Smart Polymers

Smart polymers are polymers that respond to different stimuli or changes in the environment. Smart Polymers and their Applications reviews the types, synthesis, properties, and applications of smart polymers. Chapters in part one focus on types of polymers, including temperature-, pH-, photo-, and enzyme-responsive polymers. Shape memory polymers, smart polymer hydrogels, and self-healing polymer systems are also explored. Part two highlights applications of smart polymers, including smart instructive polymer substrates for tissue engineering; smart polymer nanocarriers for drug delivery; the use of smart polymers in medical devices for minimally invasive surgery, diagnosis, and other applications; and smart polymers for bioseparation and other biotechnology applications. Further chapters discuss the use of smart polymers for textile and packaging applications, and for optical data storage. Smart Polymers and their Applications is a technical resource for chemists, chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, and other professionals in the polymer industry; manufacturers in such sectors as medical, automotive, and aerospace engineering; and academic researchers in polymer science. Reviews the different types of smart polymer, discussing their properties, structure, design, and characterization Reviews applications of smart polymers in such areas as biomedical engineering, textiles, and food packaging

This proceedings book presents the main findings of the 13th International Seminar on Polymer Science and Technology ( ISPST 2018), which was held at Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, on November 10–22, 2018. This forum was the culmination of more than three decades of academic and industrial activities of Iranian scholars and professionals, and the participation of many notable international scientists, in covering various important polymer-related subjects of concern to Iran and the world at large, including polymer synthesis, processing and properties, as well as issues concerning polymer degradation, stability, and environmental aspects. For the past half a century, the growing concern for advancing human health, quality of life, and – especially in the last few decades – avoiding and combating environmental pollution have shaped and driven scientific activities geared toward the creation of smart materials that are compatible with the human body, and have prompted scientists and technologists to pursue research using natural and sustainable sources. This book highlights efforts to responsibly address the problems caused by, and which can potentially be solved by, polymers and plastics.

The first book to tackle the application of smart polymers in bioseparation and bioprocessing, Smart Polymers: Applications in Biotechnology and Biomedicine broke new ground in this challenging field. Completely revised, updated, and following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the second edition is poised to take its place as a premier reference in this field. This new edition considers those polymers in which a highly nonlinear response of a smart polymer to small changes in the external medium is of critical importance for the successful functioning of the system. The systems discussed are based on soluble/insoluble transition of smart polymers in aqueous solution, on conformational transitions of the macromolecules physically attached or chemically grafted to a surface and on the shrinking/swelling of covalently cross-linked networks of macromolecules, i.e. smart hydrogels. The book focuses on the theory describing the behavior of smart polymers in solution, as gels, and when grafted to surfaces. It provides solid, quantitative descriptions and reliable guidelines, reflecting the maturation of the field and the demand for the development of new smart polymer systems. The coverage highlights smart gels and especially fast responding and macroporous gels, as these gels pave the way to different applications of smart polymers in the areas ofbioseparation, drug release, and microfluidics. With contributions from leading researchers as well as extensive end-of-chapter references, this volume offers a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in the field and the potential for future developments.

Smart polymers react sharply to small changes in physical or chemical conditions and present an intelligent response to chemical stimuli (i.e., chemical species -including biomolecules-, pH, solvents, redox, stimuli that trigger controlled depolymerization) and physical stimuli (i.e., temperature, light, mechanical stress and electrical stimuli). For these reasons, the interest in smart polymers has recently increased exponentially, especially in biological stimuli (i.e., application of polymer-based biosensors, drug delivery, tissue engineering, precision medicine and cell therapy). This book offers a unique opportunity to review the physical-chemical fundamentals of smart polymers, and their behaviour. It also provides an excellent review of the main applications of smart polymers.

Smart materials have been produced by conceiving of the idea of materials/systems having a fourth dimension. To match advances in instrumentation, efforts are being made to develop materials, resulting in smart materials with enhanced performance. In nature, the action of stimuli-responsive materials is reversible; this idea has attracted interest for its potential research and industrial applications. The challenge remains how to couple these applications with environmental consciousness. This book presents the basics of smart polymers and describes their current and future applications. This book is different from other books on the subject in that it explores polymer materials’ smart behavior in more depth, covering vibration damping, thermal and electrochemical energy, sensing at trace level, biotechnology, and so on. The 14 chapters in this book cover diverse areas, including: • Photoresponsive polymers that can be manipulated using a specific frequency of light • Designing polymers for vibration damping • Smart manipulations of hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic polymers • Biopolymers, including hydrogels for smart application, drug delivery, and other uses • Smart paints • Self-healing and shape memory polymers • Holography for data storage • Phase change polymers and solid polymer electrolytes for thermal and electrochemical energy • Molecular imprinting polymers for sub-ppm sensing and removal of unwanted materials • Smart textiles, and the concept of advanced textiles This book will be of particular interest to researchers, postgraduates, and industry experts. It offers an extensive introduction to the basics of smart polymers and their possible applications.

Smart polymers react sharply to small changes in physical or chemical conditions and present an intelligent response to chemical stimuli (i.e., chemical species -including biomolecules-, pH, solvents, redox, stimuli that trigger controlled depolymerization) and physical stimuli (i.e., temperature, light, mechanical stress and electrical stimuli). For these reasons, the interest in smart polymers has recently increased exponentially, especially in biological stimuli (i.e., application of polymer-based biosensors, drug delivery, tissue engineering, precision medicine and cell therapy). This book offers a unique opportunity to review the physical-chemical fundamentals of smart polymers, and their behaviour. It also provides an excellent review of the main applications of smart polymers.

Smart polymers are macromolecules capable of undergoing rapid, reversible phase transitions from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic microstructure when triggered by small changes in their immediate environment, such as slight variations in temperature, pH or ionic strength. Until now, it has always been considered that polymers are passive participants within the Bioseparation procedure. Smart Polymers for Bioseparation and Bioprocessing addresses an entirely novel theory that advocates a much more active role for smart polymers within this process than has previously been envisaged, and therefore focuses on the role of these smart polymers within bioseparation. With contributions from the leading researchers working on smart polymers and their applications, this volume offers a comprehensive overview of both the current state-of-affairs within this research field and the potential for future developments. This book will be of interest to those working on techniques of bioseparation and bioprocessing, polymer chemists developing new smart polymers, as well as graduates in biotechnology.

Smart Polymer Nanocomposites: Biomedical and Environmental Applications presents the latest information on smart polymers and their promising application in various fields, including their role in delivery systems for drugs, tissue engineering scaffolds, cell culture sports, bioseparation, and sensors or actuator systems. Features detailed information on the preparation, characterization and applications of smart functional polymer composites Covers a broad range of applications in both the biomedical and environmental engineering fields Chapters are written by authors with diverse background expertise from the faculties of chemistry, engineering and the manufacturing industry