Macrocyclic Chemistry: Current Trends and Future Perspectives illustrates essential concepts in this expanding research field covering both basic and applied studies. Written by well-known experts from around the world, the topics of the chapters range from new macrocyclic architectures with different functions and self-assembly processes through to the modeling and dynamics of such systems. The content also reflects on application possibilities in analytical chemistry, separation processes, material preparation and medicine. Thus this book serves as a creative source of research strategies and methodic tools.

Providing an excellent overview of the field, this book will be a valuable resource for researchers in industry and academic institutions as well as for teachers of science and graduate students.

This book is devoted to the long-standing tradition of the International Symposia on Macrocyclic Chemistry (ISMC) and published to coincide with the 30th meeting, Dresden, Germany.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Polymer Colloids, Strasbourg, France, July 3-15, 1988

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.

Most descriptions of polymers start at room temperature and end at the melting point. This textbook starts at very low temperatures and ends at room temperature. At low temperatures, may processes and relaxations are frozen which allows singular processes or separate relaxations to be studied. At room temperatures, or at the main glass transitions, many processes overlap and the properties are determined by relaxations. At low temperatures, there are temperature ranges with negligible influences by glass transitions. They can be used for investigating so-called basic properties which arise from principles of solid state physics. The chain structure of polymers, however, requires stringent modifications for establishing solid state physics of polymers. Several processes which are specific of polymers, occur only at low temperatures. There are also technological aspects for considering polymers at low temperatures. More and more applications of polymeric materials in low temperature technology appear. Some examples are thermal and electrical insulations, support elements for cryogenic devices, low-loss materials for high frequency equipments. It is hoped that, in addition to the scientific part, a data collection in the appendix may help to apply polymers more intensively in low temperature technology. The author greatly appreciates the contributions by his coworkers of the Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe in measurement and discussion of many data presented in the textbook and its appendix. Fruitful disccussions with the colleagues Prof. H. Baur, Prof. S. Hunklinger, Prof. D. Munz and Prof. R."

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

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."

Carbohydrate Chemistry provides review coverage of all publications relevant to the chemistry of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides in a given year. The amount of research in this field appearing in the organic chemical literature is increasing because of the enhanced importance of the subject, especially in areas of medicinal chemistry and biology. In no part of the field is this more apparent than in the synthesis of oligosaccharides required by scientists working in glycobiology. Clycomedicinal chemistry and its reliance on carbohydrate synthesis is now very well established, for example, by the preparation of specific carbohydrate- based antigens, especially cancer-specific oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. Coverage of topics such as nucleosides, amino-sugars, alditols and cyclitols also covers much research of relevance to biological and medicinal chemistry. Each volume of the series brings together references to all published work in given areas of the subject and serves as a comprehensive database for the active research chemist Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

This thesis investigates the early ignition behavior of polymer/clay nanocomposites, which are perceived as potential eco-friendly flame retardant systems. It examines the correlation between clay structural chemistry and high-temperature transformations with clay-assisted decomposition of organic macromolecules. In particular, it investigates the unique effects of metal ions like Mg2+, Al3+ and Fe3+ that are inherent in clays (smectite) on the combustion and thermo-oxidative decomposition of polyamide 6. The results indicate that metal ions present on/in montmorillonite platelets have preferential reactivity towards peroxy/alkoxy groups during polyamide 6 thermal decomposition. Lastly, a simple solution in the form of a physical coating on clay surface is proposed, based on the role of polymer-clay interfacial interaction.

Applications of X-ray scattering to soft matter have advanced considerably within recent years, both conceptually and technically mature high-power X-ray sources, synchrotrons and rotating anodes, as well as high-speed detectors have become readily available. High-quality time-resolved experiments on polymer structure now can be performed with ease, a major advancement due to the genuine power of the scattering method.

This manual summarizes the analytical power of modern X-ray scattering in the field of soft matter. Description of simple tools that can elucidate the mechanisms of structure evolution in the studied materials is followed by a step-for-step guide and breakdown of the more advanced methods. Data analysis based on clear, unequivocal results is rendered simple and straightforward with a stress on the carefully planning of the experiments and adequate recording of all required data. To this end, this book serves as a useful ready-reference guide."

The role of high pressure experiments in the discovery of supercon ducting materials with a T. above liquid nitrogen temperature has demon strated the importance of such experiments. The same role holds true in the tailoring of materials for optoelectronic devices. In addition, much progress has been made recently in the search for metallic hydro gen, and the application of high pressure in polymer research has brought forth interesting results. These facts together with the suc cess of previous small size meetings (such as the "First International Conference on the Physics of Solids at High Pressure", held in 1965 in Tucson, Arizona, U. S. A. ; "High Pressure and Low Temperature Physics", held in 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio, U. S. A. ; and "Physics of Solids Under High Pressure", held in 1981 in bad Honnef, Germany), motivated us to organize a workshop with emphasis on the newest results and trends in these fields of high pressure research. Furthermore, it was intended to mix experienced and young scien tists to realize an idea best expressed in a letter by Prof. Weinstein: "I think it is an excellent idea. I have often felt that the number of excellent young researchers in the high pressure field need an opportu nity to put forward their work with due recognition. " Thanks to the support of the key speakers, we were able to achieve this goal and had more than 50\ young participants.

Polyolefin is a major industry that is important for our economy and impacts every aspect of our lives. The discovery of new transition metal-based catalysts is one of the driving forces for the further advancement of this field. Whereas the classical heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts and homogeneous early transition metal metallocene catalysts remain the workhorses of the polyolefin industry, in roughly the last decade, tremendous progress has been made in developing non-metallocene-based olefin polymerization catalysts. Particularly, the discovery of late transition metal-based olefin polymerization catalysts heralds a new era for this field. These late transition metal complexes not only exhibit high activities rivaling their early metal counterparts, but more importantly they offer unique properties for polymer architectural control and copolymerization with polar olefins. In this book, the most recent major breakthroughs in the development of new olefin polymerization catalysts, including early metal metallocene and non-metallocene complexes and late transition metal complexes, are discussed by leading experts. The authors highlight the most important discoveries in catalysts and their applications in designing new polyolefin-based functional materials.

The series "Advances in Dendritic Macromolecules" aims to cover the synthetic, as well as chemical, aspects of this expanding field: the chemistry to and supramolecular chemistry of dendritic or cascade supermolecular compounds. In Chapter 1 of this volume, Hawker and Wooley delineate the convergent growth approach to dendrimers, then relate their three-dimensional architectures to different block polymers. In Chapter 2, Moors and Vogtle describe Professor Vogtle's initial cascade molecules via the repetitive strategy, then expand his original concepts of its application by others, and lastly delineate the synthesis of a new series of tosylamide cascades. They also demonstrate the utility of his original Michael addition/reduction procedure by its application to differ cores. Chapter 3, composed by Professor Engel, describes ionic dendrimers which incorporated an internal transition metal center as well as his work based on ammonium and phosphonium centers. In Chapter 4, Mathias and Carothers review recent studies on silicon-based dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers. Chapter 5, by Kim, describes the preparation and utility of hyperbranched aromatic polymers. Lastly in Chapter 6, Escamilla reviews the historical as well as recent examples of ionic and nonionic bolaamphiphiles.

An enormous amount of new knowledge on the molecular basis of various biological phenomena has emerged in the rapidly expanding field of bioscience. Since the frontiers in scientific research are difficult to define' the creation of new knowledge depends not only on new methods and concepts but also on interaction with other fields of research. The principles and methods of biophysics should be a rational language for discussion not only between scientists of the different disciplines of natural sciences' such as physics' mathematics' biochemistry' molecular biology and biotechnology' but also for medicine and social sciences as well. This is the general philosophy behind the organization of the Summer Schools organized by Rudjer Institute' Zagreb' Croatia and the Croatian Biophysical Society. The International Summer Schools on Biophysics have a very broad scope. This is in contrast to the other workshops or schools which are centred mainly on one topic or technique. The intention was to organize courses which provided advanced training at doctoral or postdoctoral level in biosciences. Therefore' the Schools essentially have a catalytic role and are complementary to' rather than competing with' activities of parallel national or international programmes.

This book presents the state of the art in surface wrinkling, including current and future potential applications in biomedicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, microfluidic devices, and other promising areas. Their use as templates, flexible electronics, and supports with controlled wettability and/or adhesion for biorelated applications demonstrate how the unique characteristics of wrinkled interfaces play a distinguishing and remarkable role. The fabrication approaches employed to induce wrinkle formation and the potential to fine-tune the amplitude and period of the wrinkles, their functionality, and their final morphology are thoroughly described. An overview of the main applications in which these buckled interfaces have already been employed or may have an impact in the near future is included. Presents a detailed description of the physical phenomena and strategies occurring at polymer surfaces to produce wrinkled surface patterns; Examines the different methodologies to produce morphology-controlled wrinkled surface patterns by means of physical and chemical treatment methods; Provides clear information on current and potential applications in flexible electronics and biomaterials, which are leading the use of these materials.

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.

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."

Viscosimetry is to this day an easy accessible, but at the same time significant an alytical method for the characterization of polymers in solution. It is therefore widely used in the technical chemistry and chemical engineering like pharmaceu tical, medical, polymer processing and food industries as weIl as in research insti tutes and universities. Viscosimetry allows for a fast and low-priced determination of relevant parameters such as solution structure, volume fraction, coil dimensions, molar mass, viscosity or thermodynamical properties of a polymer in solution. The importance of viscosimetry as an independent area in the field of polymer analytics becomes clear through the Nobel prices awarded for two works in this area. The name of the 1953 honored Prof. Hermann Staudinger for his proof of the existence of polymers is still used in viscosimetry in the intrinsic viscosity (German: "Staudingerindex") (see "Intrinsic viscosimetry" in Chap. 4). In 1974, Prof. Paul J. Flory was honored with the Nobel price for his groundbreaking works on the conformation of polymers in solution and his name is conserved for pos terity in the Flory constant (see "The Fox-Flory theory" in Chap. 8)."

"Smart Hydrogel Functional Materials" comprehensively and systematically describes our current understanding of smart or intelligent hydrogel functional materials with environmental stimuli-responsive functions. The contents range from hydrogels (including hydrogel-functionalized membranes) to microgels (including hydrogel-functionalized microcapsules) with various response properties, such as thermo-response, pH-response, pH-/thermo-dual-response, glucose-response, ethanol-response, ion-recognition, molecular-recognition, and so on. Most of the contents in this book represent the fresh achievements of the authors' group on smart hydrogel functional materials. While all chapters can be read as stand-alone papers, together they clearly describe the design concepts, fabrication strategies and methods, microstructures and performances of smart hydrogel functional materials. Vivid schematics and illustrations throughout the book enhance the accessibility of the theory and technologies involved.

This is an ideal reference book for a broad general readership including chemists, materials researchers, chemical engineers, pharmaceutical scientists and biomedical researchers, who are interested in designing and fabricating smart hydrogel functional materials for various application purposes.

Dr. Liang-Yin Chu is a professor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, China. He is a Distinguished Young Scholar of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and a Distinguished Professor of the "Chang Jiang Scholars Program" of the Ministry of Education of China.