Polymer particles that switch shape in response to a stimulus.

ABSTRACT: Particle engineering for biomedical applications has unfolded the roles of attributes such as size, surface chemistry, and shape for modulating particle interactions with cells. Recently, dynamic manipulation of such key properties has gained attention in view of the need to precisely control particle interaction with cells. With increasing recognition of the pivotal role of particle shape in determining their biomedical applications, we report on polymeric particles that are able to switch their shape in real time in a stimulus-responsive manner. The shape-switching behavior was driven by a subtle balance between polymer viscosity and interfacial tension. The balance between the two forces was modulated by application of an external stimulus chosen from temperature, pH, or chemical additi

SUBMITTER: Yoo JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2895097 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature