An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly switched between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, 1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

The present invention relates to methods of metathesizing olefins using catalysts previously considered to be practically inactive. The present invention further relates to novel photosensitive compositions, their use as photoresists, and methods related to patterning polymer layers on substrates. Further, modifications to the compositions and method provide for an unprecedented functionalization of the compositions, useful for example in the preparation of sensors, drug delivery systems, and tissue scaffolds. The novel compositions and associated methods also provide for the opportunity to prepare 3-dimensional objects which provide new access to critically dimensioned devices, including for example photonic devices.

The present invention relates to a polar functional group-partially introduced polymer, a preparation method therefor, and an organic electronic element adopting the same. The organic electronic element of the present invention has excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency and stability and is very advantageous in commercialization, by adopting the polar functional group-partially introduced polymer of the present invention.

New polymers with that have polyesters grafted onto polynorbornene backbones have been synthesized. When these grafted polymers are combined with electrolyte salts, such polymer electrolytes have shown excellent electrochemical oxidation stability in lithium battery cells. Their stability along with their excellent ionic transport properties make these grafted polyesters especially suitable as electrolytes in high energy density lithium battery cells.

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.

A charge-transfer salt formed from a material comprising a repeat unit of formula (I) and an n-dopant: wherein BG is a backbone group of the repeat unit; R.sup.1 is a ionic substituent comprising at least one cationic or anionic group; n is at least 1; R.sup.2 is a non-ionic substituent; and m is 0 or a positive integer; the material further comprising a counterion balancing the charge of the cationic or anionic group.

##STR00001##

A compound of formula (I): (Core)n-(X)m wherein Core is a core group; n is 0 and m is 1, or n is 1 and m is at least 1; and X is a group of formula (II): wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 are each independently H or a substituent; R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are each a substituent; one of R.sup.1-R.sup.5 is a direct bond or divalent linking group linking the group of formula (II) to Core in the case where n is 1; x and y are 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; and the compound of formula (I) is substituted with at least one ionic substituent. The compound may be used as an n-dopant to dope an organic semiconductor.

##STR00001##

A material for forming an underlayer film according to the present invention is a material for forming an underlayer film which is used to form a resist underlayer film used in a multi-layer resist process, the material including a cyclic olefin polymer which has a repeating structural unit [A] represented by Formula (1) and a repeating structural unit [B] represented by Formula (2), in which a molar ratio [A]/[B] of the structural unit [A] to the structural unit [B] in the cyclic olefin polymer is greater than or equal to 5/95 and less than or equal to 95/5.

##STR00001##

A light-emitting device having a high current efficiency is provided. The light-emitting device includes, in sequence, a cathode, an electron transport layer, a light-emitting layer, and an anode. The light-emitting device further optionally includes an electron injection layer between the cathode and the electron transport layer. The electron transport layer contains particles and a non-particle electron transport material. A refractive index of light n1 at a wavelength of 550 nm of a material that constitutes the particles and a refractive index of light n2 at a wavelength of 550 nm of the non-particle electron transport material satisfies the following relation: n1n20.15. The particles have a Z-average size of 110 to 300 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering.

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.