Other stimuli-sensitive polymers

Studies on pressure-sensitive hydrogels are quite scarce. Pressure investigations were done on the following polymers poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), poly(N-n-propylacrylamide), and poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide), all of which are 

---

If the liposomes in question are treated with the polymer after their formation, the polymer binds only to the outer surface of the liposomes. If the liposomes are formed from a lipid-polymer mixture, on the other hand, the polymer is present on both sides of the liposome membrane. Such liposomes respond even faster to temperature changes. The change of the liposome surface properties caused by the phase transition of stimulus-responsive polymers in also known to affect their interaction with cells. The phenomenon has been used in an attempt to develop a targeted drug delivery system. Liposomes modified with a pH-sensitive polymer, namely succinylated poly(glycidol), were shown to deliver the dye cacein more efficiently into cultured monkey kidney cells than nonmodified liposomes. ... 

Smart polymers Smart polymers include those polymers that act in response to very little change in the surrounding environment or to external stimulus, and thus they are also called environmentally sensitive or stimuli-responsive polymers or intelligent polymers. The unique character which makes these polymers intelligent and smart is their capability to respond even to minor changes in the nearby environment. These responses on one hand are fast and microscopic and on the other hand are reversible, which further enhance the imique character of these polymers. The response can be visualized or measured in terms of change in shape, solubility, sol-gel transition, surface characteristics and formation of complicated assembly of molecules, etc. [12,13]. This class of polymers will be discussed in detail later in the chapter. 

---