applicable to various vinyl monomers, and to provide a method for producing a polymer using this living radical polymerization catalyst. The living radical polymerization catalyst contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halide compounds and alkaline earth metal halide compounds.

The present invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol-based ion-exchange membrane having practical dimensional stability and electrodialysis performance, and a method for producing the ion-exchange membrane. The present invention relates to an ion-exchange membrane which gives an infrared absorption spectrum that satisfies the relationship (A):

30{Z(X+Y)30/2}/T(A)

wherein X is the absorbance at an absorption wavelength of 1690 cm.sup.1, Y is the absorbance at an absorption wavelength of 1720 cm.sup.1, Z is the integral value for the region lying between absorption wavelengths of 1690 cm.sup.1 and 1720 cm.sup.1, and T (cm) is the thickness of the ion-exchange membrane.

Novel polymerizable multivinylaminosilanes which are useful as branching agents for synthetic and natural rubber are described. The compounds can be used in the polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, optionally together with aromatic vinyl monomers, thus producing polymers, which can favorably be used in rubber articles such as tires.