The innovation engine for new materials

Morgan Howe

Morgan Howe

Major: 

Chemistry

University: 

Vassar College

Mentor(s): 

Nathaniel Lynd

Faculty Sponsor(s): 

Craig Hawker

Faculty Sponsor's Department(s): 

Materials

Project Title: 

INCORPORATING DEGRADABILITY INTO POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)S AND POLY(PROPYLENE OXIDE)S

Project Description: 

The non-degradability of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), commonly known as poly(ethylene glycol), is a central limitation for its use in therapeutic applications. In order to introduce hydrolytic degradability to PEO, poly[(ethylene oxide)-co-(methylene ethylene oxide)] (P(EO-co-MEO)) was recently developed. We examined alternative synthetic pathways to P(EO-co-MEO). Gel permeation chromatography was used to confirm the degradability of the P(EO-co-MEO) produced by our newly developed routes.  The success of this pathway indicates that P(EO-co-MEO) can be reliably synthesized for future use in an expanded role in polymer therapeutics.