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Stimuli-responsive polymer gels are gaining attention as intelligent materials with high-level functions such as perception, judgment, movement, and recognition that can deform or change properties radically by applying stimuli such as temperature changes, pH changes or electric field. These soft, flexible gels are also expected to be used as biomimetic materials. At room temperature, for example, an aqueous solution of poly (vinylmethylether) (PVME) is hydrated and dissolves in water. When the temperature is raised, however, PVME is dehydrated, aggregates and precipitates. PVME is easily crosslinked into gel by ganma ray irradiation. A homogeneous PVME gel is transparent at room temperature and becomes opaque when heated. It takes a very long time for the gel to deform. On the other hand, porous PVME gel formed into a shape of thin fibers, small particle etc. swells and shrinks very fast. Also, when myosin present in smooth body muscle are covalently crosslinked using glutaraldehyde, they maintain their activity. The myosin gel responds uniquely to ATP additives and contracts.
Porous structure of fiber-shaped PVME gel |