Polymeric foams are sturdy yet lightweight materials with applications across a variety of industries, from packaging to aerospace. As demand for these materials increase, so does innovation in the development of new processes and products. This book captures the most dynamic advances in processes, technologies, and products related to the polymeric foam market. It describes the latest business trends including new microcellular commercialization, sustainable foam products, and nanofoams. It also discusses novel processes, new and environmentally friendly blowing agents, and the development and usage of various types of foams, including bead and polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyetherimide microcellular, and nanocellular. The book also covers flame-retardant foams, rigid foam composites, and foam sandwich composites and details applications in structural engineering, electronics, and insulation. Authored by leading experts in the field, this book minimizes the gap between research and application in this important and growing area.

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

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

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

This book focuses on food, non-food, and industrial packaging applications of polymers, blends, nanostructured materials, macro, micro and nanocomposites, and renewable and biodegradable materials. It details physical, thermal, and barrier properties as well as sustainability, recycling, and regulatory issues. The book emphasizes interdisciplinary research on processing, morphology, structure, and properties as well as applications in packaging of food and industrial products. It is useful for chemists, physicists, materials scientists, food technologists, and engineers.

With chapters by the editors and other experts in the field of polymer science, this book covers a broad selection of important research advances in the field, including updates on enzymatic destruction and photoelectric characteristics, studies on the changes in the polymer molecular mass during hydrolysis and a new type of bioadditive for motor fuel, and an exploration of the interrelation of viscoelastic and electromagnetic properties of densely cross-linked polymers. Also included are chapters that discuss the problems of mechanics of textile performance, new aspects of polymeric nanofibers, a mathematical model of nanofragment cross-linked polymers, and much more.

Polymer Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices, Volume I, offers a detailed explanation of recent progress and challenges in polymer electrolyte research for energy storage devices. The influence of these electrolyte properties on the performance of different energy storage devices is discussed in detail. Features: * Discusses a variety of energy storage systems and their workings and a detailed history of LIBs * Covers a wide range of polymer-based electrolytes including PVdF, PVdF-co-HFP, PAN, blend polymeric systems, composite polymeric systems, and polymer ionic liquid gel electrolytes * Provides a comprehensive review of biopolymer electrolytes for energy storage applications * Suitable for readers with experience in batteries as well as newcomers to the field This book will be invaluable to researchers and engineers working on the development of next-generation energy storage devices, including materials, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineers, as well as those involved in related disciplines.

This book covers the advances in the studies of hydrogen-bonding-driven supramolecular systems made over the past decade. It is divided into four parts, with the first introducing the basics of hydrogen bonding and important hydrogen bonding patterns in solution as well as in the solid state. The second part covers molecular recognition and supramolecular structures driven by hydrogen bonding. The third part introduces the formation of hollow and giant macrocycles directed by hydrogen bonding, while the last part summarizes hydrogen bonded supramolecular polymers. This book is designed to bring together in a single volume the many important aspects of hydrogen bonding supramolecular chemistry and will be a valuable resource for graduates and researchers working in supramolecular and related 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.

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

This valuable book is devoted to problems of the synthesis, vulcanization, modification, and study of structure and properties of highly filled sealants based on polysulfide oligomers (PSO). The book summarizes information concerning chemistry, synthesis technology, structure, and properties of liquid thiokols and thiokol-containing polyesters. It also presents a literary survey on chemism and mechanisms for liquid thiokols vulcanization involving oxidants or through polyaddition. The book describes formulation principles of sealants, their properties, and application areas. The book provides research on vulcanization and modification of thiokol sealants involving thiokol-epoxy resin copolymers, unsaturated polyesters, and various isocyanate prepolymers. It describes studies of mechanisms underlying vulcanization of polysulphide oligomers by manganese dioxide, sodium dichromate and zinc oxide, and also of the structure and properties of sealants on the basis of a liquid thiokol and commercial " -2" polymer depending on a chemical nature and the ratio of constituent oligomers. The book gives information on the influence of filling materials on vulcanization kinetics, rheological, and physico-mechanical properties of sealants depending on the nature of PSO. The book will be of interest to research personnel of scientific institutes and centers developing reactive oligomers and their compositions and studying their structure and properties as well as engineers working in science centers or enterprises working in the area of development, production, and application of polysulfide oligomers and sealants.

This book provides comprehensive coverage on the latest developments of research in the ever-expanding area of polymers and advanced materials and their applications to broad scientific fields including physics, chemistry, biology, and materials. It presents physical principles in explaining and rationalizing polymeric phenomena. Featuring classical topics that are conventionally considered as part of chemical technology, the book covers the chemical principles from a modern point of view. It analyzes theories to formulate and prove the polymer principles and offers future outlooks on applications of bioscience in chemical concepts.

This book provides an important structural analysis of polymer solutions and melts, using fractal analysis. The book covers the theoretical fundamentals of macromolecules fractal analysis. It then goes on to discuss the fractal physics of polymer solutions and the fractal physics of melts. The intended audience of the book includes specialists in chemistry and physics of polymer synthesis and those in the field of polymers and polymer composites processing.

Control over macromolecular architecture and resulting material properties has been a central goal of polymer chemistry. There has been much interest in developing new synthetic routes to prepare smart materials with novel compositions and topologies for various applications. The considerable progress in the metal mediated macromolecular engineering over the past decade has had a major impact on the development of well-defined macromolecular architectures and the synthesis of smart materials. Particularly, remarkable strong developments have been observed for the synthesis of smart materials via four metal mediated macromolecular engineering techniques; Anionic, ROMP, ATRP and Click Chemistry. These materials have found uses in advanced microelectronics, technical and biomedical applications as well as in chemical sensors applications.

This book is comprised of 27 chapters written by leading scientists from NATO and Partner Countries who have greatly contributed in the area of Anionic, ROMP, ATRP and Click Chemistry. It highlights the fundamental aspects and recent developments of these four powerful techniques and evaluate their potential in the syntheses of smart materials from complex structures (grafts, brushes, dendrimers, etc.) to nanostructures (self-assembly, nano-size, etc) for a wide range of applications.

The book reports on the synthesis of a wide range of well-defined complex polymeric systems such as thermoresponsive smart polymers, star copolymers, biocompatible polymers, amphipilic smart nano structured, conducting polymers, self assembled polymers, and hyperbranced polymers.

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

The purpose of this book will be to demonstrate 1) the newly developed method of using reactive functionalized materials in agriculture to solve the economic and public health problems associated with using conventional agrochemicals; and 2) new technology aimed at achieving the greening of chemistry to meet appropriate environmental standards in both agriculture and industrial foodstuffs production. More specifically, the book will accomplish this goal by addressing 3 key issues in the field: 1) the production of reactive functionalized materials with enhanced properties that offer a major opportunity to overcome the disadvantages of using traditional materials; 2) the applications of functionalized materials in agriculture for the purpose of solving the economic and the environmental pollution problems associated with the uses of conventional agrochemicals; and 3) the contribution of polymers in solving problems associated with conventional procedures of food growth and processing, including those used in the dairy industry, sugar and fruit juices, beer and wine production, nutritive and nonnutritive food additives, and in food protection.

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

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

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

Aqueous-based film coating has become routine in the pharmaceutical industry. This process eliminates the use of organic solvents and thus avoids economic, environmental, and toxicological issues related to residual solvents and solvent recovery. Aqueous-based coating, however, is complex and many variables may impact the final product and its performance. This fourth edition of Aqueous Polymeric Coatings for Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms aims to provide insight into the factors and parameters that should be considered and controlled for the successful development and commercialization of a coated product. The fourth edition has been revised and expanded to reflect the most recent scientific advancements from the literature. The contributing authors explain in detail, using illustrated examples, appropriate steps to solve and ideally avoid formulation, processing, and stability problems and to achieve an optimized dosage form. Trade names and chemical names of commercially marketed coatings are used throughout the text to help familiarize the reader with the various materials available for pharmaceutical applications. This book will be a valuable resource for anyone in the pharmaceutical industry working in the area of aqueous-based film coating.

Water-based technology has undergone revolutionary changes during the past two decades. Interest in the properties and uses of water-based coatings, paints and inks has continued to grow since the establishment of the Clean Air Act of 1970. The present book is devoted to recent developments and trends in water-based coating and ink technology. This volume is divided in three broad catagories: (1) Additives and Water-based Coating/Ink Systems, (2) Surface Modifications and Wettability, and (3) Ink/Coating Formulations and Their characterization. The role of various additives to improve the performance and properties of water-based coatings with special reference to surface phenomena such as wettability, adhesion, surface energies, dispersion stability, particle size and size distribution are presented in these sections. This volume documents the proceedings of the International symposium on Surface Phenomena and Additives in Water-Based Coatings and Printing Technology sponsored by the 21st Annual Meeting of the Fine Particle Society (FPS). This meeting was held in San Diego, california, AUgust 21-25, 1990. The symposium upon which this volume is based was organized in four sessions emphasizing several basic and applied aspects of water-based coatings and printing technology. Major topics discussed include advances in water-based technology, water-based flexo and gravure inks, hydrophobically-modified cellulosic thickeners, organosilicones, uv curable silicone release coatings, surface characterization of Ti02 pigments, polymer substrates, flexographic plates and coating films, pigment wetting and dispersing agents, hydrotrope effect in emulsion polymers, film thickness control, particle size measurements, rheological properties, and statistically designed mixtures for ink formulations.

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.

Constitutional Dynamic Chemistry: Bridge from Supramolecular Chemistry to Adaptive Chemistry, by Jean-Marie Lehn Multistate and Phase Change Selection in Constitutional Multivalent Systems, by Mihail Barboiu Dynamic Systemic Resolution, by Morakot Sakulsombat, Yan Zhang and Olof Ramstroem Dynamic Combinatorial Self-Replicating Systems, by Emilie Moulin and Nicolas Giuseppone DCC in the Development of Nucleic Acid Targeted and Nucleic Acid Inspired Structures, by Benjamin L. Miller Dynamic Nanoplatforms in Biosensor and Membrane Constitutional Systems, by Eugene Mahon, Teodor Aastrup und Mihail Barboiu Dynamic Assembly of Block-Copolymers, by D. Quemener, A. Deratani und S. Lecommandoux Dynamic Chemistry of Anion Recognition, by Radu Custelcean Supramolecular Naphthalenediimide Nanotubes, by Nandhini Ponnuswamy, Artur R. Stefankiewicz, Jeremy K. M. Sanders und G. Dan Pantos Synthetic Molecular Machines and Polymer/Monomer Size Switches that Operate Through Dynamic and Non-Dynamic Covalent Changes, by Adrian-Mihail Stadler und Juan Ramirez Reversible Covalent Chemistries Compatible with the Principles of Constitutional Dynamic Chemistry: New Reactions to Create More Diversity, by Kamel Meguellati und Sylvain Ladame.

Polyamic Acids and Polyimides surveys significant developments in basic research in the chemistry and physics of polyamic acids and polyimides over the last several years. Traditional and new topics are discussed, including catalytical imidization, chemical reactions at thermal treatment, quantum-chemical study of synthesis and structure, properties of isolated molecules, and supermolecular and crystalline structures. The book will be an excellent reference for researchers, practitioners, and graduate students working with polyimides and related heat-resistant polymers and materials.

The updated and expanded second edition of this book explores the physical and mechanical properties of carbon fibers and their composites, their manufacture and processing, and their current and emerging applications. Over 10 chapters, the book describes manufacturing methods, surface treatment, composite interfaces, and microstructure-property relationships with underlying fundamental physical and mechanical principles. It discusses the application of carbon materials in delivering improved performance across a diverse range of fields including sports, wind energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, defence, and the aerospace, automotive and semiconductor industries. This new edition introduces chapters related to the manufacturing of carbon/carbon composites (C/C composites), antioxidation characteristics of C/C composites, and their applications. Furthermore, it addresses the effect of graphene and carbon nanotubes on the physical and chemical properties of carbon fibers. A final chapter looks at the emerging and future prospects for carbon fiber technology.

This book reviews the rapidly emerging field of switchable interfaces and its implications for bioelectronics. The authors piece together early breakthroughs and key developments and highlight the future of switchable bioelectronics by focusing on bioelectrochemical processes based on mimicking and controlling biological environments with external stimuli as well as responsive systems for drug delivery. All chapters in the book strive to answer the fundamental question: How do living systems probe and respond to their surroundings? Following on from that, how can one transform these concepts to serve the practical world of bioelectronics? The central obstacle to this vision is the absence of versatile interfaces that are able to control and regulate the means of communication between biological and electronic systems. This book summarizes the overall progress made to date in building such interfaces at the level of individual biomolecules and focuses on the latest efforts to generate device platforms that integrate biointerfaces with electronics. Chapter 1 introduces the general concept of dynamic interfaces for bioelectronics and gives an overview of the importance of materials and systems for switchable bioelectronics, introducing the reader to different biointerfaces. Chapter 2 pieces together different types of stimuli-responsive polymers and applications. Chapter 3 lays special emphasis on stimuli-responsive polymers with tunable release kinetics and describes the importance of polymer design for delivery applications. Chapter 4 reviews the field of conformational switching in nanofibers for gas-sensing applications. Finally, Chapter 5 focuses on molecular imprinting polymers as recognition elements for sensing applications. As informative as it is lucid, this handbook makes an essential resource for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students in chemistry, as well as researchers in polymer science and electrochemistry, especially those with an interest in responsive polymers and biosensors.