Written with the non-scientist in mind, this book employs the molecule and its interactions to explain the characteristics of living organisms in terms of the underlying chemistry of life. Following introductory chapters on the fundamentals of life, attention then turns to small molecules such as hormones and neurotransmitters and subsequently to macromolecules including proteins and nucleic acids. The interactions between small and macromolecules remains a central point throughout the book. These include enzymatic catalysis, hormone action, neurotransmission, regulation of metabolism, biosynthesis of macromolecules, the mechanism of action of drugs, taste, olfaction, learning and memory, and chemical communication.
A second central point of emphasis is the sensitive relationship between chemical structure and biological activity. Examples abound and include why subtle changes in fatty acid architecture have positive or negative outcomes for human health in omega-three fatty acids and trans fats and how modest changes in the chemical decoration of the steroid skeleton provide the difference between male and female sex hormones. Beyond these examples taken from the chemistry of small molecules, the book includes a thoughtful consideration of genomics, including the relationship between genome structure and species. The theme of human health appears throughout the book. Cardiovascular medicine, cancer, metabolic diseases, and diseases of the nervous system receive significant attention including consideration of how a variety of drugs work in combating these issues.
In sum, the goal of this book is to inform the non-scientist community in a way that will lead to increased understanding of the relationship between chemistry and life.

This book describes the development of three dimensional electroactive fibres using a novel coaxial wet-spinning approach from organic conductors in combination with non-conducting hydrogel polymers. This book also presents the characterization and evaluation of multiaxial biofibres in terms of mechanical, physical, electrochemical and biological properties, and explores their use in a diverse range of applications including implantable electrodes, drug delivery systems and energy-storage systems. In the first chapter, the author highlights the significance of engineering three dimensional fibres, introduces the involved hydrogels and organic conductors with emphasis on their biomedical application, and collects some of the previously established methods for fabrication of biofibres. In the second chapter, particular attention is given to the overall experimental fabrication methods and characterization analyses conducted in the work. Chapters three to five present the main findings of this work, in which readers will discover how novel hybrid hydrogel fibres with an inner core of chitosan and alginate were prepared and characterized, how graphene was incorporated into coaxial wet-spun biofibres, and how one-dimensional triaxial fibres were developed using a novel coaxial wet-spinning fibre production method and applied as potential battery devices. In the final chapter of this work, the author summarizes the main achievements of the work and outlines some recommendations for future research.

This book discusses the mechanisms of electric conductivity in various ionic liquid systems (protic, aprotic as well as polymerized ionic liquids). It hence covers the electric properties of ionic liquids and their macromolecular counterpanes, some of the most promising materials for the development of safe electrolytes in modern electrochemical energy devices such as batteries, super-capacitors, fuel cells and dye-sensitized solar cells. Chapter contributions by the experts in the field discuss important findings obtained using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and other complementary techniques. The book is an excellent introduction for readers who are new to the field of dielectric properties of ionic conductors, and a helpful guide for every scientist who wants to investigate the interplay between molecular structure and dynamics in ionic conductors by means of dielectric spectroscopy.

This book describes the tremendous progress that has been made in the development of gas separation membranes based both on inorganic and polymeric materials. Materials discussed include polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs), metal organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon based materials, zeolites, as well as other materials, and mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) in which the above novel materials are incorporated. This broad survey of gas membranes covers material, theory, modeling, preparation, characterization (for example, by AFM, IR, XRD, ESR, Positron annihilation spectroscopy), tailoring of membranes, membrane module and system design, and applications. The book is concluded with some perspectives about the future direction of the field.

This book describes the design, fabrication and evaluation of a polymer-based neural interface for a cochlear electrode array, reviewed in terms of fabrication process, functionality, and reliability. Polymer-based devices have attracted attention in the neural prosthetic field due to their flexibility and compatibility with micro-fabrication process. A liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is an inert, highly water-resistant polymer suitable for the encapsulation of electronic components and as a substrate material for fabricating neural interfaces. The author has designed, fabricated, and evaluated an LCP-based cochlear electrode array for an improved polymer-based cochlear implant. The thesis deals with 3 key topics: atraumatic deep insertion, tripolar stimulation, and long-term reliability. Atraumatic insertion of the intracochlear electrode and resulting preservation of residual hearing have become essential in state-of-the-art cochlear implantation. A novel tapered design of an LCP-based cochlear electrode array is presented to meet such goals. For high-density and pitch-recognizable cochlear implant, channel interaction should be avoided. Local tripolar stimulation using multi-layered electrode sites are shown to achieve highly focused electrical stimulation. This thesis addresses another vital issue in the polymer-based neural implants: the long-term reliability issue. After suggesting a new method of forming mechanical interlocking to improve polymer-metal adhesion, the author performs accelerating aging tests to verify the method's efficacy. The aforementioned three topics have been thoroughly examined through various in vitro and in vivo studies. Verification foresees the development of LCP-based cochlear electrode array for an atraumatic deep insertion, advanced stimulation, and long-term clinical implant.

This volume is a new follow-up volume that complements Dynamic Light Scattering (1993) by the same author. The volume is directed to the recent development in the light scattering technique and to describing a wide spectrum of its applications. Both the theoretical development and utilization are traced by authors who are expert in their fields. Development in static light scattering as applied to simple liquids, polymer solutions, and multi-component polymer mixtures are dealt with. The scattering theory of colloidal dispersions is described and scattering from rod-like polyelectolytes is reviewed. There are chapters on concentrated polymer systems, aggregation phenomena, polymer-polymer interactions, polyelectrolytes in solution. Emphasis is given to more complex systems, for example, ternary polymer systems, complex micellar systems, and block copolymers in the ordered and disordered states. Low-angle light scattering is reviewed, as well as simultaneous static and dynamic light scattering. The determination of particle size distributions and combined chromatographic light scattering techniques are also treated.

This volume collects the proceedings from the International Congress of Polymers in Concrete 2018 (ICPIC), held under the theme "Polymers for Resilient and Sustainable Concrete Infrastructure." ICPIC 2018 provides an opportunity for researchers and specialists working in the fields of polymers to exchange ideas and follow the latest progress in the use of polymers in concrete infrastructure. It also showcases the use of polymers and polymer concrete in sustainable and resilient development, and provides a platform for local and overseas suppliers, developers, manufacturers and contractors using polymers, polymer concrete and polymer composites in concrete structures to develop new business opportunities and follow the latest developments in the field. The International Congress of Polymers in Concrete is an international forum that has taken place every three years for the last 40 years with the objective of following progress in the field of polymers and their use in concrete and construction. Following 15 successful congresses held in London (1975), Austin (1978), Koriyama (1981), Darmstadt (1984), Brighton (1987), Shanghai (1990), Moscow (1992), Oostende (1995), Bologna (1998), Honolulu (2001), Berlin (2004), Chuncheon (2007), Funchal (2010), Shanghai (2013) and Singapore (2015), the 16th ICPIC will take place in Washington, DC, from April 29 to May 1st, 2018.

An applications-oriented resource on step-growth polymerization

Step-growth polymers–polymer chains of any length that combine to form a longer polymer chain–comprise a large portion of the commodity plastics industry today, including polyesters, polyamides, and polyurethanes. Synthetic Methods in Step-Growth Polymers provides a concise source of information on synthetic techniques, purification, and characterization methods for step-growth polymers and also addresses future synthetic trends.

This applications-oriented handbook is a one-stop, at-your-fingertips source of information for researchers, technologists, and industrial managers. Encompassing a single reference of the classical and state-of-the-art synthetic techniques for preparing polymers via step-growth polymerization, Martin Rogers and Timothy Long’s text provides a historical background of step-growth polymerization, basic information regarding major classes of step-growth polymers, and experimental techniques such as purification, synthesis, and characterization. Chapters include:

• Polyurethanes and Polyureas
• Polyimides and Other High-Temperature Polymers
• Non-Traditional Step-Growth Polymerization–ADMET
• Non-Traditional Step-Growth Polymerization–Transition Metal Coupling
• Depolymerization and Recycling

All chapters are contributed by leading experts in their respective fields. Chemists, chemical engineers, and materials scientists, as well as industrial, academic, and government libraries, will find Synthetic Methods in Step-Growth Polymers to be an unparalleled resource for this category of polymerization.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. The chapter "Polymeric Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Delivery for Lung Cancer Treatment" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This volume describes the application of fluorescence spectroscopy in polymer research. The first chapters outline the basic principles of the conformational and dynamic behavior of polymers and review the problems of polymer self-assembly. Subsequent chapters introduce the theoretical principles of advanced fluorescence methods and typical examples of their application in polymer science. The book closes with several reviews of various fluorescence applications for studying specific aspects of polymer-solution behavior. It is a useful resource for polymer scientists and experts in fluorescence spectroscopy alike, facilitating their communication and cooperation.

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.

This book provides a definitive source of information on the chemical reaction engineering aspects of polymer production processes. Recent reviews in the USA by the Chemical Society and the Institute of Chemical Engineers have concluded that polymers will continue to grow in importance as they are tailored to suit specific applications. This book focuses on engineering aspects of reactor design and operation and, in particular, how the properties of polymers are determined by the relationships between chemical kinetics and mechanical design. This book should be of interest to chemical engineers who need to understand reaction engineering concepts and techniques for polymer systems as well as advanced students of polymer science and engineering, materials science and chemistry.

This book presents a comprehensive study on microextrusion-based 3D bioprinting technologies for bioinks with various crosslinking mechanisms, chiefly focusing on the bioprinting process and bioink properties to provide readers with a better understanding of this state-of-the-art technology. Further, it summarizes a number of general criteria and research routes for microextrusion-based 3D bioprinting using three experimental studies based on shear-thinning, thermo-sensitive and non-viscous hydrogel bioinks. The book also presents sample applications in the areas of stem cells and cell matrix interaction. The book highlights pioneering results in the development of bioprinting technologies and bioinks, which were published in high-quality journals such as Advanced Materials, Biofabrication and ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. These include an in-situ crosslinking strategy that overcomes the viscosity limits for bioinks, which is virtually impossible using conventional strategies, and can be generalized for other bioink formulations.

Lianwei Li's Ph.D. thesis solves a long-standing problem in polymer physics: how does a hyperbranched chain pass through a cylindrical pore smaller than its size under an elongational flow field? The question was asked by the Nobel Laureate, the late Professor de Gennes in the 70s but has never been seriously addressed through real experiments. This thesis outlines how Lianwei Li developed a novel polymerization strategy using a seesaw-type macromonomer to prepare a set of "defect-free" hyperbranched chagins with different overall molar masses and controllable uniform subchain lengths. The author then unearthed how the critical (minimum) flow rate at which a hyperbranched chain can pass through the pore, is dependent on the overall molar mass and the subchain length. The experimental results give a unified description of polymer chains with different topologies passing through a small cylindrical pore, which enables us to separate chains by their topologies instead of their sizes in ultrafiltration. In addition, this research also reveals how the chain structure of amphiphilic hyperbranched block and graft copolymers affect their solution properties, including the establishments of several classic scaling laws that relate the chain size and the intrinsic viscosity to the overall molar mass and the subchain length, respectively. This work has led to numerous publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Approaching the material from a chemistry and engineering perspective, High Performance Polymers presents the most reliable and current data available about state-of-the-art polymerization, fabrication, and application methods of high performance industrial polymers.

Chapters are arranged according to the chemical constitution of the individual classes, beginning with main chain carbon-carbon polymers and leading to ether-containing, sulfur-containing, and so on. Each chapter follows an easily readable template, provides a brief overview and history of the polymer, and continues on to such sub-topics as monomers; polymerization and fabrication; properties; fabrication methods; special additives; applications; suppliers and commercial grades; safety; and environmental impact and recycling.

High Performance Polymers brings a wealth of up-to-date, high performance polymer data to you library, in a format that allows for either a fast fact-check or more detailed study. In this new edition the data has been fully updated to reflect all developments since 2008, particularly in the topics of monomers, synthesis of polymers, special polymer types, and fields of application.
Presents the state-of-the-art polymerization, fabrication and application methods of high performance industrial polymers.
Provides fundamental information for practicing engineers working in industries that develop advanced applications (including electronics, automotive and medical)
Discusses environmental impact and recycling of polymers.

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

This book summarizes the recent advances in applications of starch in state-of-the-art drug carriers (hydrogel, micro- and nano-particulate carriers) with stimulus-responsive and target-specific properties. It also highlights the role of starch and its derivatives in transmucosal administration to improve the bioavailability of drugs. Further, it outlines the principles of effective, advanced, starch-based drug delivery systems and illustrates how these principles are key to the development of future drug delivery strategies. This interesting reference resource is useful for students, researchers and engineers in the fields of carbohydrate chemistry, polymer sciences and drug delivery.

This book describes industrial applications of polyolefins from the researchers' perspective. Polyolefins constitute today arguably the most important class of polymers and polymeric materials for widespread industrial applications. This book summarizes the present state of the art. Starting from fundamental aspects, such as the polymerization techniques to synthesize polyolefins, the book introduces the topic. Basic knowledge about polyolefin composites and blends is explained, before applications aspects in different industry sectors are discussed. The spectrum comprises a wide range of applications and industry sectors, such as the packaging and food industry, the textile industry, automotive and buildings, and even biomedical applications. Topics, which are addressed in the various chapters, comprise synthesis and processing of the materials; their classification; mechanical, physical and technical requirements and properties; their characterization; and many more. In the end of the book, even the disposal, degradation and recycling of polyolefins are addressed, and light is shed on their commercial significance and economic value. In this way, the book follows the entire 'lifetime' of polyolefin compounds and materials: from their synthesis and processing, over applications, to the recycling and reuse of disposed or degraded polyolefin substrates.

This book is an up-to-date text covering topics in utilizing hydrogen bonding for constructing functional architectures and supramolecular materials. The first chapter addresses the control of photo-induced electron and energy transfer. The second chapter summarizes the formation of nano-porous materials. The following two chapters introduce self-assembled gels, many of which exhibit unique functions. Other chapters cover the advances in supramolecular liquid crystals and the versatility of hydrogen bonding in tuning/improving the properties and performance of materials. This book is designed to bring together in a single volume the most important and active fields of hydrogen bonding strategy for designing supramolecular materials. The book will be a valuable resource for graduates and researchers working in the fields of supramolecular chemistry and materials sciences. Zhan-Ting Li, PhD, is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, China Li-Zhu Wu, PhD, is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

From fabrication to testing and modeling this monograph covers all aspects on the materials class of magneto active polymers. The focus is on computational modeling of manufacturing processes and material parameters. As other smart materials, these elastomers have the ability to change electrical and mechanical properties upon application of magnetic fields. This allows for novel applications ranging from biomedical engineering to mechatronics.

The book provides an up-to-date overview of the diverse medical applications of advanced polymers. The book opens by presenting important background information on polymer chemistry and physicochemical characterization of polymers. This serves as essential scientific support for the subsequent chapters, each of which is devoted to the applications of polymers in a particular medical specialty. The coverage is broad, encompassing orthopedics, ophthalmology, tissue engineering, surgery, dentistry, oncology, drug delivery, nephrology, wound dressing and healing, and cardiology. The development of polymers that enhance the biocompatibility of blood-contacting medical devices and the incorporation of polymers within biosensors are also addressed. This book is an excellent guide to the recent advances in polymeric biomaterials and bridges the gap between the research literature and standard textbooks on the applications of polymers in medicine.

The series "Advances in Dendritic Macromolecules" aims to cover the synthesis and supramolecular chemistry of dendritic or cascade super-molecules as well as their less perfect hyperbranched cousins.
In Volume 3, Chapter 1 describes the synthesis and characterization of dendrimers and hyperbranched polyesters, both based on 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, as the AB2-monomer. Chapter 2, discusses the advantages and drawbacks of dendritic molecular architectures necessary to create polymeric organic magnetic materials. In Chapter 3, Balzani and colleagues delineate their contributions to the field of polynuclear transition metal complexes in the design and construction of dendritic nanostructures; these luminesence and redox-active complexes suggest their role as photochemical molecular devices operating by photoinduced energy and electron transfer processes. Chapter 4, reviews the overall progress on redox-active dendrimers, especially as redox catalysts, organic conductors, modified electrodes, and models for electron transfer proteins. Chapter 5, summarizes the pioneering research in organometallic dendritic macromolecules and then delineates the redox properties of a series of silicon-based ferrocenyl-containing dendrimers.

This is the second edition of "Melt Rheology and its Role in Plastics Processing," although the title has changed to reflect its broadened scope. Advances in the recent years in rheometer technology and polymer science have greatly enhanced the usefulness of rheology in the plastics industry. It is now possible to design polymers having specific molecular structures and to predict the flow properties of melts having those structures. In addition, rheological properties now provide more precise information about molecular structure.

This book provides all the information that is needed for the intelligent application of rheology in the development of new polymers, the determination of molecular structure and the correlation of processability with laboratory test data. Theory and equations are limited to what is essential for the use of rheology in the characterization of polymers, the development of new plastics materials and the prediction of plastics processing behavior. The emphasis is on information that will be of direct use to practitioners. Extensive references are provided for those wishing to pursue certain issues in greater depth.

While the primary audience is applied polymer scientists and plastics engineers, the book will also be of use to postgraduate students in polymer science and engineering and as a text for a graduate course.

Volume 14 of this series presents three interesting reviews of research on alkaloids. Chapter 1, by Paul L. Schiff, Jr., is a monumental effort, presenting a selective, comprehensive tabular review of research on the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, with an analysis of the respective alkaloid types. The chapter should serve as a very useful tool for the bench research scientist who is involved in the isolation and elucidation of structures of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Moreover, the data in these tables provides the botanical distribution and occurrence (family, genus, species) of the various classes of these alkaloids. The alkaloids are also categorized by their molecular weights and structural types.
Chapter 2, by Toh-Seok Kam, is a review of alkaloids derived from Malaysian flora. Malaysia's position near the Equator confers on it a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall, conditions favorable for plant life that has resulted in a rich flora of about 15,000 species of higher plants. This review concentrates on work published during the past twenty years and where appropriate compares the occurrence of alkaloids with studies of similar plants from countries neighboring to Malaysia, especially Thailand and Indonesia.
Chapter 3, by Jie Jack Li, presents a collection of very interesting total syntheses of naturally occurring indole alkaloids where palladium chemistry plays a central role in the syntheses. Five different types of palladium-mediated reactions are treated: (1) oxidative cyclization reactions promoted by palladium (II) species; (2) transmetallation reactions with organoboranes, organostannanes, and organozinc reagents; (3)inter- and intramolecular Heck reactions; (4) reactions with &pgr; -allylpalladium as the intermediate; and (5) reactions using C-N bond formation as the key step for the synthesis.