Waterborne polyurethane coatings prepared by UV-induced photoreactions (UV-WPU) are becoming very attractive due to the increasingly stringent environmental demands. They were developed to replace solventbased polyurethanes in the coatings of wood, paper, plastics, metal, and glass, mainly because of their good physicochemical, rheological, and optical properties. Several UV-WPU formulations have been tested over the years, making their research substantial. However, no valuable review of this literature, focusing on the significant influencing factors in UV-WPU's manufacture, is available to date. This work aims to answer specific questions about the state of these materials' art, such as: "which monomers have been used most in UV-WPU synthesis?", "what type of photo-initiator has promoted the most efficient curing of the material?", "what additives or particles have been tested for composite UV-WPUs?", "which applications have UV-WPUs been directed to?", "what adaptations and technologies have already been tested to overcome the challenges of the process?", among others. As a result of a systematized bibliographic search in four databases, considering the period from January 2000 to July 2020, a total of one hundred and thirty-eight distinct and relevant articles on UV-WPUs were found. From this study, we hope to present a scientific source on the current state-of-the-art of UV-WPU synthesis, providing new combinations of raw materials and intelligent solutions, thus making material and industrial engineers able to mitigate the inconveniences of the process.

The microdiscectomy used for the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders leaves an open incision in the annulus fibrosus that must be sealed to avoid re-herniation and other subsequent degenerations. In this study, we developed an injectable and in situ polymerizable polyurethane adhesive as a long-term post-surgical annulus fibrosus repair strategy. It was investigated the chemical structure of the urethane-based adhesive and its physico-chemical, viscoelastic, kinetic, and in vitro cytotoxic properties. The adhesive formulated from the polycarbonate diol with the highest molar mass was the one that exhibited a compressive behavior closest to the intervertebral disc outer region, and therefore, the most suitable for restoration. This adhesive showed 18-day stability under moisture and required a preparation time of 10 h at 60°C before use. The material also adhered covalently to gelatin (without catalyst or initiator) and positively impacted cell proliferation after its polymerization, which are essential requirements for clinical translation. These findings confirmed the ability of the polyurethane adhesive to act as an annulus fibrosus sealant, although further improvements in its formulation are necessary.

Textiles have been used in our daily life since antiquity in both economies and social relationships. Nowadays, there has never been a greater desire for intelligent materials. Smart fabric textiles with high-quality and high-performance fiber manufacturing with specific functions represented by clothing and apparel brands (such as astronaut suits that can regulate temperature and control muscle vibrations) are becoming increasingly prominent. Product applications also extend from the field of life clothing to the medical/health, ecology/environmental protection, and military/aerospace fields. In this context, this review proposes to demonstrate the recent advances and challenges regarding smart fabric textiles. The possibilities of innovative smart textiles extending the overall usefulness and functionalities of standard fabrics are immense in the fields of medical devices, fashion, entertainment, and defense, considering sufficient comfort as a parameter necessary for users to accept wearable devices. Smart textile devices require a multidisciplinary approach regarding the circuit design of the development of intelligent textiles, as the knowledge of intelligent materials, microelectronics, and chemistry are integrated with a deep understanding of textile production for optimum results.

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The polyurethane presents suitable properties to be used as an engineered solution to re-establish the microenvironment and biomechanical features of the intervertebral disc.