• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.42-43
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• 2006

We have prepared random, block and graft copolymers with single or dual sensitivities to various stimuli. We have conjugated these polymers to proteins at random lysine sites or at specific sites designed into the protein by genetic engineering. We are also grafting the smart polymers to the surfaces of nanobeads. We are applying these smart conjugates and smart nanobeads in microfluidic devices for various applications, including diagnostics, affinity separations and enzyme bioprocesses. In this talk I will update our work with these interesting hybrid systems.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.185-198
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• 2011

The promise of biomimetic smart structures that can function as sensors and actuators in biomedicine is enormous. Technological development in the field of stimuli-responsive shape memory polymers have opened up a new avenue of applications for polymer-based synthetic actuators. Such synthetic actuators mimic various attributes of living organisms including responsiveness to stimuli, shape memory, selectivity, motility, and organization. This article briefly reviews various stimuli-responsive shape memory polymers and their application as bioactuators. Although the technological advancements have prototyped the potential applications of these smart materials, their widespread commercialization depends on many factors such as sensitivity, versatility, moldability, robustness, and cost.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1313-1319
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• 2018

The coil-to-globule behavior of poly{${\gamma}$-2-[2-(2methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy-3-caprolactone} (PMEEECL) as a ${\gamma}$-substituted poly (${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) was investigated via atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. For this purpose, radius of gyration, end-to-end distance and radial distribution function of the chain in the presence of water were calculated. Consequently, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PMEEECL chain at which the coil-to-globule transition takes place, was determined in each calculated parameter curve. The simulation results indicated that the LCST of PMEEECL was occurred at close to 320 K, which is in a good agreement with previous experimental results. Additionally, the appearance of sudden change in both Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (${\chi}$) and interaction energy between the PMEEECL chain and water molecules at about 320 K confirmed the calculated LCST result. The radial distribution function (RDF) results showed that the affinity of the PMEEECL side chain to water molecules is lower than its backbone.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.188-198
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• 2010

The term 'shape memory polymers (SMPs)' describes a class of polymers which can remember the original shape and recover from deformed to its original shape by the applied stimuli, e.g., heat, electricity, magnetic field, light, etc. SMPs are classified as one of the 'smart polymers' and have great potentials as high-value-added materials. Especially, low thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of SMPs can be improved by incorporating the various fillers. This paper aims to review the SMPs and their basic principles, and the trends of the development of SMPs nanocomposites.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.167-177
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• 2023

A probabilistic micromechanical framework is proposed to quantify numerically the self-healing capabilities of polymers containing microcapsules. A two-step self-healing process is designed in this study: A probabilistic micromechanical framework based on the ensemble volume-averaging method is derived for the polymers, and a hitting probability model combined with a crack nucleation model is then utilized for encountering microcapsules and microcracks. Using this framework, a series of parametric investigations are performed to examine the influence of various model parameters (e.g., the volume fraction of microcapsules, microcapsule radius, radius ratio of microcracks to microcapsules, microcrack aspect ratio, and scale parameter) on the self-healing capabilities of the polymers. The proposed framework is also implemented into a finite element code to solve the self-healing behavior of tapered double cantilever beam specimens.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2001

One of the important characteristics of biological systems os their ability to change im-portant properties in response to small environmental signals. The molecular mechanisms that biological molecules utilize to sense and respond provide interesting models for the development of "smart" polymeric biomaterials with biomimetic properties. An important example of this is the protein coat of viruses, which contains peptide units that facilitate the trafficking of the virus into the cell via endocytosis, then out of the endosome into the cytoplasm, and from there into the nucleus, We have designed a family of synthetic polymers whose compositions have been de-signed to mimic specific peptides on viral coats that facilitate endosomal escape. Our biomimetic polymers are responsive to the lowered pH whinin endosomes, leading to distruption of the en-dosomal membrane and release of important biomolecular druges such as DNA, RNA, peptides and proteins to the cytoplasm before they are trafficked to lysosomes and degraded by lysosomal en-zymes. In this article, we review our work on the design, synthesis and action of such smart, pH-sensitive polymers.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2014

Processable conducting polyaniline derivative with free amine functional groups was successfully synthesized from the monomer o-phenylenediamine in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium using ammonium persulfate as an oxidative initiator. The synthesized poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) in critical condition was found to be completely soluble in common organic solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethyl formamide etc. From the intrinsic viscosity measurement, the optimum condition for the polymerization was established. The polymer was characterized by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ($^1HNMR$) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses. The weight average molecular weights of the synthesized polymers were determined by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. From the spectroscopic analysis the structure was found to resemble that of polyaniline derivative with free amine functional groups attached to ortho/meta position in the phenyl ring. However, very little ladder unit was also present with in the polymer chain. The moderate thermal stability of the synthesized polymer could be found from the TGA analysis. The average DC conductivity of $2.8{\times}10^{-4}S/cm$ was observed for the synthesized polymer pellet after doping with hydrochloric acid.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.433-436
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• 2002

형상기억재료는 형상기억효과, 회복변형효과, 형상고청효과, 진동제어효과 등의 특성으로 인하여 중요한 지능재료(smart materials)의 하나로 기대되고 있다. 형상기억 재료로는 합금, 세라믹, 고분자, 겔 등을 들 수 있지만 Ti-Ni 합금(Nitinol)이 가장 많이 이용되고 있다. 그러나 형상기억고분자는 형상기억합금에 비하여 가볍고 형상회복률이 높으며 가공이 쉽고 투명할 뿐만 아니라 염색이 가능하기 때문에 물성과 경제적인 면에서 유리하다. (중략)

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 2012

Pharmaceutical use accounts for a great part of articles and papers on crosslinking of polymers. Crosslinking of polymers used for tissue engineering and drug delivery respects non-cytotoxicity and in situ gelling. The crosslinking of polymers is aimed not only at the improvement of modulus, chemical resistance, and thermal resistance, but also at endowing them with such functions as metal adsorption, antifouling, and ion exchange via crosslinked segments. Smart polymers responding to environmental change, and cosslinking mediated by light, enzyme, natural compound and in aqueous medium in consideration of environment are being studied. Developing new polymeric materials is essential along with the pharmaceutics aiming at the longevity of 120 years old. Functionalization and property adjustment of polymers through crosslinking will be done more delicately. Hydrogels will be focused on injectable and in situ gel forming. In the coating industry crosslinking system with low non-toxicity and low energy consumption will be developed in consideration of workers and environment.

• Magazine of the Korea Institute for Structural Maintenance and Inspection
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.92-98
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• 2013