USING STIMULI-RESPONSIVE POLYMERS AS BUILDING BLOCKS FOR CONSTRUCTING SMART AND FUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Smart systems are usually associated with the ability to sense, analyze, and respond to signals gathered from the surrounding. Materials that are not tethered to a power supply are usually passive and static. Using stimuli-responsive polymers provides a promising approach to construct smart and functional systems. After decades of research, many interesting stimuli-responsive polymers that can sense and perform functions have been developed. Classes of functions discussed include practical functions (e.g., gating and targeting), regulatory functions (e.g., amplification), and analytical functions (e.g., logic gates). In this thesis, a signal amplification device is prepared for signal detection by using pH and glucose responsive hydrogels. Later, stimuli-responsive hydrogels performing logic operations are designed for analysis by using pH and temperature responsive hydrogels. Finally, the pathways to construct complex functions such as a single material performing multiple functions and the combination of different functions are explored.