A method of producing a biofilm-like microorganism-polymer complex, the method comprising the step of exposing, in an aqueous medium, cells of a microorganism to a polymer comprising groups as defined by formula (la) or formula (lb), wherein: Y comprises an imine; and R.sup.2 comprises a CI-30 group. A biofilm-like microorganism-polymer complex comprising cells of a microorganism and a polymer comprising groups as defined by formula (la) and/or formula (lb). A method for producing a chemical and/or biological product using the microorganism-polymer complex, and the chemical and/or biological products obtained therefrom. A method of dispersing the microorganism-polymer complex. Polymers of formula (la) and of formula (lb).

The present invention relates to: a polymerizable compound represented by a formula (I); a polymerizable composition comprising the polymerizable compound and an initiator; a polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound or the polymerizable composition; and an optically anisotropic article comprising the polymer [in the formula, Y.sup.1 to Y.sup.8 are a chemical single bond, —O—, —O—C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, or the like; G.sup.1 and G.sup.2 are a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or the like; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like; A.sup.1 is a tetravalent aromatic group, or the like; A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, or the like; A.sup.4 and A.sup.5 are a divalent aromatic group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, or the like; A.sup.x1 and A.sup.x2 are an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms that includes an aromatic ring, or the like; A.sup.y1 and A.sup.y2 are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or the like; Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or the like; and m and n are 0 or 1]. According to the present invention, a polymerizable compound, a polymerizable composition, and a polymer that have a practical low melting point, exhibit excellent solubility in a general-purpose solvent, can be produced at low cost, and can produce an optical film that achieves uniform conversion of polarized light over a wide wavelength band, and also provide an optically anisotropic article. ##STR00001##

Disclosed herein is a preparation method of homopolymer nanoparticles without using a surfactant. The homopolymer nanoparticles prepared thereby are expected to be widely used not only as a template of a semiconductor metal oxide, a drug delivery system (DDS), an electron transport layer (ETL), and a seed having vertical structural shape, but also in a high precision field such as replacement of an organic device polystyrene bead film.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for dissolving inorganic salt deposits, such as iron sulfide deposits, in aqueous systems. A method may include adding a polycarboxylated -amino alcohol polymer to the aqueous medium. The polycarboxylated -amino alcohol polymer may be added by itself or as part of a composition. The composition may optionally include a solvent and/or an additive. The compositions and methods may be used for dissolving typical insoluble inorganic salts encountered in the oil and gas, recovery, water, and processing industries.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for dissolving inorganic salt deposits, such as iron sulfide deposits, in aqueous systems. A method may include adding a polycarboxylated -amino alcohol polymer to the aqueous medium. The polycarboxylated -amino alcohol polymer may be added by itself or as part of a composition. The composition may optionally include a solvent and/or an additive. The compositions and methods may be used for dissolving typical insoluble inorganic salts encountered in the oil and gas, recovery, water, and processing industries.