@article{MaiRakhmatullinaBleeketal.2014, author = {Mai, Tobias and Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina and Bleek, Katrin and Boye, Susanne and Yuan, Jiayin and Voelkel, Antje and Graewert, Marlies and Cheaib, Zeinab and Eick, Sigrun and G{\"u}nter, Christina and Lederer, Albena and Lussi, Adrian and Taubert, Andreas}, title = {Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) block copolymers for calcium phosphate mineralization and biofilm inhibition}, series = {Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences}, volume = {15}, journal = {Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences}, number = {11}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1525-7797}, doi = {10.1021/bm500888q}, pages = {3901 -- 3914}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has long been used as an additive in toothpaste, partly because it reduces biofilm formation on teeth. It does not, however, reduce the formation of dental calculus or support the remineralization of dental enamel or dentine. The present article describes the synthesis of new block copolymers on the basis of PEO and poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) blocks using atom transfer radical polymerization. The polymers have very large molecular weights (over 10(6) g/mol) and are highly water-soluble. They delay the precipitation of calcium phosphate from aqueous solution but, upon precipitation, lead to relatively monodisperse hydroxyapatite (HAP) spheres. Moreover, the polymers inhibit the bacterial colonization of human enamel by Streptococcus gordonii, a pioneer bacterium in oral biofilm formation, in vitro. The formation of well-defined HAP spheres suggests that a polymer-induced liquid precursor phase could be involved in the precipitation process. Moreover, the inhibition of bacterial adhesion suggests that the polymers could be utilized in caries prevention.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhaoDunlopQiuetal.2014, author = {Zhao, Qiang and Dunlop, John William Chapman and Qiu, Xunlin and Huang, Feihe and Zhang, Zibin and Heyda, Jan and Dzubiella, Joachim and Antonietti, Markus and Yuan, Jiayin}, title = {An instant multi-responsive porous polymer actuator driven by solvent molecule sorption}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {5}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms5293}, pages = {8}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Fast actuation speed, large-shape deformation and robust responsiveness are critical to synthetic soft actuators. A simultaneous optimization of all these aspects without trade-offs remains unresolved. Here we describe porous polymer actuators that bend in response to acetone vapour (24 kPa, 20 degrees C) at a speed of an order of magnitude faster than the state-of-the-art, coupled with a large-scale locomotion. They are meanwhile multi-responsive towards a variety of organic vapours in both the dry and wet states, thus distinctive from the traditional gel actuation systems that become inactive when dried. The actuator is easy-to-make and survives even after hydrothermal processing (200 degrees C, 24 h) and pressing-pressure (100 MPa) treatments. In addition, the beneficial responsiveness is transferable, being able to turn 'inert' objects into actuators through surface coating. This advanced actuator arises from the unique combination of porous morphology, gradient structure and the interaction between solvent molecules and actuator materials.}, language = {en} }