A PETx polymer including a main backbone which is a first poly-L-lysine, and a side chain which is sequentially connected with a first polyethylene glycol and a second poly-L-lysine, where the second poly-L-lysine is saturately connected with a second polyethylene glycol and a third polyethylene glycol with no remaining amino groups, and the third polyethylene glycol is connected with a functional group at its end, where the first poly-L-lysine and the second poly-L-lysine have the same or different chain lengths, and the first polyethylene glycol, the second polyethylene glycol and the third polyethylene glycol have the same or different chain lengths. Preferably, the PETx polymer is PLL-g-{PEGk-PLL-g-[(PEGj-biological recognition group)y %(PEGi)1-y %]}x %, where i, j, k, m, and n are all integers greater than or equal to 1, j is not equal to i, and x and y are all greater than 0 and less than 100.

The present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, X, and s are as described herein and salt thereof. Also disclosed is a process of synthesizing such polymers.

A PETx polymer including a main backbone which is a first poly-L-lysine, and a side chain which is sequentially connected with a first polyethylene glycol and a second poly-L-lysine, where the second poly-L-lysine is saturately connected with a second polyethylene glycol and a third polyethylene glycol with no remaining amino groups, and the third polyethylene glycol is connected with a functional group at its end, where the first poly-L-lysine and the second poly-L-lysine have the same or different chain lengths, and the first polyethylene glycol, the second polyethylene glycol and the third polyethylene glycol have the same or different chain lengths. Preferably, the PETx polymer is PLL-g-{PEGk-PLL-g-[(PEGj-biological recognition group)y%(PEGi)1-y%]}x%, where i, j, k, m, and n are all integers greater than or equal to 1, j is not equal to i, and x and y are all greater than 0 and less than 100.

The invention relates to a noncrosslinked block copolymer foam, comprising at least one rigid block and at least one flexible block, in which the copolymer includes at least one carboxylic acid chain end blocked with a polycarbodiimide. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing this foam and to articles manufactured therefrom.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

The invention relates to a noncrosslinked block copolymer foam, comprising at least one rigid block and at least one flexible block, in which the copolymer includes at least one carboxylic acid chain end blocked with a polycarbodiimide. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing this foam and to articles manufactured therefrom.

The invention relates to the use of a block copolymer comprising at least one polyamide block and at least one polyolefin block to give to the metal-based material onto which it is applied adhesion and anti-corrosion properties. Another subject of the invention is a block copolymer including at least one polyamide block at least one polyolefin block and at least one alkylene block,
Its preparation process, a composition containing it and a process for using said composition.

The present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, X, and s are as described herein and salt thereof. Also disclosed is a process of synthesizing such polymers.

Use of a non-ionic deep eutectic mixture consisting of A and B, A being R1R2NCONR3R4 and B being selected from the group consisting of R5R6NCOCH3 and R7R8NCONR9R10, and wherein each of R1-R10 is independently H, CH3 or alkyl, as a solvent or dispersant in chemical synthesis, material synthesis or fabrication, chemical or enzymatic catalysis, food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation, separation or partitioning, heat transfer, and as detergents or cleaners, as well as such mixtures, is disclosed.

The present invention relates to hydrogels and polymers suitable as building blocks for hydrogels as well as advantageous methods for encapsulating cells and/or particles. Also provided are kits and methods for producing the hydrogels.