%0 editorial
%@ 1616-5187
%A Lendlein, A., Neffe, A.T.

%D 2013
%J Macromolecular Bioscience
%N 12
%P 1639-1639 
%R doi:10.1002/mabi.201300507
%T Advanced Functional Polymers for Medicine
%U https://doi.org/10.1002/mabi.201300507
12 
%X The application of polymers in medicine requires tailored properties and functions. While properties are material inherent (e.g. thermal transitions, mechanical properties), functions can only be realized by combining a certain molecular structure with physical principles, such as the shape-memory effect based on entropy elasticity of a network and suitable phase transitions, while drug release is ruled by diffusion and interactions at interfaces.