A multiphase emulsion polymer for aqueous coating compositions containing little or no organic solvent includes at least one soft phase and at least one hard phase prepared by a multi-stage emulsion polymerization. The hard phase contains a hard phase polymer having a glass transition temperature in a range from 10 C to 100 C which is more than 50 C higher than that of the soft phase polymer. The hard phase is formed as a first stage polymer and the one soft phase is subsequently polymerized in the presence of the first stage polymer. The hard phase polymer includes at least one carboxylic acid monomer and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. A method of making a multiphase emulsion polymer for aqueous coating compositions containing zero or low levels of organic solvent is disclosed. Such aqueous coating compositions may simultaneously have excellent block resistance, freeze thaw stability and low temperature coalescence characteristics.

A process for preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion, wherein the process comprising free-radically initiated emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium, in the presence of at least one vinyl polymer A, to obtain a polymer B comprising a vinyl polymer phase B1 with a glass transition temperature of from −20 to +15° C. and a vinyl polymer phase B2 with a glass transition temperature of from +50 to +110° C., with the proviso that the difference in glass transition temperature between polymer B1 and polymer B2 is at least 40° C., wherein the weight ratio of polymer B1 to polymer B2 is from 80:10 to 10:20, wherein the at least one polymer A is obtained by a process comprising: free-radically initiated bulk or solution polymerizing of: from 5 to 25 wt. % of at least one carboxylic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer A1, and from 75 to 95 wt. % of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer A2 different than monomer A1, where the amounts are given relative to the total weight of monomers charged in the polymerization to prepare the vinyl polymer A, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the polymer A is lower than the weight average molecular weight of the polymer B, and wherein the weight ratio of polymer A to polymer B is from 10:90 to 40:60.

A process for preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion, wherein the process comprising free-radically initiated emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium, in the presence of at least one vinyl polymer A, to obtain a polymer B comprising a vinyl polymer phase B1 with a glass transition temperature of from −20 to +15° C. and a vinyl polymer phase B2 with a glass transition temperature of from +50 to +110° C., with the proviso that the difference in glass transition temperature between polymer B1 and polymer B2 is at least 40° C., wherein the weight ratio of polymer B1 to polymer B2 is from 80:10 to 10:20, wherein the at least one polymer A is obtained by a process comprising: free-radically initiated bulk or solution polymerizing of: from 5 to 25 wt. % of at least one carboxylic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer A1, and from 75 to 95 wt. % of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer A2 different than monomer A1, where the amounts are given relative to the total weight of monomers charged in the polymerization to prepare the vinyl polymer A, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the polymer A is lower than the weight average molecular weight of the polymer B, and wherein the weight ratio of polymer A to polymer B is from 10:90 to 40:60.

Water-dispersible or water-dispersed polymers are made by reacting (i) an unsaturated monomer containing one or more cyclic carbonate groups, or (ii) an unsaturated or saturated oligomer or polymer containing a plurality of cyclic carbonate groups, with a tertiary amine in the presence of an acid, or with an acid in the presence of a tertiary amine, or in the presence of an acid and a tertiary amine, to provide a water-dispersible or water-dispersed monomer, oligomer or polymer. When step a) provides a monomer or oligomer, the monomer or oligomer is reacted with one or more monomers in the presence of an initiator to provide a water-dispersible or water-dispersed polymer. When step a) provides a polymer, the polymer is optionally used to support emulsion polymerization of one or more unsaturated monomers in the presence of an initiator to provide a water-dispersible or water-dispersed further polymer.

Water-dispersible or water-dispersed polymers are made by reacting (i) an unsaturated monomer containing one or more cyclic carbonate groups, or (ii) an unsaturated or saturated oligomer or polymer containing a plurality of cyclic carbonate groups, with a tertiary amine in the presence of an acid, or with an acid in the presence of a tertiary amine, or in the presence of an acid and a tertiary amine, to provide a water-dispersible or water-dispersed monomer, oligomer or polymer. When step a) provides a monomer or oligomer, the monomer or oligomer is reacted with one or more monomers in the presence of an initiator to provide a water-dispersible or water-dispersed polymer. When step a) provides a polymer, the polymer is optionally used to support emulsion polymerization of one or more unsaturated monomers in the presence of an initiator to provide a water-dispersible or water-dispersed further polymer.

ABA type block copolymers as a new class of temperature sensing polymers with tunable, high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). A sensor includes a heater, a thermal insulator between two thermometer layers, the heater generating a thermal gradient within the thermal insulator. The thermometers give an indirect measurement of fluid flow around the sensor, based on their temperature readings. The thermometers are flexible layers including ABA block polymers.

ABA type block copolymers as a new class of temperature sensing polymers with tunable, high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). A sensor includes a heater, a thermal insulator between two thermometer layers, the heater generating a thermal gradient within the thermal insulator. The thermometers give an indirect measurement of fluid flow around the sensor, based on their temperature readings. The thermometers are flexible layers including ABA block polymers.

Graft copolymer polyelectrolyte complexes are disclosed for the efficient delivery of anionic, cationic or polyelectrolyte therapeutic agents into biological cells, and for maintaining the biological activity of these molecules while in serum and other aqueous environments are provided. Such complexes comprise (1) an anionic graft copolymer containing an anionic polymer backbone, with pendent carboxylic acid groups and pendant chains containing amphipathic or hydrophilic polymers covalently bonded to a portion of the pendant carboxylic acid groups, (2) one or more anionic, cationic or polyelectrolyte therapeutic agents, and (3) optionally a liposome optionally containing an additional therapeutic agent. Also disclosed are functional nanoparticles containing the complexes.

Graft copolymer polyelectrolyte complexes are disclosed for the efficient delivery of anionic, cationic or polyelectrolyte therapeutic agents into biological cells, and for maintaining the biological activity of these molecules while in serum and other aqueous environments are provided. Such complexes comprise (1) an anionic graft copolymer containing an anionic polymer backbone, with pendent carboxylic acid groups and pendant chains containing amphipathic or hydrophilic polymers covalently bonded to a portion of the pendant carboxylic acid groups, (2) one or more anionic, cationic or polyelectrolyte therapeutic agents, and (3) optionally a liposome optionally containing an additional therapeutic agent. Also disclosed are functional nanoparticles containing the complexes.

An amphiphilic polymeric material which has a straight or branched chain polymer backbone and a multiplicity of side chains attached to the backbone, wherein the backbone is a copolymer of at least one ethylenically-unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer and maleic anhydride, or is a terpolymer of maleic anhydride, ethylene, and a further ethylenically unsaturated monomer. A method of synthesizing said polymeric material is also provided, together with chewing gum bases, compositions and emulsions comprising amphiphilic polymeric materials.