Advanced macromolecular systems across the length scales: Smart, nanostructured polymers for controlled molecular release and at biological interfaces

摘要

The special issue of the European Polymer Journal provides information about the use of smart nanostructured polymers for controlled molecular release and at biological interfaces. Natural polymers in living organisms exhibit structures and order on a multitude of different length scales, exceeding the structural complexity achieved in synthetic macromolecular materials. Structural hierarchy in tendon includes molecular associative, fibrous, laminar, particulate and porous morphologies that are present at different size scales in human compact bone. Synthetic procedures are being developed, which can provide well-defined macromolecules that can mimic complex protein structures at the different levels of their structural organization and hierarchy. Nature and human ingenuity optimize structure and structural design to achieve properties and function for specific purposes and for desired applications.