Role of Mechanical Factors in Applications of Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Gels - Status and Prospects.

ABSTRACT: Due to their unique characteristics such as multifold change of volume in response to minute change in the environment, resemblance of soft biological tissues, ability to operate in wet environments, and chemical tailorability, stimuli responsive gels represent a versatile and very promising class of materials for sensors, muscle-type actuators, biomedical applications, and autonomous intelligent structures. Success of these materials in practical applications largely depends on their ability to fulfill application-specific mechanical requirements. This article provides an overview of recent application-driven development of covalent polymer gels with special emphasis on the relevant mechanical factors and properties. A short account of mechanisms of gel swelling and mechanical characteris

SUBMITTER: Goponenko AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5365095 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature