Single Base Pair Mismatch Detection Using Cationic Conjugated Polymers through Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

A simple method using water‐soluble conjugated polymers and a DNA intercalator has been proposed for single base pair mismatch detection with enhanced detection efficiency. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was used as an indicator for unwinding of dsDNA due to base pair mismatch at elevated temperatures. The optical amplification effect of the CPs helps to achieve enhanced detection efficiency.

     

Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Particles Synthesized by Suspension Polymerization in Silicone Oil

Summary: Magnetic nanoparticles have been prepared by a co‐precipitation method and modified with methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer particles have been prepared by suspension polymerization in silicone oil. The particles possess a high affinity to the template molecules and are rapidly separated under a magnetic field.

SEM photograph of magnetic MIP particles.     

Evolution and Operating Experiences with Different Drop‐On‐Demand Systems

Summary: We describe the development of different drop‐on‐demand systems particularly for applications for the liquid handling of biopolymers. Different designs of drop‐on‐demand systems developed by the authors are described. Experiments with these systems show the applicability for pipetting different liquids with different properties. Commercially available systems are also tested. A comparison of the different approaches leads to a discussion of the best fields of application of the different approaches or, alternatively, to the potential further development of the drop‐on‐demand technologies.

Principle setup of the print heads.     

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Mushroom Cap‐shaped Colloidal Particles towards Fabrication of Anisotropic Colloidal Crystals

In this work, we design and synthesize a kind of amphiphilic mushroom cap‐shaped particles with wettability difference on the opposite sides of the particles. Colloidal crystals consisting of uniformly oriented anisotropic particles were fabricated on the water–air interface based on the wettability difference of particles. This simple approach offers a new way for self‐assembly of anisotropic colloidal crystal by amphiphilic design of particles.

     

A New Strategy for the Synthesis of Polyaniline Nanostructures: From Nanofibers to Nanowires

A new approach for the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures under UV light illumination has been developed, which is the first report of a templateless chemical process for preparing pure PANI nanowires. The acceleration effect of photo‐assistance on the polymerization can promote the homogeneous nucleation and elongation of the nanofibers and nanowires, leading to easy preparation of tunable diameters of the nanowires and nanofibers of PANI.

     

Synthesis of Poly(ethylene oxide)s Bearing Functional Groups along the Chain

Well‐defined poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEOs) bearing reactive sites regularly distributed along the chain have been synthesized by the polycondensation of PEO containing a central tertiary amino group with dichloromethane, followed by quaternization with suitable reagents to obtain polyzwitterionic or cationic PEOs with alkyl, allyl, or fluorocarbon pendant groups. The pendant allyl groups have been converted into primary amino groups by reaction with 2‐aminoethanethiol hydrochloride to obtain polyamino‐functionalized PEO.

Polyfunctional PEOs bearing different pendant groups.     

Selective and Sequential Re‐Assembly of Patterned Block Copolymer Thin Film for Fabricating Polymeric,Inorganic, and Their Composite Nanostructured Arrays

We report that the nanostructures of poly(styrene‐block‐4‐vinylpyridine) block copolymer (PS‐b‐P4VP) thin film on a wafer substrate can be re‐assembled by sequential vapor treatment using selected solvents. Metal or other inorganic nanoparticles that were randomly pre‐loaded inside or on the surface of PS‐b‐P4VP thin film could be pulled to the rim of PS and P4VP along with the movements of PS and P4VP blocks during the treatment. As a result, the patterned polymeric or inorganic/polymer composite nanoisland and nanoring arrays were fabricated.

     

Isobutene Polymerization Using [CuII(NCMe)6]2+ with Non‐Coordinating Anions as Catalysts

Cu^II compounds coordinated octahedrally with nitriles and associated with bulky, non‐coordinating counter ions can be applied in the polymerization of isobutene at 30 °C. High yields and a high content of terminal double bonds are reached in the resulting highly reactive polyisobutylenes, while the molecular masses are moderate. Two of the coordinating nitriles are more weakly coordinated than the other four, as can be concluded from an exemplary X‐ray structure and from vibrational spectra, thus providing easily accessible sites for substrate coordination.

     

Automated Parallel Synthesis of MADIX (Co)Polymers

An automated parallel synthetic approach has been developed for synthesizing polymer libraries by the Macromolecular Design via the Interchange of Xanthates (MADIX) process. The experimental set‐up, parallel polymerizations, characterization, and reproducibility tests are detailed. Examples of acrylic diblock copolymers synthesized in this way are given.

Automated MADIX polymerizations of BA in the presence of a X₁ ‐capped PEA.