(334f) Multifunctional Polyampholytes Polymers: From Fundamentals to the International Space Station

Polyampholyte polymers are composed of mixtures of positively and negatively charged monomer subunits. We have demonstrated that these polymers behave like zwitterionic monomer systems when their composition is controlled as an equimolar distribution of oppositely charged monomers at the molecular level, in both polymer brush and hydrogel investigations. This includes demonstration of their nonfouling properties in complex media. Furthermore, these polymer systems have an advantage over other nonfouling functional groups – it is possible to control additional material properties beyond nonfouling through monomer selection criteria. This includes controlling the mechanical properties, as well as adding in functionality through protein conjugation. Recent work demonstrating the capabilities of polyampholyte polymer systems will be presented for applications of these polyampholyte systems in biomaterials, long duration space travel, and biosensing.