The behavior of polymer solutions in simple shear flows has been the subject of considerable research in the past. On the other hand, reports on polymers in elongational flow have appeared comparatively recently in the literature. Elongational flow with an inherent low vorticity is known to be more effective in extending polymer chains than simple shear flow and thus is more interesting from the point of view of basic (molecular chain dynamics at high deformation) and applied polymer science (rheology, fiber extrusion, drag reduction, flow through porous media). Undoubtly, one landmark in the field of polymer dynamics in elongational flow was the notion of critical strain-rate for chain extension, initially put forward by A. Peterlin (1966) and later refined into the "coil-stretching" transition by P. G. de Gennes and H. Hinch (1974). In the two decades which followed, significant progress in the understanding of chain conformation in "strong" flow has been accomplished through a combination of advances in instrumentation, computation techniques and theoretical studies. As a result of the multidisciplinary nature of the field, information on polymer chains in "strong" flow is accessible only from reviews and research papers scattered in disparate scientific journals. An important objective of this book is to remedy that situation by providing the reader with up-to-date knowledge in a single volume. The editors therefore invited leading specialists to provide both fundamental and applied information on the multiple facets of chain deformation in elongational flow.

Chitin, Chitosan and Derivatives for Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering, by Antonio Francesko and Tzanko Tzanov Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their Applications, by Guo-Qiang Chen.- Enzymatic Polymer Functionalisation: Advances in Laccase and Peroxidase Derived Lignocellulose Functional Polymers, by Gibson S. Nyanhongo, Tukayi Kudanga, Endry Nugroho Prasetyo and Georg M. Guebitz.- Lipases in Polymer Chemistry, by Bahar Yeniad, Hemantkumar Naik and Andreas Heise.- Enzymes for the Biofunctionalization of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate), by Wolfgang Zimmermann and Susan Billig.- Biology of Human Hair: Know Your Hair to Control It, by Rita Araujo, Margarida Fernandes, Artur Cavaco-Paulo and Andreia Gomes.- Recombinamers: Combining Molecular Complexity with Diverse Bioactivities for Advanced Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications, by Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello, Maria Pierna, Alicia Fernandez-Colino, Carmen Garcia-Arevalo and Francisco Javier Arias.- Biomimetic Materials for Medical Application Through Enzymatic Modification, by Piergiorgio Gentile, Valeria Chiono, Chiara Tonda-Turo, Susanna Sartori and Gianluca Ciardelli.- Supramolecular Polymers Based on Cyclodextrins for Drug and Gene Carrier Delivery, by Jia Jing Li, Feng Zhao and Jun Li.- Engineering Liposomes and Nanoparticles for Biological Targeting, by Rasmus I. Jolck, Lise N. Feldborg, Simon Andersen, S. Moein Moghimi and Thomas L. Andresen.-"

An overview of the current status of powder coating technology. Many of the drawbacks previously associated with the use of dry powder coatings as an industrial finish have been eliminated. There are currently about 2000 powder coating operations in the US and powder coating use in North America is increasing at a rate approaching 20% per year.

In this book, Professor Alexander Grosberg, one of the pioneers and leaders in the field of theoretical polymer science has selected the most important topics within polymer science and matched them with experts whocan clearly present the state of the art of each.
Using this book readers will learn the fundamental concepts, as well as the techniques that are currently employed on the frontier of science.
Key Features
* Statistical mechanics of semiflexible chains
* Polymer absorption
* Topological constraints
* Polymer reaction kinetics
* Replica field theory of polymer networks
Using this book, readers will learn the fundamental concepts, as well as the techniques that are currently employed on the frontier of science

The last decade or so has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of detailed structural information available from a range of experimental techniques. Exciting new techniques such as atomic force microscopy have become widely available, while the potential of established methods like X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy has been greatly enhanced by powerful new sources and analytical methods. Progress in computing has also had a widespread impact: in areas such as neutron scattering, large data sets can now be manipulated more readily. The software supplied with commercial instruments generally provides more sophisti cated analytical facilities, while time-resolved X-ray studies rely on rapid data handling capabilities. The polymer scientist is faced with an expanding array of experimental tools for addressing both fundamental science and industrial problems. This work reviews some recent developments in structural techniques, with the aim of presenting the current 'state of the art' in a selection of areas."

The two volumes "New Developments in Polymer Analytics" deal with recent progress in the characterization of polymers, mostly in solution but also at s- faces. Despite the fact that almost all of the described techniques are getting on in years, the contributions are expected to meet the readers interest because either the methods are newly applied to polymers or the instrumentation has achieved a major breakthrough leading to an enhanced utilizaton by polymer scientists. The first volume concentrates on separation techniques. H. Pasch summarizes the recent successes of multi-dimensional chromatography in the characteri- tion of copolymers. Both, chain length distribution and the compositional h- erogeneity of copolymers are accessible. Capillary electrophoresis is widely and successfully utilized for the characterization of biopolymers, particular of DNA. It is only recently that the technique has been applied to the characterization of water soluble synthetic macromolecules. This contributrion of Grosche and Engelhardt focuses on the analysis of polyelectrolytes by capillary electopho- sis. The last contribution of the first volume by Coelfen and Antonietti sum- rizes the achievements and pitfalls of field flow fractionation techniques. The major drawbacks in the instrumentation have been overcome in recent years and the"triple F techniques" are currently advancing to a powerful competitor to size exclusion chromatography.

An introduction to polymers and how they dominate our world
Polymer science is concerned with the structure, synthesis, physical properties, and utility of polymers. Polymers are macromolecular building blocks used to construct natural and man-made materials. Polymers from the Inside Out: An Introduction to Macromolecules provides an all-encompassing introduction to polymers and how they affect the world.

Offering a clear explanation of the unique properties exhibited by polymers, this book explores the detailed microstructures of polymers and their internal responses to stress and the environment. Polymers from the Inside Out appeals to a wide range of disciplines, including polymer, organic, materials, and physical chemistry, as well as textile science and engineering.

Chapters include:

• Physical properties unique to polymeric materials
• Step-growth and chain-growth polymerizations
• Microstructures of polymers
• Conformational characteristics of polymers developed with the rotational isomeric states model
• Solution and bulk properties of polymers
• Biopolymers
• Discussion questions appropriate for first- and second-semester polymer students at the end of every chapter

This book contains contributions from a workshop on topology and geometry of polymers, held at the IMA in June 1996, which brought together topologists, combinatorialists, theoretical physicists and polymer scientists, with a common interest in polymer topology. Polymers can be highly self-entangled even in dilute solution. In the melt the inter- and intra-chain entanglements can dominate the rheological properties of these phenomena. Although the possibility of knotting in ring polymers has been recognized for more than thirty years it is only recently that the powerful methods of algebraic topology have been used in treating models of polymers. This book contains a series of chapters which review the current state of the field and give an up to date account of what is known and perhaps more importantly, what is still unknown. The field abounds with open problems. The book is of interest to workers in polymer statistical mechanics but will also be useful as an introduction to topological methods for polymer scientists, and will introduce mathematicians to an area of science where topological approaches are making a substantial contribution.

The two volumes "New Developments in Polymer Analytics" deal with recent progress in the characterization of polymers, mostly in solution but also at sur faces. Despite the fact that almost all of the described techniques are getting on in years, the contributions are expected to meet the readers interest because either the methods are newly applied to polymers or the instrumentation has achieved a major breakthrough leading to an enhanced utilization by polymer scientists. The first volume concentrates on separation techniques. H. Pasch summarizes the recent successes of multi dimensional chromatography in the characteriza tion of copolymers. Both, chain length distribution and the compositional het erogeneity of copolymers are accessible. Capillary electrophoresis is widely and successfully utilized for the characterization of biopolymers, particular of DNA . It is only recently that the technique has been applied to the characterization of water soluble synthetic macromolecules. This contribution of Grosche and Engelhardt focuses on the analysis of polyelectrolytes by capillary electophore sis. The last contribution of the first volume by Coelfen and Antonietti summa rizes the achievements and pitfalls of field flow fractionation techniques .The major drawbacks in the instrumentation have been overcome in recent years and the "triple F techniques" are currently advancing to a powerful competitor to size exclusion chromatography.

The first edition was produced at a time when the advantages of studying oriented polymers were just becoming apparent. From a sci entific stand point it had been demonstrated that greater insight into both structure and properties could be obtained if an oriented polymer was prepared. From a technological viewpoint, major advances were under way, especially in high modulus and high strength fibres. Twenty years later, it is possible to review the scientific advances which have been made in this area and to provide much wider perspectives for the technology. As in the case of the first edition, the emphasis is on the methodologies available for characterizing oriented polymers and their mechanical behaviour. It is a particular pleasure to thank the contributing authors for their cooperation and Dr Philip Hastings of Chapman & Hall for his support and encouragement. I am also indebted to Professors A. H. Windle and D. C. Bassett for their respective contributions to sections 1. 3. 1 and 1. 3. 4. Although this chapter has been extensively revised, the contribution of the late Leslie Holliday to the first edition of this book is also acknowledged. Introduction 1 I. M. Ward 1. 1 THE PHENOMENON OF ORIENTATION Orientation in polymers is a phenomenon of great technical and theo retical importance. The word orientation itself conveys a number of ideas."

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.

Experimental details that will be of use to the increasing number of researchers who find themselves faced with making rheological measurements, possibly for the first time.

This is a review of the broad spectrum of research activities currently being undertaken in the field of functionalized polymers and their significant application requirements in health, nutrition, environmental pollution control and economic developments. The book is structured in four parts. The first part is a general review of the chemistry of functionalized polymers, divided into sections on their synthesis and physical properties. The first section aims to give a background knowledge of the techniques necessary for designing reactive polymers through polymerization and the second considers pertinent physical properties which must be considered during the design of a new reactive polymer. Part two describes the contribution of functionalized polymers in solving problems associated with conventional procedures of chemical reactions, and considers a broad range of chemical applications, including the various types of functionalized polymers and in particular those used as reagents, catalysts and carriers in separation and synthesis. The third part aims to provide the basic principles necessary for the practical aspects of functionalized polymers with respect to a variety of biological fields such as the pharmaceutical, agriculture and food industries. This discussion includes a consideration of controlled release formulations of drugs and agrochemicals and the potential use of functionalized polymers in food additives and other related fields. The last part focuses on the applications of reactive functionalized polymers in various technological processes, including polymer stabilization, the conversion and storage of energy, conductive polymers and other processes.

During the last two decades, the production of polymers and plastics has been increasing rapidly. In spite of developing new polymers and polymeric materials, only 40 60 are used commercially on a large scale. It has been estimated that half of the annual production of polymers is employed outdoors. The photochemical instability of most polymers limits their outdoor application as they are photodegraded quickly over periods from months to a few years. To the despair of technologists and consumers alike, photodegradation and environmental ageing of polymers occur much faster than can be expected from knowledge collected in laboratories. In order to improve polymer photostability there has been a very big effort during the last 30 years to understand the mechanisms involved in photodegradation and environmental ageing. This book represents the author's attempt, based on his 25 years' experience in research on photodegradation and photo stabilization, to collect and generalize a number of available data on the photodegradation of polymers. The space limitation and the tremendous number of publications in the past two decades have made a detailed presentation of all important results and data difficult. The author apologizes to those whose work has not been quoted or widely presented in this book. Because many published results are very often contradictory, it has been difficult to present a fully critical review of collected knowledge, without antagonizing authors. For that reason, all available theories, mechanisms and different suggestions have been presented together, and only practice can evaluate which of them are valid.

Dynamics of Polymeric Liquids, Second Edition Volume 2: Kinetic Theory R. Byron Bird, Charles F. Curtiss, Robert C. Armstrong and Ole Hassager Volume Two deals with the molecular aspects of polymer rheology and fluid dynamics. It is the only book currently available dealing with kinetic theory and its relation to nonlinear rheological properties. Considerable emphasis is given to the connection between kinetic theory results and experimental data. The second edition contains new material on the basis for molecular modeling, the application of phase--space theory to dilute solutions, kinetic theory of melts and melt mixtures, and network theories. 1987 (0 471--80244--1) 450 pp.

This volume represents a continuation of the Polymer Science and Technology series edited by Dr. D. M. Brewis and Professor D. Briggs. The theme of the series is the production of a number of stand alone volumes on various areas of polymer science and technology. Each volume contains short articles by a variety of expert contributors outlining a particular topic and these articles are extensively cross referenced. References to related topics included in the volume are indicated by bold text in the articles, the bold text being the title of the relevant article. At the end of each article there is a list of bibliographic references where interested readers can obtain further detailed information on the subject of the article. This volume was produced at the invitation of Derek Brewis who asked me to edit a text which concentrated on the mechanical properties of polymers. There are already many excellent books on the mechanical properties of polymers, and a somewhat lesser number of volumes dealing with methods of carrying out mechanical tests on polymers. Some of these books are listed in Appendix 1. In this volume I have attempted to cover basic mechanical properties and test methods as well as the theory of polymer mechanical deformation and hope that the reader will find the approach useful.

Rubber Toughened Engineering Plastics covers the main physical principles involved in optimum toughening in high temperature engineering plastics and speciality plastics and describes the synthetic strategies used to obtain satisfactorily toughened grades in these materials by control of microstructure. This book will act as a focus for current thought on the principles of rubber toughening and the methods employed for the rubber toughening of major engineering and speciality plastics.

P. S. HOPE and M. J. FOLKES Mixing two or more polymers together to produce blends or alloys is a well-established strategy for achieving a specified portfolio of physical proper ties, without the need to synthesise specialised polymer systems. The subject is vast and has been the focus of much work, both theoretical and experimental. Much ofthe earlier work in this field was necessarily empirical and many ofthe blends produced were of academic rather than commercial interest. The manner in which two (or more) polymers are compounded together is of vital importance in controlling the properties of blends. Moreover, particular ly through detailed rheological studies, it is becoming apparent that process ing can provide a wide range of blend microstructures. In an extreme, this is exemplified by the in situ formation of fibres resulting from the imposition of predetermined flow fields on blends, when in the solution or melt state. The microstructures produced in this case transform the blend into a true fibre composite; this parallels earlier work on the deformation of metal alloys. This type of processing-structure-property correlation opens up many new possi bilities for innovative applications; for example, the production of stiff fibre composites and blends having anisotropic transport properties, such as novel membranes. This book serves a dual purpose."

Polymers continue to play an ever increasing role in the modern world. In fact it is quite inconceivable to most people that we could ever have existed of the increased volume and variety of materials without them. As a result currently available, and the diversity of their application, characterisation has become an essential requirement of industrial and academic laboratories in volved with polymeric materials. On the one hand requirements may come from polymer specialists involved in the design and synthesis of new materials who require a detailed understanding of the relationship between the precise molecular architecture and the properties of the polymer in order to improve its capabilities and range of applications. On the other hand, many analysts who are not polymer specialists are faced with the problems of analysing and testing a wide range of polymeric materials for quality control or material specification purposes. We hope this book will be a useful reference for all scientists and techno or industrial laboratories, logists involved with polymers, whether in academic and irrespective of their scientific discipline. We have attempted to include in one volume all of the most important techniques. Obviously it is not possible to do this in any great depth but we have encouraged the use of specific examples to illustrate the range of possibilities. In addition numerous references are given to more detailed texts on specific subjects, to direct the reader where appropriate. The book is divided into II chapters."

This book defines the current state-of-the-art for predicting the lifetime of plastics exposed to weather and outlines the future research needed to advance this important field of study. Coverage includes progress in developing new science and test methods to determine how materials respond to weather exposure. This book is ideal for researchers and professionals working in the field of service life prediction.

This book also:

Examines numerous consensus standards that affect commercial products allowing readers to see the future of standards related to service life prediction

Provides scientific foundation for latest commercially viable instruments

Presents groundbreaking research including the blueprint of a new test method that will significantly shorten the service life prediction process time

Covers two of the latest verified predictive models, which demonstrate realized-potential to transform the field

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.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is one of the latest and most fascinating new developments in the analysis of organic compounds. Originally developed for the analysis of biomolecules, it has developed into one of the most powerful techniques for the characterization of synthetic polymers. This book describes the fundamentals of the MALDI process and the technical features of MALDI-TOF instrumentation. It reviews the application of MALDI-TOF for identification, chemical and molar mass analysis of synthetic polymers. With many examples, this monograph examines in detail experimental protocols for the determination of endgroups, the analysis of copolymers and additives, and the coupling of liquid chromatography and MALDI-TOF.