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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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...
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Polymers02:34

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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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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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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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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...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight01:01

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

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Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight.  So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
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Vapor Phase Deposition of Electroactive Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) onto Electrospun Commodity Polymer Nanofibers
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Electroactive Smart Polymers for Biomedical Applications.

Humberto Palza1,2, Paula Andrea Zapata3, Carolina Angulo-Pineda4

  • 1Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, 8370456 Santiago, Chile. hpalza@ing.uchile.cl.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 19, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Smart electroactive polymers offer versatile solutions for biomedical applications. This review highlights their use in tissue engineering, muscle mimicry, drug delivery, and antimicrobial functions, driven by electrical stimuli.

Keywords:
Artificial muscleBioelectric effectDrug deliveryElectrical stimulationElectrically conductive polymersElectroactive biomaterialsSmart composites

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Biomaterials Engineering
  • Biomedical Applications

Background:

  • Electroactive polymers exhibit tunable properties, enabling diverse material development including conductive polymers and hydrogels.
  • These smart polymers respond to electrical stimuli, offering unique functionalities for advanced applications.
  • The review focuses on electroactive polymers for tissue engineering and biomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of electroactive smart polymers in biomedical fields.
  • To detail the specific applications of these polymers in tissue engineering and biomaterials.
  • To discuss the mechanisms behind their electrical responsiveness and functional outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of electroactive polymers and their biomedical applications.
  • Analysis of polymer properties related to electroactivity and stimuli-responsiveness.
  • Categorization of applications based on polymer response to electrical cues.

Main Results:

  • Electroactive polymers can stimulate cells for tissue engineering via electrical current.
  • They mimic muscle function by converting electrical energy into mechanical work (electromechanical response).
  • These polymers facilitate controlled drug delivery and exhibit antimicrobial properties due to electrical conduction.

Conclusions:

  • Electroactive polymers possess significant potential for innovative biomedical solutions.
  • Their electrical responsiveness enables diverse functionalities crucial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
  • Further research into electroactive polymers promises advancements in smart biomaterials and therapeutic devices.