Molecular Healing of Polymeric Materials, Coatings, Plastics, Elastomers, Composites, Laminates, Adhesives, and Sealants by Active Enzymes

• US 20100210745A1
• Filed: 01/29/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reactive Surfaces Limited
• Original Assignee: Reactive Surfaces Limited
• Inventors: Williams, Eric, Carvajal, Juan Carlo, Cipi, Pirro, Rawlins, James, Wales, Melinda E., McDaniel, C. Steven
• Application Number:
  US12/696,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20100210745A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 521/55
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/008 Temporary coatings C09D5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/1625 organic
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/1668 Vinyl-type polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/48 Stabilisers against degradation by oxygen, light or heat
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/65 macromolecular C09D7/41-C09D7/48 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/70 characterised by shape, e.g. fibres, flakes or microspheres
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/003 with enzymes or microorganisms

Abstract

Disclosed herein are polymeric materials such as a coating, a plastic, a laminate, a composite, an elastomer, an adhesive, or a sealant; a surface treatment such as a textile finish or a wax; a filler for such a polymeric material or a surface treatment that includes an enzyme such as an esterase (e.g., a lipolytic enzyme, a sulfuric ester hydrolase, an organophosphorus compound degradation enzyme), an enzyme (e.g., a lysozyme, a lytic transglycosylase) that degrades a cell wall and/or a cell membrane component, a biocidal or biostatic peotide, and/or a peptidase. Also disclosed herein are methods of altering a material'"'"'s property such as service life, flexability, or rigidity, by incorporation of an enzyme into a material capable of being chemically crosslinked by the activity of a lipolytic enzyme, a hydrolase, and/or a urease.

Claims

1. A composition, comprising a thermoplastic polymeric material, a thermoset polymeric material, an elastomer, a foamed solid polymeric material, a reinforced polymeric material, a composite, a laminate, an engineering polymeric material;

a high-performance polymeric material, a honeycomb, a coated fabric, a polymeric fiber, an adhesive, a sealant, a wax, a textile finish, a filler, a coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the coating comprises an architectural coating, an automotive coating, a can coating, a sealant coating, a chemical agent resistant coating, a camouflage coating, a pipeline coating, a traffic marker coating, an aircraft coating, a nuclear power plant coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the composition comprises an active enzyme and a substrate of the active enzyme, wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the composition;

wherein the property of the composition that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, adhesion, or a combination thereof.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein upon damage to the composition that alters the property of the composition, the active enzyme at least partly repairs the damage by the chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises an acidic moiety, a basic moiety, an ester, an anhydride, an aldehyde, an amide, or a combination thereof, that undergoes the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the acidic moiety, the basic moiety, the ester, the anhydride, the aldehyde, the amide, or a combination thereof, comprises between about 0.00001% to 10% of the composition by weight or volume.

5. The composition of claim 3, wherein the acid acidic moiety comprises a carboxyl.

6. The composition of claim 3, wherein the basic moiety comprises a hydroxyl, an amine, or a combination thereof.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a vegetable oil-based macromonomer, an acrylic monomer, a vinyl monomer, a fatty acid, a dimer fatty acid, a dicarboxylic acid, an alcohol, a silane, a titanate, a volan, a zirconate, a polymer, or a combination thereof.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the vegetable oil-based macromonomer comprises an ester, an amide, or a combination thereof, that undergoes the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme.

9. The composition of claim 7, wherein the polymer comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer, an elastomeric polymer, a crosslinked polymer, or a combination thereof.

10. The composition of claim 7, wherein the polymer comprises a polyester, a polyacrylate, a polyepoxide, a polyurethane, a polyurea, a urethane carbonate, a polyamide, or a combination thereof.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the polyester comprises an alkyd polyester, an aliphatic polyester, an aromatic polyester, or a combination thereof.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the aliphatic polyester comprises saturated polyester, an unsaturated polyester, an oil-free polyester, or a combination thereof.

13. The composition of claim 10, wherein the polyepoxide comprises an amine, an amide, an anhydride, an ester, or a combination thereof, that undergoes the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme.

14. The composition of claim 10, wherein the polyurethane comprises a polyurethane dispersion, a polyurethane alkyd, multipack polyurethane, or a combination thereof.

15. The composition of claim 10, wherein the polyurea comprises an aliphatic polyurea, an aromatic polyurea, an aspartate ester polyurea, or a combination thereof.

16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a liquid component, wherein the liquid component promotes the diffusion of the substrate of the active enzyme in the composition.

17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the liquid component comprises a liquid organic compound, an inorganic compound, water, or a combination thereof.

18. The composition of claim 17, wherein the liquid organic compound comprises a hydrocarbon, an oxygenated compound, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, a nitrated hydrocarbon, a miscellaneous organic liquid, a plasticizer, or a combination thereof;

wherein the inorganic compound comprises ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxide, or a combination thereof;

wherein the water comprises methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butanol, ethylene glycol, methyl glycol, ethyl glycol, propyl glycol, butyl glycol, ethyl diglycol, methoxypropanol, methyldipropylene glycol, dioxane, tetrahydorfuran, acetone, diacetone alcohol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylbenzene, tetrachloroethylene, p-xylene, toluene, diisobutyl ketone, tricholorethylene, trimethylcyclohexanol, cyclohexyl acetate, dibutyl ether, trimethylcyclohexanone, 1,1,1-tricholoroethane, hexane, hexanol, isobutyl acetate, butyl acetate, isophorone, nitropropane, butyl glycol acetate, 2-nitropropane, methylene chloride, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, isopropyl acetate, methylbenzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, nitroethane, methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, butanol, butyl glycolate, isobutanol, 2-butanol, propylene carbonate, ethyl glycol acetate, methyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, or a combination thereof;

or a combination thereof the forgoing.

19. The composition of claim 1, wherein an inhibitor of the active enzyme, the active enzyme, the substrate of the active enzyme, a liquid component, or a combination thereof, are added to composition during preparation, after preparation, or a combination thereof, to moderate the amount of the chemical reaction to alter the property.

20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the inhibitor of the active enzyme, the active enzyme, the substrate of the active enzyme, the liquid component, or a combination thereof, is added to the composition between about 1 minute to about 50 years after preparation of the composition.

21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the esterase comprises a lipolytic enzyme.

22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a carboxylic acid, a hydroxyl, an ester, an anhydride, an aldehyde, or a combination thereof, that undergoes the chemical reaction catalyzed by the lipolytic enzyme.

23. The composition of claim 21, wherein the lipolytic enzyme comprises a carboxylesterase, a lipase, a lipoprotein lipase, an acylglycerol lipase, a hormone-sensitive lipase, a phospholipase A₁, a phospholipases A₂, a phosphatidylinositol deacylase, a phospholipase C, a phospholipase D, a phosphoinositide phospholipase C, a phosphatidate phosphatase, a lysophospholipase, a sterol esterase, a galactolipase, a sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, a sphingomyelin phosphodiesterases D, a ceramidase, a wax-ester hydrolase, a fatty-acyl-ethyl-ester synthase, a retinyl-palmitate esterase, a 11-cis-retinyl-palmitate hydrolase, an all-trans-retinyl-palmitate hydrolase, a cutinase, an acyloxyacyl hydrolase, or a combination thereof.

24. The composition of claim 1, wherein the active enzyme comprises a plurality of active enzymes.

25. The composition of claim 1, wherein the active enzyme comprises a mesophilic enzyme, a psychrophilic enzyme, a thermophilic enzyme, a halophilic enzyme, or a combination thereof.

26. The composition of claim 1, wherein the active enzyme is microencapsulated, encased, immobilized, crosslinked, or a combination thereof.

27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the active enzyme comprises an immobilization carrier.

28. The composition of claim 1, wherein the active enzyme comprises a particulate material.

29. The composition of claim 14, wherein the active enzyme comprises a cell-based particulate material.

30. The composition of claim 1, wherein the active enzyme is attenuated, sterilized, or a combination thereof.

31. The composition of claim 1, wherein the active enzyme comprises about 0.001% to about 30% of the composition by weight or volume.

32. The composition of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material comprises a biodegradable polymer, a cellulosic polymer, a fluoropolymer, a polyether, a polyamide, a polyacrylonitrile, a polyamide-imide, a polyarylate, a polybenzimidazole, a polybutylene, a polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polyester, a polyetherimide, a polyethylene, a polyimide, a polyketone, an acrylic, a polymethylpentene, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyarylene sulphide, a polypropylene, a polyurethane, a polystyrene, a polysulfone resin, a polyterpene, a polyvinyl acetal, a polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic vinyl ester, a polyvinyl ether, a polyvinyl carbazole, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinylidene chloride, a polyimidazopyrrolone, a polyacrolein, a polyvinylpyridine, a polyvinylamide, a polyurea, a polyquinoxaline, or a combination thereof.

33. The composition of claim 32, wherein the biodegradable polymer comprises a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer, a photodegradable polymer, a biomedical polymer, or a combination thereof.

34. The composition of claim 32, wherein the biodegradable polymer is part of a biomedical material, a biomedical device, or a combination thereof.

35. The composition of claim 34, wherein the biomedical device comprises an implantable device.

36. The composition of claim 35, wherein the implantable device comprises an artificial joint device.

37. The composition of claim 32, wherein the biodegradable polymer is capable of controlled release of a pharmaceutically composition.

38. The composition of claim 1, wherein the thermoset polymeric material comprises an alkyd resin, an allyl resin, an amino resin, a bismaleimide resin, a cyanate ester resin, an epoxy resin, a furane resin, a phenolic resin, a thermosetting polyester resin, a polyimide resin, a polyurethane resin, a silicone resin, a vinyl ester resin, a casein, or a combination thereof.

39. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a plurality of polymers.

40. The composition of claim 1, wherein the elastomer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, a melt processable rubber, a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, a propylene oxide elastomer, an ethylene-isoprene elastomer, an ethylene-vinyl acetate elastomer, a non-polymeric elastomer, or a combination thereof.

41. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises an adhesive, a sealant, or a combination thereof.

42. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a polymeric material additive.

43. The composition of claim 42, wherein the polymeric material additive comprises a curing agent, a crosslinking agent, an inhibitor, a nucleating agent, a plasticizer, a lubricant, a mold release agent, a slip agent, a diluent, a dispersant, a thickening agent, a thixotropic, a thinner, an anti-blocking agent, an antistatic agent, a flame retarder, a colorant, an antifogging agent, an odorant, a blowing agent, a surfactant, a defoamer, an anti-aging additive, a degrading agent, an anti-microbial agent, an adhesion promoter, an impact modifier, a low-profile additive, a filler, a pH indicator, or a combination thereof.

44. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises an engineering polymeric material;

a high-performance polymeric material, or a combination thereof.

45. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a reinforced polymeric material.

46. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a composite.

47. The composition of claim 46, wherein the composite comprises a styrene ester, a vinyl ester, an epoxy amine, or a combination thereof.

48. The composition of claim 47, wherein the epoxy amine comprises a multipack epoxy amine, a high temperature epoxy amine, a BMI epoxy amine and isocyanate, or a combination thereof.

49. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a laminate.

50. The composition of claim 1, wherein the architectural coating comprises an architectural wood coating, an architectural masonry coating, an architectural artist'"'"'s coating, an architectural plastic coating, an architectural metal coating, or a combination thereof.

51. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an automotive coating, a can coating, a sealant coating, or a combination thereof.

52. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a chemical agent resistant coating, a camouflage coating, a pipeline coating, a traffic marker coating, an aircraft coating, a nuclear power plant coating, or a combination thereof.

53. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a coating, and wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a polyester, a polyacrylate, a polyepoxide, a polyurethane, a polyurea, a urethane carbonate, a polyamide, a vegetable oil-based macromonomer, or a combination thereof.

54. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a paint or a clear coating.

55. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an exterior coating or an interior coating.

56. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a waterborne coating.

57. The composition of claim 56, wherein the waterborne coating is a latex coating.

58. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a solvent based coating.

59. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a multicoat system.

60. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating is capable of film formation.

61. The composition of claim 60, wherein the coating comprises a volatile component and a non-volatile component, and wherein the coating undergoes film formation by loss of part of the volatile component.

62. The composition of claim 60, wherein film formation occurs by crosslinking of a binder.

63. The composition of claim 60, wherein the coating produces a self-cleaning film or a temporary film.

64. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating is a non-film forming coating.

65. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a binder, a liquid component, a colorant, an additive, or a combination thereof.

66. The composition of claim 65, wherein the binder comprises a thermoplastic binder, a thermosetting binder, or a combination thereof.

67. The composition of claim 65, wherein the liquid component comprises a solvent, a thinner, a diluent, a plasticizer, a coalescing agent, water, or a combination thereof.

68. The composition of claim 65, wherein the colorant comprises a pigment, a dye, or a combination thereof.

69. The composition of claim 65, wherein the additive comprises an accelerator, an adhesion promoter, an antifoamer, anti-insect additive, an antioxidant, an antiskinning agent, a buffer, a catalyst, a coalescing agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a defoamer, a dehydrator, a dispersant, a drier, electrical additive, an emulsifier, a filler, a flame/fire retardant, a flatting agent, a flow control agent, a gloss aid, a leveling agent, a marproofing agent, a preservative, a silicone additive, a slip agent, a surfactant, a light stabilizer, a rheological control agent, a wetting additive, a cryopreservative, a xeroprotectant, a pH indicator, or a combination thereof.

70. The composition of claim 69, wherein the preservative comprises a biocide, a biostatic, or a combination thereof.

71. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating is a multi-pack coating.

72. The composition of claim 1, wherein the coating is about 5 μ

m to about 5000 μ

m thick upon a surface.

73. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a phosphoric triester hydrolase comprises an aryldialkylphosphatase, a diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase, a petroleum lipolytic enzyme, a peptidase, an antibiological enzyme, an antibiological peptidic agent, or a combination thereof.

74. The composition of claim 73, wherein the antibiological enzyme comprises a lysozyme, a lysostaphin, a libiase, a lysyl endopeptidase, a mutanolysin, a cellulase, a chitinase, an α

-agarase, an β

-agarase, a N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase, a lytic transglycosylase, a glucan endo-1,3-β

-D-glucosidase, an endo-1,3(4)-β

-glucanase, a β

-lytic metalloendopeptidase, a 3-deoxy-2-octulosonidase, peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-β

-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase, a mannosyl-glycoprotein endo-β

-N-acetylglucosaminidase, a I-carrageenase, a K-carrageenase, a λ

-carrageenase, an α

-neoagaro-oligosaccharide hydrolase, an endolysin, an autolysin, a mannoprotein protease, a glucanase, a mannase, a zymolase, a lyticase. a lipolytic enzyme, a peroxidase, or a combination thereof.

75. The composition of claim 73, wherein the antibiological peptidic agent comprises SEQ ID No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, or a combination thereof.

76. A polymeric material composition, comprising a polymeric material, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, a thermoset polymeric material, an elastomer, a foamed solid polymeric material, a reinforced polymeric material, a composite, a laminate, an engineering polymeric material;

a high-performance polymeric material, a honeycomb, a coated fabric, a polymeric fiber, an adhesive, a sealant, a coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a urease, a hydrolase, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the polymeric material;

wherein the property of the polymeric material that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

77. The composition of claim 76, wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a polymer that comprises about 10% to about 100% of the composition by weight or volume.

78. A plastic composition, comprising a plastic, an active enzyme and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the plastic comprises thermoplastic, a thermoset, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the plastic;

wherein the property of the plastic that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

79. A coating composition, comprising a coating, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the coating comprises an architectural coating, an automotive coating, a can coating, a sealant coating, a chemical agent resistant coating, a camouflage coating, a pipeline coating, a traffic marker coating, an aircraft coating, a nuclear power plant coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the coating;

wherein the property of the coating that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, adhesion, or a combination thereof.

80. An adhesive composition, comprising an adhesive, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the composition comprises a substrate of the active enzyme, wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the adhesive;

wherein the property of the adhesive that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, adhesion, or a combination thereof.

81. A sealant composition, comprising a sealant, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the sealant;

wherein the property of the sealant that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, adhesion, or a combination thereof.

82. An elastomer composition, comprising an elastomer, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the elastomer;

wherein the property of the elastomer that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

83. A reinforced polymeric material composition, comprising a reinforced polymeric material, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the reinforced polymeric material;

wherein the property of the reinforced polymeric material that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

84. A composite composition, comprising a composite, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the composite;

wherein the property of the composite that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

85. A laminate composition, comprising a laminate, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the laminate;

wherein the property of the laminate that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

86. A polymeric material composition, comprising a polymeric material, an active enzyme, and a substrate;

wherein the polymeric material comprises an engineering polymeric material;

a high-performance polymeric material, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the polymeric material;

wherein the property of the polymeric material that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

87. A polymeric material composition, comprising polymeric material that comprises a polyurethane polymer and an active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a urease, a hydrolase, or a combination thereof;

wherein the polyurethane polymer comprises an acidic moiety, a basic moiety, or a combination thereof is capable of undergoing a chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the polyurethane polymer that alters a property of the polymeric material;

wherein the property of the polymeric material that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

88. The composition of claim 87, wherein the polyurethane polymer is in the form of a polyurethane dispersion, a polyurethane alkyd, a multipack polyurethane, or a combination thereof.

89. A polymeric material composition, comprising a polymeric material that comprises a polymer comprising a vegetable oil-based macromonomer as a monomer of the polymer;

wherein the polymeric material comprise an active enzyme, wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a urease, a hydrolase, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the vegetable oil-based macromonomer that alters a property of the polymeric material;

wherein the property of the polymeric material that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

90. The composition of claim 89, wherein the polymeric material comprises a plastic, an elastomer, a coating, a biomedical material, a composite material, or a combination thereof.

91. The composition of claim 89, wherein the polymeric material comprises a water-based polymeric material.

92. The composition of claim 89, wherein the polymeric material comprises a solvent-based polymeric material.

93. The composition of claim 89, wherein the active enzyme is encapsulated.

94. A biomedical composition, comprising a biomedical material, an active enzyme, and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a urease, a hydrolase, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the biomedical material that alters a property of the biomedical material;

wherein the property of the biomedical material that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, or a combination thereof.

95. The composition of claim 94, wherein the biomedical material is part of a biomedical device.

96. The composition of claim 95, wherein the biomedical device is an implantable device.

97. An article of manufacture, comprising a thermoplastic polymeric material, a thermoset polymeric material, an elastomer, a foamed solid polymeric material, a reinforced polymeric material, a composite, a laminate, an engineering polymeric material;

a high-performance polymeric material, a honeycomb, a coated fabric, a polymeric fiber, an adhesive, a sealant, a wax, a textile finish, a filler, a coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the coating comprises an architectural coating, an automotive coating, a can coating, a sealant coating, a chemical agent resistant coating, a camouflage coating, a pipeline coating, a traffic marker coating, an aircraft coating, a nuclear power plant coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the article of manufacture comprises an active enzyme and a substrate of the active enzyme;

wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof;

wherein the active enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction on the substrate of the active enzyme that alters a property of the article of manufacture;

wherein the property of the article of manufacture that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, adhesion, or a combination thereof.

98. A kit having component parts capable of being assembled comprising a container comprising an active enzyme, a substrate of the active enzyme, an inhibitor of the active enzyme, or a combination thereof;

and a container comprising at least one component of a thermoplastic polymeric material, a thermoset polymeric material, an elastomer, a foamed solid polymeric material, a reinforced polymeric material, a composite, a laminate, an engineering polymeric material;

a high-performance polymeric material, a honeycomb, a coated fabric, a polymeric fiber, an adhesive, a sealant, a wax, a textile finish, a filler, a coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the coating comprises an architectural coating, an automotive coating, a can coating, a sealant coating, a chemical agent resistant coating, a camouflage coating, a pipeline coating, a traffic marker coating, an aircraft coating, a nuclear power plant coating, or a combination thereof;

wherein the composition comprises an active enzyme and a substrate of the active enzyme, wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a hydrolase, a urease, or a combination thereof;

wherein the substrate of the active enzyme comprises a monomer, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, an anti-crosslinking agent, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof.

99. A method of altering a property in a polymeric material, comprising:

obtaining an active enzyme, wherein the active enzyme comprises an esterase, a urease, a hydrolase, or a combination thereof;

obtaining a component of a polymeric material, wherein the component of the polymeric material is capable of acting as a substrate for the active enzyme; and

preparing a polymeric material comprising the active enzyme and the component of the polymeric material, wherein the active enzyme and the component of the polymeric material are in a sufficient amount to alter a property of the polymeric material by the component undergoing a chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the component of the polymeric material comprises an acidic moiety, a basic moiety, an ester, an anhydride, an aldehyde, an amide, or a combination thereof, that is capable of undergoing the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme.

101. The method of claim 99, further comprising:

maintaining the property of the polymeric material in a functional range suitable for use of the polymeric material by the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme upon the substrate.

102. The method of claim 101, further comprising:

restoring the amount of a chemical linkages lost due to degradation in the polymeric material, by the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active enzyme upon the substrate.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein the chemical linkages comprise ester linkages.

104. The method of claim 99, wherein the property of the composition that is altered comprises glass transition temperature, brittleness, flexibility, scrub resistance, toughness, impact resistance, color retention, self cleaning, gloss, solvent resistance, service life, adhesion, or a combination thereof.

105. The method of claim 99, wherein the property is altered by a statistically significant amount;

by a unit of measure of an assay;

or a combination thereof.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the assay comprises an ASTM assay.

107. The method of claim 99, further comprising:

incorporating into the composition, after preparation of the composition, an inhibitor of the active enzyme, the active enzyme, the substrate of the active enzyme, a liquid component, or a combination thereof, to moderate the amount of the chemical reaction.

108. The composition of claim 107, wherein the incorporating is via solvation.