A polymeric scaffold contains pendant liquid crystal side chains and has fully interconnected pores. Such a polymeric scaffold will preferably be 3D in nature and elastomeric, biocompatible and biodegradable. Such 3D liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) scaffolds can be used for various biomedical applications, including cell culture applications. A method for the production of such a polymeric scaffold containing liquid crystals and having interconnected pores is also disclosed that uses a metal foam sacrificial template as a scaffold to produce the polymeric smart response scaffold of the present invention. Consistent and controlled pore sizes result from etching the sacrificial metal foam template away from the polymeric scaffold, permitting the incorporation of growth factors, when needed, for enhancing cell viability and proliferation.

Provided herein is a polymer having formula I:

##STR00001##

where m, n, and R.sup.1 are as defined herein, and the polymer has a number average molecular weight of the polymer of from 500 to 80,000 Daltons. Also provided herein are block copolymers of the polymer of formula I, as well as processes to make the polymer and block copolymers thereof.

A process of forming a flame retardant polylactide includes forming a flame retardant lactide monomer. The process also includes forming a lactide feedstock that includes at least the flame retardant lactide monomer. The process further includes polymerizing the lactide feedstock to form a flame retardant polylactide.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to poly(propylene fumarate) polymers and polymer structures made therefrom (and related methods) that have been end and/or monomer functionalized to add functional groups for post-polymerization modification with bioactive materials or other functional species, preferably through one of many facile click reactions. In some embodiments, end-group functionalization is accomplished via a functionalized initiating alcohol used during polymerization. In some embodiments, functionalization of these poly(propylene fumarate) polymers is accomplished via the functionalization of the propylene oxide monomer precursors, which then form functionalized side-chains on the resulting poly(propylene fumarate) polymers.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to poly(propylene fumarate) polymers and polymer structures made therefrom (and related methods) that have been end and/or monomer functionalized to add functional groups for post-polymerization modification with bioactive materials or other functional species, preferably through one of many facile click reactions. In some embodiments, end-group functionalization is accomplished via a functionalized initiating alcohol used during polymerization. In some embodiments, functionalization of these poly(propylene fumarate) polymers is accomplished via the functionalization of the propylene oxide monomer precursors, which then form functionalized side-chains on the resulting poly(propylene fumarate) polymers.

Provided herein is a polymer having formula I: ##STR00001##
where m, n, and R.sup.1 are as defined herein, and the polymer has a number average molecular weight of the polymer of from 500 to 80,000 Daltons. Also provided herein are block copolymers of the polymer of formula I, as well as processes to make the polymer and block copolymers thereof.

Polyester compositions are disclosed herein, as well as methods of making and using such polyesters. In some embodiments, the polyesters are formed from monomers derived from natural oils. In some embodiments, the polyesters are highly branched polymers, such as highly branched polymers that have low viscosity at higher molecular weights.

An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing a charge transporting material and a polyester resin having a specific structure.

A polymer, includes a first structural unit represented by formula (1), a second structural unit represented by formula (2-1), formula (2-2), or both, and a third structural unit represented by formula (3-1), formula (3-2), or both. The polymer preferably has a weight-average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene of 500 or more and 400,000 or less. A composition includes the polymer and an organic solvent. A molded body includes the polymer.

##STR00001##

A polymer, includes a first structural unit represented by formula (1), a second structural unit represented by formula (2-1), formula (2-2), or both, and a third structural unit represented by formula (3-1), formula (3-2), or both. The polymer preferably has a weight-average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene of 500 or more and 400,000 or less. A composition includes the polymer and an organic solvent. A molded body includes the polymer.

##STR00001##