From Reports in Volume 5: "Recently polymer blends have emerged as one of the most important areas of research activity in the field of polymer science and technology. Because of their satisfactory performance in meeting specific needs of the polymer industry, they have drawn considerable attention in replacing not only many conventional materials, but also some of the polymers that are in vogue. By suitably varying the blend compositions and manipulating the processing conditions, tailor-made products with a unique set of end use properties can be achieved at a much lower cost and within a shorter time than would have been necessary for the development of a new polymer. The usefulness of such blends increases with the increasing range of applications of this type of materials." (Chapter 4) "New and growing demands on polymeric materials cannot be satisfied in future by an assortment extension of basic polymers. Although the introduction of new major-use basic polymer is possible, it seems unlikely in view of current projected economic and technical considerations. On the other hand, new products based on the modification of existing polymers have and will continue to be fruitful areas for both scientific and commercial developments. The driving forces for these developments are: 1. Improved performance, 2. Reduced cost, 3. Present, pending and future legislation dealing with health and environmental issues." (Chapter 11)

Providing an up-to-date overview of the field, this reference presents extensive discussions on a wide range of approaches for molecular imprinting written by pioneering experts on the subject. Molecularly Imprinted Materials: Science and Technology offers experimental protocols that exemplify specific techniques, as well as detailed surveys on molecular imprinting research and applications. Provides a comprehensive tutorial for those who wish to learn basic techniques and make new contributions to the field, as well as in-depth discussions, guidelines, and experimental protocols to help beginners gain a jump-start in the field of molecular imprinting The book examines the recent evolution of the technology, offering step-by-step instruction on methods to design and optimize molecularly imprinted polymers and suggestions, recommendations, and troubleshooting strategies for alternative approaches and improvements discussed in the text. about the editors... MINGDI YAN is Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Oregon. After serving as a senior research scientist at Ikonos Corporation, Portland, Oregon, she joined the Portland State University faculty and now leads a research group in organic and polymeric materials science. She received the B.S. degree in polymer physics from the University of Science and Technology, China, and the Ph.D. degree in organic chemistry from the University of Oregon. OLOF RAMSTROEM is Associate Professor, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. After serving with Professor Jean-Marie Lehn at Universite Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France, he joined the Royal Institute of Technology and is now leading a group specializing in supramolecular chemistry and molecular recognition. He received the M.Sc. degree in chemical engineering and the Ph.D. degree in bioorganic chemistry/applied biochemistry from Lund Institute of Technology/Lund University, Sweden.

This book presents an introduction to viscoelasticity; in particular, to the theories of dilute polymer solutions and dilute suspensions of rigid particles in viscous and incompressible fluids. These theories are important, not just because they apply to practical problems of industrial interest, but because they form a solid theoretical base upon which mathematical techniques can be built, from which more complex theories can be constructed, to better mimic material behaviour. The emphasis is not on the voluminous current topical research, but on the necessary tools to understand viscoelasticity at a first year graduate level. The main aim is to provide a still compact book, sufficient at the level of first year graduate course for those who wish to understand viscoelasticity and to embark in modeling of viscoelastic multiphase fluids. To this end, a new chapter on Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) was introduced which is relevant to model complex-structured fluids. All the basic ideas in DPD are reviewed, with some sample problems to illustrate the methodology.

This book focuses on flame retardants (FR) for textile materials. It discusses basics of flame retardancy and flammability and covers various types of flame retardants and materials, including natural FRs, halogen, phosphorous, and nanomaterial-based FRs. This book also discusses methods of applications of FRs and discusses FRs and the environment. Covers a variety of interdisciplinary applications in the textile industry Emphasizes environmental aspects Reports on a large number of FR compounds studied globally Discusses in detail recent developments in halogen-free eco-friendly flame retardants Extensively describes basic aspects of flame retardancy and their measurements Aimed at the practitioner and textile engineering professional this work aims to ensure development of safe textile materials for various uses, including apparel, protective wear, floor coverings, upholstery, drapery, and others.

Electrical Properties of Polymers describes the electric phenomena responsible for determining the chemical and supramolecular structure of polymers and polymeric materials. The authors explore the properties of quasi-static dipoles, reviewing Brownian motion, Debye theory, Langevin and Smoluchowski equations, and the Onsager model. This reference displays Maxwell and entropy equations, along with several others, that depict the thermodynamics of dielectric relaxation. Featuring end-of-chapter problems and useful appendices, the book reviews molecular dynamics simulations of dynamic dielectric properties and inspects mean-square dipole moments of gases, liquids, polymers, and fixed conformations.

New synthetic techniques allow chemists to modify polymer microstructures more precisely than ever, making it possible to design materials that meet increasingly demanding performance requirements. Written and edited by experts in the field, Stereoselective Polymerization with Single-Site Catalysts reviews how the relative stereochemistry of polymer chains affects polymer properties and presents the latest strategies for developing tactic polymers using single-site catalysis. This unified volume explains the mechanistic basics of tactic polymerizations, beginning with an extensive survey of the most important classes of metallocene and post-metallocene catalysts used to make polypropylenes. It also focuses on tactic stereoblock and ethylene/propylene copolymers and catalyst active site models, followed by chapters discussing the structure of more stereochemically complex polymers and polymerizations that proceed via non-vinyl-addition mechanisms. Individual chapters thoroughly describe tactic polymerizations of -olefins, styrene, dienes, acetylenes, lactides, epoxides, acrylates, and cyclic monomers, as well as cyclopolymerizations and ditactic structures, olefin/CO polymers, and metathesis polyalkenamers. An ideal reference and supplementary text, Stereoselective Polymerization with Single-Site Catalysts enables both new and experienced chemists to better understand tactic polymers and select appropriate catalyst systems for their preparation.

The extraordinary growth in the production and use of man-made fibers over the past fewdecades has focused attention on the surface properties of fibers and textiles. This volumecombines surface science and technology in its presentation of the substantial progressthat has been made in the technology related to the surface characteristics of natural,synthetic, and glass fibers and textiles.Adopting an interdisciplinary approach , the coverage places emphasis upon the wetting,soiling, staining, frictional, and adhesive properties of fibers and fabrics, as well asphenomena related to these properties. The book offers critical reviews which describeexperimental facts, theories, and processes. Symbols are clearly defined in each chapter.Among the subjects covered are the surface properties of glass fibers, soil release, stainand water repellance, friction of fabrics, bonding of nonwovens, and the wetting of fibers.Surface Characteristics of Fibers and Textiles, Part II is an outstanding textbook forcourses dealing with surface chemistry, the mechanical properties of textiles, textiletechnology, and polymer chemistry . It is also a valuable reference book designed to makecurrent knowledge on these subjects accessible to industrial and academic researchers.

Molecular Cages and Capsules with Functionalized Inner Surfaces, by Stefan Kubik. Drug Delivery by Water-Soluble Organ metallic Cages, by Bruno Therrien. Reversibly Expanded Encapsulation Complexes, by Dariush Ajami und Julius Rebek. Container Molecules Based on Imine Type Ligands, by A. Carina Schulze und Iris M. Oppel. Molecular Capsules Derived from Resorcin 4]arenes by Metal-Coordination, by Tobias Schroder, Satya Narayan Sahu und Jochen Mattay. Coronates, Spherical Containers, Bowl-Shaped Surfaces, Porous 1D-, 2D-, 3D-Metallo-Coordination Polymers, and Metallodendrimers, by Rolf W. Saalfrank und Andreas Scheurer."

Agricultural biomass is abundant worldwide and it can be considered as alternative source of renewable and sustainable materials which can be used as potential materials for different applications. Despite this enormous production of agricultural biomass, only a small fraction of the total biomass is utilized for different applications. Industry must be prepared to take advantage of the situation and utilize the available biomass in the best possible manner. Agricultural biomass such as natural fibres has been successfully investigated as a great potential to be used as a renewable and sustainable materials for the production of composite materials. Natural fibres offer excellent specific properties and have potential as outstanding reinforcing fillers in the matrix and can be used as an alternative material for biocomposites, hybrid composites, pulp, and paper industries. Natural fibre based polymer composites made of jute, oil palm, flex, hemp, kenaf have a low market cost, attractive with respect to global sustainability and find increasing commercial use in different applications. Agricultural biomass based composites find applications in a number of fields viz., automotive industry and construction industry. Future research on agricultural biomass-natural fibre based composites should not only be limited to its automotive applications but can be explored for its application in aircraft components, construction industry, rural housing and biomedical applications. In this book we will cover the chemical, physical, thermal, electrical, and biodegradability properties of agricultural biomass based composite materials and its different potential applications. The main goal of this volume is to familiarize researchers, scientists and engineers with the unique research opportunities and potentials of agricultural biomass based materials. Up-to-date information on alternative biomass utilization Academic and industry leaders discuss unique properties of biomass based composite materials Direct application of agricultural biomass materials as sustainable and renewable alternatives

This series presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and materials science. It is addressed to all scientists at universities and in industry who wish to keep abreast of advances in the topics covered. Impact Factor Ranking: Always number one in Polymer Science.

Polymer translocation occurs in many biological and biotechnological phenomena where electrically charged polymer molecules move through narrow spaces in crowded environments. Unraveling the rich phenomenology of polymer translocation requires a grasp of modern concepts of polymer physics and polyelectrolyte behavior. Polymer Translocation discusses universal features of polymer translocations and summarizes the key concepts of polyelectrolyte structures, electrolyte solutions, ionic flow, mobility of charged macromolecules, polymer capture by pores, and threading of macromolecules through pores. With approximately 150 illustrations and 850 equations, the book: Avoids heavy mathematics Uses examples to illustrate the richness of the phenomenon Introduces the entropic barrier idea behind polymer translocation Outlines conceptual components necessary for a molecular understanding of polymer translocation Provides mathematical formulas for the various quantities pertinent to polymer translocation The challenge in understanding the complex behavior of translocation of polyelectrolyte molecules arises from three long-range forces due to chain connectivity, electrostatic interactions, and hydrodynamic interactions. Polymer Translocation provides an overview of fundamentals, established experimental facts, and important concepts necessary to understand polymer translocation. Readers will gain detailed strategies for applying these concepts and formulas to the design of new experiments.

With the advent of polymer nanocomposites, research on polyolefin nanocomposites has grown exponentially. Correcting the deficiency of a meaningful text on these important materials, Advances in Polyolefin Nanocomposites: Sums up recent advances in nanoscale dispersion of filler in polyolefins Presents a basic introduction to polyolefin nanocomposite technology for the readers new to this field Provides insights on the use of technologies for polyolefins nanocomposites for commercial application Includes contributions from the most experienced researchers in the field Offers insights into the commercial usage of techniques The text uses theoretical models to illustrate the organic-inorganic interfaces in polyolefins and also provides a detailed description of the recently developed models for property prediction of these nanocomposites. It concentrates on developments with not only aluminosilicate fillers, but also with equally important fillers like layer double hydroxides and nanotubes. The authors review polyolefin nanocomposite technology and methodologies of generation, properties and generation of composite blends, and advances in synthesis of nanocomposites using solution blending methods. The book covers theoretical and experimental considerations of clay surface modification and the importance and effect of various prominent filler categories.

Functional Polymer Conjugates for Medicinal Nucleic Acid Delivery, by Ernst Wagner

Biodegradable Nanoparticles as Vaccine Adjuvants and Delivery Systems: Regulation of Immune Responses by Nanoparticle-Based Vaccine, by Takami Akagi, Masanori Baba and Mitsuru Akashi

Biodegradable Polymeric Assemblies for Biomedical Materials, by Yuichi Ohya, Akihiro Takahashi and Koji Nagahama
PEGylation Technology in Nanomedicine, by Yutaka Ikeda and Yukio Nagasaki

Cytocompatible Hydrogel Composed of Phospholipid Polymers for Regulation of Cell Functions, by Kazuhiko Ishihara, Yan Xu and Tomohiro Konno

Design of Biointerfaces for Regenerative Medicine, by Yusuke Arima, Koichi Kato, Yuji Teramura and Hiroo Iwata

Advances in Tissue Engineering Approaches to Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Cells and Polymeric Scaffolds for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration, by Jeremy J. Mercuri and Dan T. Simionescu

Functionalized Biocompatible Nanoparticles for Site-Specific Imaging and Therapeutics, by Ranu K. Dutta, Prashant K. Sharma, Hisatoshi Kobayashi and Avinash C. Pandey

"

This volume is based on lectures given at the NATO-Advanced Study Institute on Structure and Dynamics of Polymer and Colloid Systems held in Les Houches, France from September 14-24, 1999. The meeting arose from a perceived need to bring together scientists studying the polymer and colloid fields. Although these fields are intertwined and share many techniques (e. g. , light, neutron and x-ray scattering), it is remarkable how little the approaches and concepts used by the one field penetrate the other. For instance, the theory of spherical colloids is very highly developed and many of the concepts developed for these systems can be extended to those with non-spherical morphology, such as solutions of rigid rod polymers. In addition, mixtures of polymers and colloids, both in the bulk and at interfaces, are the basis for many industrial products. Methods are now rapidly being developed for understanding the structure and dynamics in polymer/colloid mixtures at the molecular level, but the point of view of the colloid scientist is often rather different from that of the polymer scientist. The NATO-ASI brought together polymer and colloid scientists, including many young researchers, who presented and discussed recent developments in these fields and the possibilities for cross-fertilization This volume contains articles on a wide variety of topics at the research forefront of the polymer and colloid fields by some of the world's foremost experts at a level accessible to graduate students, post-docs and researchers.

Basic concepts on biodegradable biopolymer science are presented in this book, as well as techniques, analyses, standards, and essential criteria for the characterization of biodegradable materials obtained from biopolymers. The development and innovation of products and processes considering the environment are highlighted in this book. All of the applications described have been discussed from the point of view of sustainability. Additionally, this book highlights that biodegradability is a great burden when trying to replace, modify, and/or design existing products, and processes that are highly polluting. Finally, the present book concludes with reflections on the development of biopolymers in different areas, and some of their consequences depending on their biodegradability.

This volume documents the proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Polyimides and Other High Temperature Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications, held in Newark, New Jersey, December 3-6, 2001. Polyimides possess many desirable attributes, so this class of materials has found applications in many technologies ranging from microelectronics to high temperature adhesives to membranes. This volume contains a total of 32 papers, all rigorously peer reviewed and revised before inclusion, addressing many aspects and new developments in polyimides and other high temperature polymers. The book is divided into two parts: Synthesis, Properties and Bulk Characterization and Surface Modification, Interfacial or Adhesion Aspects and Applications. The topics covered include: synthesis and characterization of a variety of polyimides; photoalignable polyimides; high-modulus poly(p-phenylenepyromellitimide) films; structure-property relationships in polyimides; aromatic benzoxazole polymers; polybenzobisthiazoles; polyimide L-B films; transport of water in high Tg polymers; surface modification of polyimides; adhesion of metal films to polyimide and other polymers; investigation of interfacial interactions between metals and polymers; polyimide film surface properties; applications of polyimides in microelectronics, as membranes for gas separation, as composite films; fabrication of thin-film transistors on polyimide films; polyimide modified with fullerenes; semicrystalline polyimides for advanced composites; and wear performance of polyetherimide composite.

FROM THE PREFACE The surface modification of polymeric materials has been the object of a large number of investigations, but little attention has been paid to making a polymer surface frictionless or slippery, and lubricating surfaces are practically unmentioned in any books so far published, probably because of the relatively minor importance of polymer friction in industrial applications. A lubricating polymer surface is important, especially in marine and biomedical technologies. For instance, biomaterials to be used for catheterization on the urinary, tracheal, and cardiovascular tracts, or for endoscopy, should have a surface with good handling characteristics when dry and which preferably becomes slippery upon contact with body liquids. Such a low-friction surface must enable easy insertion and removal of the device from a patient. It would further prevent mechanical injury to the mucous membranes and minimize discomfort to the patient. Earlier approaches to providing a low-friction surface were mostly simple applications involving lubricants such as lidocaine jelly, silicone oil, or non-permanent coating with low-friction materials such as polyethylene or fluoroplastics. However, these substances cannot maintain a high degree of slipperiness for the required duration of time, due to the fact that they leach or disperse into the surrounding body fluids. The aim of this book is to describe the principle of lubrication, to outline a variety of methods for attaining a lubricous surface, and to describe the characteristics and properties of such lubricous surfaces. The technology for surface modification of polymers by grafting will find other applications than for lubrication, such as for improvement of the interfacial adhesion in polymer composites.

Volume A of Handbook of Polymer Nanocomposites deals with Layered Silicates. In some 20 chapters the preparation, architecture, characterisation, properties and application of polymer nanocomposites are discussed by experts in their respective fields

This book with software provides powerful tools for the analysis, prediction and creation of new polymer blends, an area of significant commercial potential. The R&D approaches and methods described in the book have attracted the interest of polymer R&D leaders in industry, and have been put into use in several major chemical companies. The companion set of computer programs speeds and facilitates work in this area. FROM THE AUTHORS' PREFACE: During the 1980's a steadily increasing number of compatible systems [polymer blends] have been reported. We believe that miscible mixtures will prove to be fairly common and the purpose of this book is to explore the circumstances in which single phase materials can be obtained. We will also describe a model for the phase behavior of these mixtures which we believe to have a predictive value, or be used as a practical guide to polymer miscibility. Our approach is based on the use of association models which have until recently been largely ignored in treating hydrogen bonding in polymer mixtures. They have most frequently been applied to mixtures of alcohols with simple hydrocarbons, where the equilibrium constants used to describe association have most frequently been determined by a fit to thermodynamic data (e.g., vapor pressures, heat of mixing). In our work we have sought to, first, adapt this approach to a description of the phase behavior of polymer mixtures; second, develop spectroscopic methods that provide an independent measurement of the equilibrium constants. Our purpose in this book is to explore and describe this approach and illustrate its broad utility. We address two overlapping yet different audiences. One would be primarily interested in the broad nature of this approach and the practical applications of a simple model. The second would be more interested in the derivations of the equations and some of the fundamental aspects of the spectroscopy of these systems. Accor

Derived from the fourth edition of the well-known Plastics Technology Handbook, Industrial Polymers, Specialty Polymers, and Their Applications covers a wide range of general and special types of polymers, along with a wealth of information about their applications. The book first focuses on commonly used industrial polymers, including polypropylenes, low- and high-density polyethylenes, and poly(vinyl chloride), as well as less widely used polymer types, such as acrylics, ether polymers, cellulosics, sulfide polymers, silicones, polysulfones, polyether ether ketones, and polybenzimidazoles. It then explores polymer derivatives and polymeric combinations that play special and often critical roles in diverse fields of human activities. The polymers covered include liquid crystal, electroactive, ionic, and shape memory polymers; hydrogels; and nanocomposites. The volume concludes with a comprehensive overview of new developments in the use of polymers in a variety of areas.

The concept to utilize an ion-conducting polymer membrane as a solid po- mer electrolyte offers several advantages regarding the design and operation of an electrochemical cell, as outlined in Volume 215, Chapter 1 (L. Gubler, G.G. Scherer). Essentially, the solvent and/or transport medium, e.g., H O, 2 + for the mobile ionic species, e.g., H for a cation exchange membrane, is taken up by and con?ned into the nano-dimensional morphology of the i- containingdomainsofthepolymer.Asaconsequence, aphaseseparationinto a hydrophilic ion-containing solvent phase and a hydrophobic polymer ba- bone phase establishes. Because of the narrow solid electrolyte gap in these cells, low ohmic losses reducing the overall cell voltage can be achieved, even at highcurrent densities. This concept was applied to fuel cell technology at a very early stage; h- ever, performance and reliability of the cells were low due to the dissatisfying membrane properties at that time. The development of per?uoro sulfonate and carboxylate-type membranes, in particular for the chlor-alkali process, directly fostered the further development of proton-conducting membranes and, as a consequence, also the progress in this type of fuel cell technology (polymer electrolyte fuel cell, PEFC)

The first four volumes of the series on 'Charged and Reactive Polymers' have been devoted to polymers in solution (Voh. I and II) or in gel and membrane forms (Vols. III and IV). In correlation with charges, other physical or chemical properties of macro molecules have been considered. Understanding of charge and hydrophobic effects is equally important for synthetic and biopolymers or their systems. Optically Active Polymers are related to problems of the same class, since optical activity is an inherent property of both natural macromolecules as well as a great variety of polymers synthesized in the Jast twenty years. Optical activity is a physical spectral property of chiral matter caused by asymmetrical configurations, conformations and structures which have no plane and no center of symmetry and consequently have two mirror image enantiomeric forms of inverse optical rotation. The racemic mixture of chiral enantiomers is optically inactive. The most common form of optical activity was first measured at a constant wavelength by the angle of rotation of linearly polarized light. More recently the measurements have been extended to the entire range of visible and attainable ultraviolet regions where electronic transitions are observed, giving rise to the ORD technique (Optical Rotatory Dispersion). The Cotton effects appear in the region of optically active absorption bands; outside of these bands the plain curve spectrum is also dependent on all the electronic transitions of the chromophores."

The book provides practical recommendations for creation of fire retardant materials with an increased service life. The enhanced fire resistance seen in these materials is based on the regularities of the chemical and physicochemical interaction of the components of intumescent composition in the process of thermolytic synthesis of heat-insulating char-foamed layers. The aim of fire protection of various objects with intumescent materials is to create a heat-insulating charred layer on the surface of structural elements; this layer can withstand high temperatures and mechanical damage which are typical during fires. The authors describe the contribution of basic components (melamine, pentaerythritol, ammonium polyphosphate), additional components (chlorinated paraffin, urea, cellulose, carbon nano additives, etc.) and polymer binders of intumescent compositions on the process of charring. The technological aspects of manufacturing, application and operation of fire retardant intumescent compositions, which can be useful for organizations that produce and use fire retardant materials, are also described.

In the past few decades, marine organisms, including macroalgae and microalgae, have been extensively explored as potential sources of bioactive compounds with applications in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, cosmetics and foodstuffs. Marine polysaccharides, such as chitin/chitosan, ulvans, fucans, alginates and carrageenans, are biochemical compounds with several important properties such as anticoagulant and/or antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antilipidemic, hypoglycemic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Due to their biocompatible, nontoxic and biodegradable nature, marine polysaccharides offer a better alternative to be used in advancement of the biomedical field. This book focuses on marine polysaccharides; their derivatives, blends, composites and hydrogels; and their multifaceted applications in various fields. The book also discusses the various aspects of marine polysaccharides from the point of view of chemistry and related applications. It is an important reference for marine biotechnologists, natural product scientists, students, researchers and academicians working in the area of materials science, marine science and polymer chemistry.