Functional polymers drive stimuli-responsive behavior across nanocomposites, (super)hydrophobic coatings, and especially in recent decay, solid-state nanoporous membranes. Dr. Varol will first link molecular-scale filler–polymer interactions and chain alignment to nanocomposite mechanics, and then show how polysiloxane micro/nanopatterning renders time-dependent (super)hydrophobicity on the coated surfaces. In approaching solid-state nanoporous membranes, he will first discuss how mesoporous silica films, upon functionalization with pH-responsive polymers, can enable gradual, simultaneous control of anion and cation nanopore transport via Ca2+ ion binding at nanopores. Then, he will outline the electropolymerization of polydopamine within insulating silica nanopores and how this functionalization can be used to control ionic nanopore transport. He will then introduce his ongoing Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) research activities in Italy, focusing on polymeric ion-track-etched membranes and on time-dependent ionic and fluorescent cargo transport in their nanochannels. In particular, he will present how ionic analytes can diffuse through differently charged nanochannels at micromolar concentrations where analyte–wall interactions vary. Other elements touched upon include an upgrade to nanochannel chemistry via bio-based chitosan functionalization, providing coupled steric hindrance and tunable charge selectivity to regulate ion flux at the nanochannels.