| POLYMERS Vol.72 No.5 |
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COVER STORY
Baby Polymers |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Baby Skin and Macromolecules | Yoshimune NONOMURA |
| <Abstract> A baby’s skin is soft, thin, and immature, even though its plump texture is somewhat attractive. Therefore, it is necessary to take various efforts to keep the skin clean and healthy. This paper reviews the characteristics of baby skin and introduces polymers that are used in the skin care industry for baby skin. Keywords: Infant / Skin / Texture / Cleanser / Sunscreen / Moisturizer |
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| Rheological Studies Related to Infants and Children | Yuichi MASUBUCHI |
| <Abstract> This article showcases stories related to rheological phenomena occuring in the life of infants and children during their birth and while eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, learning, and growing up. There were reports about lots of interesting issues from phenomenological viewpoints. However, since the human body and related materials such as foods and excrements are complex soft matters, molecular insights have not been deeply discussed in most cases. In this sense, this field has the potential to become a new frontier in polymer science. Keywords: Rheology / Viscosity / Viscoelasticity / Modulus / Infants / Children / Sensory Tests / Education |
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| The Past, Present, and Future of Superabsorbent Polymers for Diapers | Kazuhiro TAKAHASHI |
| <Abstract> Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are lightly cross-linked polyelectrolytes, which absorb and retain a large amount of water. In response to the need for higher performance diapers, technologies have been developed to improve absorption performance such as retention capacity, absorbency under load, and absorption speed so far. However, disposable diapers are so-called single-use products, and there is a growing demand for material design that takes into account not only the functions during use, but also the after-use and disposal. As for sustainable developments, various approaches can be considered from the viewpoints of Reduce, Recycle, and Renewable. One approach is to improve fundamental performance of SAP in order to “Reduce” the amount of materials used, and a new technology has been developed by utilizing the iodine transfer polymerization method to the polymerization of SAP. As another point, which contributes to the “Recycle” of materials, SAP with easy dehydration properties are being developed. As for “Renewable”, SAP using biomass-derived raw materials are under investigation. Keywords: Superabsorbent Polymer / Iodine Transfer Polymerization / Easy Dehydration / Biomass-Derived |
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| Natural Polymers Benign for Babies | Maiko OKAJIMA |
| <Abstract> Sacran was discovered in the process of searching for raw materials for bioplastics, and it turned out to be a useful new polysaccharide that exhibits unexpected properties such as a ultra-high molecular weight and a coiled-coil assembly. Sacran has already been used as a raw material in many cosmetics as a moisturizing agent and film-forming agent, and it is also spreading overseas. This article describes the potential of Sacran for various baby products. Keywords: Polysaccharides / Moisturizer / Cosmetics / Textiles / Cyanobacterium |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Developing a Novel Surgical Material Using Synthetic Polymers for Babies Undergoing Cardiac Surgery | Shintaro NEMOTO |
| <Abstract> Previous materials on the market used as a patch in cardiovascular repair in congenital heart diseases have drawbacks such as degradation, excess foreign body reactions, and lack of growth potential often resulting in reoperations to replace failed materials over a lifetime. Our newly developed warp-knitted patch consists of biodegradable (poly-L-lactic acid: PLLA) and non-biodegradable (polyethylene terephthalate: PET) yarns with cross-linked gelatin coating. The hybrid fabric is designed to have expandability without material degradation as a result of in situ tissue regeneration. Experimental studies revealed that the regenerated vascular wall regenerated including the fabric continued to mature without material degradation and demonstrated favorable extensibility in long term that could not be achieved with currently used materials. Recently a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the fabric in patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery in Japan have successfully achieved its primary endpoint in 2022. A goal-oriented development plan needs to be examined with collaborating companies for successful practical use of medical devices. Keywords: Congenital Cardiac Surgery / Surgical Materials / Degradation / Reoperation / Polymers / Hybrid / Practical Use |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| As a Creator | Hiroshi MASAI |
| <Abstract> In this personal account, I look back over my short history as a researcher. I have synthesized functional molecules and macromolecules step by step, through a lot of trial and error. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Stimuli-Responsive Conjugated Polymers Including Heteroatoms | Kazuo TANAKA |
| <Abstract> When a hetero atom is introduced into the main chain of conjugated polymers, stimulus responsiveness can be obtained. In this paper, the mechanism of changes in optical functionality, such as luminescence intensity and color, in response to stimuli, will be explained. Keywords: Conjugated Polymer / Boron / Luminescent Chromism / Sensor |
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