Intelligent Hydrogels


Book Description

This volume of Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science assembles original contributions and invited reviews from the priority research program "Intelligent Hydrogels", funded by the German Science Foundation DFG since 2006, with about 25 contributing research groups. In the center of interest of this program and the present book are responsive hydrogels, i.e. hydrophilic polymer or polyelectrolyte networks that are able to respond to environmental stimuli such as changes in temperature, pH, additive concentration or electrical field. The activities focus on different aspects: on hydrogel synthesis, on the modeling and simulation of thermophysical hydrogel properties, as well as on innovative new hydrogel applications as smart materials. The present book summarizes the highlights in the results of the priority program in original contributions and invited reviews.




Intelligent Hydrogels in Diagnostics and Therapeutics


Book Description

This book explores the potential of hydrogels as a multiutility system and their benefits (biocompatibility, degradability, and supporting scaffolds) for a wide range of applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. It also discusses the future prospects and challenges facing hydrogels. A wide variety of smart hydrogels (conducting, stimuli responsive, and others) with possible biomedical applications are elaborated. The book demonstrates the effectiveness of hydrogels in diagnostics of diseases in various in vivo and in vitro environments and highlights the engineering/functionalization of hydrogels for everyday drug dosage as an efficient drug carrier, scaffold, and sensing application. Explores the potential of hydrogels as a multifunctional system and their benefits, particularly for biomedical applications in diagnostics as well as therapeutics. Highlights the designing and engineering of hydrogels for everyday drug dosage and possible functionalization to fabricate an efficient drug carrier. Examines the significance of biopolymer-based hydrogels and their responsiveness in different physiological fluids. Demonstrates the effectiveness of hydrogels in diagnostics of diseases in various in,vivo and in,vitro environments. Presents challenges associated with the hydrogels and discusses possible in-hand modifications at length. Dr. Anujit Ghosal worked in the School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Currently, he is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, PRC. Dr. Ghosal researches in biochemistry, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology. He has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships throughout his research career. His research ability is proven by his published peer-reviewed research and review articles and contributed book chapters. Dr. Ajeet Kaushik works as an assistant professor of chemistry and is exploring advanced electrochemical sensing systems and nanomedicine for personalized health wellness at the Department of Natural Sciences of the Division of Science, Arts, and Mathematics at Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, US. He is the recipient of various reputed awards for his service in the area of nanobiotechnology for health care. His excellent research credentials are reflected by his four edited books, 100 international research peer-reviewed publications, and three patents in the area of nanomedicine and smart biosensors for personalized health care.




Intelligent Hydrogels


Book Description

This volume of Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science assembles original contributions and invited reviews from the priority research program "Intelligent Hydrogels", funded by the German Science Foundation DFG since 2006, with about 25 contributing research groups. In the center of interest of this program and the present book are responsive hydrogels, i.e. hydrophilic polymer or polyelectrolyte networks that are able to respond to environmental stimuli such as changes in temperature, pH, additive concentration or electrical field. The activities focus on different aspects: on hydrogel synthesis, on the modeling and simulation of thermophysical hydrogel properties, as well as on innovative new hydrogel applications as smart materials. The present book summarizes the highlights in the results of the priority program in original contributions and invited reviews.




Hydrogels


Book Description

This book discusses recent advances in hydrogels, including their generation and applications and presents a compendium of fundamental concepts. It highlights the most important hydrogel materials, including physical hydrogels, chemical hydrogels, and nanohydrogels and explores the development of hydrogel-based novel materials that respond to external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, pH, light, biochemicals or magnetism, which represent a new class of intelligent materials. With their multiple cooperative functions, hydrogel-based materials exhibit different potential applications ranging from biomedical engineering to water purification systems. This book covers key topics including superabsorbent polymer hydrogel; intelligent hydrogels for drug delivery; hydrogels from catechol-conjugated materials; nanomaterials loaded hydrogel; electrospinning of hydrogels; biopolymers-based hydrogels; injectable hydrogels; interpenetrating-polymer-network hydrogels: radiation- and sonochemical synthesis of micro/nano/macroscopic hydrogels; DNA-based hydrogels; and multifunctional applications of hydrogels. It will prove a valuable resource for researchers working in industry and academia alike.




Nanomaterials for Medical Diagnosis and Therapy


Book Description

Following an overview of nanotechnologies for diagnostic purposes, this book goes on to look at nanoparticle-based magnetic resonance, molecular and other imaging applications, as well as the potential roles of carbon nanotubes and bionanoparticles in biomedical applications. The book's main focus is on drug delivery systems based on nonporous and nanosize materials, solid lipid and polymeric nanoparticles, intelligent hydrogels, core-shell nanoparticles, and nanocapsules, rounded off by a discussion of their biomedical applications. The final part of this volume covers such biomedical strategies as gene therapy, synthetic gene-transfer vectors and targeted delivery.




Intelligent Nanomaterials


Book Description

"Smart and intelligent nanomaterials are currently in sharp focus in materials research as their properties are increasingly becoming more understood. This large and fairly comprehensive volume includes thirty chapters divided into four main areas: Inorganic materials, organic materials, composite materials, and biomaterials. It covers the latest research and developments in smart nanomaterials: processing, properties, and applications. Included are molecular device materials, biomimetic materials, hybrid-type functionalized polymers-composite materials, information-and energy-transfer materials, as well as environmentally friendly materials"--




Injectable Smart Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications


Book Description

Injectable smart hydrogels possess various properties that enable the development of new minimally invasive approaches to avoid problems associated with traditional implants. Researchers in academia and industry will learn the range of synthetic strategies used to produce this emerging class of biomaterials. Clinicians will also be inspired by the range of applications demonstrated to advance surgical procedures. The editors have brought together a global authorship to ensure that this book presents the state-of-the-art in materials engineering and therapeutics. Their knowledge and experience will help the reader develop better knowledge of the field and inspire new innovations, that cover a range of areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and drug delivery.




Smart Polymers and Their Applications


Book Description

Smart Polymers and Their Applications, Second Edition presents an up-to-date resource of information on the synthesis and properties of different types of smart polymers, including temperature, pH, electro, magnetic and photo-responsive polymers, amongst others. It is an ideal introduction to this field, as well as a review of the latest research in this area. Shape memory polymers, smart polymer hydrogels, and self-healing polymer systems are also explored. In addition, a very strong focus on applications of smart polymers is included for tissue engineering, smart polymer nanocarriers for drug delivery, and the use of smart polymers in medical devices. Additionally, the book covers the use of smart polymers for textile applications, packaging, energy storage, optical data storage, environmental protection, and more. This book is an ideal, technical resource for chemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, mechanical engineers and other professionals in a range of industries. - Includes a significant number of new chapters on smart polymer materials development, as well as new applications development in energy storage, sensors and devices, and environmental protection - Provides a multidisciplinary approach to the development of responsive polymers, approaching the subject by the different types of polymer (e.g. temperature-responsive) and its range of applications




Handbook of Intelligent Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine


Book Description

Millions of patients suffer from end-stage organ failure or tissue loss annually, and the only solution might be organ and/or tissue transplantation. To avoid poor biocompatibility–related problems and donor organ shortage, however, around 20 years ago a new, hybridized method combining cells and biomaterials was introduced as an alternative to whole-organ and tissue transplantation for diseased, failing, or malfunctioning organs—regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This handbook focuses on all aspects of intelligent scaffolds, from basic science to industry to clinical applications. Its 10 parts, illustrated throughout with excellent figures, cover stem cell engineering research, drug delivery systems, nanomaterials and nanodevices, and novel and natural biomaterials. The book can be used by advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students of stem cell and tissue engineering and researchers in macromolecular science, ceramics, metals for biomaterials, nanotechnology, chemistry, biology, and medicine, especially those interested in tissue engineering, stem cell engineering, and regenerative medicine.




Handbook of Materials Selection


Book Description

An innovative resource for materials properties, their evaluation, and industrial applications The Handbook of Materials Selection provides information and insight that can be employed in any discipline or industry to exploit the full range of materials in use today-metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites. This comprehensive organization of the materials selection process includes analytical approaches to materials selection and extensive information about materials available in the marketplace, sources of properties data, procurement and data management, properties testing procedures and equipment, analysis of failure modes, manufacturing processes and assembly techniques, and applications. Throughout the handbook, an international roster of contributors with a broad range of experience conveys practical knowledge about materials and illustrates in detail how they are used in a wide variety of industries. With more than 100 photographs of equipment and applications, as well as hundreds of graphs, charts, and tables, the Handbook of Materials Selection is a valuable reference for practicing engineers and designers, procurement and data managers, as well as teachers and students.