Nanotechnology for Oral Drug Delivery: From Concept to Applications discusses the current challenges of oral drug delivery, broadly revising the different physicochemical barriers faced by nanotechnolgy-based oral drug delivery systems, and highlighting the challenges of improving intestinal permeability and drug absorption. Oral delivery is the most widely used form of drug administration due to ease of ingestion, cost effectiveness, and versatility, by allowing for the accommodation of different types of drugs, having the highest patient compliance. In this book, a comprehensive overview of the most promising and up-to-date engineered and surface functionalized drug carrier systems, as well as opportunities for the development of novel and robust delivery platforms for oral drug administration are discussed. The relevance of controlling the physicochemical properties of the developed particle formulations, from size and shape to drug release profile are broadly reviewed. Advances in both in vitro and in vivo scenarios are discussed, focusing on the possibilities to study the biological-material interface. The industrial perspective on the production of nanotechnology-based oral drug delivery systems is also covered. Nanotechnology for Oral Drug Delivery: From Concept to Applications is essential reading for researchers, professors, advanced students and industry professionals working in the development, manufacturing and/or commercialization of nanotechnology-based systems for oral drug delivery, targeted drug delivery, controlled drug release, materials science and biomaterials, in vitro and in vivo testing of potential oral drug delivery technologies.

This book explores the scientific basis of the photovoltaic effect, solar cell operation, various types of solar cells, and the main process used in their manufacture. It addresses a range of topics, including the production of solar silicon; silicon-based solar cells and modules; the choice of semiconductor materials and their production-relevant costs and performance; device structures, processing, and manufacturing options for the three major thin-film PV technologies; high-performance approaches for multi-junction, concentrator, and space applications; and new types of organic polymer and dye-sensitized solar cells. The book also presents a concept for overcoming the efficiency limit of today's solar cells. Accessible for beginners, while also providing detailed information on the physics and technology for experts, the book is a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in fields such as physics, materials, energy, electrical and electronic engineering and microelectronics.

This book covers novel and innovative technologies used in development, modeling, chemical/physical investigation and biomedical (in-vitro and in-vivo) trials of nanomaterials and nanocomposites. Novel methods for nanoparticle development and manufacturing are presented, as well as their safety and promising applications. In addition, the book highlights new frontiers in the use of metal / metal oxide nanoparticles, hierarchical nanostructures and organic coatings as sensors for detecting gases, inorganic and organic materials, including biosensors for bacteria and cancers. Organic nanoparticle composites for medical applications (tissue engineering, tissue replacement, regeneration, etc.), including hydroxyapatite NPs, are also covered, together with related in-vitro and preclinical investigations. In closing, the book shares recent findings on orthopedic and dental implant coatings using nanoparticles, their biological efficacy and safety.

The book focuses on the development of high performance, high efficiency electroactive polymers (EAPs), and electromechanically active polymers by controlling molecular chemical structure and morphology for all applications. This book is ideal for academicians and researchers in polymer and materials science.

This detailed volume explores molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which have attracted great interest both in fundamental research and for practical applications due to their selective molecular recognition capabilities, extraordinary stability, and ease of preparation. Beginning with key laboratory protocols describing the different steps towards the synthesis of MIPs by different polymerization strategies, the volume continues by examining MIP use in sample preparation, their implementation on the development of sensors, as well as applications in other areas such catalysis and the use of bioinformatics and molecular modeling for MIPs design. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to the respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers seeking to harness this very powerful approach for the preparation of molecular selective synthetic polymers.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd International Conference on Innovative Technologies for Clean and Sustainable Development, held in Chandigarh, India, on February 19-21, 2020. The respective papers focus on sustainable materials science and cover topics including the durability and sustainability of concrete, green materials in construction, economics of cleaner production, environmental impact mitigation, innovative materials for sustainable construction, performance and sustainability of special concrete, renewable energy infrastructure, sustainability in road construction, sustainable concrete, sustainable construction materials, waste minimization & management, prevention and management of water pollution, and zero-energy buildings.

This book systematically describes the design and synthesis of MOF-related materials and the electrochemical energy storage-related research in the field of batteries. It starts with an introduction to the synthesis of MOF-based materials and various MOF derivatives, such as MOF-derived porous carbon and MOF-derived metal nanoparticles. This is followed by highlighting the interesting examples for electrochemical applications, illustrating recent advances in battery, supercapacitor, and water splitting. This book is interesting and useful to a wide readership in the various fields of chemical science, materials science, and engineering.

This book presents the potential of bacterial cellulose in the textile and fashion industry. Most of the earlier work on the bacterial cellulose was focused on the bio technology application of cellulose, but the recent urge for the need of a sustainable material in the fashion and textile industries identified the scope of the bacterial cellulose in this aspect. The unique feature of this book is that it relates the bio technological aspects of bacterial cellulose with the sustainable issues in the fashion industry.

Composite materials are formed when the combination of separate materials acquire new properties distinct from its components. They have a range of applications in fields such as mechanical and electrical engineering, food science and biomedicine and represent a fast-growing area of research. Composite Materials: Applications in Engineering, Biomedicine and Food Science provides an overview of current technologies and applications related to composite materials in these fields. Organized by discipline, the text encompasses a wide variety of composite materials, including polymer, ceramic, biomaterial, hydroxyapatite, nanofiber and green composites. Early chapters detail the enhanced mechanical, magnetic, dielectric properties of electrical and thermal conductive composite materials, which are essential in daily science. Subsequent chapters focus on filler or reinforcement materials, including carbon materials, hybrid materials and nanomaterials. Particular emphasis is placed on nanocomposite materials, as these have increasingly diverse field applications. Various manufacturing methods, such as the synthesis method and top-down/bottom-up manufacturing, are also discussed. Coverage of the recent progress, challenges and opportunities surrounding composite materials make this text a one-stop reference for engineers, scientists and researchers working in this exciting field.

Comprehensive and practical, Pavement Asset Management provides an essential resource for educators, students and those in public agencies and consultancies who are directly responsible for managing road and airport pavements. The book is comprehensive in the integration of activities that go into having safe and cost-effective pavements using the best technologies and management processes available. This is accomplished in seven major parts, and 42 component chapters, ranging from the evolution of pavement management to date requirements to determining needs and priority programming of rehabilitation and maintenance, followed by structural design and economic analysis, implementation of pavement management systems, basic features of working systems and finally by a part on looking ahead. The most current methodologies and practical applications of managing pavements are described in this one-of-a-kind book. Real world up-to-date examples are provided, as well as an extensive list of references for each part.

With the aim to facilitate the dissemination of research from both academia and the industrial community, presented works from the 10th International Conference on Computational Methods and Experiments in Material and Contact Characterisation are included in this book. These papers discuss the latest developments in this rapidly advancing field. The demand for high-quality production for both industry and consumers has led to rapid developments in materials science and engineering. This requires the characterisation of the properties of the materials. Of particular interest to industry and society is the knowledge of the surface treatment and contact mechanics of these materials to determine the in-service behaviour of components subject to contact conditions. Modern society requires systems that operate at conditions that use resources effectively. In terms of components durability, the understanding of surface engineering wear frictional and lubrication dynamics has never been so important. Current research is focussed on modifications technologies that can increase the surface durability of materials. The characteristics of the system reveal which surface engineering methods should be chosen and as a consequence, it is essential to study the combination of surface treatment and contact mechanics. Combinations of different experimental techniques as well as computer simulation methods are essential to achieve a proper analysis. A very wide range of materials, starting with metals through polymers and semiconductors to composites, necessitates a whole spectrum of characteristic experimental techniques and research methods. Topics covered include: Experimental and measurement techniques; Mechanical testing and characterisation; Composites; Characterisation at multiple scales; Corrosion and erosion; Damage, fatigue and fracture; Recycled and reclaimed materials; Emerging materials and processing technology; Materials for energy systems; Contact mechanics; Coatings and surface treatments; Tribology and design; Biomechanical characterisation and applications; Residual stresses; Polymers and plastics; Computational methods and simulation; Biological materials; Evaluation and material processing.

This book is an effort to tether all the exuberant observations on adding nanomaterial in the TPE matrix. With an enhanced processing property along with amplified recyclability and reprocessing feature, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) proves to be one of the most significant polymeric materials till date. As the scientific world evolves, these advanced materials have attuned themselves with various anisotropic nanomaterials to induce an enhanced property effect on the final product. On an additional note, authors have done extensive research on graphene, the most multifaceted element in the filler family keeping TPE and its derivate as the matrix martial. Cogitating the idea of a multidimensional readership, authors have analyzed the synthesis, derivatization, and properties of graphene and its derivatives separately. Apart from reviewing the future prospects and the potential application of these nano-filled advanced materials, they have kept the structure-property relationship of graphene-based composites at the cynosure to provide firm understanding on the blossoming of these elastomeric composites. The authors believe this book is a potential content for both professionals and academicians.

This book provides an up-to-date overview on the membrane technology for the drinking water treatment. The applications of PVDF-TiO2 nanowire hybrid ultrafiltration membrane, nanofiltration membrane, forward osmosis membrane, etc. in water treatment are discussed in detail. With abundant practical examples, the book is an essential reference for scientists, students and engineers in municipal engineering, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, environmental chemistry and material science.

Carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions are the backbone of synthetic organic chemistry. Scientists are constantly developing and improving these techniques in order to maximize the diversity of synthetically available molecules. These techniques must be developed in a sustainable manner in order to limit their environmental impact. This book highlights green carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions.

This book addresses the fabrication of responsive functional nanomaterials and their use in sustainable energy and environmental applications. Responsive functional nanomaterials can change their physiochemical properties to adapt to their environment. Accordingly, these novel materials are playing an increasingly important role in a diverse range of applications, such as sensors and actuators, self-healing materials, separation, drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, functional coatings and textiles. This book reports on the latest advances in responsive functional nanomaterials in a wide range of applications and will appeal to a broad readership across the fields of materials, chemistry, sustainable energy, environmental science and nanotechnology.

This volume is devoted to mostly to nanotubes, unique synthetic nanoscale quantum systems whose physical properties are often singular (i.e. record-setting). Nanotubes can be formed from a myriad of atomic or molecular species, the only requirement apparently being that the host material or "wall fabric" be configurable as a layered or sheet-like structure. Nanotubes with sp2-bonded atoms such as carbon, or boron together with nitrogen, are the champions of extreme mechanical strength, electrical response (either highly conducting or highly insulating), and thermal conductance. Carbon nanotubes can be easily produced by a variety of synthesis techniques, and for this reason they are the most studied nanotubes, both experimentally and theoretically. Boron nitride nanotubes are much more difficult to produce and only limited experimental characterization data exist. Indeed, for boron nitride nanotubes, theory is well ahead of experiment. For these reasons this volume deals largely with carbon nanotubes. Conceptually, the "building block" for a carbon nanotube is a single sheet of graphite, called graphene. Recently, it has become possible to experimentally isolate such single sheets (either on a substrate or suspended). This capability has in turn fueled many new theoretical and experimental studies of graphene itself. It is therefore fitting that this volume contains also a chapter devoted to graphene.
- Comprehension
- Overview
- Highlights in the field

The book comprehensively covers the different topics of graphene based biopolymer and nanocomposites, mainly synthesis methods for the composite materials, various characterization techniques to study the superior properties and insights on potential advanced applications.The book will address and rectify the complications of using plastics that are non-degradable and has abhorrent impact on environment. The limitations of properties of biopolymer can be vanquished by employing graphene as a nanomaterial. Outstanding properties of graphene in accordance with biopolymer can be utilized to develop applications like water treatment, tissue engineering, photo-catalysts, super-absorbents. This is a useful reference source for both engineers and researchers working in composite materials science as well as the students attending materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering courses.

This volume highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) and discusses a diverse range of topics concerning FRC: rheology and early-age properties, mechanical properties, codes and standards, long-term properties, durability, analytical and numerical models, quality control, structural and Industrial applications, smart FRC's, nanotechnologies related to FRC, textile reinforced concrete, structural design and UHPFRC. The contributions present improved traditional and new ideas that will open novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaboration between different specialists. Although the symposium was postponed, the book gathers peer-reviewed papers selected in 2020 for the RILEM-fib International Symposium on Fibre Reinforced Concrete (BEFIB).

This book highlights leading-edge research in multi-disciplinary areas in Physics, Engineering, Medicine, and Health care, from the 6th IRC Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (IRC-SET 2020) held in July 2020 at Singapore. The papers were shortlisted after extensive rounds of reviews by a panel of esteemed individuals who are pioneers in their domains. The book also contains excerpts of the speeches by eminent personalities who graced the occasion, thereby providing written documentation of the event.

This book deals with key aspects of modelling, deposition and characterization of thin solid films. The main attention is paid to the physical vacuum deposition methods and particularly to the magnetron sputtering. Measurement methods for optical and electrical properties of thin films, that are described in the book, are based on the equipment situated in the thin-films laboratory of the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT). The book is written based on Dr Axelevitch's long experience (more than 30 years) in the field. It is mainly intended for students of microelectronics, electrooptics and nanotechnology specialties, as well as for practical engineers.

This book presents selected papers from the International Conference on Renewable Energy Systems (ICRES 2020). It throws light over the state of the art of renewable energy sources and their technological advances. Renewable energy sources discussed in this book include solar, wind, biomass, fuel cells, hydropower , hydrogen, nuclear, and geothermal. This book comprehensively explains each of these sources, materials associated, technological development, economics and their impact on the environment. As the renewable energy sources are intermittent, they require specific power electronic converter to convert the generated power into useful form that can be used for utility. Hence, this book describes different forms of power converter such as AC-DC, DC-DC, DC-AC and AC-AC. Advanced power semiconductor devices, their gate drive and protection circuits, heat sink design and magnetic components for power converter are the additional topics included in this book. The topics covered in these proceedings will have a large impact among academicians, researchers, policy makers, scientists, practitioners and students in fields of electronics and electrical engineering, energy engineering, automotive engineering, and so on.