Author Description

The Materials Research Society Symposium B, 'Multifunctional Polymeric and Hybrid Materials', was held November 30-December 5 at the 2014 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. This symposium proceedings volume includes recent advances in the process of achieving multifunctionality of materials by mimicry of biological structure and interactions, by the presence of natural or biologically active components, such as enzymes or polymeric prodrugs, via complex, but controlled physical behavior, e.g., actively moving polymers (shape-memory, shape-morphing), or by simultaneously performing multiple activities, e.g., interacting with a biological environment while also imaging it. Additional functions include electrical or thermal conductivity, redox behavior, (bio)sensing, temperature-dependent behavior, bio-compatibility and/or controlled degradation, bioresponsive drug delivery and self-healing. The papers are divided into four sections, representing the principal topics of Symposium B: (1) Multifunctional Composites, (2) Stimuli-Sensitive Polymers and Gels, (3) Characterization of Multifunctional Polymer Systems, and (4) Structured Surfaces and Multilayered Polymers.