Smart Polymer: New Design and Applications
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 709
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As we continue to explore the potential of advanced materials, smart polymers have emerged as one of the most exciting areas of research, with applications spanning various industries such as biomedical engineering, electronics, and environmental sustainability. Smart polymers, characterized by their ability to respond to external stimuli—such as pH, temperature, light, or magnetic fields—hold immense promise in revolutionizing material science.
The design and development of smart polymers have been driven by the need for materials that can perform complex functions, such as self-healing, shape memory, or controlled drug release. These materials are up-and-coming in areas where traditional polymers fall short, offering enhanced performance and new functionalities. From biomedical devices that respond to physiological conditions to adhesives that can be switched on and off with precision, smart polymers are at the forefront of materials science innovation.
In light of the growing interest and rapid advancements in this field, we are pleased to announce a Special Issue on “Smart Polymer: New Design and Applications”. This issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews on the latest developments in smart polymer science. We invite academics, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world to contribute their work and insights to this exciting area of study.
This Special Issue welcomes contributions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to the following:
- Design and synthesis of stimuli-responsive polymers;
- Characterization of responsive behavior and underlying mechanisms;
- Development of smart interfaces and surfaces;
- Switchable adhesives and their practical applications;
- Innovative uses in biomedical devices, drug delivery systems, sensors, and actuators;
- Advanced processing techniques for fabricating smart polymer materials, such as 3D printing, electrospinning, and film casting.
We encourage submissions that explore various types of smart polymers, such as thermoresponsive, pH-responsive, light-responsive, and electrically responsive materials. Contributions may also focus on hybrid systems, nanocomposites, or polymer blends that incorporate smart functionalities. Additionally, studies on the theoretical modeling of responsive behavior, as well as experimental validations, are highly welcome.
The scope of this Special Issue is deliberately broad, aiming to capture the diversity and innovation in the field of smart polymers. We are particularly interested in contributions that demonstrate novel design strategies, elucidate fundamental mechanisms, or showcase groundbreaking applications that push the boundaries of what is possible with these remarkable materials.
We look forward to your submissions and to fostering a rich dialogue on the future of smart polymers.
Dr. Xiacong Zhang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- dendritic polymers
- thermosensitive smart polymers
- helical polymers
- smart hydrogels
- chiral smart materials
- stimuli-responsive polymers
- novel topological polymers
- polymer chemistry
- supramolecular chemistry
- biomedical materials
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