Applications of smart polymers

The second part of the book comprises relevant applications of smart polymers and their future trends according to the opinion of well-known 

Another sector clearly benefiting from smart polymers is the food industry as smart micro- or nanoparticles have been used for incorporating active ingredients (e.g., ascorbic add (Devi and Kakati, 2013) or olive oil (Devi et al, 2012)) in food or antimicrobial polymers such as chitosan, which have been used to fabricate edible coatings (Femandez-Saiz et al, 2010). 

Multidisciplinary research involving scientists of very different disciplines will be required to make future advances in smart polymers and their applications. Organic chemists, polymer chemists, material engineers, physics, biologists, pharmacists and medical doctors will have to work together in a very close and fluid manner to respond to the necessities of society and developing new materials that will improve the quality of life, not only in the medical field, but also in the areas of architecture, textiles, food, data storage, etc. 

The authors greatly acknowledge the financial support from the MAT2010-18155 project, Fundacion Eugenio Rodriguez Pascual and the CIBER-BBN Biogelangio project. 

Aguilar, M. R., Elvira, C., Gallardo, A., Vazquez, B. and San Roman, J. (2007) Smart polymers and their applications as biomaterials. In Ashammakhi, N., Reis, R. L. and ChieUini, E. (eds.) Topics in Tissue Engineering, e-book. Expertissues, Chapter 6,27 pp. 

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The versatility and potential of smart hydrogel systems make them one of the most exciting interfaces of chemistry and biology systems for various biomedical applications. This section of the chapter focuses on the various applications of smart polymer hydrogels in the field of tissue engineering, drug delivery, gene delivery and protein delivery. 

Smart polymers have been used in the design and construction of medical devices, with an emphasis on biosensors, bioactuators and microfluidics-based systems for enhanced diagnostics and therapy, other medical devices for cancer diagnosis and therapy, and for MIS. This section and those following review these applications. Applications of smart polymers for medical... 

Smart polymers are now becoming an indispensable tool for the functionalization of mNPs for both diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Most applications of smart polymer-based mNPs have demonstrated good efficiency in vitro (Medeiros et al, 2010), but further research needs to be done to achieve their application in practice. The utilization of the functionalized NPs for the thermal ablation of tumours, or for improving contrast for MRI diagnosis, are two very promising applications that need to be explored further. 

Table 6.1. Application of smart polymers in the life sciences ...

Many other applications of smart polymer biomaterials and systems have been proposed, and the outcome is presented in some review articles and the open literature. It is the personal belief of the author that intensive biomaterials research on these systems should be conducted along with the novel ones that are being prepared even at a time this article is being written. The demand of the biomaterials market in the coming years, will be for effective adaptive materials for implants. 

They are called intelligent because we can in fact utilize their distinctive properties for a wide range of applications. Various types of smart polymers are shown in Figure 10.3. 

Other possible applications of smart elastomers are in the area of polymer engine which can produce maximum power density (4 W/g) and output both in terms of electrical and mechanical power without any noise. These features are superior compared to conventional electrical generator, fuel cell, and conventional IC engine. Many DoD applications (e.g., robotics, MAV) require both mechanical and electrical (hybrid) power, and polymer engine can eliminate entire transducer steps and can also save engine parts, weight, and is more efficient. 

La WH, Wang RM, He YE, Zhang HE (2008) Preparation and application of smart coatings. Prog Polym Chem 20 351-361... 

Hoffman AS, Stayton PS (2004) Bioconjugates of smart polymers and proteins synthesis and applications. Macromol Symp 207 139-151... 

In summary, non-covalently imprinted polymers offer a universal tool for sensor technology, besides the main applications in HPLC and solid phase extraction. The examples discussed above are but a few of the potential applications of smart chemosensory devices coated with non-covalent MIPs. The strategy of non-covalent imprinting is highly appropriate for sensory applications. Antibody-like... 

Mwale, R, Wertheimer, MR., Antoniou, J. 2009. Novel nitrogen rich polymers and chitosan for tissue engineering of intervertehral discs. Biomedical Applications of Smart Materials, Nanotechnology and Micro/ Nano Engineering 57 117-124. 

The diverse potential applications of PHA in a number of fields demanded the production of smart polymers with minimal toxic impurities. Chemical modification methods are sometimes aggressive, and lead to reduced polymer molecular weight, unwanted side reaction(s) and toxic impurities. In some instances, a mild surface modification process is required without which the polymer may fail in its intended application(s). For example, neat polymer without the proper modification may cause delamination of adhesive bonds, poor cellular attachment, permanent staining of a fabric, or may influence proteinaceous membrane fouling etcJ These and many other reasons necessitate the application of physical methods (Table 7.1) in polymer modifications, as explained in the subsequent sections. 

Hoffman, A. S. and Stayton, P. S. (2004) Bioconjugates of Smart Polymers and Proteins S3mthesis and Applications, Macromolecular Symposia, HSl, 139-51. 

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