Lessons from Nature: Stimuli-responsive Polymers and their Biomedical Applications
- OFFICE OF FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS
- BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
Response to stimulus is a basic process of living systems. Based on the lessons from nature, scientists have been designing useful materials that respond to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, electric field, chemicals, and ionic strength. These responses are manifested as dramatic changes in shape, surface characteristics, solubility, formation of an intricate molecular self-assembly, or a sol-gel transition. Applications of stimuli-responsive, or''smart'', polymers in delivery of therapeutics, tissue engineering, bio-separations, sensors/actuators were studied extensively, and numerous papers and patents are evidence of a rapid progress in this area. Understanding of the structure-property relationship is essential for further development and rational design of new functional smart materials. For example, kinetic and thermodynamic control of the coil-to-globule transition could be achieved through changes in polymer composition and topology.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 15001408
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-36018; KP1402010; TRN: US200404%%112
- Journal Information:
- Trends in Biotechnology, Vol. 20, Issue 7; Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 2001
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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