A series of thermoresponsive glycomicrogels with trehalose in the cross-links or with trehalose in the cross-links and as pending moieties was synthesized. These materials were obtained by surfactant-free precipitation copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide and various amounts of trehalose monomers. The resultant particles showed a spherical shape and a submicrometer hydrodynamic size with a narrow size distribution. At 25 °C, glycomicrogels in solutions with physiological ionic strength formed stable colloids, which further gelled upon heating to physiological temperature forming a macroscopic hydrogel with an interconnected porous structure. These extremely soft matrices with dynamic storage modulus in the range of 9–70 Pa were examined in 3D culture systems for HeLa cell culture in comparison to traditional 2D mode. They showed relatively low syneresis over time, especially when glycomicrogels with a high content of hydrophilic trehalose were used as building blocks. An incorporated pending trehalose composed of two α,α′-1,1′-linked D-glucose moieties was used with the intention of providing multivalent interactions with glucose transporters (GLUTs) expressed on the cell surface. A better cell viability was observed when a soft hydrogel with the highest content of trehalose and the lowest syneresis was used as a matrix compared to a 2D control assay.

Chemical modification of Schiff base epoxy resins involves introduction of waste PET degradation products into a synthesis reaction between N,N’-bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4,4’-oxydianiline and epichlorohydrin or introduction of a flexibility spacer between the mesogenic units in a reaction with epichlorohydrin. This provides the resins with much lower glass transition temperatures. All used Schiff bases are the derivatives of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Synthesized epoxy resins were used as a component of binder of new organic coatings. Xylene-based solution of polyamide based on dimerized fatty acid and polyamines and poly(oxypropylene diamine) were used as a hardener for the synthesized and commercial epoxy resins at room temperatures. Physical and mechanical properties of coatings based on new epoxy resins were determined. Results were compared with those for one selected commercial epoxy resin. The results of investigations prove that coatings based on new epoxy resins have good elasticity, impact resistance, and their adhesion to the substrate is comparable or even better than that of coatings based on the widely used commercial epoxy resin.