Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 890

Abstract: The most important components of living cells such as carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids are the polymeric molecules. Nature utilizes polymers both as constructive elements and as a part of the complicated cell machinery of living things. The rapid advancement in biomedical research has led to many creative applications for biocompatible polymers. With the development of newer and more potent drugs, a parallel expansion in more sophisticated drug delivery systems becomes mandatory. Smart polymeric drug-delivery systems have the ability to respond to environmental changes and consequently, alter their properties reversibly enabling an efficient and safe drug delivery. This review comprehensively discusses various aspects of these polymers classified in different categories as per the type of stimulus.