Black photoactive materials that comprise synthetic eumelanin polymers are provided, as are methods of making and using the polymers. The synthetic eumelanin polymers are made from the plant oil vanillin, and exhibit defined structural and chemical characteristics (e.g. homogeneity, solubility, etc.) that make them suitable for use in devices that require photoactive materials, such as solar cells.

The present invention provides novel methods and processes for polymerizing unsaturated substrates, such as alkyne bearing monomers, with arenes. The polymerizations are catalyzed by gold (Au) catalysts/complexes and/or other cocatalysts. The invention further provides novel structurally complex polymers prepared in high yield via an intermolecular polyhydroarylation mechanism. Such resulting products comprise oligomeric and polymeric materials with novel molecular architectures and microstructures, which subsequently impart unique properties. The invention includes both the synthesis methods and processes and the resulting compounds and compositions of matter.

Shape, size and composition are nature's most fundamental design features, enabling highly complex functionalities. Despite recent advances, the independent control of shape, size and chemistry of macromolecules remains a synthetic challenge. Herein reported is a scalable methodology to produce large well-defined macromolecules with programmable shape, size and chemistry that combines reactor engineering principles and controlled polymerizations. Specifically, bottlebrush polymers with conical, ellipsoidal and concave architectures are synthesized using two orthogonal polymerizations. The chemical versatility is highlighted by the synthesis of a compositional asymmetric cone. The strong agreement between predictions and experiments validate the precision that this methodology offers.

Gas sensors are provided. The gas sensors comprise: a substrate; a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; and a polymeric sensing layer on the substrate for adsorbing a gas-phase analyte. The adsorption of the analyte is effective to change a property of the gas sensor that results in a change in an output signal from the gas sensor. The polymeric sensing layer comprises a polymer chosen from substituted or unsubstituted polyarylenes comprising the reaction product of monomers comprising a first monomer comprising an aromatic acetylene group and a second monomer comprising two or more cyclopentadienone groups, or a cured product of the reaction product. The gas sensors and methods of using such sensors find particular applicability in the sensing of gas-phase organic analytes.

The invention relates to poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) microgels, to the process for preparing same and the uses thereof in various fields of application such as optics, electronics, pharmacy and cosmetics.

These microgels have the advantage of being monodisperse, pH-responsive and temperature-responsive. They can carry magnetic nanoparticles or biologically active molecules. These microgels may also form transparent films, which have novel optical and electromechanical properties.

This invention relates to compositions of conducting polymers and their producing methods and applications in sensing technology. The present conducting polymer comprises an electron deficient and an electron rich building block in an alternated repeating unit which can function as sensors to detect, qualify or quantify analytes in fluid and exhibit chemiresistive property and stable performance in normal room temperature and air pressure. In one embodiment, the present invention provides compositions of conducting polymers and devices comprising the present compositions or conducting polymers for sensor application. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of detecting target molecules using compositions, conducting polymers or devices of the present invention. The target molecules include without limitation volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are indicative of the presence or stage or a disease, or indicative of a health status of a subject.

The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.

Various photocrosslinkable electrochromic polymers are disclosed. The polymers are suitable for an electrochromic layer of an electrochromic device. The polymers are formed with a two-step synthesis method that includes forming a polymer precursor with one or more chromophore blocks, and mixing the polymer precursor with photocrosslinkable monomer units to form the polymer.

An oligomer, composition, and composite material employing the same are provided. The oligomer has a structure represented by Formula (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-20 alkyl group, C.sub.2-20 alkenyl group, C.sub.6-12 aryl group, C.sub.6-12 alkylaryl group, C.sub.5-12 cycloalkyl group, C.sub.6-20 cycloalkylalkyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, or alkylcarbonyloxy group; R.sup.1 is not hydrogen when R.sup.2 is hydrogen; a is 0 or 1; n0; m1; n:m is from 0:100 to 99:1; the oligomer has a number average molecular weight of less than or equal to 12,000; and the repeat unit ##STR00002##
and the repeat unit ##STR00003##
are arranged in a random or block fashion.

Provided herein are spirocyclic polymers that exhibit aggregation-enhanced emission properties and methods of preparation thereof. The spirocyclic polymers can be used in the construction of integrated silicon photonics and to prepare two-dimensional fluorescent photopatterns useful for the manufacture of biological sensing and probing systems, optical writing and reading, anti-counterfeiting applications and the construction of optical display devices.