Polymers in Biomedicine and Electronics

Abstract

The versatility of polymeric materials originates from the broad variety in their chemical structure and in their hierarchical organization as well as from the possibility to realize a wide spectrum of functions. Often such functions result from a combination ofamoleculararchitecture/morphology with a physical process and therefore require integration in a suitable system (e.g. medical device, electric circuit) or environment (e.g. physiological environment). Frequently, research in the area of functional polymers is motivated by applications. This special issue focuses on two application areas, in which polymer research as well as product development are progressing rapidly: Biomedicine and Electronics. Here (multi)functional polymers are an enabling technology and in this way create substantial and sustainable value. The significance of this topic is also highlighted at the conference ‘‘Polymers in Biomedicine and Electronics’’, which takes place from Oct 3 to 5, 2010 in Berlin combining the biannual meetings of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) Division ‘‘Macromolecular Chemistry’’ and of the Berlin-Brandenburgischer Verband fur Polymerforschung (BVP). Topics of the conference cover the design and the synthesis of functional polymers, physical principles underlying the function, the characterization of such functionswithin a system as well as product-oriented industrial research. Smart biomaterials, biocompatible coatings and their applications in controlled drug delivery systems or in regenerative therapies will be discussed in the biomedicine-oriented sessions of the conference. Photovoltaic, charge transport, light emission aswell as sensors andactuatorswill be subjects in the area of electronics.