TITLE Amphiphilic Monomers and Polymers Derived Therefrom PRIMARY INVENTORS S. "Thai" Thayumanavan, Ph.D. DESCRIPTION The present invention demonstrates that incorporation of amphiphilic functionalities within the same monomer unit affords assemblies that are micelle-like or inverse micelle-like in solutions. The amphiphilic polymers exhibit very low critical micelle concentration (CMC), the assembly adapts itself to its environment (micelle-like in water, inverted micelle-like in apolar solvents), multiple functionalities could be directed in the interior of these nanoscale assemblies, and the invention offers the ability to compact incompatible functionalities by creating amphiphilicity using a third functionality. APPLICATIONS This invention may be applied to a variety of applications. This may include chemical decontamination of sensitive equipment, smart adhesive, controlled drug release, controlled release of pesticides or insecticides, targeted delivery to specific cell types, targeted gene delivery, and as compatibilizing agent for incompatible polymer blends. ADVANTAGES It is an object of the present invention to provide a polymeric compound having invertible micellar capability at low critical micelle concentration, as compared to small molecule surfactants of prior art. The current amphiphilic polymers can be exemplified by the ability to perform phase transfer catalysis in fluorocarbon solvents. The polymer has the capability to sequester both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds and confine them together in a nanoscale environment. PATENT STATUS Patent Pending LICENSING STATUS Available for Licensing and research collaboration DOCKET UMA 05-01 NOTES FOR MORE INFORMATION Ling X. Shen, Ph.D., M.B.A. Licensing Officer Phone: 413-545-5276 E-Mail: lxshen@research.umass.edu