Emerging applications of stimuli-responsive polymer materials.
Responsive polymer materials can adapt to surrounding environments, regulate transport of ions and molecules, change wettability and adhesion of different species on external stimuli, or convert chemical and biochemical signals into optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical signals, and vice versa. These materials are playing an increasingly important part in a diverse range of applications, such as drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering and 'smart' optical systems, as well as biosensors, microelectromechanical systems, coatings and textiles. We review recent advances and challenges in the developments towards applications of stimuli-responsive polymeric materials that are self-assembled from nanostructured building blocks. We also provide a critical outline of emerging developments.
Stuart
Martien A Cohen
MA
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 6, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Huck
Wilhelm T S
WT
Genzer
Jan
J
Müller
Marcus
M
Ober
Christopher
C
Stamm
Manfred
M
Sukhorukov
Gleb B
GB
Szleifer
Igal
I
Tsukruk
Vladimir V
VV
Urban
Marek
M
Winnik
Françoise
F
Zauscher
Stefan
S
Luzinov
Igor
I
Minko
Sergiy
S
D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties
D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers