A process for forming a flame retardant polymer, as well as the flame retardant polymer, are disclosed. A flame retardant polymer is a polymer that can be resistant to thermal degradation and/or thermal oxidation. A flame retardant polymer can be mixed or otherwise incorporated into a standard polymer to give flame retardancy to the standard polymer. The flame retardant polymers can include polycaprolactone functionalized with flame retardant substituents. The flame retardant substituents can include halides, substituted phosphoryl, and substituted phosphonyl.

A process for forming a flame retardant polymer, as well as the flame retardant polymer, are disclosed. A flame retardant polymer is a polymer that can be resistant to thermal degradation and/or thermal oxidation. A flame retardant polymer can be mixed or otherwise incorporated into a standard polymer to give flame retardancy to the standard polymer. The flame retardant polymers can include polycaprolactone functionalized with flame retardant substituents. The flame retardant substituents can include halides, substituted phosphoryl, and substituted phosphonyl.

A process of forming a flame retardant polycaprolactone includes utilizing a caprolactone molecule to form a hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule. The process also includes chemically reacting the hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant molecule to form a flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer. The process further includes polymerizing a mixture that includes at least the flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer to form a flame retardant polycaprolactone.

A process of forming a flame retardant polylactide includes forming a flame retardant lactide monomer. The process also includes forming a lactide feedstock that includes at least the flame retardant lactide monomer. The process further includes polymerizing the lactide feedstock to form a flame retardant polylactide.

The present invention generally relates to polymers and macromolecules, in particular, to polymers useful in particles such as nanoparticles. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of developing nanoparticles with desired properties. In one set of embodiments, the method includes producing libraries of nanoparticles having highly controlled properties, which can be formed by mixing together two or more macromolecules in different ratios. One or more of the macromolecules may be a polymeric conjugate of a moiety to a biocompatible polymer. In some cases, the nanoparticle may contain a drug. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods using nanoparticle libraries.

A flame-retardant polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material having a phosphate-terminated side-chain is disclosed.

The present invention is directed to bioresorbable polymers to be used as bone and tissue adhesives. The present invention is also directed to the synthesis of bioresorbable polymeric molecules bearing adhesive moieties and the use of such compounds in methods to glue and stabilize fractured bones and damaged tissues. The present invention is also directed to the use of such compounds as adhesive sealants for applications in wound care. The present invention is also directed to the use of such compounds as biodegradable ink for applications in tissue engineering and 3D printing. The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds as drug delivery platforms.