Supramolecular Stimuli-Responsive Microgels Crosslinked by Tannic Acid.

The application of biomolecules as building blocks is substantial for the design of bioinspired dynamic nanomaterials with tailored properties. In this communication, the facile synthesis of aqueous supramolecular temperature-responsive microgels is reported using the natural polyphenol tannic acid (TA) as physical crosslinker. The precipitation polymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam in the presence of this polyphenol leads to the formation of well-defined microgels crosslinked by hydrogen bonds.

Modelling pH-Optimized Degradation of Microgel-Functionalized Polyesters.

We establish a novel mathematical model to describe and analyze pH levels in the vicinity of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate-co-N-vinylimidazole) (VCL/AAEM/VIm) microgel-functionalized polymers during biodegradation. Biodegradable polymers, especially aliphatic polyesters (polylactide/polyglycolide/polycaprolactone homo- and copolymers), have a large range of medical applications including delivery systems, scaffolds, or stents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Most of those applications are limited by the inherent drop of pH level during the degradation process.

Modelling pH-Optimized Degradation of Microgel-Functionalized Polyesters.

We establish a novel mathematical model to describe and analyze pH levels in the vicinity of poly(-vinylcaprolactam-co-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate-co--vinylimidazole) (VCL/AAEM/VIm) microgel-functionalized polymers during biodegradation. Biodegradable polymers, especially aliphatic polyesters (polylactide/polyglycolide/polycaprolactone homo- and copolymers), have a large range of medical applications including delivery systems, scaffolds, or stents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Most of those applications are limited by the inherent drop of pH level during the degradation process.

Generic concept to program the time domain of self-assemblies with a self-regulation mechanism.

Nature regulates complex structures in space and time via feedback loops, kinetically controlled transformations, and under energy dissipation to allow non-equilibrium processes. Although man-made static self-assemblies realize excellent control over hierarchical structures via molecular programming, managing their temporal destiny by self-regulation is a largely unsolved challenge. Herein, we introduce a generic concept to control the time domain by programming the lifetimes of switchable self-assemblies in closed systems.