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Related Concept Videos

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
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,...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
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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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Application of Voltage in Dynamic Light Scattering Particle Size Analysis
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Published on: January 24, 2020

Using the dynamic bond to access macroscopically responsive structurally dynamic polymers.

Rudy J Wojtecki1, Michael A Meador, Stuart J Rowan

  • 1Department of Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2100 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7202, USA.

Nature Materials
|December 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New adaptive materials leverage reversible chemistry to enable self-healing and mechanical work. This design approach uses dynamic polymers for environmentally responsive technologies, revolutionizing sensors, actuators, and biomedical applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Emerging adaptive materials exhibit reversible environmental responses, including self-healing and mechanical work.
  • These adaptive systems hold significant potential for revolutionizing technologies like sensors, actuators, and biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a new trend in adaptive material design utilizing reversible chemistry.
  • To highlight the programming of molecular-level responses in materials.
  • To introduce structurally dynamic polymers as a key component in this trend.

Main Methods:

  • Employing reversible chemistry, including non-covalent and covalent bonds, to design adaptive materials.
  • Focusing on programming responses at the molecular level.
  • Utilizing the rearrangement or reorganization of polymer components or aggregates to achieve macroscopic responses.

Main Results:

  • Structurally dynamic polymers demonstrate macroscopic responses triggered by changes in molecular architecture.
  • The careful selection of reversible/dynamic bonds is crucial for controlling environmental responsiveness.
  • This approach enables the creation of materials with tailored adaptive capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Adaptive materials designed with reversible chemistry offer a powerful platform for advanced technologies.
  • Structurally dynamic polymers are central to achieving programmable, molecular-level responses.
  • Future advancements in adaptive materials depend on precise control over dynamic bonding for environmental responsiveness.