The invention relates to novel anisotropic compounds of formula (I) ##STR00001##
as well as liquid crystalline mixtures, films and electro-optical devices comprising the compound.

The invention pertains to a printing form and a process for preparing a polymeric printing form from a curable composition that includes a multifunctional urethane in a specified reactive group equivalent weight range, and an initiator. The process includes coating the curable composition onto a supporting substrate, such as a print cylinder, to form a layer, curing the layer with heat or by exposure to actinic radiation, and engraving the resulting cured layer to form at least one printing cell in the cured layer. The process prepares novel polymeric printing forms, particularly novel polymeric gravure printing forms, having a cured polymer-based composition layer that is engravable, resistant to solvent inks, and capable of printing gravure-quality images. The present invention shortens the time to prepare gravure printing cylinders and removes the need for and disposal of toxic heavy metals such as copper and chrome associated with conventional gravure print cylinder preparation.

The invention pertains to a printing form and a process for preparing a polymeric printing form from a curable composition that includes a multifunctional urethane in a specified reactive group equivalent weight range, and an initiator. The process includes coating the curable composition onto a supporting substrate, such as a print cylinder, to form a layer, curing the layer with heat or by exposure to actinic radiation, and engraving the resulting cured layer to form at least one printing cell in the cured layer. The process prepares novel polymeric printing forms, particularly novel polymeric gravure printing forms, having a cured polymer-based composition layer that is engravable, resistant to solvent inks, and capable of printing gravure-quality images. The present invention shortens the time to prepare gravure printing cylinders and removes the need for and disposal of toxic heavy metals such as copper and chrome associated with conventional gravure print cylinder preparation.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of changing the glass transition temperature of a polymer. In some embodiments, the polymer includes at least one hydrazone-containing compound. In general, the methods of the present disclosure include one or more of the following steps of: (1) applying light to the polymer; and (2) thereby changing the glass transition temperature of the polymer. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a polymer having a light-adjustable glass transition temperature. In some embodiments, the polymer includes at least one hydrazone-containing compound.

Provided herein are materials and methods that include utilizing atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator molecules that maintain a positive charge during biomacro-initiator synthesis.

The present invention provides a polymer having antimicrobial and/or antifouling (protein-repellent) properties, a monomer that can be used in a method of producing the polymer of the invention, and a use of the polymer of the invention, including a method for coating the surface of a material, substrate or product with the polymer of the invention, as well as to products comprising the polymer of the invention and/or a coating comprising the polymer of the invention.

The present invention provides a polymer having antimicrobial and/or antifouling (protein-repellent) properties, a monomer that can be used in a method of producing the polymer of the invention, and a use of the polymer of the invention, including a method for coating the surface of a material, substrate or product with the polymer of the invention, as well as to products comprising the polymer of the invention and/or a coating comprising the polymer of the invention.

Dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials, methods for making dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials, and devices that include dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials. The dual-functional surfaces are nonfouling surfaces that resist non-specific protein adsorption and cell adhesion. The dual-functional surfaces and materials include covalently coupled biomolecules (e.g., target binding partners) that impart specific biological activity thereto. The surfaces and materials are useful in medical diagnostics, biomaterials and bioprocessing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

Dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials, methods for making dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials, and devices that include dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials. The dual-functional surfaces are nonfouling surfaces that resist non-specific protein adsorption and cell adhesion. The dual-functional surfaces and materials include covalently coupled biomolecules (e.g., target binding partners) that impart specific biological activity thereto. The surfaces and materials are useful in medical diagnostics, biomaterials and bioprocessing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

An active energy ray curable resin composition comprising: urethane poly(meth)acrylate (A) synthesized from a raw material including a polyisocyanate and a hydroxy group-containing (meth)acrylate; (meth)acrylate (B) having five or more functional groups; a photopolymerization initiator (C1) having an absorption coefficient per unit weight of 50000 ml/g.Math.cm or more when measured in methanol at 254 nm; a photopolymerization initiator (C2) other than the (C1) having an absorption coefficient per unit weight of 50000 ml/g.Math.cm or more when measured in methanol at 302 nm; a photopolymerization initiator (C3) other than the (C1) and the (C2) having an absorption coefficient per unit weight of 100 ml/g.Math.cm or more when measured in methanol at 405 nm; and an ultraviolet absorbing agent (D).