Smart Polymers: Next-Generation Platforms for Advanced Drug Delivery

Smart polymers possess significant potential for various applications. Smart polymeric drug delivery systems have been examined as "intelligent" mechanisms capable of releasing encapsulated medications in response to specific physiological signals at the appropriate time and location of action. A slight stimulus induces these polymers to behave nonlinearly, altering their structure and properties on a macroscopic scale. Smart polymers, or stimulus-responsive materials, are a category of substances that can react to particular stimuli by enduring reversible alterations in their properties. Smart polymers possess remarkable characteristics derived from their adaptability and reactivity. Researchers must determine the optimal applications of smart polymers across several domains, as these materials respond to diverse stimuli, including temperature, pH, electric and magnetic fields, light intensity, and biological molecules. Smart polymers have potential applications in gene therapy, protein folding, actuator stimulation, tailored medication administration, and enhanced drug transport.