Adopting an integrated approach, this book covers experiments, theory, and emerging applications. In the first part surfaces are described that change from flat to either a random corrugated or to a well-structured structure, while the second part deals with those surface structures integrated in the coating surface where the structures change their shape or dimension when addressed by an external trigger. A variety of materials are addressed, including liquid crystal polymers, hydrogels, hard acrylates, and soft silicones. The whole is rounded off by a discussion of various applications, including surface controlled flows in microfluidic systems. Of interest to chemists and engineers, researchers in industry and academia, as well as those working in the paint industry and hydrodynamics.

The development of finely-tuned materials that adjust in a predictable manner by specific environment change is the recent arena of materials research. It is a newly emerging supra-disciplinary field with huge commercial potential. Stimuli-responsive materials answer by a considerable change in their properties to small changes in their environment. Responsive materials are becoming increasingly more prevalent as scientists learn about the chemistry and triggers that induce conformational changes in materials structures and devise ways to take advantage of and control them. Responsive Materials and Method offers state-of-the-art of the stimuli-responsive materials and their potential applications. This collection brings together novel methodologies and strategies adopted in the research and development of responsive materials and technology.

Surface modification of biomaterials can ultimately determine whether a material is accepted or rejected from the human body, and a responsive surface can further make the material "smart" and "intelligent". Switchable and Responsive Surfaces and Materials for Biomedical Applications outlines synthetic and biological materials that are responsive under different stimuli, their surface design and modification techniques, and applicability in regenerative medicine/tissue engineering, drug delivery, medical devices, and biomedical diagnostics. Part one provides a detailed overview of switchable and responsive materials and surfaces, exploring thermo-responsive polymers, environmentally responsive polyelectrolytes and zwitterionic polymers, as well as peptide-based and photonic sensitive switchable materials. Further chapters include a detailed overview of the preparation and analysis of switchable polymer brushes and copolymers for biomedical application. Part two explores the biological interactions and biomedical applications of switchable surfaces, where expert analysis is provided on the interaction of switchable surfaces with proteins and cells. The interaction of stimuli-sensitive polymers for tissue engineering and drug delivery with biosurfaces is critiqued, whilst the editor provides a skillful study into the application of responsive polymers in implantable medical devices and biosensors. - A comprehensive overview of switchable and responsive materials and surfaces - Includes in depth analysis of thermo-responsive polymers, photonic sensitive materials and peptide-based surfaces - Detailed exploration of biological interactions of responsive and switchable surfaces, covering stimuli-sensitive polymers for drug delivery, surfaces with proteins/cells and application of polymers in medical devices

The ability for a material to change properties in response to external stimuli is an attractive feature for numerous applications and as such stimuli responsive materials are gaining attention across many different fields. This book introduces the concepts of stimuli-responsiveness, including the fundamental materials properties required for design. It provides readers with comprehensive scientific principles and developments of stimuli responsive materials, as well as the recent technological advances. Written by a renowned expert in the field, this book is suitable for anyone interested in stimuli responsive materials working in polymers, biochemistry, biotechnology and materials science.

The development of new multifunctional membranes and materials which respond to external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, biochemicals or magnetic or electrical signals, represents new approaches to separations, reactions, or recognitions. With multiple cooperative functions, responsive membranes and materials have applications which range from biopharmaceutical, to drug delivery systems to water treatment. This book covers recent advances in the generation and application of responsive materials and includes: Development and design of responsive membranes and materials Carbon nanotube membranes Tunable separations, reactions and nanoparticle synthesis Responsive membranes for water treatment Pore-filled membranes for drug release Biologically-inspired responsive materials and hydrogels Biomimetic polymer gels Responsive Membranes and Materials provides a cutting-edge resource for researchers and scientists in membrane science and technology, as well as specialists in separations, biomaterials, bionanotechnology, drug delivery, polymers, and functional materials.

A comprehensive and systematic treatment that focuses on surfaces and interfaces phenomena inhabited in biomimetic superhydrophobic materials, offering new fundamentals and novel insights. As such, this new book covers the natural surfaces, fundamentals, fabrication methods and exciting applications of superhydrophobic materials, with particular attention paid to the smart surfaces that can show switchable and reversible water wettability under external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, solvents, and electric fields. It also includes recent theoretical advances of superhydrophobic surfaces with regard to the wetting process, and some promising breakthroughs to promote this theory. As a result, materials scientists, physicists, physical chemists, chemical engineers, and biochemists will benefit greatly from a deeper understanding of this topic.

This fully updated edition provides a broad approach to the surface analysis of polymers being of high technological interest. Modern analytical techniques, potential applications and recent advances in instrumental apparatus are discussed. The self-consistent chapters are devoted to spectroscopic and microscopic techniques which represent powerful tools for the characterization of morphology and chemical, physical, mechanical properties of polymer surfaces, interfaces, and thin fi lms. Selection of techniques which can properly address very shallow depth of surfaces, spanning from few angstroms to tens of nanometers Interaction of polymer surfaces with their surroundings is pointed out as a critical issue for specifi c applications

The book series Nanomaterials for the Life Sciences, provides an in-depth overview of all nanomaterial types and their uses in the life sciences. Each volume is dedicated to a specific material class and covers fundamentals, synthesis and characterization strategies, structure-property relationships and biomedical applications. The series brings nanomaterials to the Life Scientists and life science to the Materials Scientists so that synergies are seen and developed to the fullest. Written by international experts of various facets of this exciting field of research, the series is aimed at scientists of the following disciplines: biology, chemistry, materials science, physics, bioengineering, and medicine, together with cell biology, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical chemistry, and toxicology, both in academia and fundamental research as well as in pharmaceutical companies. VOLUME 5 - Nanostructured Thin Films and Surfaces

At the interface of biology, chemistry, and materials science, this book provides an overview of this vibrant research field, treating the seemingly distinct disciplines in a unified way by adopting the common viewpoint of surface science. The editors, themselves prolific researchers, have assembled here a team of top-notch international scientists who read like a "who's who" of biomaterials science and engineering. They cover topics ranging from micro- and nanostructuring for imparting functionality in a top-down manner to the bottom-up fabrication of gradient surfaces by self-assembly, from interfaces between biomaterials and living matter to smart, stimuli-responsive surfaces, and from cell and surface mechanics to the elucidation of cell-chip interactions in biomedical devices. As a result, the book explains the complex interplay of cell behavior and the physics and materials science of artificial devices. Of equal interest to young, ambitious scientists as well as to experienced researchers.

This book covers topics including the delivery of biologicals using synthetic polymers, cell encapsulation, and gene delivery. It deals with the use of synthetic polymers for the purpose of isolating biologicals by describing the use of stimulus-responsive polymers.