Article

Surface-bound soft matter gradients.

Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, USA.
Langmuir (impact factor: 4.19). 04/2008; 24(6):2294-317. DOI:10.1021/la7033164 pp.2294-317
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT This feature article describes the progress realized over the past half century in the field of surface-bound gradient structures created on or from soft materials (oligomers and/or polymers), or those enabling the study of the behavior of soft materials. By highlighting our work in the field and accounting for the contribution of other groups, we emphasize the exceptional versatility of gradient assemblies in facilitating fast screening of physicochemical phenomena, acting as "recording media" for monitoring a process, and playing a key role in the design and fabrication of surface-bound molecular and macromolecular motors capable of directing a transport phenomenon.

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Keywords

exceptional versatility
 
facilitating fast screening
 
highlighting
 
macromolecular motors capable
 
oligomers
 
recording media
 
soft materials
 
transport phenomenon