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Polymers

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...

Polymers

Polymers

Polymers

Polymers

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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...

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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...

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Updated: May 7, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Published on: April 21, 2021

Polymer Shape Morphing Based on Dynamic Chemistries.

Muqing Cao¹, Yizheng Tan², Huaping Xu¹

¹Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|May 6, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Shape morphing polymers utilize dynamic chemistries for adaptable material design. Novel strategies balance efficiency, scalability, and complexity for advanced applications.

Keywords:

dynamic chemistry mass production polymeric materials shape morphing stress input

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Dynamic Materials

Background:

Shape morphing materials offer adaptability and resource efficiency.
Current challenges involve rapid, precise, and cost-effective stimulus application for mass production.
Need for sustainable, varied, and low-cost shape morphing solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize recent advancements in polymer shape morphing using dynamic chemistries.
To present novel strategies for applying driving forces in shape morphing.
To highlight research contributions in developing scalable and efficient shape morphing techniques.

Main Methods:

Review of traditional externally applied force methods.
Exploration of unconventional preloaded force and force mismatch strategies.
Application of dynamic chemistries for controlled polymer transformations.

Main Results:

Development of new strategies for polymer shape morphing.
Demonstration of methods balancing scalability, efficiency, and structural complexity.
Extension of shape morphing capabilities into new material regimes.

Conclusions:

Dynamic chemistries provide versatile pathways for advanced polymer shape morphing.
Novel force application strategies enhance transformation efficiency and control.
These advancements enable complex, high-fidelity shape morphing for diverse applications.