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Aliphatic hyperbranched polyesters based on 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid possess unique properties as a consequence of specifically highly branched structure and a large number of functional groups. They are very interesting for uses in a wide variety of applications from additives in technical products for large-scale industrial applications to high-tech applications, e.g. carriers in drug delivery systems for biomedical applications. Dr. Ema Žagar and Prof. Dr. Majda Žigon from the Laboratory for Polymer Chemistry and Technology, published recently some prominent articles on the structure and molar mass determination of aliphatic hyperbranched polyesters, their solution and bulk properties. In this publication they give a comprehensive review of achievements over the past few years on structural characteristics, properties, characterization and application of aliphatic hyperbranched polyesters. Results indicate the complexity of the composition and structure and multi-dimensional distributions of various properties. They serve as a basis for improved understanding of the structure-property relationships in hyperbranched polymers. The article was published in the prestigious journal on polymer science »Progress in Polymer Science« (impact factor 23.75) (doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2010.08.004), and is available at http://sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00796700.

The colleagues from the Laboratory for the L-14 Biolmolecular Structure have finally determined the dipeptide structures of 19 basic amino acids in a water solution and have published their findings in the reputable journal Proc Natl. Acad. Sci.

Project participants included students of biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, biology, medicine and, as a first this year, also computer science. The team was mentored by researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry, the EN-FIST Centre of Excellence and the University of Ljubljana.

Coworkers of the Laboratory for Materials Electrochemistry, in cooperation with colleagues from Weierstrass Institute, Berlin, constructed a new theoretical model that successfully explains the operation of a modern insertion battery. The crucial novelty is that the electrochemical coupling between the numerous active particles constituting a modern electrode is taken into account. When such a coupling occurs between particles with non-monotone potential profile (most battery materials), many unusual phenomena may occur such as a zero-current voltage hysteresis during charge/discharge, non-continuous charging of particles or multiple potential equilibria within a single electrode.