Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
formulated, methodologies for answering them are not obvious. For example, a gen-
eral method for the
a priori
design of
s whose structures are not derivatives
of existing ones has not been demonstrated. Similarly, viscoelastic properties of
gels (a topic not covered here) cannot be predicted. The list of challenges could be
increased much more.
However, from what is written in this chapter and elsewhere about molecular
gels, it is clear that their potential is enormous for aiding in our understanding of the
principles behind self-assembly of materials, for devising new types of materials,
for making various types of delivery agents, for constructing new sensors, and
for developing many other uses not yet envisioned. For these practical reasons as
well as to uncover Mother Nature's secrets, increased study of molecular gels is
warranted. The authors hope that this chapter will aid others in those studies.
LMOG
Acknowledgments
RGW expresses his gratitude to the United States National Science Foundation
(Grants CHE-1147353 and CHE-0911089) and to the Gulf of Mexico Research Ini-
tiative for their financial support. DCL thanks the United States National Science
Foundation for its financial support (Grant DMR-0846479). KLC appreciates and
acknowledges support from James Madison University and from The Research Cor-
poration for Scientific Advancement. The authors thank especially their colleagues
whose names appear in the references for their efforts to uncover the principles
involved in this fascinating and rapidly evolving field. Foremost among those in
the professional life of RGW has been Dr. Pierre Terech, a wonderful scientist
and collaborator, who has offered insights, inspiration, and especially friendship
during many years. All of the authors, recognizing his seminal contributions to the
field of molecular gels, dedicate this chapter to him.
References
Weiss, R.G. and Terech, P. (eds) (2006)
Molecular Gels: Materials with Self-
Assembled Fibrillar Networks
,Springer,
Dordrecht.
Aida, T. (2007)
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their rheology will not be discussed
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Molecular
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