Some excursions in the world of stimuli-responsive polymeric gels

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive polymeric gels are attracting increasing attention due to their great potential as smart materials. Some of the recent work in the area of science and applications of these materials, including from our own school at NCL, is described. The quantitative basis for volume transltion in the gels is first presented. Our recent findlugs on deformation-dependent swelling as well as certain aspects of microdynamics in gels studied through NMR have been highlighted. Specific appilcatlons based on this fundamental understandmg have been described. These include the development of a macromolecular separation technique based on swelling/collaping gels. The basis for diffusion modulation of gels to switch from Fickian to non-Fickian dlifusion has been presented. A practical application of such diffusion modulation in sustained-release ystrms is described. Diverse applications exploiting the stimuli-responsive ability of gels in areas such as sensors, soft actuators, artificial muscles, intelligent sponges, etc., are finally presented.