The book provides experienced as well as young researchers with a topical view of the vibrant field of soft nanotechnology. In addition toelucidating the underlying concepts and principles that drive continued innovation, major parts of each chapter are devoted to detailed discussions of potential and already realized applications of micro- and nanogel- based materials. Examples of the diverse areas impacted by these materials are biocompatible coatings for implants, films for controlled drug release, self-healing soft materials and responsive hydrogels that react to varying pH conditions, temperature or light.

FOREWORD PREFACETHERMALLY SENSITIVE MICROGELS: FROM BASIC SCIENCE TO APPLICATIONSIntroductionTheoretical BackgroundBasic Physics of Microgels ApplicationsConclusions THERMOSENSITIVE CORE?SHELL MICROGELS: BASIC CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS Introduction Volume Transition in Single Particles Concentrated Suspensions: 3D Crystallization Particles on Surfaces: 2D Crystallization Concentrated Suspensions: Rheology Core - Shell Particles as Carriers for CatalystsConclusion CORE - SHELL PARTICLES WITH A TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE SHELL Introduction Preparation of Core - Shell Particles with a Temperature-Sensitive Shell Preparation of Hairy Particles with Temperature-Sensitive Hair Properties, Functions and Applications of Core - Shell Particles with a Temperature-Sensitive Shell Conclusions PH-RESPONSIVE NANOGELS: SYNTHESIS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Introduction Preparation Techniques for pH-Responsive Nanogels Structural Properties of pH-Responsive Nanogels Swelling of pH-Responsive NanogelsRheological Behavior of pH-Responsive Nanogels Approach to Model pH-Responsive Nanogel Properties Osmotic Compressibility of pH-Responsive Nanogels in Colloidal Suspensions Conclusions and Future Perspectives POLY(N-VINYLCAPROLACTAM) NANO- AND MICROGELS Introduction Poly(N-Vinylcaprolactam): Synthesis, Structure and Properties in Solution Thermal Behavior of Poly(N-Vinylcaprolactam) in Water PVCL Nano- and Microgels Conclusions DOUBLY CROSSLINKED MICROGELSIntroduction Methods of Preparation Methods of Characterization Morphology Properties Potential Applications ConclusionATRP: A VERSATILE TOOL TOWARD UNIFORMLY CROSSLINKED HYDROGELS WITH CONTROLLED ARCHITECTURE AND MULTIFUNCTIONALITYIncorporating Crosslinking Reactions into Controlled Radical PolymerizationEffect of Network Homogeneity on Thermoresponsive Hydrogel PerformanceGel Networks Containing Functionalized Nanopores Toward Micro- and Nano-Sized Hydrogels by ATRP NANOGEL ENGINEERING BY ASSOCIATING POLYMERS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS Introduction Preparation of Associating Polymer-Based Nanogels Functions of Self-Assembled Nanogels Application of Polysaccharide Nanogels to DDS Integration of Nanogels Conclusion and Perspectives MICROGELS AND BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS An Introduction to Polymer BiomaterialsDrug Delivery Biomaterial Films Conclusion OSCILLATING MICROGELS DRIVEN BY CHEMICAL REACTIONS IntroductionTypes of Oscillating MicrogelsSynthesis and Fabrication of Oscillating MicrogelsControl of Oscillatory Behavior Flocculating/Dispersing Oscillation Concluding Remarks SMART MICROGEL/NANOPARTICLE HYBRIDS WITH TUNABLE OPTICAL PROPERTIES Introduction Synthesis of Hybrid Gels Characterization of Hybrid GelsHybrid Microgels with Plasmon Properties Photoluminescent Hybrid Microgels Summary MACROSCOPIC MICROGEL NETWORKS Introduction and Motivation Preparation of Microgel NetworksApplications of Microgel Networks Conclusions and Future Outlook COLOR-TUNABLE POLY (N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE) MICROGEL-BASED ETALONS: FABRICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND APPLICATIONS Introduction Microgel-Based Photonic Materials Conclusions and Future Directions CRYSTALS OF MICROGEL PARTICLES IntroductionTheoretical Background and Experimental Methods Determining and Modeling the Particle Form Factor Structure Factor of Concentrated Suspensions Final Remarks and Future Directions DYNAMICAL ARREST AND CRYSTALLIZATION IN DENSE MICROGEL SUSPENSIONSIntroduction Methods Synthesis and Responsive Properties Structural and Dynamic Properties of Neutral Microgels Structural and Dynamic Properties of Soft and Weakly Charged Microgels Conclusions and Outlook: Probing Anisotropic Interactions