Fluid Effects in Polymers and Polymeric Composites, written by the late Dr. Y. Jack Weitsman, addresses the wide range of parameters that affect the interaction of fluids with polymers and polymeric composites. The book aims at broadening the scope of available data, mostly limited up to this time to weight-gain recordings of fluid ingress into polymers and composites, to the practical circumstances of fluctuating exposure. Various forms of experimental data are given, in conjunction with theoretical models derived from basic scientific principles, and correlated with severity of exposure conditions and interpreted by means of rationally based theoretical models. The practical implications of the effects of fluids are discussed. The issue of fluid effects on polymers and polymeric composites is of concern to engineers and scientists active in aerospace and naval structures, as an increasing portion of these structures are made of polymeric composites and employ polymeric adhesives as a joining device. While the book is intended for this audience, it will also interest researchers and graduate students interested in the mechanics and materials aspects of this matter.

Proceedings of The 7th World Conference on Biodegradable Polymers & Plastics organized by the European Degradable Polymer Society in conjunction with the Bioenvironmental Polymer Society and the Biodegradale Plastics Society, under the auspices of ICS-UNIDO (Italy) and INSTM Consortium (Italy) and under the patronage of IUPAC - International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (USA) and Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio (Italy), held in Tirrenia (Pisa), Italy, on June 4-8, 2002.
Synthetic and semi-synthetic polymeric materials were originally developed for their durability and resistance to all forms of degradation including biodegradation. Such materials are currently widely accepted because of their ease of processability and amenability to provide a large variety of cost effective items that help to enhance the comfort and quality of life in the modern industrial society. However, this widespread utilization of plastics has contributed to a serious plastic waste burden, and the expectation for the 21st century is for an increased demand for polymeric material.
This volume focuses on a more rational utilization of resources in the fabrication, consumption and disposal of plastic items, specifically:

-Environmentally Degradable Polymeric Materials (EDPs);
-Water-soluble/Swellable Biodegradable Polymers;
-EDPs from Renewable Resources;
-Biopolymers;
-Bioresorbable Materials for Biomedical Applications;
-Biorelated Polymers;
-Standards and Regulations on EDPs.

This doctoral thesis explains the synthesis and characterization of novel, smart hybrid nanomaterials. Bastian Ebeling combines in this work synthetic polymers with inorganic nanoparticles from silica or gold. The first chapters offer a comprehensive introduction to basics of polymer science and the applied methodologies. In following chapters, the author describes in detail how he systematically tailored the polymers using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) for combination with inorganic nanoparticles. This work also unravels mechanistic, thermodynamic, and structural aspects of all building blocks and reaction steps. The method described here is simple to perform and opens up pathways to new sets of nanohybrid materials with potential applications as sensors, in energy conversion, or catalysis. Readers will find a unique picture of the step-by step formation of new complex nanomaterials. It offers polymer scientists a systematic guide to the formation and synthesis of a new class of responsive nanomaterials.

This series presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and materials science. It is addressed to all scientists at universities and in industry who wish to keep abreast of advances in the topics covered. Impact Factor Ranking: Always number one in Polymer Science.

This book examines current issues of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in civil infrastructure. The contents of this book are divided into two parts. The first part engages topics related to durability and service life of FRP composites and how they contribute to sustainability. The second part highlights implementation and applications of the FRP composites with an emphasis on bridge structures. An introductory chapter provides an overview of FRP composites and its role in a sustainable built environment highlighting the issues of durability and service life followed by a current review of sustainability in infrastructure design. "

Fullerene Polymers and Fullerene Polymer Composites is an in-depth experimental and theoretical account of polymers and composites whose unusual properties, such as, photophysical phenomena, electrical transport, phase transitions and magnetic properties, stem from the incorporation of C60 in the material. Each chapter is written by an internationally renowned expert who has published extensively in this sub-field of fullerene materials. Introductory chapters on the fundamental properties of fullerenes (C60, C70) and photophysical phenomena in fullerenes and polymers are also included.

Volume A of Handbook of Polymer Nanocomposites deals with Layered Silicates. In some 20 chapters the preparation, architecture, characterisation, properties and application of polymer nanocomposites are discussed by experts in their respective fields

Cyclic Polymers (Second Edition) reviews the many recent advances in this rapidly expanding subject since the publication of the first edition in 1986. The preparation, characterisation, properties and applications of a wide range of organic and inorganic cyclic oligomers and polymers are described in detail, together with many examples of catenanes and rotaxanes. The importance of large cyclics in biological chemistry and molecular biology is emphasised by a wide coverage of circular DNA, cyclic peptides and cyclic oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Experimental techniques and theoretical aspects of cyclic polymers are included, as well as examples of their uses such as ring opening polymerisation reactions to give commercially important materials. This book covers a wide range of topics which should be of interest to many scientific research workers (for example, in polymer science, chemistry and molecular biology), as well as providing a reference text for undergraduate and graduate students.

The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science. The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics. Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned. Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students

Understanding Injection Molds opens up the entire subject of injection mold technology, including numerous special procedures, in a well-grounded and practical way. It is specifically intended for beginners, young professionals, business owners, and engineering students. The chapters are clearly structured and easy to understand. The book is designed so that it provides a complete basic knowledge of injection molds in chronological order as well as day-to-day guidance and advice. The numerous colour figures facilitate a rapid understanding of the content, which is especially helpful to the beginner who wants to learn about injection molds quickly. In the forefront of the description are thermoplastic molds. Divergent processes for thermoset or elastomer molds are explained at the end of each chapter. This book captures the current state of the art, and is written by authors who are specialists in the field. The second edition has been updated and improved throughout.

A Brief History of Polymeric Cryogels Vladmir I. Lozinsky Basic Principles of Cryotropic Gelation Vladimir I. Lozinsky, Oguz Okay Synthesis, Structure-Property Relationships of Cryogels Oguz Okay, Vladimir I. Lozinsky Kinetic Analysis of Cryotropic Gelation of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/water Solutions by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Claudio De Rosa, Finizia Auriemma, Rocco Di Girolamo Cryogels via UV Irradiation Technique Petar D. Petrov, Christo B. Tsvetanov Inorganic Cryogels Oleg A. Shlyakhtin Cryogels for Biotechnological Applications Bo Mattiasson Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cryogels for Biomedical Applications Wankei Wan, A. Dawn Bannerman, Lifang Yang, Helium Mak.

Salen Metal Complexes as Catalysts for the Synthesis of Polycarbonates from Cyclic Ethers and Carbon Dioxide, by Donald J. Darensbourg.- Material Properties of Poly(Propylene Carbonates), by Gerrit. A. Luinstra and Endres Borchardt.- Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) from Carbon Monoxide, by Robert Reichardt and Bernhard Rieger. - Ecoflex(r) and Ecovio(r): Biodegradable, Performance-Enabling Plastics, by K. O. Siegenthaler, A. Kunkel, G. Skupin and M. Yamamoto.- Biodegradability of Poly(Vinyl Acetate) and Related Polymers, by Manfred Amann and Oliver Minge.- Recent Developments in Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactones, by P. Lecomte and C. Jerome.- Recent Developments in Metal-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactides and Glycolides: Preparation of Polylactides, Polyglycolide, and Poly(lactide-co-glycolide), by Saikat Dutta, Wen-Chou Hung, Bor-Hunn Huang and Chu-Chieh Lin.- Bionolle (Polybutylenesuccinate), by Yasushi Ichikawa, Tatsuya Mizukoshi.- Polyurethanes from Renewable Resources, by David A. Babb.-"

Surfaces and interfaces of polymers play an important role in most of the application areas of polymers, e.g. moulds, foils, thin films, coatings, adhesive joints, blends, composites, biomaterials or applications in micro- and nanotechnology. Therefore it is very important to be able to characterize these surfaces and interfaces in detail. In Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces, experts provide concise explanations, with examples and illustrations, of the key techniques. In each case, after basic principles have been reviewed, applications of the experimental techniques are discussed and illustrated with specific examples. Scientists and engineers in research and development will benefit from an application-oriented book that helps them to find solutions to both fundamental and applied problems.

Polypeptide-Polymer Conjugates, by Henning Menzel Chemical Strategies for the Synthesis of Protein-Polymer Conjugates, by Bjorn Jung and Patrick Theato Glycopolymer Conjugates, by Ahmed M. Eissa and Neil R. Cameron DNA-Polymer Conjugates: From Synthesis, Through Complex Formation and Self-assembly to Applications, by Dawid Kedracki, Ilyes Safir, Nidhi Gour, Kien Xuan Ngo and Corinne Vebert-Nardin Synthesis of Terpene-Based Polymers, by Junpeng Zhao and Helmut Schlaad

Sensors and Actuators using polymeric systems is one of the most promising fields of "Intelligent Polymers", which is becoming more and more important associating with artificial sensing and actuating systems in living organisms. Some practical applications have now started to test in industry. The book covers optical, gas, taste, and other sensing systems using various kinds of polymers. Soft and wet actuating systems using polymer gels and networks are another field which caused excitation in the last year. The contributors are all pioneers in the field, and were selected from world-wide level. They provide the necessary background information and science to develop a basic understanding of the field, its supporting technologies and current applications. Besides, the overviews will provide a sense of how these supporting technologies can be combined to meet the requirements of advanced systems. Finally, the readers will learn about potential future developments.

Covers principles of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC), manufacturing processes, applications and future possibilities in a systematic manner Highlights IPMC practical applicability in biomedical engineering domain Explores single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) based IPMC soft actuators Discusses IPMC applications in underwater areas Includes IPMC application in robotics focussing on special compliant mechanism

This book is aimed at scientists and practicing engineers who are currently exploring or would like to explore the complexity of fabrication processes of polymer composites. It deals with the mechanics and modeling aspects of discontinuous and continuous fiber composites and familarizes the engineer with the critical and fundamental issues of material processing and transport phenomena in polymeric composites and their applications in modeling and simulating specific composite manufacturing processes.

Divided into three parts, Part A deals with the deformation science or rheology of these filled materials. It clearly shows the need to characterize their flow behavior before one can draw any conclusions about its processibility during manufacturing. Part B focuses on development of constitutive equations to describe the flow and deformation behavior of such materials under external processing conditions. Part C discusses the mathematical models for selected composite processes and their implementation into a computer simulation to analyze the process behavior. The processes represented in Part C cover a cross-section of important manufacturing processes and maintain a balance between processes that use short fibers and continuous fibrous materials.

This book focuses on the fundamental principles and recent progress in the field of electrical and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites. The physical and chemical natures determining the electrical and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites are discussed in detail. The authors describe the range of traditional and emerging polymer nanocomposites from nanoparticle and polymer composites to novel nanostructure based polymer nanocomposites. They include novel properties and potential applications, such as high-k, low-k, high thermal conductivity, antistatic, high voltage insulation, electric stress control, and thermal energy conversion among others.

There have been many excellent books written on the subject of plastic deformation in solids, but rarely can one find a textbook on this subject. "Plasticity Modeling & Computation" is a textbook written specifically for students who want to learn the theoretical, mathematical, and computational aspects of inelastic deformation in solids. It adopts a simple narrative style that is not mathematically overbearing, and has been written to emulate a professor giving a lecture on this subject inside a classroom. Each section is written to provide a balance between the relevant equations and the explanations behind them. Where relevant, sections end with one or more exercises designed to reinforce the understanding of the "lecture." Color figures enhance the presentation and make the book very pleasant to read. For professors planning to use this textbook for their classes, the contents are sufficient for Parts A and B that can be taught in sequence over a period of two semesters or quarters.

Polymers have achieved an enviable position as the class of materials having the highest volume of production, exceeding that of both metals and ceramics. The meteoric rise in the production and utilization of polymers has been due to advances in polymer synthesis which allow the creation of specific and well-defined molecular structures, to new knowledge concerning the relationships between polymer structure and properties, and to an improved understanding of how processing can be used as a tool to develop morphological features which result in desired properties. Polymers have truly become 'engineered materials' in every sense of the term. Polymer scientists and engineers are forever seeking to modify and improve the properties of synthetic polymeric systems for use in specific applications. Towards this end they have often looked to nature for advice on how to design molecules for specific needs. An excellent illustration of this is the use of noncovalent bonding (ionic, hydrogen, and van der Waals) in lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, where these noncovalent bonds, acting both intra and intermolecularly, precisely control the structure and thus the function of the entire system. The utilization of ionic bonding, in particular in man-made polymers has attracted widespread interest in recent years, since ionic interactions exert a similar strong influence on the structure and properties of these synthetic systems."

Polymer Latices, Second Edition is a comprehensive update of the previous edition, High Polymer Latices, taking into account the many developments since it was first published in 1966. It is the only publication to provide such an outstanding and extensive review of latex science and technology, from background theory and principles, to modern day applications. It will prove an invaluable reference source for all those working in the area of latex science and technology, such as colloid chemists, polymer scientists, and materials processors.

This comprehensive workbook offers a thorough review of today's high performance plastics and manufacturing processes. Focusing on common processing problems and practical solutions this book surveys fundamental processing concepts for every major fabrication technique in use today and provides extensive data on controls, instrumentation, materials and molding technologies. This second edition is fully updated with the addition of new material, new tables and new figures. Other useful features include: numerous examples of various phases of processing; a detailed review of each plastics process; the effect of changing one variable while others are constant. GBP/LISTGBP

Despite mature applications, advanced technology, and high volume, rubber compounding has never had a book of its own. Today, emerging applications such as tire reclamation and smoke-resistant cables combine with an industry push into engineering materials to create new kinds of compounds with new quality control problems. The Mixing of Rubber has been developed over several years in conjunction with the Farrel Corp./Connecticut Rubber Group course to educate the hands-on compounder and the end user as well. It covers machinery, mixing, process control, quality control, plant operations and mixing advice for specific compounds. Like the course, the book assumes no prior knowledge of rubber compounding but leads the technologist through the process from mix procedure to test.

Experts in rheology and polymer processing present up-to-date, fundamental and applied information on the rheological properties of polymers, in particular those relevant to processing, contributing to the physical understanding and the mathematical modelling of polymer processing sequences. Basic concepts of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, micro-rheological modelling and constitutive modelling are reviewed, and rheological measurements are described. Topics with practical relevance are debated, such as linear viscoelasticity, converging and diverging flows, and the rheology of multiphase systems. Approximation methods are discussed for the computer modelling of polymer melt flow. Subsequently, polymer processing technologies are studied from both simulation and engineering perspectives. Mixing, crystallization and reactive processing aspects are also included. Audience: An integrated and complete view of polymer processing and rheology, important to institutions and individuals engaged in the characterisation, testing, compounding, modification and processing of polymeric materials. Can also support academic polymer processing engineering programs.