An adhesive tape (1) made of silicone is intended for medical applications. The tape (1) has a sheet material (12) based on nonwoven fibers, coated on an internal face (12a) intended to be in contact with the skin, with a barrier membrane (14) which adheres to the sheet material, based on crosslinked silicone polymer, and with a layer (16) of atraumatic and biocompatible silicone adhesive gel, and on an external face (12b), with a layer (18) of a nonstick and waterproof polymer based on a fluorosilicone or fluorocarbon polymer.

Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R.sup.1 is an organic group, and each R.sup.2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R.sup.2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

##STR00001##

Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R.sup.1 is an organic group, and each R.sup.2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R.sup.2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

##STR00001##

There is described a label comprising a self supporting sheet of a biopolymer, preferably cellulose (e.g. regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate and/or PLA) said sheet being substantially transparent to visible light when uncoated characterized in that the sheet comprises: (a) a first coating on at least one surface thereof to aid printability thereon; (b) a second coating comprising an adhesive dispersible in an aqueous medium; and (c) optionally a third coating to modify water permeability through the sheet. The labels are to be applied to articles such as glass containers. Preferred labels are wet glue cellulose labels for example where the first coating also comprises a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate to aid water permeability and hence rapid drying of the label on an article.