Colloidal microgels - untapped potential?

Colloidal microgels are discrete cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles that may be prepared from a range of different monomer types. These monomers may confer dispersion sensitivity to a wide range of stimuli including temperature, pH, salinity and the addition of co-solvents. Microgels are spherical and are typically in the size range from 50 nm up to 1000 nm. They are prepared by a polymerization of a monomer or monomers in the presence of a crossliner.