A dual thermoresponsive and magnetic colloidal gel matrix is described for enhanced stem-cell culture. The combined properties of the material allow enzyme-free passaging and expansion of mesenchymal stem cells, as well as isolation of cells postculture by the simple process of lowering the temperature and applying an external magnetic field. The colloidal gel can be reconfigured with thermal a...

Pillararene-containing thermoresponsive polymers are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using pillararene derivatives as the effective chain transfer agents for the first time. These polymers can self-assemble into micelles and form vesicles after guest molecules are added. Furthermore, such functional polymers can be further applied to prepare hybri...

Polyampholytes with controlled equimolar ratio of charges were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of cationic and anionic monomers. The resulting charge-neutral polyampholytes exhibit upper critical solution temperature (UCST) thermoresponsive behavior in ethanol-water and methanol-water solvent mixtures based on electrostatic attraction. Fin...

Amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide) (PEO–PPO)-based copolymers are thermoresponsive materials having aggregation properties in aqueous medium. As hydrosolubilizers of poorly water-soluble drugs and improved stability of sensitive agents, these materials have been investigated for improvement in solubility, stability, release and bioavailability of drugs. The goal of the prese...

Herein we describe studies of molecular interactions in thermoresponsive polymers as they go through phase transitions in aqueous solutions. By using our recently reported linear temperature gradient setup for studying the effects of temperature on chemical processes, we demonstrate the ability to probe lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior with excellent precision. This method al...

We report that synthetic polymers consisting of L-proline monomer units exhibit temperature-driven aggregation in water with unprecedented hysteresis. This protein-like behavior is robust and governed by the chirality proline units. It paves way to new processes, driven either temperature or ionic strength changes, such as a simple “with memory” thermometer.

We extend the commonly used synthesis strategies for responsive microgels to the design of novel multiresponsive and multifunctional nanoparticles that combine inorganic magnetic, metallic/catalytic and thermoresponsive organic moieties. Magnetic responsiveness is implemented through the integration of silica-coated maghemite nanoparticles into fluorescently labeled crosslinked poly(N-isopropyl...