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This study chronicles the seminal contributions of Dr. Raphael M. Ottenbrite, the late Founding Editor of the Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, to polymer science from the 1970s through 2016. Beginning with an exploration of the biological impacts of anionic polymers, Dr. Ottenbrite's research evolved to include their applications in immunology and cancer therapy. The 1980s marked a pivotal shift toward the synthesis of polymers geared specifically toward biomedical uses. In the 1990s, his work advanced to include sophisticated synthesis methods and surface modification techniques. The 2000s were characterized by a focus on nanotechnology and the innovation of drug delivery systems. His final research phase, from 2011 to 2016, concentrated on the development of biodegradable materials and advanced drug delivery systems. Dr. Ottenbrite's work was a unique blend of polymer chemistry, materials science, and biomedicine, laying a vital groundwork for future interdisciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on advancements in polymer science as it relates to three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing technologies, with a specific emphasis on applications in the biomedical field. While acknowledging the breadth of 3D and 4D printing applications, this paper concentrates on the use of polymers in creating biomedical devices and the challenges associated with their implementation. It explores integrative modeling and experimental insights driving innovations in these fields, focusing on sustainable manufacturing with biodegradable polymers, a comparative analysis of 3D and 4D printing techniques, and applications in biomedical devices. Additionally, the review examines the materials used in both 3D and 4D printing, offering a detailed comparison of their properties and applications. By highlighting the transformative potential of these technologies in various industrial and medical applications, the paper underscores the importance of continued research and development. The scope of this review also includes an overview of future research directions to address current challenges, enhance material capabilities, and explore practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review explores the application of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, a specialized type of recurrent neural network (RNN), in the field of polymeric sciences. LSTM networks have shown notable effectiveness in modeling sequential data and predicting time-series outcomes, which are essential for understanding complex molecular structures and dynamic processes in polymers. This review delves into the use of LSTM models for predicting polymer properties, monitoring polymerization processes, and evaluating the degradation and mechanical performance of polymers. Additionally, it addresses the challenges related to data availability and interpretability. Through various case studies and comparative analyses, the review demonstrates the effectiveness of LSTM networks in different polymer science applications. Future directions are also discussed, with an emphasis on real-time applications and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The goal of this review is to connect advanced machine learning (ML) techniques with polymer science, thereby promoting innovation and improving predictive capabilities in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Stimuli-responsive polymersomes are promising tools for protein-based therapies, but require deeper understanding and optimization of their pathology-responsive behavior. Materials & methods: Hyaluronic acid (HA)–poly(b-lactic acid) (PLA) polymersomes self-assembled from block copolymers of varying molecular weights of HA were compared for their physical properties, degradation and intracellular behavior. Results: Major results showed increasing enzyme-responsivity associated with decreasing molecular weight. The major formulation differences were as follows: the HA(5 kDa)–PLA formulation exhibited the most pronounced release of encapsulated proteins, while the HA(7 kDa)–PLA formulation showed the most different release behavior from neutral. Conclusion: We have discovered design rules for HA–PLA polymersomes for protein delivery, with lower molecular weight leading to higher encapsulation efficiency, greater release and greater intracellular uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era marked by environmental consciousness and sustainable development goals, assessing the sustainability of residential structures has become paramount. The Footprint Family offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating the ecological impact of buildings, considering factors such as carbon footprint, water footprint and ecological footprint. This article explores the significance of assessing residential sustainability, outlines the components of the Footprint Family and discusses its application in the construction and evaluation of eco-friendly homes. By utilizing this framework, stakeholders can make informed decisions to promote sustainable living and mitigate the environmental footprint of residential structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer science plays a crucial role in the understanding and numerical study of material extrusion processes that have revolutionized additive manufacturing (AM). This study investigated the impact of high-gravity conditions on material extrusion and conducted a numerical study by referring to the development of a high-gravity material extrusion system (HG-MEX). In this study, we evaluated the polymeric characteristics of HG-MEX. By analyzing the interplay between polymer behavior and gravity, we provide insights into the effects of high gravity on extrusion processes, including filament flow, material deposition, and the resulting fabrication characteristics. The established numerical study of high-gravity material extrusion in additive manufacturing is a meaningful and valuable approach for improving the quality and efficiency of the process. This study is unique in that it incorporates material surface characteristics to represent the performance and contact with polymer science in additive manufacturing. The findings presented herein contribute to a broader understanding of polymer science and its practical implications for HG-MEX under various gravitational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1920 paper by Hermann Staudinger, which introduced the groundbreaking theory of the existence of long-chain molecules made up of many covalently linked monomeric units, was remembered in 2020 for the 100th anniversary of its publication. This article and the follow-up works of Staudinger on the subject serve as the basis for the study of macromolecular chemistry and polymer science. Although Staudinger saw the great potential of macromolecules, he most likely did not predict the repercussions of their widespread use. We are confronting an environmental and public health crisis with 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic garbage contaminating our land, water, and air. Synthetic polymer chemists can contribute to a more sustainable future, but are we on the right track? In this regard, this review provides insights into the trends, or perspectives, on the current, past, and future developments in macromolecular chemistry to promote an increased emphasis on “sustainable polymers”.

Gum ghatti (anogeissus latifolia) is being widely used as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer in food, pharmaceutical, and allied industries due to its shelf life, tolerance of heat, and pH stability. Considering the oil & gas industry application, it is ideal for a hydraulic fracturing fluid additive as a direct replacement for guar gum. Basically, unlike guar gum, it contains less residual hull and it is suitable for low permeability unconventional reservoir; mainly shale gas reservoir, where permeability counts trivial in amount. The polymer of ghatti aid exceptional rheological properties and help to produce higher molecular weight polymer; which has excellent proppant carrying capacity and fracture propagation. In this paper, the experimental study has been carried out in two different phases. This was achieved through optimization and characterization of hydraulic fracturing fluid which was embedded with gum matrices. In Phase-I, the study was carried out by using response surface methodology (RSM). Wherein, the relation between several explanatory and response variables have been measured. In Phase-II, the characterization was done by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and also, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). This experimental study will potentially benefit for development of a new hydraulic fracturing fluid. Where gum ghatti observed as a satisfactory alternative agent for guar gum.

The 1920 paper by Hermann Staudinger, which introduced the groundbreaking theory of the existence of long-chain molecules made up of many covalently linked monomeric units, was remembered in 2020 for the 100th anniversary of its publication. This article and the follow-up works of Staudinger on the subject serve as the basis for the study of macromolecular chemistry and polymer science. Although Staudinger saw the great potential of macromolecules, he most likely did not predict the repercussions of their widespread use. We are confronting an environmental and public health crisis with 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic garbage contaminating our land, water, and air. Synthetic polymer chemists can contribute to a more sustainable future, but are we on the right track? In this regard, this review provides insights into the trends, or perspectives, on the current, past, and future developments in macromolecular chemistry to promote an increased emphasis on "sustainable polymers". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redox flow batteries are a promising technology to enable the middle term storage of fluctuating renewable electricity production. The membrane is a key component in the battery system and to further develop and improve the battery systems, detailed understanding of the membrane aging and degradation mechanisms are required. This review gives a comprehensive overview about the various membrane degradation mechanisms in the most relevant redox flow battery systems. We discuss different testing approaches for membranes and compare the influence of different battery chemistries, testing protocols and degradation mechanisms. Based on the current state of the art, an outlook on the greatest challenges for developing novel and more stable membrane materials is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTRedox flow batteries are a promising technology to enable the middle term storage of fluctuating renewable electricity production. The membrane is a key component in the battery system and to further develop and improve the battery systems, detailed understanding of the membrane aging and degradation mechanisms are required. This review gives a comprehensive overview about the various membrane degradation mechanisms in the most relevant redox flow battery systems. We discuss different testing approaches for membranes and compare the influence of different battery chemistries, testing protocols and degradation mechanisms. Based on the current state of the art, an outlook on the greatest challenges for developing novel and more stable membrane materials is given.

Polymeric films are drug delivery systems that maintain contact with the delivery tissue and sustain a controlled release of therapeutic molecules. These systems allow a longer time of drug contact with the target site in the case of topical treatments and allow the controlled administration of drugs. They can be manufactured by various methods such as solvent casting, hot melt extrusion, electrospinning, and 3D bioprinting. Furthermore, they can employ various polymers, for example PVP, PVA, cellulose derivatives, chitosan, gelling gum, pectin, and alginate. Its versatility is also applicable to different routes of administration, as it can be administered to the skin, oral mucosa, vaginal canal, and eyeballs. All these factors allow numerous combinations to obtain a better treatment. This review focuses on exploring some possible ways to develop them and some particularities and advantages/disadvantages in each case. It also aims to show the versatility of these systems and the advantages and disadvantages in each case, as they bring the opportunity to develop different medicines to facilitate therapies for the most diverse purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past one hundred years have witnessed the great development of polymer science. The advancement of polymer science is closely related with the development of characterization techniques and methods, from viscometry in molecular weight determination to advanced techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. However, these techniques are normally constrained to tedious sample preparation, high costs, harsh experimental conditions, or ex situ characterization. Fluorescence technology has the merits of high sensitivity and direct visualization. Contrary to conventional aggregation‐causing quenching fluorophores, those dyes with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics show high emission efficiency in aggregate states. Based on the restriction of intramolecular motions for AIE properties, the AIE materials are very sensitive to the surrounding microenvironments owing to the twisted propeller‐like structures and therefore offer great potential in the study of polymers. The AIE concept has been successfully used in polymer science and provides a deeper understanding on polymer structure and properties. In this review, the applications of AIEgens in polymer science for visualizing polymerization, glass transition, dissolution, crystallization, gelation, self‐assembly, phase separation, cracking, and self‐healing are exemplified and summarized. Lastly, the challenges and perspectives in the study of polymer science using AIEgens are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Anthropocene, plastic pollution is a worldwide concern that must be tackled from different viewpoints, bringing together different areas of science. Microbial transformation of polymers is a broad-spectrum research topic that has become a keystone in the circular economy of fossil-based and biobased plastics. To have an open discussion about these themes, experts in the synthesis of polymers and biodegradation of lignocellulose and plastics convened within the framework of The Transnational Network for Research and Innovation in Microbial Biodiversity, Enzymes Technology and Polymer Science (MENZYPOL-NET), which was recently created by early-stage scientists from Colombia and Germany. In this context, the international workshop "Microbial Synthesis and Degradation of Polymers: Toward a Sustainable Bioeconomy" was held on 27 September 2021 via Zoom. The workshop was divided into two sections, and questions were raised for discussion with panelists and expert guests. Several key points and relevant perspectives were delivered, mainly related to (i) the microbial evolution driven by plastic pollution; (ii) the relevance of and interplay between polymer structure/composition, enzymatic mechanisms, and assessment methods in plastic biodegradation; (iii) the recycling and valorization of plastic waste; (iv) engineered plastic-degrading enzymes; (v) the impact of (micro)plastics on environmental microbiomes; (vi) the isolation of plastic-degrading (PD) microbes and design of PD microbial consortia; and (vii) the synthesis and applications of biobased plastics. Finally, research priorities from these key points were identified within the microbial, enzyme, and polymer sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Cheminformatics; machine learning; materials informatics; polymer science EN Cheminformatics machine learning materials informatics polymer science 637 642 6 08/09/22 20220601 NES 220601 Article note: A collection of invited papers on Cheminformatics: Data and Standards. The overarching goal of the data infrastructure is to enable data organization, access, and security for cross-team collaboration and end-use machine learning applications. This assessment described building ML models from limited data, followed by iteratively generating more data with guidance from the model coupled with subject matter expertise. [Extracted from the article]

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are natural tubular materials, which show a number of attractive advantages such as the unique micro-spatial structure, large length-diameter ratio, high lumen volume, nontoxicity and widespread. The development of HNTs-based polymer composites expanded their applications in the fields of energy, catalysis, biomedicine, environmental protection and many others. This review will briefly summarize the purification, characterization and modification methods upon HNTs, in which the preparation and application of the HNTs-based polymer composites are emphasized. This paper may be beneficial for the development of novel strategies for the preparation of new libraries of HNTs-based polymer composites and the exploration of their applications.

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules are among the most promising carriers of various sensing substances for their application inside the bloodstream of vertebrates. The longterm effects of biodegradable microcapsules in mammals are relatively well studied, but this is not the case for non-biodegradable microcapsules, which may be even more generally applicable for physiological measurements. In the current study, we introduced non-biodegradable polyelectrolyte microcapsules coated with polyethylene glycol (PMs-PEG) into the circulatory system of zebrafish to assess their long-term effects on fish internal organs with histopathologic analysis. Implantation of PMs-PEG was not associated with the formation of microclots or thrombi in thin capillaries; thus, the applied microcapsules had a low aggregation capacity. The progression of the immune response to the implant depended on the time and the abundance of microparticles in the tissues. Weshowed that inflammation originated from recognition and internalization of PMs-PEG by phagocytes. These microcapsule-filled immune cells have been found to migrate through the intestinal wall into the lumen, demonstrating a possible mechanism for partial microparticle elimination from fish. The observed tissue immune response to PMs-PEG was local, without a systemic effect on the fish morphology. The most pronounced chronic severe inflammatory reaction was observed near the injection site in renal parenchyma and within the abdominal cavity since PMs-PEG were administered with kidney injection. Blood clots and granulomatosis were noted at the injection site but were not found in the kidneys outside the injection site. Single microcapsules brought by blood into distal organs did not have a noticeable effect on the surrounding tissues. The severity of noted pathologies of the gills was insufficient to affect respiration. No statistically significant alterations in hepatic morphology were revealed after PMs-PEG introduction into fish body. Overall, our data demonstrate that despite they are immunogenic, non-biodegradable PMs-PEG have low potential to cause systemic effects if applied in the minimal amount necessary for detection of fluorescent signal from the microcapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a dire need for innovative solutions to address global health needs. Polymeric systems have been shown to provide substantial benefit to all sectors of healthcare, especially for their ability to extend and control drug delivery. Herein, we review polymeric drug delivery devices for vaccines, tuberculosis, and contraception. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective control of chemical reactions is critical for the proper regulation of processes ranging from intricate biological systems to large scale industrial manufacturing. The progression of synthetic chemistry toward the complexity seen in Nature requires increased control over many concurrent chemical reactions in a non‐interfering (orthogonal) fashion. Fortunately, the practically endless pool of synthetic chemical reactions developed to date can often be combined in an orthogonal manner to provide elegant solutions to complex chemical problems. In this review, we first highlight some of the many photochemical reactions that have been applied in orthogonal reaction protocols; the highly selective nature of photochemical reactions makes them well‐suited for independent activation in the presence of other reaction components. The application of these orthogonal reactions, especially photochemical reactions, for the synthesis and modification of polymers and polymeric materials is also summarized. Importantly, the use of orthogonal chemical reactions can provide additional opportunities for synthesizing advanced and functional polymeric materials compared to traditional synthetic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]