Pharmaceuticals in Marine and Coastal Environments: Occurrence, Effects, and Challenges in a Changing World is divided into three sections that address a) coastal areas as the main entrance of pharmaceuticals into the ocean, b) the occurrence and distribution of pharmaceuticals in the environmental compartments of the ocean media, and c) the effects that such pollutants may cause to the exposed marine organisms. With its comprehensive discussions, the book provides a wide depiction of the current state-of-the-art on these topics in an effort to open new sources of investigation and find suitable solutions.

Processing Technology for Bio-Based Polymers: Advanced Strategies and Practical Aspects brings together the latest advances and novel technologies surrounding the synthesis and manufacture of biopolymers, ranging from bio-based polymers to synthetic polymers from bio-derived monomers. Sections examine bio-based polymer chemistry, discuss polymerization process and emerging design technologies, cover manufacturing and processing approaches, explain cutting-edge approaches and innovative applications, and focus on biomedicals and other key application areas. Final chapters provide detailed discussion and an analysis of economic and environmental concerns, practical considerations, challenges, opportunities and future trends. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists and advanced students in polymer science, bio-based materials, nanomaterials, plastics engineering, biomaterials, chemistry, biotechnology, and materials science and engineering, as well as R&D professionals, engineers and industrialists interested in the development of biopolymers for advanced products and applications.

Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications explains how polymer-based smart composites and nanocomposites can be prepared and utilized for novel optical, sensor and energy-related applications. The book begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of smart polymer composites, including structure-property relationships and conjugated polymers. Other sections examine optical applications, including the use of polymer-based smart composites for luminescent solar concentrators, electro-chromic applications, light conversion applications, ultraviolet shielding applications, LED encapsulation applications, sensor applications, including gas-sensing, strain sensing, robotics and tactile sensors, with final sections covering energy-related applications, including energy harvesting, conversion, storage, vibrational energy harvesting, and more. This is an essential guide for researchers, scientists and advanced students in smart polymers and materials, polymer science, composites, nanocomposites, electronics and materials science. It is also a valuable book for scientists, R&D professionals and engineers working with products that could utilize smart polymer composites.

The Latest Research and Development of Minerals in Human Nutrition, Volume 96 in the Advances in Food and Nutrition Research series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors.

Biodegradable Polymers and Composites - Process Engineering to Commercialization is designed in such a way that it not only gives basic knowledge but also contains information regarding conventional and advanced technologies, socio-economic aspects, techno-economic feasibility, modelling tools and detailed Life Cycle Analysis in biopolymer production. The book discusses the advantages and importance of biopolymers over the conventionally produced plastics. Biodegradable Polymers and Composites highlights: the conventional and advanced strategies for biopolymer production; information regarding process engineering and commercialization of biopolymers; models and available modelling techniques in the sector of biopolymer production; and global case studies, opportunities and challenges (technical constraints, institutional constraints and social constraints) associated with biopolymer production.

Green Sustainable Process for Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Science: Biosurfactants for the Bioremediation of Polluted Environments explores the use of biosurfactants in remediation initiatives, reviewing knowledge surrounding the creation and application of biosurfactants for addressing issues related to the release of toxic substances in ecosystems. Sections cover their production, assessment and optimization for bioremediation, varied pollutant degradation applications, and a range of contaminants and ecological sites. As awareness and efforts to develop greener products and processes continues to grow, biosurfactants are garnering more attention for the potential roles they can play in reducing the use and production of more toxic products. Drawing on the knowledge of its expert team of global contributors, this book provides useful insights for all those currently or potentially interested in developing or applying biosurfactants in their own work.

Engineered Polymeric Fibrous Materials explains cutting edge techniques for the engineering of fibrous materials from physical, mechanical, and chemical points of view. Both conventional and nanofibers are described in this uniquely comprehensive book, for a wide range of applications including biomedical, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, energy, and environmental. This book refers to recent advances made in both academia and industry, in topics such as fiber-reinforced composites, fibrous thermal insulators, drug delivery and tissue engineering, and smart textiles and energy, and explains how fibrous structures are engineered to offer new solutions to important problems. The first two chapters provide basic introductory information to allow a wider range of readers to engage with the book.

Membrane-Based Hybrid Processes for Wastewater Treatment analyzes and discusses the potential of membrane-based hybrid processes for the treatment of complex industrial wastewater, the recovery of valuable compounds, and water reutilization. In addition, recent and future trends in membrane technology are highlighted. Industrial wastewater contains a large variety of compounds, such as heavy metals, salts and nutrients, which makes its treatment challenging. Thus, the use of conventional water treatment methods is not always effective. Membrane-based hybrid processes have emerged as a promising technology to treat complex industrial wastewater.

The Future of Effluent Treatment Plants: Biological Treatment Systems is an advanced and updated version of existing biological technologies that includes their limitations, challenges, and potential application to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD), refractory chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), color removal and environmental pollutants through advancements in microbial bioremediation. The book introduces new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation with thorough discussions of recent developments. In addition, it illustrates that the application of these new emerging innovative technologies can lead to energy savings and resource recovery. The importance of respiration, nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, denitrification and biological phosphorus removal processes in the development of a fruitful and applicable solution for the removal of toxic pollutants from wastewater treatment plants is highlighted. Equally important is the knowledge and theoretical modeling of water movement through wastewater ecosystems. Finally, emphasis is given to the function of constructed wetlands and activated sludge processes.

Cultured Microalgae for the Food Industry: Current and Potential Applications is a comprehensive reference that addresses the current applications and potential uses of microalgae and microalgae-derived compounds in the food industry. The book explores the different steps of the subject, from strain selection and cultivation steps, to the assessment of the public perception of microalgae consumption and the gastronomical potential of this innovative resource. Readers will find coverage of microalgae biology, common and uncommon algae species, cultivation strategies for food applications, novel extraction techniques, safety issues, regulatory issues, and current market opportunities and challenges. This title also explores the gastronomic potential of microalgae and reviews current commercialized products along with consumer attitudes surrounding microalgae. Covering relevant, up-to-date research as assembled by a group of contributors who are experts in their respective fields, the book is an essential reading for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers in the microbiology, biotechnology, food science and technology fields.

The urgent need for sustainability within the food producing industries and agriculture has turned the interest of research to investigate new non-thermal technologies, nanotechnologies and other practices in postharvest treatment of crops and fruits. Subsequently, there is a need for a new guide covering the latest developments in this particular direction. Food Losses, Sustainable Postharvest and Food Technology provides solutions to postharvest treatment technologies. It explores modern non-thermal technologies, focusing on postharvest losses and quality of fresh-cut products. In addition, it discusses the implications for postharvest technology research, policies and practices. It also focuses on the most recent advances in the field, while it explores the potentiality and sustainability of already commercialized processes and products. Aimed at professionals working in the food industry and agriculture, it could also be utilized as a handbook for anyone dealing with sustainability issues of food production in spite of postharvest treatment.

Wastewater Treatment Reactors: Microbial Community Structure analyzes microbial community structure in relation to changes in physico-chemical parameters, the gene content (metagenome) or gene expression (metatranscriptome) of microbial communities in relation to changes in physico-chemical parameters, physiological aspects of microbial communities, enrichment cultures or pure cultures of key species in relation to changes in physico-chemical parameters, and modeling of potential consequences of changes in microbial community structure or function for higher trophic levels in a given habitat. As several studies have been carried out to understand bulking phenomena and the importance of environmental factors on sludge settling characteristics, which are thought to be strongly influenced by flocculation, sludge bulking, foaming and rising, this book is an ideal resource on the topics covered.

Transdisciplinary Case Studies on Design for Food and Sustainability, a volume in the Consumer Science and Strategic Marketing series, analyzes the interconnectivity of sustainability, food, and design, demonstrating the presence of food design in various food-related fields of study. Broken into six parts, the book begins with the theory behind food and design. The following five sections include several case studies highlighting the different forms and applications of food design, including the use of food design in production and distribution, in food and restaurant businesses, in territory-identity, in social food design, and with regard to post-consumption. Using a case study approach to meet the needs of both academics and practitioners, Transdisciplinary Case Studies on Design for Food and Sustainability includes practical examples to illustrate food system challenges, to explain phenomena, and to build theory.

Probiotic Beverages is an essential reference guide to traditional, emerging and unique probiotic beverage products throughout different regions of the world. The book includes in-depth knowledge by local authors on indigenous and commercially produced probiotic beverages and related products. Examining current advancements in probiotic beverages and consumer health relationships, with a focus on large-scale beverage technology, sections cover starter cultures, regulatory challenges, genetic engineering, quality and safety. From practical issues of developing probiotic beverages, to the marketing of these drinks to the consumer, the full product lifecycle of a probiotic beverage is discussed.

Conducting Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: Fundamentals and Applications delivers an up-to-date overview on cutting-edge advancements in the field of nanocomposites derived from conjugated polymeric matrices. Design of conducting polymers and resultant nanocomposites has instigated significant addition in the field of modern nanoscience and technology. Recently, conducting polymer-based nanocomposites have attracted considerable academic and industrial research interest. The conductivity and physical properties of conjugated polymers have shown dramatic improvement with nanofiller addition. Appropriate fabrication strategies and the choice of a nanoreinforcement, along with a conducting matrix, may lead to enhanced physicochemical features and material performance. Substantial electrical conductivity, optical features, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and other physical properties of the conducting polymer-based nanocomposites have led to high-performance materials and high-tech devices and applications. This book begins with a widespread impression of state-of-the-art knowledge in indispensable features and processing of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites. It then discusses essential categories of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and derived nanomaterials. Subsequent sections of this book are related to the potential impact of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites in various technical fields. Significant application areas have been identified for anti-corrosion, EMI shielding, sensing, and energy device relevance. Finally, the book covers predictable challenges and future opportunities in the field of conjugated nanocomposites.

New Trends in Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater covers the applicable technologies relating to the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and new and emerging trends in the field, both at the laboratory and industrial scale. Sections explore new environmentally friendly technologies, the principles of sustainable development, the main factors contributing to heavy metal removal from wastewater, methods and procedures, materials (especially low-cost materials originated from industrial and agricultural waste), management of wastewater containing heavy metals and wastewater valorization, recycling, environmental impact, and wastewater policies for post heavy metal removal. This book is an advanced and updated vision of existing heavy metal removal technologies with their limitations and challenges and their potential application to remove heavy metals/environmental pollutants through advancements in bioremediation. Finally, sections also cover new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation with recent developments in this field by an application of chemical/biochemical and environmental biotechnology.

The Effect of Long Term Thermal Exposure on Plastics and Elastomers, Second Edition brings together a wide range of essential data on the effect of long-term thermal exposure on plastics and elastomers, enabling engineers to make optimal material choices and design decisions. This second edition has been thoroughly revised to include the latest data and materials. This highly valuable handbook will support engineers, product designers, R&D professionals, and scientists who are working on plastics products or parts for high temperature environments across a range of industries. This readily available data will make it easy for practitioners to learn about plastic materials and their long- term thermal exposure without having to search the general literature or depend on suppliers. This book will also be of interest to researchers and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, coatings, and materials science and engineering.

Polymer-Based Separators for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Production, Processing, and Properties takes a detailed, systematic approach to the development of polymer separators for lithium-ion batteries, supporting the reader in selecting materials and processes for high-performance polymer separators with enhanced properties. The book begins by introducing the polymeric materials that may be used for separators, as well as characterization techniques, before presenting the available technologies used to produce separators for use in lithium-ion batteries. Each technology is discussed in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen approach, with the properties of the separators made via each technology also summarized and compared in detail. In addition, areas for further development are addressed, and the limitations of current materials and separators in achieving those goals are highlighted. This is a valuable resource for scientists and engineers in the industry who work on polymer-based battery separators, polymers for electronic/energy applications, and new materials and processes for lithium-ion batteries. In academia, this book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students across the fields of polymer science, materials science, electronics, energy, and chemical engineering.

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) Polymer Nanocomposites: From Synthesis to Applications offers extensive coverage of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and their nanocomposites, including their synthesis, characterization, interfacial interactions and advanced applications. Sections introduce essentials, information on their preparation and discussions on polymeric materials, including elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, polymer blends and IPNs. Further sections cover the latest analysis techniques, examine the properties of POSS-polymer nanocomposites, and discuss key application areas, such as biological, energy, defense, and space. Finally, issues surrounding industry implementation and lifecycle are explored. This is a valuable reference for researchers, scientists and advanced students in the areas of polymer composites and nanocomposites, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer science, and materials science and engineering. In an industrial setting, this book will be of great interest to scientists, R&D professionals, and engineers across industries and disciplines.

Natural Polyphenols from Wood: Tannin and Lignin - An Industrial Perspective is a detailed guide to the sourcing and processing of tannin and lignin for valuable advanced applications across areas such as fuels, chemicals, drugs, and food. Drawing on the latest academic research and patent literature, this book provides strong practical understanding of the use of these valuable materials in novel industrial applications. This book introduces natural polyphenols from wood and the fundamental aspects of carbon management within the tree. In-depth presentation of extraction and characterization methods is followed by an extensive coverage of practical and industrial applications of wood polyphenols. This is an essential resource for researchers and advanced students working with lignin or tannin, and across biopolymer science, biomass, wood chemistry, paper, wood adhesives, polymer materials, renewable resources, and biotechnology. It also supports industrial R&D and scientists working with wood polyphenols or bio-based polymers.