This volume of Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science assembles original contributions and
invited reviews from the priority research program Intelligent Hydrogels funded by the German
Science Foundation DFG since 2006 with about 25 contributing research groups. In the center of
interest of this program and the present book are responsive hydrogels i.e. hydrophilic
polymer or polyelectrolyte networks that are able to respond to environmental stimuli such as
changes in temperature pH additive concentration or electrical field. The activities focus on
different aspects: on hydrogel synthesis on the modeling and simulation of thermophysical
hydrogel properties as well as on innovative new hydrogel applications as smart materials. The
present book summarizes the highlights in the results of the priority program in original
contributions and invited reviews.
