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Thermally responsive polymer–nanoparticle composites for biomedical applications
Author(s) -
Strong Laura E.,
West Jennifer L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1939-0041
pISSN - 1939-5116
DOI - 10.1002/wnan.138
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , nanoparticle , microfluidics , polymer , drug delivery , composite number , composite material , mathematics education , mathematics
Thermally responsive polymer–metal nanoparticle composites couple the ability of certain metal nanoparticles to convert external stimuli to heat with polymers that display sharp property changes in response to temperature changes, allowing for external control over polymer properties. These systems have been investigated for a variety of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, microfluidic valve control, and cancer therapy. This article focuses on three different size scales of this system: bulk systems (>1mm), nano‐ or microscale systems, and individual particle coatings. These composite systems will continue to be widely researched in the future for their vast potential in various biomedical applications. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 307–317 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.138 This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies