Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to switchable carboxybetaine-based polymers, hydrogels, and/or elastomers, along with novel related monomers, crosslinkers, and methods. Under acidic conditions, the materials undergo self-cyclization and can catch and kill bacteria. Under neutral/basic conditions, these materials undergo ring-opening and can release killed bacterial cells and resist protein adsorption and bacterial attachment. These smart polymers, hydrogels and elastomers also show excellent mechanical properties making them highly desirable for many biomedical applications.

The invention provides novel bromine-containing polymers which have excellent heat resistance and are capable of imparting flame retardance or novel flame-retardant, bromine-containing polymers which have excellent heat resistance and optical characteristics, and methods for producing such polymers. The invention relates to a polymer which includes structural units of the following general formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1s, R.sub.2s, m, p and the asterisks are as defined in the specification and the claims, and
to a method for producing such polymers.

The present, invention provides a liquid crystal display device that can exhibit excellent retardation stability against heat and that can prevent reduction in contrast ratio due to scattering even when the liquid crystal display device includes a retardation layer formed by polymerization of a reactive monomer, and a method for producing a liquid crystal display device suitable for production of the liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes paired substrates and a liquid crystal layer provided between the paired substrates. At least one of the paired substrates includes a retardation layer formed from a polymer of at least one type of monomer. The at least one type of monomer includes a photo-aligning monomer that is to be aligned by polarized light.

Polymer particle embolics and methods of making same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.

Polymer particle embolics and methods of making same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.

The present, invention provides a liquid crystal display device that can exhibit excellent retardation stability against heat and that can prevent reduction in contrast ratio due to scattering even when the liquid crystal display device includes a retardation layer formed by polymerization of a reactive monomer, and a method for producing a liquid crystal display device suitable for production of the liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes paired substrates and a liquid crystal layer provided between the paired substrates. At least one of the paired substrates includes a retardation layer formed from a polymer of at least one type of monomer. The at least one type of monomer includes a photo-aligning monomer that is to be aligned by polarized light.

Polymer particle embolics and methods of making same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.

Polymer particle embolics and methods of making same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to switchable carboxybetaine-based polymers, hydrogels, and/or elastomers, along with novel related monomers, crosslinkers, and methods. Under acidic conditions, the materials undergo self-cyclization and can catch and kill bacteria. Under neutral/basic conditions, these materials undergo ring-opening and can release killed bacterial cells and resist protein adsorption and bacterial attachment. These smart polymers, hydrogels and elastomers also show excellent mechanical properties making them highly desirable for many biomedical applications.

The invention provides novel bromine-containing polymers which have excellent heat resistance and are capable of imparting flame retardance or novel flame-retardant, bromine-containing polymers which have excellent heat resistance and optical characteristics, and methods for producing such polymers. The invention relates to a polymer which includes structural units of the following general formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1s, R.sub.2s, m, p and the asterisks are as defined in the specification and the claims, and
to a method for producing such polymers.