POLYMERS Vol.67 No.5
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COVER STORY
Internet of Polymers: New Paradigm from IoT to IoP
COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews
Internet of Polymers (IoP) in Living Organisms Shigeru DEGUCHI
<Abstract> Living organisms utilize the bottom-up process by self-organization to build nano/micro-scale network structures and realize various fascinating functions. This paper introduces the characteristics of the network structure found in living organisms and their possible biomimetic applications.
Keywords: Self-Organization / Network / Biomimetics / Sustainability / Biodiversity
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Synthesized Polymer Network with Autonomy like Living Phenomena Ryo YOSHIDA
<Abstract> In living systems, there are many autonomous and oscillatory phenomena to sustain life such as heart beating. We developed “self-oscillating” polymer gels that undergo spontaneous cyclic swelling–deswelling changes without any on–off switching of external stimuli, as is the case with heart muscle. The self-oscillating gels were designed by utilizing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, an oscillating reaction, as a chemical model of the TCA cycle. We have systematically studied these self-oscillating polymer gels since they were first reported in 1996. In this review, our recent progress on the self-oscillating polymer gels is summarized.
Keywords: Polymer Gels / BZ Reaction / Self-Oscillation / Biomimetic Materials / Soft Actuators / Block Copolymers / Artificial Amoeba
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State-of-the-Art Molecular Design Technology of High-Mobility Organic Semiconductors for Organic Electronics Toshihiro OKAMOTO, Tadanori KUROSAWA
<Abstract> In recent years, printable organic semiconducting materials with carrier mobility exceeding 10 cm2/Vs have been reported, and development of electronic devices using organic semiconductors has been actively investigated. In this paper, we introduce recent research of the authors on design guidelines of organic semiconductors, which is crucial for realizing mobility of higher rank. Finally, we also predict future prospects.
Keywords: Organic Semiconductor / Pi-Electronic Core / Molecular Design / Molecular Vibration / Band-Like Transport / Solution Process / Field-Effect Transistor / Printed-Flexible Electronics
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COVER STORY: Topics and Products
Smart Polymers × IoT Mitsuhiro EBARA
<Abstract> Because “smart” polymers can respond to small changes in external stimuli with large discontinuous changes in their physical properties, development of smart polymer-based technologies will promise to impact medical treatment in multiple ways, providing health delivery services and new options for conventional therapies, especially together with IoT systems.
Keywords: Smart Polymers / Drug Delivery / Cancer Therapy / Biomaterials
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Artificial Cell with Active Actomyosin Masatoshi ICHIKAWA
<Abstract> An actively organizing network of actin and myosin proteins inside a spherical droplet was studied. The higher order fibrous network structure of the proteins drives the surface membrane of the droplet to fluctuate drastically. On the other hand, the cortical structure formed underneath the membrane contracts itself to make a buckling transition from the spherical shell shape into the collapsed shape. These model systems reconstituted partial aspects of biological phenomena on cell motions.
Keywords: Active Gel / Fluctuation / Non-Equilibrium / Actomyosin / Artificial Cell
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Swarming Molecular Robots Akira KAKUGO
<Abstract> In this paper, we demonstrate that the swarming of DNA-functionalized microtubules propelled by surface-adhered kinesin motors can be rationally programmed and reversibly regulated by DNA signals. The chemically-fuelled microtubules, sliding on a surface, autonomously swarm and dissociate in response to input chemical or physical signals as a result of hybridization/dehybridization between the DNA interfaces. Single-stranded DNA serves as a chemical input and reversibly regulates the swarming of microtubules. Installation of a molecular photosensor further enabled photo-regulation of the swarming. In addition to the controlled swarming, we also regulated the swarming mode of the microtubules, i.e. swarming with translational or rotational motion, by tuning their physical and mechanical properties. The presented system serves as basic computer by executing simple mathematical operations, such as AND or OR operations, which are manifested by their swarming behavior.
Keywords: Molecular Robot / Swarm / Biomolecular Motor / DNA Processor / Photoresponsive DNA
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Temperature-Responsive On-Off Switching of Target Recognition by Nanogel Particles Yu HOSHINO
<Abstract> Stimuli responsive molecules are key components to realize functional molecular systems (IoP). This article provides a brief review about recent efforts to develop the temperature-responsive nanogels particles that can reversibly capture target molecules and molecular systems consisting of the particles.
Keywords: Nanogel / Molecular Recognition / Proton Imprinting / Themo-Electrochemical Cell / CO2 Absorbent
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Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account
Planned Happenstance for Polymer Research Shogo NOBUKAWA
<Abstract> From my experiences in study of optical polymers, I noticed research findings are often obtained by chance, but also with wider perspective and persuasion. In the future, I would like to make new tough polymeric materials through new approaches, and sometimes with accompanying unexpected happenstance.
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Front-Line Polymer Science
Molecular Design of Sorbents for Organic Solvents Kazuki SADA, Kenta KOKADO, Sokuro SUNAGA
<Abstract> After the disaster in Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, the development of sorbents for organic solvents including oil has been attracting considerable interest among material scientists, due to increase of social interest against the large-scale pollution to natural environment. In this account, we summarize recent advances in designing such sorbents with high efficiency by the two different approaches. One is super-absorbent polymers for organic solvents with high swelling ability. The other is highly porous and hydrophobic materials with large surface areas such as sponges and carbon aerogels. Both of them have high sorption efficiency for organic solvents, and most of the latter have good performances for separation of oil from oil-water mixture.
Keywords: Sorbents / Oil Spill / Porous Material / Super-Absorbent Polymer / Gel / Sponge / Aerogel / Organic Solvents
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