Smart Natural-Based Membranes as Delivery Systems for Biomedical Applications

This chapter embarks on a journey of discovery, exploring the use of smart membranes, particularly those derived from natural-origin polymers and proteins, in tandem with cutting-edge processing methods. These smart membranes are engineered by integrating stimuli-responsive materials, enabling them to autonomously modulate their physical and chemical characteristics in response to environmental cues, including temperature, pH, light, magnetic or electric fields, redox conditions, and specific ions/molecules. Smart membranes exhibit considerable potential in biomedical applications, encompassing controlled drug release, bioseparation, and tissue engineering due to their adjustable permeability, selectivity, and distinctive biomimetic properties. The chapter further delves into the formulations and processing strategies employed to fabricate these smart polymeric membranes, as well as methodologies to enhance their performance and functionality. Beyond their conventional roles, smart membranes can deliver drugs or other therapeutic agents, creating optimal environments for cellular growth and differentiation for tissue regeneration, skin repair, guided bone regeneration, and other disease treatments. Therefore, with their potential to advance medical treatments and improve patient outcomes, these membranes bring hope and optimism to the biomedical field, promising a brighter future for healthcare.