Communicative polymers: the basis for development of intelligent material

Presently communications between man and the environment rely on intersystem communications to gather information and to initiate responses. This technology requires separate sensors, processors, communications networks and response actuators. However, we are now poised for a revolution in the design of these structures based on our ability to design and construct systems capable of improved intrasystem communications. This will enable us to design systems with more effective internal communications, obliterating the need for external intervention. Such systems, with independent sensing, processing, and actuating functions contained within them are said to be "Intelligent" and offer highly enhanced performance capabilities. These developments are based on the dynamic chemical properties of the new class of polymeric materials known as "Conducting, electroactive polymers". These materials allow us a direct line of communication to the molecular and biomolecular world by the use small electrical stimuli to control their interactions with solvents, small ions, molecules, and macromolecules. To "visualize" these processes we have used new in-situ measuring techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, as well as inverse chromatography and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. Our understanding of these processes has lead to a range of molecular level applications including membrane separations, controlled release, sensors and biocommunications.It is achievements in this area that are enabling the development of intelligent material systems and will eventually lead to the evolution of supranatural materials.