The present invention provides the use of selected thermogelling polymers for the purpose of growing tumor spheroids. The invention provides a thermogelling platform comprising a synthetic polymer which, when seeded with cancer cells, induces the cells to grow into a natural spheroidal pattern forming a tumor spheroid. After accomplishing this in about 3-10 days, the gel washes away, leaving behind the spheroids.

The present invention provides the use of selected thermogelling polymers for the purpose of growing tumor spheroids. The invention provides a thermogelling platform comprising a synthetic polymer which, when seeded with cancer cells, induces the cells to grow into a natural spheroidal pattern forming a tumor spheroid. After accomplishing this in about 3-10 days, the gel washes away, leaving behind the spheroids.

The inventionrelates to a curable mixture comprising: RM % of m-xylylene bismaleimide of formula (I) ##STR00001##
RP % of a polyimide component, and RC % of a comonomer component. Further, the invention relates to methods for the preparation of the curable mixture, methods for the preparation of a prepolymer, of a crosslinked polymer, and composite materials, in particular of fiber-reinforced composites. In addition, the present invention relates to a prepolymer, a crosslinked polymer and composite materials, in particular fiber-reinforced composites, obtainable by said methods.

The present invention concerns the field of polymer chemistry and relates to water-insoluble anion exchange materials as they are used, for example, for anion exchange membranes or as anion exchange resins.

The object of the invention is the specification of water-insoluble anion exchange materials which exhibit improved insolubility in water.

The object is attained by water-insoluble anion exchange materials, at least composed of linearly polymerized and/or branched and/or crosslinked anion exchange groups C, which are part of the structural units according to at least one of the general formulas I to VIII.

##STR00001## ##STR00002##

Imidazole-containing polymer membranes and resins are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the membranes and resins include reducing acids from liquid phases.

The invention provides: imidazole and imidazolium compounds of formulas (I) and (II): ##STR00001##
polymers containing a plurality of imidazolium-containing repeating units of formula (III′): ##STR00002##
and membranes and devices comprising the polymers. Also provided are methods of making the inventive compounds and polymers.

A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region can include a composite of a polymer and SWCNTs immobilized onto a substrate. In certain embodiment, a linker can be grafted on the substrate. The linker can connect the substrate and the composite of the polymer and SWCNTs. In certain embodiments, the linker can covalently bond the polymer to the substrate. In certain embodiments, metal nanoparticles or ions can be incorporated as a metal sensitizer to confer further selectivity or sensitivity to the device. In certain embodiments, the polymer can act as a ligand for a variety of metal ions. By incorporating a specific metal ion, the sensor can selectively detect a specific analyte. In certain embodiments, the composite of the polymer and SWCNTs can be functionalized. In certain embodiments, the composite can further include a sensing element.

A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region can include a composite of a polymer and SWCNTs immobilized onto a substrate. In certain embodiment, a linker can be grafted on the substrate. The linker can connect the substrate and the composite of the polymer and SWCNTs. In certain embodiments, the linker can covalently bond the polymer to the substrate. In certain embodiments, metal nanoparticles or ions can be incorporated as a metal sensitizer to confer further selectivity or sensitivity to the device. In certain embodiments, the polymer can act as a ligand for a variety of metal ions. By incorporating a specific metal ion, the sensor can selectively detect a specific analyte. In certain embodiments, the composite of the polymer and SWCNTs can be functionalized. In certain embodiments, the composite can further include a sensing element.

A stable conductive myocardial patch with a negative Poisson's ratio structure is provided. The preparation method includes preparing a myocardial patch substrate with concave polygons as the structural units by weaving or knitting, and then a conductive coating is coated on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the yarns can be processed into conductive coated yarns first, and then used as the raw material to weave or knit a stable conductive myocardial patch with a negative Poisson's ratio structure. The prepared myocardial patch has a relative resistance change of less than 5% at 50% tensile strain. When the strain of the structural units is within 50%, the fabric exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio structure, which expands in the perpendicular direction of the tensile load. The fabric exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio effect and anisotropy of Young's modulus, which matches the mechanical behavior of natural myocardium.

A stable conductive myocardial patch with a negative Poisson's ratio structure is provided. The preparation method includes preparing a myocardial patch substrate with concave polygons as the structural units by weaving or knitting, and then a conductive coating is coated on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the yarns can be processed into conductive coated yarns first, and then used as the raw material to weave or knit a stable conductive myocardial patch with a negative Poisson's ratio structure. The prepared myocardial patch has a relative resistance change of less than 5% at 50% tensile strain. When the strain of the structural units is within 50%, the fabric exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio structure, which expands in the perpendicular direction of the tensile load. The fabric exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio effect and anisotropy of Young's modulus, which matches the mechanical behavior of natural myocardium.