Described herein are double-strand chain compositions suitable for use in the preparation of proton conductive membranes. The double-strand chains comprise a plurality of constitutional units joined to each other through two atoms on one side of the constitutional unit and two atoms on the other side of the constitutional unit. Constitutional units comprise a dibenzo-crown ether macrocycle fused with a bicyclic aliphatic linker. Polymers, membranes, and fuel cells comprising the double-strand chain are also described herein.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of inhibiting shale formation during water-based drilling of subterranean formations includes introducing a shale inhibitor to the subterranean formation during the water-based drilling, the shale inhibitor comprising a cationic polymer comprising repeating units of [A-B]. A is a substituted benzene or a substituted triazine of formula (2). B is a N-containing heterocycle. The cationic polymer and a method of making the cationic polymer are also described.

A polymer comprising a repeating structure of formula (I): -D-X.sup.1-A-X.sup.2-. D is a conjugated electron-donating group of formula (II); A is a conjugated electron-accepting group; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently a conjugated bridge group selected from phenylene, thiophene, furan, thienothiophene, furofuran, thienofuran, thiazole, oxazole, alkene, alkyne and imine, each of which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents. The polymer has a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level as measured by square wave voltammetry of no more than 5.30 eV from vacuum level. The polymer may be used as an electron donor in an organic photodetector.

##STR00001##

A method of inhibiting shale formation during water-based drilling of subterranean formations include s introducing a shale inhibitor to the subterranean formation during the water-based drilling, the shale inhibitor comprising a cationic polymer comprising repeating units of [A-B]. A is a substituted benzene or a substituted triazine of formula (2). B is a N-containing heterocycle. The cationic polymer and a method of making the cationic polymer are also described.

The present invention provides a membrane comprising a polyamine polymer. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an electrochemical cell comprising a membrane of the present invention; a positive electrode; and a negative electrode. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising a polyamine polymer of Formula J, I or II.

Described herein are double-strand chain compositions suitable for use in the preparation of proton conductive membranes. The double-strand chains comprise a plurality of constitutional units joined to each other through two atoms on one side of the constitutional unit and two atoms on the other side of the constitutional unit. Constitutional units comprise a dibenzo-crown ether macrocycle fused with a bicyclic aliphatic linker. Polymers, membranes, and fuel cells comprising the double-strand chain are also described herein.

A polymer comprising a sub-unit represented by Formula I: ##STR00001##
wherein: L is independently selected from at least one arylene group, and a multi-ring moiety, L is independently selected from L or is not present, A and A are not present or are independently selected from an isatin moiety with the proviso that at least one of A and A is selected from an isatin moiety.

The present invention relates to a photoalignment composition for the alignment of liquid crystals and the stabilization of the pre-tilt angle in liquid crystal layers. Further the present invention relates to the liquid crystal alignment film and coating layer prepared from the said composition and the use to fabricate optical and electrooptical elements and devices.

The present invention relates generally to substrates for making polymers and methods for making polymers. The present invention also relates generally to polymers and devices comprising the same.

Linear polymers and copolymers having tunable coefficients of thermal expansion can be derived from dibenzocyclooctene-based monomers. The dibenzocyclooctene-based monomer can comprise a dibenzocyclooctene or a heterocyclic derivative of dibenzocyclooctene. For example, the linear polymer can comprise a polymer or copolymer of a dibenzocyclooctene-based moiety and a polyester, polyamide, polyimide, polyurethane, or epoxy.