Light‐mediated polymerization techniques offer distinct advantages over polymerization reactions fueled by thermal energy, such as high spatial and temporal control as well as the possibility to work under mild reaction conditions. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a highly versatile radical polymerization method that can be utilized to control a variety of monomers and produce a vast number of complex macromolecular structures. The use of light to drive a RAFT‐polymerization is possible via multiple routes. Besides the use of photo‐initiators, or photo‐catalysts, the direct activation of the chain transfer agent controlling the RAFT process in a photo‐iniferter (PI) process is an elegant way to initiate and control polymerization reactions. Within this review, PI‐RAFT polymerization and its advantages over the conventional RAFT process are discussed in detail.

Supramolecular polymers are non-covalent assemblies of unimeric building blocks connected by secondary interactions and hold great promises due to their dynamic nature.

The antifouling behavior of different poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) coatings was investigated under “real live” conditions. Amine end-functionalized PEtOx of different molar masses have been prepared using a new and straightforward, two step synthesis method. Subsequently, the PEtOx were attached to glass surfaces via a tetraether lipid and a common silane, respectively. The polymers and coatings were characterized using techniques such as ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF-MS as well as XPS and contact angle measurements. In a next step, the coatings were exposed to the simultaneous attack of five different bacteria in synthetic river water. A clear reduction of the biofilm formation was observed. In addition, the stability of the coatings against thermal, mechanical, and chemical stress was studied.

We discuss covalently cross-linked poly(2-oxazoline)s including gels, nanogels and capsules on the basis of their synthetic origin in a biomedical context.