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Related Concept Videos

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers01:28

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are classified as elastomers, fibers, or plastics based on their crystallinity. Crystallinity, the degree of long-range order in the solid state, influences the mechanical properties (stretching or contracting) of elastomers. Elastomers are flexible polymers that can expand or contract easily upon the application of an external force. They have numerous crosslinks that pull them back into their original shape when stress is removed. Silicones, for instance, are highly elastic...
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...

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Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure
06:01

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Published on: April 21, 2021

Polymer particles that switch shape in response to a stimulus.

Jin-Wook Yoo1, Samir Mitragotri

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed novel polymeric particles that dynamically change shape in response to stimuli like temperature or pH. This shape-switching capability allows precise control over particle interactions with cells, enabling previously impossible cellular uptake.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Particle properties like size and shape influence cellular interactions in biomedical applications.
  • Precise control over particle-cell interactions is crucial for advanced biomedical applications.
  • Dynamic manipulation of particle attributes is a recent focus in particle engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer polymeric particles capable of real-time, stimulus-responsive shape switching.
  • To investigate the mechanisms governing shape-switching behavior in polymeric particles.
  • To demonstrate the utility of shape-switchable particles in modulating cellular interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Developed polymeric particles with shape-switching capabilities.
  • Utilized external stimuli (temperature, pH, chemical additives) to modulate particle shape.
  • Investigated the balance between polymer viscosity and interfacial tension for shape control.
  • Observed particle-cell interactions, including phagocytosis by macrophages.

Main Results:

  • Polymeric particles demonstrated controlled shape switching over minutes to days under physiological conditions.
  • Shape-switching behavior was governed by a balance between polymer viscosity and interfacial tension, modulated by stimuli.
  • Shape-switchable particles exhibited unique cellular interactions.
  • Elliptical disk-shaped particles, initially not phagocytosed, were internalized after shape switching.

Conclusions:

  • Stimulus-responsive polymeric particles can dynamically alter their shape in real time.
  • Shape-switching provides a novel mechanism to control particle-cell interactions, including cellular internalization.
  • These shape-switchable particles hold significant potential for advanced biomedical applications requiring precise cellular targeting and uptake.