Journal
POLYMER
Volume 101, Issue -, Pages 415-449Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2016.08.068
Keywords
Hydrogels; Stimuli-responsive gels; Mechanical properties; Swelling; Sensors; Actuators
Categories
Funding
- ONR [N000141410663]
- NSF [DMR-1310534, CMMI-1463636]
- NIH [1R01HL125736-01]
- UNL's Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE) program
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien
- Division Of Materials Research [1310534] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Civil, Mechanical, & Manufact Inn
- Directorate For Engineering [1463636] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Due to their unique characteristics such as multifold change of volume in response to minute change in the environment, resemblance of soft biological tissues, ability to operate in wet environments, and chemical tailorability, stimuli-responsive gels represent a versatile and very promising class of materials for sensors, muscle-type actuators, biomedical applications, and autonomous intelligent structures. Success of these materials in practical applications largely depends on their ability to fulfill application specific mechanical requirements. This article provides an overview of recent application-driven development of covalent polymer gels with special emphasis on the relevant mechanical factors and properties. A short account of mechanisms of gel swelling and mechanical characteristics of importance to stimuli-responsive gels is presented. The review highlights major barriers for wider application of these materials and discusses latest advances and potential future directions toward overcoming these barriers, including interpenetrating networks, homogeneous networks, nanocomposites, and nano filamentary gels. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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