Conjugated Polymers for Next-Generation Applications, Volume Two: Energy Storage Devices describes the synthesis and characterization of varied conjugated polymeric materials and their key applications, including active electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries, along with new ideas of functional materials for next-generation high-energy batteries, a discussion of common design procedures, and the pros and cons of conjugated polymers for certain applications. The book's emphasis lies in the underlying electronic properties of conjugated polymers, their characterization and analysis, and the evaluation of their effectiveness for utilization in energy and electronics applications. This book is ideal for researchers and practitioners in the area of materials science, chemistry and chemical engineering.

Oil Palm Biomass for Composite Panels: Fundamentals, Processing, and Applications explains the preparation and utilization of oil palm biomass for advanced composite panel products. It introduces the fundamentals of oil palm biomass and wood-based panel products, including basic properties, durability, deterioration, and adhesives. It also includes in-depth information on processing and treatments organized by biomass type, covering oil palm trunk and lumber, veneer, empty fruit bunches (EFBs), oil palm fronds, and other sources. Additionally, this book focuses on specific composite panel applications, explaining the utilization of oil palm biomass in specific products. Finally, current policy, economic and environmental factors, and supply considerations are discussed. The information contained in Oil Palm Biomass for Composite Panels will be of interest to researchers, scientists and advanced students in bio-based materials, polymer science, composites, wood science, forestry, and biomass, as well as industrial scientists and product designers working with oil palm biomass, wood-based products, and sustainable materials.

Handbook of Polymers, Third Edition represents an update on available data, including new values for many commercially available products, verification of existing data, and removal of older data where it is no longer useful. Polymers selected for this edition include all primary polymeric materials used by the plastics and chemical industries and specialty polymers used in the electronics, pharmaceutical, medical and aerospace fields, with extensive information also provided on biopolymers. The book includes data on all polymeric materials used by the plastics industry and branches of the chemical industry, as well as specialty polymers in the electronics, pharmaceutical, medical and space fields. The entire scope of the data is divided into sections to make data comparison and search easy, including synthesis, physical, mechanical, and rheological properties, chemical resistance, toxicity, environmental impact, and more.

Elastomer Blends and Composites: Principles, Characterization, Advances, and Applications presents the latest developments in natural rubber and synthetic rubber-based blends and nanocomposites, with a focus on current trends, future directions and state-of-the-art applications. The book introduces the fundamentals of natural rubber and synthetic rubbers, outlining synthesis, structure, properties, challenges and potential applications. This is followed by detailed coverage of compounding and formulations, manufacturing methods, and preparation of elastomer-based blends, composites, and nanocomposites. The next section of the book focuses on properties and characterization, examining elasticity, spectroscopy, barrier properties, and rheological, morphological, mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic behavior, and more. This is a highly valuable resource for researchers and advanced students in rubber (or elastomer) science, polymer blends, composites, polymer science, and materials science and engineering, as well as engineers, technologists, and scientists working with rubber-based materials for advanced applications.

Applications of Polymers and Plastics in Medical Devices: Design, Manufacture, and Performance is a comprehensive guide to plastic materials for medical devices, covering fundamentals, materials, applications and regulatory requirements. Sections cover the role of plastics in medical devices, socioeconomic factors, the classification of medical devices. The performance of, medical grades and suppliers of polymer materials, which are categorized by performance level are also explored, along with manufacturing processes for device components, including extrusion, casting, injection molding and assembly processes. The book then covers applications in detail, examining each device and the role that polymers and plastics play in its construction and function. This is an essential resource for engineers, R&D, and other professionals working on plastics for medical devices and those in the plastics industry, medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, packaging and biotechnology. In an academic setting, this book is of interest to researchers and advanced students in medical plastics, plastics engineering, polymer science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and materials science.

Handbook of Foaming and Blowing Agents, Second Edition includes the most current information on foaming technology, guiding users on the proper selection of formulation, which is highly dependent on the mechanisms of action of blowing agents and foaming agents, as well as dispersion and solubility. The book includes properties of 23 groups of blowing agents and the typical range of technical performance for each group, including general properties, physical-chemical properties, health and safety, environmental impact, and applications in different products and polymers. All information is illustrated by chemical reactions and diagrams. Chapters in the book look at foaming mechanisms with the use of solid blowing agents, which are decomposed to the gaseous products by application of heat, production of gaseous products by chemical reaction, and foaming by gases and evaporating liquids.

Sustainable Polylactide-Based Blends provides a critical overview of the state-of-the-art in polylactide (PLA)-based blends, addressing the latest advances, innovative processing techniques and fundamental issues that persist in the field. Sections cover the fundamentals of sustainable polymeric materials, polylactide and polymer blends, current and upcoming processing technologies, structure and morphology characterization techniques for PLA and PLA-based blends, and the processing, morphology development, and properties of polylactide-based blends. Final chapters focus on current and future applications, market potential, key challenges and future outlooks. Throughout the book, theoretical modeling of immiscible polymer blends helps to establish structure-property relationships in various PLA-based polymer blends. With in-depth coverage of fundamentals and processing techniques, the book aims to support the selection of each processing method, along with an understanding of surface chemistry to achieve improved compatibility between phases.

PEDOT is currently the most widely used polymeric material in research and development. Over the past 10 years, PEDOT has been investigated for potential organic thermoelectric applications because of its superior thermoelectric and mechanical properties compared with other conductive polymers. However, many challenges remain to be solved before it is translated into key technologies. Advanced PEDOT Thermoelectric Materials summarizes current progress and the challenges of PEDOT thermoelectric materials, while clarifying directions for future development. This book provides a comprehensive overview of chemical, physical, and technical information about this organic thermoelectric polymer. The authors also give details about the theoretical basis of PEDOT, including preparation and characterization, and its development as a high-performance thermoelectric material.

Tissue Engineering Using Ceramics and Polymers, Third Edition is a valuable reference tool for both academic researchers and scientists involved in biomaterials or tissue engineering, including the areas of bone and soft-tissue reconstruction, repair and organ regeneration. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, this book reviews the latest research and advances in this thriving area and how they can be used to develop treatments for disease states. New sections cover nanobiomaterials, drug delivery, advanced imaging and MRI for tissue engineering, and characterization of vascularized scaffolds. Technology and research in the field of tissue engineering has drastically increased within the last few years to the extent that almost every tissue and organ of the human body could potentially be regenerated with the aid of biomaterials.

Self-Healing Materials: Principles and Technology, Second Edition provides engineers and researchers in both industry and academia the information they need to deploy self-healing technology in a range of potential applications, from adhesives to the automotive industry, and from electronics to biomedical implants. Sections discuss the principal mechanisms of self-healing and how these are applied to the development of materials that have the ability to repair themselves, either with minimal or no human intervention. In addition, the book provides a theoretical background and a review of the major research undertaken to date, providing a thorough grounding in this concept and related technology. Other sections compare the parameters of different self-healing technological processes, such as fault detection mechanisms, methods of triggering and turning off the healing processes, the activation energy of self-healing processes, the means and methods of delivery of the healing substances to the defect locations, self-healing timescale (rate of self-healing), and the extent of self-healing (healing efficiency, recovery of properties, etc.). In addition, mathematical modeling of the processes of self-healing (molecular dynamics simulation), the morphology of healed areas, and other important topics are thoroughly discussed.

Rheology: Concepts, Methods, and Applications, Fourth Edition provides a thorough historical and theoretical grounding in the field and introduces rheology as the method for solving many practical problems in materials science and engineering. This new edition has been updated to include new evidence-based methods and applications, coverage of non-Newtonian properties and their effect on material processing, heterogeneity in flow, rheology of highly concentrated emulsions and suspensions, viscosity and viscoelastic behavior of nanocomposites, the behavior of supramolecular solutions, rheology of gels, deformation-induced anisotropy, conformation changes during flow and molecular orientation. The book is practical and relevant for industry, but also consistent with rheology courses in academia, making it relevant to both academics and accomplished rheologists in industry.

Databook of Blowing and Auxiliary Agents, Second Edition includes the most current information on foaming technology, guiding users on the proper selection of formulation, which is highly dependent on the mechanisms of action of blowing agents and foaming agents, as well as dispersion and solubility. The book includes properties of 23 groups of blowing agents and the typical range of technical performance for each group, including general properties, physical-chemical properties, health and safety, environmental impact, and applications in different products and polymers. All information is illustrated by chemical reactions and diagrams. Chapters in the book look at foaming mechanisms with the use of solid blowing agents, which are decomposed to the gaseous products by application of heat, production of gaseous products by chemical reaction, and foaming by gases and evaporating liquids.

Practical Guide to Rotational Moulding, Third Edition, takes a step-by-step approach to rotomoulding, covering applications, moulds, machinery, materials, and design. This third edition has been thoroughly revised to include the latest advances, including novel materials and moulds, new products, and automation. The book begins with a chapter that introduces the rotational moulding process, analyses advantages and disadvantages, and explores common applications for rotomoulded products. The subsequent chapters provide detailed, methodical coverage of moulds, machinery, materials, and design for functionality, supported by clear illustrations and diagrams. Finally, challenges and future developments are discussed. This hands-on technical guide helps engineers, designers and practitioners to understand all aspects of rotomoulding, with the aim of producing performant end products and parts, with uniform wall thickness and potentially in complex shapes. The book is also of great interest to professionals across the plastics industry, as well as researchers and advanced students in plastics engineering, industrial design, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and materials science and engineering.

Innovation in Nano-polysaccharides for Eco-sustainability: From Science to Industrial Applications presents fundamentals, advanced preparation methods, and novel applications for polysaccharide-based nanomaterials. Sections cover the fundamental aspects of polysaccharides and nano-polysaccharides, including their structure and properties, surface modification, processing and characterization. Key considerations are explained in detail, including the connection between the substituents of polysaccharides and their resulting physical properties, renewable resources, their sustainable utilization, and specific high value applications, such as pharmaceuticals, photocatalysts, energy, and wastewater treatment, and more. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, and advanced students across bio-based polymers, nanomaterials, polymer chemistry, sustainable materials, biology, materials science and engineering, and chemical engineering. In industry, this book will support scientists, R&D, and engineers looking to utilize bio-based materials in advanced industrial applications.

Graphene to Polymer/Graphene Nanocomposites: Emerging Research and Opportunities brings together the latest advances and cutting-edge methods in polymer/graphene nanocomposites that offer attractive properties and features, leading to a broad range of valuable applications. The initial chapters of this book explain preparation, properties, modification, and applications of graphene and graphene-based multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites. Later, the state-of-the-art potential of polymer/graphene nanocomposites for hierarchical nanofoams, graphene quantum dots, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene nanoribbons, etc., has been elucidated. The subsequent chapters focus on specific innovations and applications including stimuli-responsive graphene-based materials, anticorrosive coatings, applications in electronics and energy devices, gas separation and filtration membrane applications, aerospace applications, and biomedical applications. Throughout the book, challenges, and future opportunities in the field of polymer/graphene nanocomposites are discussed and analyzed. This is an important resource for researchers, scientists, and students/academics working with graphene and across the fields of polymer composites, nanomaterials, polymer science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, and engineering, as well those in an industrial setting who are interested in graphene or innovative materials.

Plastics in Medical Devices: Properties, Requirements, and Applications, Third Edition provides a comprehensive overview on the main types of plastics used in medical device applications. The book focuses on the applications and properties that are most important in medical device design, such as chemical resistance, sterilization capability and biocompatibility. The roles of additives, stabilizers and fillers as well as the synthesis and production of polymers are covered and backed up with a wealth of data tables. The book also covers other key aspects in detail, including regulations, compliance, purchasing controls and supplier controls, and process validation. This updated edition has been thoroughly revised with regard to new plastic materials, applications and requirements. This is a valuable resource for engineers, scientists and managers involved in the design and manufacture of medical devices.

Biopolymer Science for Proteins and Peptides introduces all aspects of natural polymers based on structural proteins and peptides, presenting synthesis, structure, properties, proteins, materials design, and applications. The book begins by presenting the core concepts of polypeptide and protein materials, before discussing synthesis and structure in detail. The next part of the book describes physical properties, biological properties, and issues surrounding stability. Subsequent chapters offer in-depth coverage of both natural and structural protein sources, including collagen, silk, elastin, resilin, keratin, foot protein, and reflectin, and the materials that can be designed from them, such as films, fibers, textiles, microparticles, sponges and scaffolds, nanomaterials, blends, and composites. These materials are also analyzed against the available synthetic polymers. Finally, the text explores current applications and potential future developments. This is an essential resource for researchers and advanced students across a range of disciplines, including biopolymers, structural proteins, polymer science, materials science, biomaterials, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, and pharmaceutical science. In an industry setting, this is of great interest to scientists and R&D professionals working in industries with an interest in bio-based polymers for advanced applications.

Micro and Nanolignin in Aqueous Dispersions and Polymers: Interactions, Properties, and Applications presents the very latest research on lignin biorefinery treatments, production, chemistry, and refining, exploring a range of innovative applications of lignin and lignin-based composites at both the micro and the nanoscale. The book begins by presenting the latest developments in extraction methods and properties, with topics including methods for value-added microlignin, color characteristics, refining and functionalization, depolymerization for phenolic monomer production, and production of sulphur-free lignin nanoparticles. This is followed by in-depth sections focusing on the preparation of lignin for advanced applications at the microscale, then at the nanoscale, covering a range of areas such as construction, fiber manufacturing, food packaging, biomedicine, wood preservation, wastewater treatment, and agriculture. This valuable resource enables the reader to identify the high added value of a biomass residue and supports possible development and use for mass and niche high impact application sectors. This information is of interest to researchers, scientists, and advanced students, across bio-based polymers and bio-composites, polymer science and engineering, nanomaterials, chemistry, sustainable materials, materials science, and chemical engineering. Moreover, it is also addressed to the professionals that as well as those in an R&D industrial setting to are looking on ideas and perspectives on how to utilize bio-based materials in advanced industrial applications.

Synthetic Engineering Materials and Nanotechnology covers the latest research and developments of synthetic processes, materials, applications and technologies. In addition, innovations in synthetic engineering materials techniques are analyzed. Each chapter addresses key concepts, properties and applications of important categories of synthetic materials, including metals alloys, polymers, composites, rubbers, oils and foams. Advances in nanomaterials produced by synthetic engineering methods are also considered, including ceramic, carbon, metal oxide, composite, and membrane-derived nanomaterials. The primary synthetic engineering materials techniques covered include thermo-mechanical, chemical, physiochemical, electrochemical, bottom-up, hybrid and biological methods. This book is suitable for early career researchers in academia and R&D in areas such as materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering and chemical engineering.

Fundamentals and Recent Advances in Nanocomposites Based on Polymers and Nanocellulose brings together the latest research in cellulose-based nanocomposites, covering fundamentals, processing, properties, performance, applications, and the state of the art. The book begins by explaining the fundamentals of cellulose and cellulose-based nanocomposites, including sources, extraction, types, classification, linkages, model structure, model compounds, and characterization techniques. The second part of the book covers the incorporation of cellulose fillers to improve the properties or characteristics of nanocomposites, organized by composite category, including in aerogels, thermoplastic composites, thermoset composites, bioplastic composites, carbon nanofibers, rubber composites, carbon fibers, and foaming materials. Throughout these chapters, there is an emphasis on the latest innovations and application potential. Finally, applications are explored in more detail, notably focusing on the utilization of nanocellulose in biodegradable composites for biomedical applications, along with other important industrial application areas. This book is of great interest to researchers, scientists, and advanced students working with bio-based materials, and across polymer science, nanomaterials, composite materials, plastics engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, as well as R&D professionals, engineers, and industrialists interested in the development of bio-based materials for advanced applications or material commercialization.

Foamability of Thermoplastic Polymeric Materials presents a cutting-edge approach to thermoplastic polymeric foams, drawing on the latest research and guiding the reader through the fundamental science, foamability, structure-property-processing relationship, multi-phase polymeric materials, degradation characteristics of biodegradable foams and advanced applications. Sections provide detailed information on foam manufacturing technologies and the fundamental science behind foaming, present insights on the factors affecting foamability, cover ways of enhancing the foamability of various polymeric materials, with special focus on multi-phase systems, discuss the degradation of biodegradable foams and special morphology development for scaffolds, packaging, acoustic and super-insulation applications, as well as cell seeding studies in scaffolds. Each application has specific requirements in terms of desired properties. This in-depth coverage and analysis helps those looking to move forward with microcellular processing and polymer foaming. This is an ideal resource for researchers, advanced students and professionals interested in the microcellular processing of polymeric materials in the areas of polymer foaming, polymer processing, plastics engineering and materials science.

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.

Polymer Hybrid Materials and Composites: Fundamentals and Applications presents an introduction to the principles behind polymeric hybrid materials, providing both theoretical and practical information on the synthesis and application of these materials. It documents the latest innovations, ranging from materials development and characterization of properties, to applications. Sections cover the route from laboratory to industry, providing practical, actionable guidance to assist the scaling up process for applications in areas including energy technology, solar cells, water purification, medical devices, optical and electrical devices, and more. It is an essential introduction to the emerging technologies that are made possible by these advanced materials.

Multiphase Polylactide Blends: Toward a Sustainable and Green Environment guides the reader through fundamentals, science, preparation, and key areas of innovation in polylactide (PLA) blends. Bio-based polymers, and notably PLA, have not only gained increasing interest as a more sustainable alternative but also bring challenges in terms of mechanical, rheological, thermal and physical properties, processability, shapability, and foamability. The use of blends looks to address these, with the development of new types of economically viable and environmentally friendly systems. This is a valuable book for academic researchers, scientists, and graduate students across bio-based polymers, polymer science, chemistry, and materials science, as well as engineers, R&D professionals, and all those in industry with interest in PLA-based blends, biopolymers, and sustainable materials and products. More specifically, the first three chapters of this book overview the fundamentals of thermoplastic polymers, polymer blends, and structure and properties of PLA. These chapters could technically be used as a valuable textbook on the noted topics. The rest of the chapters inclusively study the fundamentals, investigations, and achievements in PLA-based blends with various types of polymers. These include miscible blends of poly L-lactide and poly D-lactide, binary immiscible/miscible blends of PLA with other thermoplastics and elastomers, PLA-based ternary blends and blend nanocomposites, as well as PLA-based blend foams. Overall, this book provides a thorough and critical overview of the state of the art in PLA-based blends, including significant past and recent advances, with the aim of supporting and shaping further research and industrial application of these materials for the development of a green and sustainable future.

Characterization of Polymers and Fibres addresses an integral part of fiber and polymer manufacturing processes that is crucial in helping manufacturers ensure that final products achieve intended specifications. The characterization of fiber and polymers is needed for attributes including molecular weight, morphology, dyeing behavior, tensile, optical and thermal behavior. This book covers a wide range of characterization techniques, including thermal, X-ray diffraction, solubility, tensile, optical, hygroscopic and particle size distribution. Introductions and definitions are provided where beneficial to make topics accessible to a broad range of readers in both academia and industry. Addressing advances from the fields of bioscience, polymer science, material science, and textile science, this book is wide in scope, drawing on the latest research to provide details of characterization techniques and equipment.