Completely revised and updated,
the second 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 of bioseparation, 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.
Contents Include:
Phase Transition in Smart Polymer Solutions
and Light Scattering in Biotechnology and Bioprocessing,
Responsive Polymer Brushes: A Theoretical Outlook;
Conformational Transitions in Cross-Linked Ionic
Gels: Theoretical Background, Recent Developments,
and Applications; Thermally Responsive Polymers
with Amphiphilic Grafts: Intelligent Polymers
by Macromonomer Technique, Microgels from Smart
Polymers, Protein-Based Smart Polymers, Imprinting
Using Smart Polymers, Smart Hydrogels, Macroporous
Hydrogels from Smart Polymers, Smart Boronate-Containing
Copolymers and Gels at Solid-Liquid Interfaces,
Cell Membranes, and Tissues, Drug Delivery Using
Smart Polymers: Recent Advances, Polymeric Carriers
for Regional Drug Therapy, Smart Polymers in
Affinity Precipitation of Proteins, Hydrogels
in Microfluidics
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