Based on gels with chemically induced phase transitions, so-called chemo-mechanical systems (systems being able to convert chemical energy into mechanical work), chemical switchable valves to control the flow of a fluid as well as different sensors were developed. The development of photo cross-linked hydrogels renders the valve principle capable of being integrated in microsystems. Hence, valves with µm dimensions can be realized. Up to now a number of temperature and/or pH value, solvent and heavy metal sensitive gels were prepared and characterized. To prepare hydrogels with improved properties polymers with particular structures (e.g. block and graft copolymers) were synthesized. Further applications in other fields (e.g. biotechnology) is envisioned.
A new development deals with the investigation of sensors based on (hydro-)gels having supramolecular host/guest structures incorporated. As interesting and relevant analytes special biomarker (LPA), doping substances and fungicides were identified. (Hydro-)gels are established as active materials since some years. With the aid of a transducer the volume change as reaction to a stimulus can be utilized to generate a sensor signal. The incorporation of suitable host/guest structures offer to achieve a high selectivity regarding the examined analyte.

 
Selected publications:

Dually Cross-linked Supramolecular Hydrogel for Cancer Biomarker Sensing
J. Li, C. Ji, B. Lv, M. Rodin, J. Paradies, M. Yin, D. Kuckling
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020, 12, 36873-36881.

Dually Cross‐Linked Supramolecular Hydrogel as Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor for Small Molecule Detection
J. Li, C. Ji, X. Yu, M. Yin, D. Kuckling,
Macrom. Rapid Commun. 2019, 40, 1900189.