Whey, a by-product of cheese making, contains whey proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals. Whey and whey proteins are still not fully used. In this study, whey protein-based aqueous polymer-isocyanate (API) adhesives were developed and characterized by bond test, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) for bond strength, chemical structures, and morphology. The optimized whey protein-based API adhesive for Glulam had a 28-h boilingdry-boiling wet strength of 6.81 MPa and a dry strength of 14.34 MPa. Results indicated that the addition of polyvinyl acetate emulsion can prolong the work life of the API adhesive. Addition of crosslinker polymeric methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate (P-MDI) not only increased the cohesive strength of the cured adhesive by crosslinking whey proteins but also resulted in strong chemical bonds via urethane linkage in wood bondlines. Addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) further increased the crosslinking density of the cured adhesive due to its capability of crosslinking whey proteins through the reaction with P-MDI. Nanoscale CaCO 3 powder (3.5 wt %) as filler significantly improved bond strength due to its mechanical interlock with the polymers in the adhesive. SEM examinations confirmed that both PVA and nanoscale CaCO 3 improved the compatibilities of the components in the optimized whey protein-based API adhesive. FTIR results revealed that P-MDI reacts mainly with the residual amino groups rather than the hydroxyl groups of whey proteins. V C 2010Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: [220][221][222][223][224][225] 2011

Citation denotes calendar and volume year of first online publication.

A double metallacycle was prepared via the size-selective integrative self-sorting of four different building blocks driven by a reversible metal-ligand coordination interaction. A hydrophobic dendron was placed on a metallacycle and a hydrophilic dendron was attached to the other metallacycle, producing a two-faced Janus-type supramolecule with two distinct functionalities. In aqueous media, hierarchical self-assembly of the supramolecular system was induced by the combination of coordination interactions and hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions resulting in the formation of micrometer-sized fiber-like structures, a morphology distinct from metallacycles bearing only one type of functionality. This study provides a versatile approach for the construction of Janus-type molecules and demonstrates that integrative self-sorting of a supramolecular coordination system can be utilized for the preparation of complex supramolecular systems with pre-designed functionalities and morphologies

The isomers of 3D TQ-CMP and 2D TQ-CQN was made toward the applications of gas adsorption and hydrogen evolution reaction, which clarified the interrelation between microstructure and conductivity for structural design and functional exploration.

A novel supramolecular mechanically interlocked crosslinker was designed and used to prepare a supramolecular polymer network.

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Ionic conductivity and membrane capacitance are two foundational parameters that govern neuron excitability. Conventional optogenetics has emerged as a powerful tool to temporarily manipulate membrane ionic conductivity in intact biological systems. However, no analogous method exists for precisely manipulating cell membrane capacitance to enable long-lasting modulation of neuronal excitability. Genetically targetable chemical assembly of conductive and insulating polymers can modulate cell membrane capacitance, but further development of this technique has been hindered by poor spatiotemporal control of the polymer deposition and cytotoxicity from the widely diffused peroxide. We address these issues by harnessing genetically targetable photosensitizer proteins to assemble electrically functional polymers in neurons with precise spatiotemporal control. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we demonstrate that this optogenetic polymerization can achieve stepwise modulation of both neuron membrane capacitance and intrinsic excitability. Furthermore, cytotoxicity can be limited by controlling light exposure, demonstrating a promising new method for precisely modulating cell excitability.

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