The copolymerization of aryl bis‐ and tris‐trifluorovinyl ether monomers yields aromatic perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers, via thermally initiated step‐growth cycloaddition chemistry. PFCB polymers and their copolymers enjoy a unique combination of attributes well suited for applications in photonic technologies, such as broad tailorability of refractive indices and thermo‐optic coefficients, low transmission losses at 1300 and 1550 nm, high thermal, mechanical, and optical stability, and excellent melt and solution processability. Planar PFCB structures can be processed by direct micro‐transfer molding, which is a first step towards rapid soft‐lithographic fabrication of polymer planar lightwave circuits. Copolymerization chemistry and processing parameters and characterization, including thermal (Tg = 120–350 °C) and optical properties (refractive indices from 1.443 to 1.508 at 1550 nm; thermo‐optic coefficients dn/dT = –7×10–5 K–1 to –1.5 × 10–4 K–1), birefringence (< 0.003), and temporal stability of refractive index, are described.

As the chemical environment of semen can have a profound effect on sperm quality, we examined the effect of pH on the motility, viability and capacitation of human sperm. The sperm in this study was collected from healthy males to avoid interference from other factors. The spermatozoa cultured in sperm nutrition solution at pH 5.2, 6.2, 7.2 and 8.2 were analyzed for sperm total motility, progressive motility (PR), hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) rate, and sperm penetration. Our results showed that these parameters were similar in pH 7.2 and 8.2 sperm nutrition solutions, but decreased in pH 5.2 and 6.2 solutions. The HOS rate exhibited positive correlation with the sperm total motility and PR. In addition, the sperm Na+/K+-ATPase activity at different pHs was measured, and the enzyme activity was significantly lower in pH 5.2 and 6.2 media, comparing with that in pH 8.2 and pH 7.2 solutions. Using flow cytometry (FCM) and laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM) analysis, the intracellular Ca2+ concentrations of sperm cultured in sperm capacitation solution at pH 5.2, 6.2, 7.2 and 8.2 were determined. Compared with that at pH 7.2, the mean fluorescence intensity of sperm in pH 5.2 and 6.2 media decreased significantly, while that of pH 8.2 group showed no difference. Our results suggested that the declined Na+/K+-ATPase activity at acidic pHs result in decreased sperm movement and capacitation, which could be one of the mechanisms of male infertility.

A novel class of phenylphosphine oxide (PPO) containing perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers has been developed for potential use as multifunctional materials in space environments. The reaction of p-BrArOCFCF2 (for Ar = phenyl and biphenyl) with tert-butyllithium affords the lithium reagent smoothly below −20 °C. Subsequent substitution with phenylphosphonic dichloride provides the first bis(trifluorovinyl ether) monomers containing the PPO group. Polymerization proceeds thermally above 150 °C to give polymers that exhibit glass transition temperatures of 169 and 224 °C, respectively, and catastrophic weight loss by TGA in N2 and air above 450 °C (10 °C/min). Copolymerization with bis(4,4‘-trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyl affords film-forming transparent thermoplastic copolymers with high T g (>140 °C) and good thermal stability (>450 °C). Initial evaluations with ground-based simulation of atomic oxygen (AO) rich space environments indicate that the PPO group imparts significant space durability to PFCB polymers.