This book focuses on the recent trends in micro- and nano-structured polymer systems, particularly natural polymers, biopolymers, biomaterials, and their composites, blends, and IPNs. This valuable volume covers the occurrence, synthesis, isolation, production, properties and applications, modification, as well as the relevant analysis techniques to reveal the structures and properties of polymer systems. Biobased polymer blends and composites occupy a unique position in the dynamic world of new biomaterials. The growing need for lubricious coatings and surfaces in medical devices-an outcome of the move from invasive to noninvasive medicines and procedures-is playing a major role in the advancement of biomaterials technology. Natural polymers have attained their cutting-edge technology through various platforms, and this book presents a multitude of information about them. Topics include biopolymer-synthetic systems, nanomaterial-polymer structures, multi-characterization techniques, polymer blends and composites, polymer gels and polyelectrolytes, and many other interesting aspects of interests to researchers. This book will be valuable to scientists, physicians, pharmacists, engineers, and other specialists in a variety of disciplines, both academic and industrial.

This new volume explores the latest research on the use of alginate as a biopolymer in various biomedical applications and therapeutics. The uses of alginates and modified alginates discussed in this book include tissue regeneration, encapsulation and delivery of drugs, nucleic acid materials, proteins and peptides, genes, herbal therapeutic agents, nutraceuticals, and more. This book also describes the synthesis and characterizations of various alginate and modified alginate systems, such as hydrogels, gels, composites, nanoparticles, scaffolds, etc., used for the biomedical applications and therapeutics. Alginate, a biopolymer of natural origin, is of immense interest for its variety of applications in pharmaceuticals (as medical diagnostic aids) and in materials science. It is the one of the most abundant natural biopolymers and is considered an excellent excipient because of its non-toxic, stable, and biodegradable properties. Several research innovations have been made on applications of alginate in drug delivery and biomedicines. There needs to be a thorough understanding of the synthesis, purification, and characterization of alginates and its derivatives for their utility in healthcare fields, and this volume offers an abundance of information toward that end.

High-Performance Polymers for Engineering-Based Composites presents a selection of investigations and innovative research in polymer chemistry and advanced materials. The book includes case studies in the field of nanocomposites. The volume provides coverage of new research in polymer science and engineering with applications in chemical engineering, materials science, and chemistry. In addition to synthetic polymer chemistry, it also looks at the properties of polymers in various states (solution, melt, solid). The chapters provide a survey of the important categories of polymers including commodity thermoplastics and fibers, elastomers and thermosets, and engineering and specialty polymers. Basic polymer processing principles are explained as well as in-depth descriptions of the latest polymer applications in different industrial sectors. This new book reviews the field's current state and emerging advances. With contributions from experts from both the industry and academia, this book presents the latest developments in polymer products and chemical processes.

Technical and technological development demands the creation of new materials that are stronger, more reliable, and more durable-materials with new properties. This new book covers a broad range of polymeric materials and technology and provides researchers in polymer science and technology with new research on the functional materials production chain. Chapters in this new volume highlight recent developments in advanced polymeric materials from macro- to nano-length scales. Composites are becoming more important because they can help to improve quality of life. This volume presents the latest developments and trends in advanced polymer materials and structures. It discusses the developments of advanced polymers and respective tools to characterize and predict the material properties and behavior. This book has an important role in advancing polymer materials in macro and nanoscale. Its aim is to provide original, theoretical, and important experimental results that use non-routine methodologies. It also includes chapters on novel applications of more familiar experimental techniques and analyses of composite problems that indicate the need for new experimental approaches.

This new book covers the synthetic as well application aspects of functional polymers. It highlights modern trends in the field and showcases the recent characterization techniques that are being employed in the field of polymer science. The chapters are written by top-notch scientists who are internationally recognized in the field. The chapters will highlight the modern trend in the field.

Engineering design teams sometimes have need of a material that may not exist because the combination of required properties is difficult to achieve. One solution is to develop a new material having the required set of properties needed in the application. During the author's 40-year career he has successfully worked on many such problems. The uniquely useful and valuable book, Polymeric Thermosetting Compounds: Innovative Aspects of Their Formulation Technology, presents twenty of those design problems and the solutions, which resulted in patents and spin-off applications. Author Ralph Hermansen, with years of experience of hands-on experience, is an expert in formulating epoxies, polyurethanes, and other polymers into compounds that have unique properties, and here he shares his knowledge and experience of attaining novel solutions to very challenging problems. He covers polymeric compounds such as coatings, adhesives, encapsulants, transparent plastics, and others. Chapters describe the design problem and define which key properties are sought in the new material. The author shares his thinking about how to approach the formulating problem and describes the experimental procedures used to eventually solve the problem. Patent information is shared as well. Once a new family of polymeric compounds is developed, that technology can be used to attack new unsolved materials problems, or "spin-offs," and real-life examples are provided to help readers see new applications of the technologies described in the earlier chapters. The book will be of interest to a diverse group of people. Industry professionals already in the business of selling specialty compounds may be able to add new products to their catalogs with little research cost or time by using the information in the book. Formulators, trying to develop a new compound to challenging requirements, may gain insight into how to make a breakthrough. The information in the book will be very valuable to companies needing these novel solutions. And younger people wondering what a career in materials science would be like get a first-hand commentary from someone who has done it.

This new book presents the authors' biomedical studies of natural degradable biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates [PHAs]) and discusses the demand for medical-grade materials and modern trends, focusing on the present status and future potential of PHAs. The authors present and summarize their most important results and findings obtained during the last few years in experimental studies and clinical trials of PHAs at the Institute of Biophysics Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science.

Natural Fiber Textile Composite Engineering sheds light on the area of the natural fiber textile composites with new research on their applications, the material used, the methods of preparation, the different types of polymers, the selection of raw materials, the elements of design the natural fiber textile polymer composites for a particular end use, their manufacturing techniques, and finally their life cycle assessments (LCA). The volume also addresses the important issue in the materials science of how to utilize natural fibers as an enhancement to composite materials. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been proven to provide a combination of superior mechanical property, dielectric property, and environmental advantages such as renewability and biodegradability. Natural fibers, some from agricultural waste products, can replace existing metallic and plastic parts and help to alleviate the environmental problem of increasing amounts of agriculture residual. The book is divided into four sections, covering: applications of natural fiber polymer composites design of natural fiber polymer composites composite manufacturing techniques and agriculture waste manufacturing composite material testing methods The first section of the book deals with the application of textile composites in the industry and the properties of the natural fibers, providing an understanding of the history of natural fiber composites as well as an analysis of the different properties of different natural fibers. The second section goes on to explain the textile composites, their classification, different composite manufacturing techniques, and the different pretreatment methods for the natural fibers to be used in composite formation. It also analyzes the composite material design under different types of loading and the mechanism of failure of the natural fiber composite. The effect of the fiber volume fraction of different textile structures is explained. The third section of the book, on composite manufacturing techniques and agriculture waste manufacturing, concerns the natural fiber composite manufacturing techniques, agricultural waste, and the methods of their preparation to be used successfully in the composite, either in the form of fibers particles or nanoparticles. The book then considers the testing methods of the different composite components as well as the final composite materials, giving the principle of the testing standards, either distractive or nondestructive. This book attempts to fill the gap between the role of the textile engineer and the role of the designer of composites from natural fibers. It provides important information on the application of textile composites for textile engineers, materials engineers, and researchers in the area of composite materials.

Scientists and researchers are looking for new smart materials to replace old or conventional materials for better performance and for new applications. The use of polymeric materials and nanomaterials is increasing due to their wide-spectrum tunability and many properties. It is now easier to formulate materials for special purposes using these materials than using conventional materials and methods. Many commercial products made from polymeric materials and nanomaterials are now in use and on the market. This book presents a diverse selection of cutting-edge research on the development of polymeric materials and nanomaterials for new and different applications. These include electrical applications, biomedical applications, sensing applications, coating applications, and others. A few chapters dedicated to materials for construction applications are also included. Discussions include the properties, behavior, preparation, processing, and characterization of various polymeric materials, nanomaterials, and their composites. Some of the chapter authors present theoretical studies of these systems, which can help readers to develop a better understanding in this area.

Functionalized polymers are macromolecules to which chemically bound functional groups are attached which can be used as catalysts, reagents, protective groups, etc. Functionalized polymers have low cost, ease of processing and attractive features for functional organic molecules. Chemical reactions for the introduction of functional groups in polymers and the conversion of functional groups in polymers depend on different properties. Such properties are of great importance for functionalization reactions for possible applications of reactive polymers. This book deals with the synthesis and design of various functional polymers, the modification of preformed polymer backbones and their various applications.

Medicinal chemistry and pharmacology are closely associated fields, and the use of natural products for their medicinal properties is ever-growing. The study of drugs from natural products and their effects on the living body are explored in this volume. The book looks into the research, discovery, and characterization of chemicals that exhibit biological effects. Providing an informative compilation of research, valuable case studies, and reviews of existing literature in the area, the book focuses on the ethnobotanical uses of natural products and phytochemicals for health care, including applications for diabetes, ulcers, wound healing, chronic alcoholism, hemorrhoidal treatment, cancer mitigation, pain management, immunotherapy, and more.

Addresses a Growing Need for the Development of Cellular and Porous Materials in Industry Building blocks used by nature are motivating researchers to create bio-inspired cellular structures that can be used in the development of products for the plastic, food, and biomedical industry. Representing a unified effort by international experts, Biofoams: Science and Applications of Bio-Based Cellular and Porous Materials highlights the latest research and development of biofoams and porous systems, and specifically examines the aspects related to the formation of gas bubbles in drink and food. The book offers a detailed analysis of bio-polymers and foaming technologies, biodegradable and sustainable foams, biomedical foams, food foams, and bio-inspired foams. Explores the Generation of New Materials with Wide-Ranging Technological Applicability This book introduces the science, technologies, and applications related to the use of biopolymers and biomaterials in the development of porous structures. It presents topics that include bio-based polymers for the development of biodegradable and sustainable polymeric foams, foams in food, foams in biomedical applications, biohybrids, and bio-inspired cellular and porous systems. It also includes recent studies on the design of polymer-based composites and hybrid scaffolds, weighs in on the challenges related to the production of porous polymers, and presents relevant examples of cellular architecture present in nature. In addition, this book: Focuses on materials compatible with natural tissues Discusses the engineering of bio-inspired scaffolds with the ability to mimic living tissue Reveals how to use renewable resources to develop more sustainable lightweight materials Illustrates the state of the art of porous scaffold and process techniques A book dedicated to material science, Biofoams: Science and Applications of Bio-Based Cellular and Porous Materials focuses on food technology, polymers and composites, biomedical, and chemical engineering, and examines how the principles used in the creation of cellular structures can be applied in modern industry.

This book summarises the development of experimental techniques for determining the impact mechanical properties of fibre reinforced epoxy laminates, and the experimental results obtained for the tensile, compressive and interlaminar shear properties of various epoxy laminates.

Mineral-filled polymer composites exhibit several advantages that make this material class attractive for a variety of applications, including their low cost, light weight, excellent rigidity, and high mechanical strength. Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites Handbook serves as a comprehensive overview of the latest research, trends, applications, and future directions of advanced mineral fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Comprised of 2 volumes: Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites: Perspective, Properties, and New Materials Mineral-Filled Polymer Composites: Selection, Processing, and Applications Presents details on processing, applications, and ageing of macro- to nanosized mineral reinforced polymer composites Examines fabrication techniques, novel synthesis methods, and mechanical behavior, thermal, flammability, and functional properties of a wide array of mineral filled polymer composite materials Covers a broad range of different research fields, including organic and inorganic filler used in the development of composites for various types of engineering applications Offers the latest developments in nano/micromineral-based polymer composites This book serves as an excellent reference guide for researchers, advanced students, academics, and industry professionals interested in the synthesis of mineral-filled polymer and biopolymer composites, as well as those pursuing research in the broad fields of composite materials, polymers, organic/inorganic hybrid materials, and nano-assembly.

The third volume of the Handbook of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) focusses on the production of functionalized PHA bio-polyesters, the post-synthetic modification of PHA, processing and additive manufacturing of PHA, development and properties of PHA-based (bio)composites and blends, the market potential of PHA and follow-up materials, different bulk- and niche applications of PHA, and the fate and use of spent PHA items. Divided into fourteen chapters, it describes functionalized PHA and PHA modification, processing and their application including degradation of spent PHA-based products and fate of these bio-polyesters during compositing and other disposal strategies. Aimed at graduate students and professionals in Polymer science, chemical engineering and bioprocessing, it: Covers current state of the art in the development of chemically modifiable PHA including mult-istep modifications of isolated biopolyesters, short syntheses of monomer feedstocks and so forth. Describes design of functionalized PHA-based polymeric materials by chemical modification . Illustrates preparation of bioactive oligomers derived from microbial PHA and synthetic analogues of natural PHA oligomers. Discusses processing and thermomechanical properties of PHA. Reviews advantages of PHA against other bio-based and conventional polymers with current applications and potential uses of PHA-based polymers highlighting innovative products.

This practical guide for managers and engineers in the plastics industry shows how to reduce high noise levels which often occur in the workplace and reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing damage to employees. Practical methods for reducing noise from industrial machinery are described and illustrated with about twenty-five case studies relating to plastics processing machines such as granulators, shredders, extruders and injection moulders. Noise-control techniques include standard noise-control measures: enclosures, silencers and the use of sound insulating, sound-absorbing materials, vibration isolation and damping; and now the use of active noise control methods. Along with fresh case studies this new edition adds chapters on environmental noise, on European Union machinery noise emission regulations, hearing protection, prediction of noise levels, and the design of quieter workplaces.

Polymer Coatings: Technologies and Applications provides a comprehensive account of the recent developments in polymer coatings encompassing novel methods, techniques, and a broad spectrum of applications. The chapters explore the key aspects of polymer coatings while highlighting fundamental research, different types of polymer coatings, and technology advances. This book also integrates the various aspects of these materials from synthesis to application. Current status, trends, future directions, and opportunities are also discussed. FEATURES Examines the basics to the most recent advances in all areas of polymer coatings Serves as a one-stop reference Discusses polymer-coated nanocrystals and coatings based on nanocomposites Describes morphology, spectroscopic analysis, adhesion, and rheology of polymer coatings Explores conducting, stimuli-responsive, self-healing, hydrophobic and hydrophilic, antifouling, and antibacterial polymer coatings Covers modeling and simulation With contributions from the top international researchers from industry, academia, government, and private research institutions, both new and experienced readers will benefit from this applications-oriented book. Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa is a research scientist at the Natural Composites Research Group Lab, Academic Enhancement Department, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand. Jyotishkumar Parameswaranpillai is a research professor at the Center of Innovation in Design and Engineering for Manufacturing, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand. Suchart Siengchin is a professor at and president of King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand.

This book provides a comprehensive account of developments in the area of lightweight polymer composites. It encompasses design and manufacturing methods for the lightweight polymer structures, various techniques, and a broad spectrum of applications. The book highlights fundamental research in lightweight polymer structures and integrates various aspects from synthesis to applications of these materials. Features Serves as a one stop reference with contributions from leading researchers from industry, academy, government, and private research institutions across the globe Explores all important aspects of lightweight polymer composite structures Offers an update of concepts, advancements, challenges, and application of lightweight structures Current status, trends, future directions, and opportunities are discussed, making it friendly for both new and experienced researchers.

The first volume of the "Handbook of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Microbial Biosynthesis and Feedstocks" focusses on feedstock aspects, enzymology, metabolism and genetic engineering of PHA biosynthesis. It addresses better understanding the mechanisms of PHA biosynthesis in scientific terms and profiting from this understanding in order to enhance PHA biosynthesis in bio-technological terms and in terms of PHA microstructure. It further discusses making PHA competitive for outperforming established petrol-based plastics on industrial scale and obstacles for market penetration of PHA. Aimed at professionals and graduate students in Polymer (plastic) industry, wastewater treatment plants, food industry, biodiesel industry, this book Covers the intracellular on-goings in PHA-accumulating bacteria Assesses diverse feedstocks to be used as carbon source for PHA production including current knowledge on PHA biosynthesis starting from inexpensive waste feedstocks Summarizes recent relevant results dealing with PHA production from various organic by-products Presents the key elements to understand and fine-tune the microstructure and sequence-controlled molecular architecture of PHA co-polyesters Discusses the use of CO-rich syngas, sourced from various organic waste materials, for PHA biosynthesis

This practical book sets the standard as a valuable, time-saving resource offering systematic fundamental information about industrial radiation technologies. This new edition explores updates to emerging applications of ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) radiation to polymer processing and offers updates throughout to detail changes changes, new trends, and general issues in radiation technology. It presents vital, cutting-edge information to aid further reduction of volatile organic compounds and toxic substances in the environment, develop alternative sources of energy, and harness energy in both medical and industrial applications. New features of this edition include: Stresses the practical aspects of UV/EB technology and its industrial application Includes updates on UV radiation processes and applications of UV radiation Explores new engineering data of selected commercial products Written by an expert with over forty years of experience, this book would make an excellent resource for scientists and engineers in the fields of materials science and polymer chemistry.

The Role of Surface Modification on Bacterial Adhesion of Bio-implant Materials: Machining, Characterization, and Applications, explores the relationship between the surface roughness of artificial implants used for hard tissue replacement and their bacterial adhesion. It summarizes the reason for the failure of implants, the mechanisms of bacterial formation on implant surfaces, and the fundamental and established methods of implant surface modification techniques. It provides readers with an organized and rational representation about implant manufacturing and mechanical surface modification. It also explores the use of developed unidirectional abrasive flow finishing processes to finish biomaterials at the nano-level. It is an invaluable guide for academics, graduate students, biomaterial scientists, and manufacturing engineers researching implants, related infections, and implant manufacturing. Key Features: Explores implant related infections Discusses surface modification techniques Contains information on the mechanical finishing processes and complete guide on developed cutting edge unidirectional abrasive flow finishing technology

The modern tire is the most complex, composite product in mass production. Yet given its complexity and required performance, there is little information in the public domain regarding its development. This book provides an introduction to tire design, construction, and manufacturing in the context of materials technologies used today, along with future trends and disrupting technologies. Focuses on design and construction Discusses the relationship between materials and performance Reviews tire uniformity as a key differentiator among manufacturers Evaluates design and construction features versus performance Written for engineers in the polymer, industrial, chemical, mechanical, and automotive industries, this book offers a comprehensive view of tire design, including materials selection, construction, manufacturing, quality control, and future trends.

Covers radiation-assisted synthesis, processing, and modification of all kinds of materials Provides comparative studies, merits, demerits, and applications very systematically Transcends across polymers science and technology, radiation technology, advanced materials technology, biomaterials technology and so forth Includes a section on 3D printing by laser melting of CoCr alloys

Covers synthesis, properties and applications of quantum dots Discusses the modern fabrication technologies, processing, nanostructure formation, and mechanisms of reinforcement of quantum dots-polymer nanocomposites Explores the properties of quantum dots-based polymer nanocomposites Discusses the biocompatibility, suitability, and toxic effects of quantum dots-based polymer nanocomposites Reviews recent innovations, applications, opportunities, and future directions in quantum dots-based polymer nanocomposites

Presents exclusive material on MXene based polymer nanocomposites Highlights properties and potential applications of polymers upon addition of MXenes Discusses effect of MXenes on various thermoplastic and elastomer polymers Focusses on the properties, fabrications methods, and applications of relevant polymer matrices Extensively deals with role of MXene in polymers