Single Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolytes Based On Versatile Polyurethanes

Single-ion polymer electrolytes are expected to play an important role in the development of next-generation lithium metal batteries. In this paper, the synthesis and characterization of single-ion conducting polyurethanes (SIPUs) based on PEG and a specifically designed ionic liquid monomer (bis-MPTFSI) is presented. Exploiting the flexible chemistry of polyurethanes, it was possible to tailor the composition and chemical structure of SIPE, obtaining both segmented and crosslinked lithium ion-conductive (σ = 10−8−10−4 S cm−1) and free-standing films with the lithium transference number close to unity. Finally, the performances of gel polymer electrolytes based on SIPUs for lithium metal batteries operating at room temperature were investigated (80 cycles at C/10 with nearly 100% efficiency). To the best of our knowledge, these SIPUs represent one of the first examples of polyurethane-based poly(ionic liquid)s for application in the field of battery science

Direct Route to Well-Defined Poly(ionic liquid)s by Controlled Radical Polymerization in Water

The precision synthesis of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) in water is achieved for the first time by the cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) of N-vinyl-3-alkylimidazolium-type monomers following two distinct protocols. The first involves the CMRP of various 1-vinyl-3-alkylimidazolium bromides conducted in water in the presence of an alkyl cobalt(III) complex acting as a monocomponent initiator and mediating agent. Excellent control over molar mass and dispersity is achieved at 30 degrees C. Polymerizations are complete in a few hours, and PIL chain-end fidelity is demonstrated up to high monomer conversions. The second route uses the commercially available bis(acetylacetonato)cobalt(II) (Co(acac)2) in conjunction with a simple hydroperoxide initiator (tertbutyl hydroperoxide) at 30, 40, and 50 degrees C in water, facilitating the scaling-up of the technology. Both routes prove robust and straightforward, opening new perspectives onto the tailored synthesis of PILs under mild experimental conditions in water

Influence of Hydrophobic Anion on Solution Properties of PDMAEMA

The effect of bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide, NTf2, anion on soln. properties of the thermoresponsive poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), PDMAEMA, has been studied. Nonstoichiometric amts. of LiNTf2 were added to aq. solns. of PDMAEMA, with or without a buffer in the pH range 6-10. Since PDMAEMA is a weak polybase, the interaction between PDMAEMA and NTf2 can be manipulated by the concn. of the anion and also by varying the degree of charging of PDMAEMA with pH. PDMAEMA has a well-known LCST behavior which can be modulated by the counterion. It was obsd. that the hydrophobic NTf2 anion not only decreases the cloud point of PDMAEMA but also triggers an upper crit. soln. temp. (UCST) type behavior in acidic pH. In a higher pH regime, NTf2 makes the cloud point increase because the anion turns PDMAEMA to a stronger base, presumably by effectively shielding the charges. [on SciFinder(R)

Personalized In Vitro and In Vivo Cancer Models to Guide Precision Medicine

Precision medicine is an approach that takes into account the influence of individuals' genes, environment, and lifestyle exposures to tailor interventions. Here, we describe the development of a robust precision cancer care platform that integrates whole-exome sequencing with a living biobank that enables high-throughput drug screens on patient-derived tumor organoids. To date, 56 tumor-derived organoid cultures and 19 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models have been established from the 769 patients enrolled in an Institutional Review Board-approved clinical trial. Because genomics alone was insufficient to identify therapeutic options for the majority of patients with advanced disease, we used high-throughput drug screening to discover effective treatment strategies. Analysis of tumor-derived cells from four cases, two uterine malignancies and two colon cancers, identified effective drugs and drug combinations that were subsequently validated using 3-D cultures and PDX models. This platform thereby promotes the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches that can be assessed in clinical trials and provides personalized therapeutic options for individual patients where standard clinical options have been exhausted.Significance: Integration of genomic data with drug screening from personalized in vitro and in vivo cancer models guides precision cancer care and fuels next-generation research. Cancer Discov; 7(5); 462-77. ©2017 AACR.See related commentary by Picco and Garnett, p. 456This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 443