SFB 985: Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems

聚合物科学的研究比以往任何时候都更加关注于模拟自然界中发现的复杂系统。生命系统的惊人功能是通过许多长度尺度上的结构层次组织的组合来实现的，这些组织是通过在水环境中的自组装来实现的，并且还具有对外部触发因素做出反应的能力。通过微凝胶，我们可以类似地将聚合物组织成特定的结构，以增强和改变它们在催化、分离、输送和机械支持等领域的功能。这些都是许多应用中的重要过程，从合成、清除、催化和传感器到医疗应用。这些考虑为合作研究中心（SFB） 985功能微凝胶和微凝胶系统及其发展进入第三个研究阶段的研究计划设定了框架。胶体微凝胶作为开放、水胀和软聚合物网络的独特特性使其成为需要大型基质、容器、响应性或通过扩散运输的应用的理想构建块。微凝胶具有精确选择的结构、分子量、主链、侧基和反应基团，以在分子水平上定制它们的功能，而它们的自组装和/或交联导致更大、更复杂的材料实体。具有分子实体分层排列的自组织微凝胶系统的特点是系统功能的区隔化，导致具有选择性和定向运输和形状改变性质的复杂上层结构，以及受控的化学转化。在第二个阶段，微凝胶已经被制造成不同的尺寸、形状和结构，在许多情况下，在连续的过程中，高档。在第三阶段，微凝胶的功能用途将用于建立智能仿生材料系统。微凝胶结合了溶解的大分子和胶体颗粒的特性，可以实现可切换的特性，使形式和功能具有适应性。微凝胶内部不同的多功能隔室可以相互通信，另一方面，微凝胶可以组装成或与更大的材料结构，以实现特定的功能屏障或支架。我们的SFB汇集了来自聚合物科学，化学工程和生命科学的研究小组。这些小组以一种趋同的方式工作，为现有和新出现的挑战寻找新的方法和解决方案。这种特殊的组合使我们能够在三个层面上以综合的方法解决微凝胶研究：功能性微凝胶的设计及其与环境的相互作用，技术规模的产品工艺设计，以及新的应用系统。

Research in polymer science focuses more than ever on mimicking complex systems found in nature. The amazing functionalities of living systems are realized by a combination of structural hierarchical organization over many length scales, achieved by self-assembly in an aqueous environment and which also has the ability to respond to external triggers. By means of microgels, we can similarly organize polymers in defined architectures to enhance and vary their function in fields such as catalysis, separation, delivery, and mechanical support. These are all important processes in many applications, ranging from synthesis, scavenging, catalysis and sensors, to medical applications. These considerations set the frame for the research program for the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 985 Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems and its evolution into its third research period. The unique properties of colloidal microgels as open, water-swollen, and soft polymer networks render them ideal building blocks for applications that require large substrates, containers, and responsivity, or transport via diffusion. Microgels with precisely selected architectures, molecular weights, backbone, side groups, and reactive moieties are synthesized to tailor their function on a molecular level, while their self-assembly and/or crosslinking results in larger, more complex materials entities. Self-organized microgel systems with hierarchical arrangement of molecular entities are characterized by compartmentalization of system functions, leading to complex superstructures with selective and directed transport and shape changing properties, as well as controlled chemical transformation.In the second period, microgels have been fabricated with different sizes, shapes, and architectures, in many cases in continuous processes for upscale. In the third period, the functional use of the microgels will be employed to establish smart bio-inspired materials systems. Microgels can achieve switchable properties that enable adaptability of form and function as they combine properties of dissolved macromolecules with those of colloidal particles. The different multi-functional compartments inside microgels can communicate with each other, while on the other hand, microgels can assemble into or with larger materials constructs to achieve specific functional barriers or scaffolds.Our SFB brings together research groups from polymer science, chemical engineering and life sciences. These groups work in a convergent manner to find new approaches and solutions to existing and emerging challenges. This special combination enables us to address microgel research in a comprehensive approach on three levels: the design of the functional microgel and its interaction with the environment, the technical-scale product-process design, and the novel application system.