Andreas Lendlein - Böcker

The field of polymer research is progressing rapidly from passive materials providing a certain set of properties to active polymers, which provide, receive and respond to signals from their environment. This includes interactions with molecules, biological systems and physical stimuli. Research in active polymers has been driven by an increasing demand for intelligent materials, especially in biomedical and aerospace applications. Progress in synthesis, analytics and molecular modeling enable scientists to develop active polymer systems in a knowledge-based approach. Biological systems might serve as blueprints for biomimetic and bionic solutions, leading to innovative materials concepts. Emerging active polymers respond to a range of stimuli, from changes in pH and temperature, to light and magnetic fields. Remote and on-demand control is also envisioned. Contributors discuss shape-memory polymers; shape-changing polymers; responsive hydrogels; stimuli-sensitive systems; intelligent polymers in biological systems; polymer-based actuators, sensors, and switches; active surfaces; and biomedical applications of active materials, especially for tissue regeneration and controlled drug release.

This MRS Proceedings volume pulls together several symposia on related topics in the area of biomaterials, all of which were held between April 1-April 5 at the 2013 MRS spring meeting in San Francisco, California.

The Materials Research Society Symposium B, 'Multifunctional Polymeric and Hybrid Materials', was held November 30-December 5 at the 2014 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. This symposium proceedings volume includes recent advances in the process of achieving multifunctionality of materials by mimicry of biological structure and interactions, by the presence of natural or biologically active components, such as enzymes or polymeric prodrugs, via complex, but controlled physical behavior, e.g., actively moving polymers (shape-memory, shape-morphing), or by simultaneously performing multiple activities, e.g., interacting with a biological environment while also imaging it. Additional functions include electrical or thermal conductivity, redox behavior, (bio)sensing, temperature-dependent behavior, bio-compatibility and/or controlled degradation, bioresponsive drug delivery and self-healing. The papers are divided into four sections, representing the principal topics of Symposium B: (1) Multifunctional Composites, (2) Stimuli-Sensitive Polymers and Gels, (3) Characterization of Multifunctional Polymer Systems, and (4) Structured Surfaces and Multilayered Polymers.

A comprehensive overview of biodegradable polymers, covering everything from synthesis, characterization, and degradation mechanisms while also introducing useful applications, such as drug delivery systems and biomaterial-based regenerative therapies. An introductory section deals with such fundamentals as basic chemical reactions during degradation, the complexity of biological environments and experimental methods for monitoring degradation processes.The result is a reliable reference source for those wanting to learn more about this important class of polymer materials, as well as scientists in the field seeking a deeper insight.

Table of Contents-Shape-Memory Polymers and Shape-Changing PolymersBy M. Behl, J. Zotzmann, and A. Lendlein-Shape-Memory Polymer CompositesBy Samy A. Madbouly and Andreas Lendlein-Characterization Methods for Shape-Memory PolymersBy W. Wagermaier, K. Kratz, M. Heuchel, and A. Lendlein-Shape-Memory Polymers for Biomedical ApplicationsBy Christopher M. Yakacki and Ken Gall-Controlled Drug Release from Biodegradable Shape-Memory PolymersBy ChristianWischke, Axel T. Neffe, and Andreas Lendlein

Table of Contents-Shape-Memory Polymers and Shape-Changing PolymersBy M. Behl, J. Zotzmann, and A. Lendlein-Shape-Memory Polymer CompositesBy Samy A. Madbouly and Andreas Lendlein-Characterization Methods for Shape-Memory PolymersBy W. Wagermaier, K. Kratz, M. Heuchel, and A. Lendlein-Shape-Memory Polymers for Biomedical ApplicationsBy Christopher M. Yakacki and Ken Gall-Controlled Drug Release from Biodegradable Shape-Memory PolymersBy ChristianWischke, Axel T. Neffe, and Andreas Lendlein

This book summarizes the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on “Nanoengineered Systems for Regenerative Medicine” that was organized under the auspices of the NATO Security through Science Program. I would like to thank NATO for supporting this workshop via a grant to the co-directors. The objective of ARW was to explore the various facets of regenerative me- cine and to highlight role of the “the nano-length scale” and “nano-scale systems” in defining and controlling cell and tissue environments. The development of novel tissue regenerative strategies require the integration of new insights emerging from studies of cell-matrix interactions, cellular signalling processes, developmental and systems biology, into biomaterials design, via a systems approach. The chapters in the book, written by the leading experts in their respective disciplines, cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from stem cell biology, developmental biology, ce- matrix interactions, and matrix biology to surface science, materials processing and drug delivery. We hope the contents of the book will provoke the readership into developing regenerative medicine paradigms that combine these facets into cli- cally translatable solutions. This NATO meeting would not have been successful without the timely help of Dr. Ulrike Shastri, Sanjeet Rangarajan and Ms. Sabine Benner, who assisted in the organization and implementation of various elements of this meeting. Thanks are also due Dr. Fausto Pedrazzini and Ms. Alison Trapp at NATO HQ (Brussels, Belgium). The commitment and persistence of Ms.