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 offers a comprehensive review of how plastic pollution is affecting fresh and marine waters, and what the current challenges in plastic waste assessment and management in the aquatic environment are. Plastic waste comprises particles with heterogeneous physicochemical properties such as large size-range, different shapes and polymer types with various additives determining their environmental fate and risk. This complexity raises several open research questions which are explored in this book. Examples are the plastic uptake by aquatic organisms, degradation processes as well as sources and sinks in the environment. Readers will discover real case studies of plastic pollution detection and management in different parts of the world, including Asia, America and Europe, which provide an integrated overview of the global scope of this issue. This book and the companion volume Plastics in the Aquatic Environment - Part II: Stakeholders' Role Against Pollution are valuable resources to students, researchers, policymakers and environmental managers interested in plastic pollution and working towards its reduction.

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green polymer chemistry is an extension of green chemistry to polymer science and engineering. Developments in this area have been stimulated by health and environmental concerns, interest in sustainability, desire to decrease the dependence on petroleum, and opportunities to design and produce "green" products and processes. Major advances include new uses of biobased feedstock, green reactions, green processing methodologies, and green polymeric products. A current feature of green polymer chemistry is that it is both global and multidisciplinary. Thus, publications in this field are spread out over different journals in different countries. Moreover, a successful research effort may involve collaborations of people in various disciplines, such as organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, enzymology, toxicology, environmental science, and analytical chemistry. This book combines the major interdisciplinary research in this field and is targeted for scientists, engineers, and students, who are involved or interested in green polymer chemistry. These may include chemists, biochemists, material scientists, chemical engineers, microbiologists, molecular biologists, enzymologists, toxicologists, environmental scientists, and analytical chemists. It can be a textbook for a course on green chemistry and also a reference book for people who need information on specific topics involving biocatalysis and biobased materials.

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.

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."

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.

This book discusses the fundamental of bending actuation with a focus on ionic metal composites. It describes the applications of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators, from conventional robotic systems to compliant micro robotic systems used to handle the miniature and fragile components during robotic micro assembly. It also presents mathematical modelings of actuators for engineering, biomedical, medical and environmental systems. The fundamental relation of IPMC actuators to the biomimetic systems are also included.

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.

Details laboratory and industrial synthesis and applications of oligomers-suggesting practical solutions to the on-the-job problems as well as exploring processing devices and techniques for industrial-scale production of new oligomer types.

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

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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This book provides a concise and comprehensive introduction of polymer membranes' preparation, functionalization and applications in biotechniques including affinity membrane chromatography, membrane-based biosensor and membrane-based bioreactor.Following an introduction to the general concept of membrane separation in Chapter 1, preparation of polymeric membranes is discussed in Chapter 2. The book then describes in Chapter 3 membrane surface activation, which is a key step in ligand immobilizations. Chapter 4 focuses on ligand immobilization techniques and the organic chemistries behind them. Chapter 5 introduces the application of affinity membrane chromatography. Finally, in Chapter 6, membranes used in biosensors and gas sensors, enzymatic membranes used as biosensor, and membrane biosensor for waste water treatment will be discussed.A novel filter medium, i.e. nonwoven nanofiber membrane, and its preparation method, i.e. electrospinning technique, are also introduced in this book.

This book provides a concise and comprehensive introduction of polymer membranes' preparation, functionalization and applications in biotechniques including affinity membrane chromatography, membrane-based biosensor and membrane-based bioreactor.Following an introduction to the general concept of membrane separation in Chapter 1, preparation of polymeric membranes is discussed in Chapter 2. The book then describes in Chapter 3 membrane surface activation, which is a key step in ligand immobilizations. Chapter 4 focuses on ligand immobilization techniques and the organic chemistries behind them. Chapter 5 introduces the application of affinity membrane chromatography. Finally, in Chapter 6, membranes used in biosensors and gas sensors, enzymatic membranes used as biosensor, and membrane biosensor for waste water treatment will be discussed.A novel filter medium, i.e. nonwoven nanofiber membrane, and its preparation method, i.e. electrospinning technique, are also introduced in this book.

Noncovalent interactions play key roles in many natural processes leading to the self-assembly of molecules with the formation of supramolecular structures. One of the most important forces responsible for self-assembly is hydrogen bonding, which also plays an important role in the self-assembly of synthetic polymers in aqueous solutions. Proton-accepting polymers can associate with proton-donating polymers via hydrogen bonding in aqueous solutions and form polymer-polymer or interpolymer complexes.There has been an increased interest among researchers in hydrogen-bonded interpolymer complexes since the first pioneering papers were published in the early 1960s. Several hundred research papers have been published on various aspects of complex formation reactions in solutions and interfaces, properties of interpolymer complexes and their potential applications. This book focuses on the latest developments in the area of interpolymer complexation via hydrogen bonding. It represents a collection of original and review articles written by recognized experts from Germany, Greece, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Russia, UK, Ukraine, and the USA. It highlights many important applications of interpolymer complexes, including the stabilization of colloidal systems, pharmaceuticals, and nanomaterials.

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.

Nitroxide-mediated polymerization is an important branch of controlled radical polymerization, which has revolutionised the preparation of polymer architectures and compositions. This is the first book dedicated to the topic and covers the history and development of nitroxide-mediated polymerization, as well as current techniques of academic and industrial interest. Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization gathers together and comprehensively discusses all aspects of nitroxide-mediated polymerization, from fundamental principles through to industrial applications. A specific focus will be dedicated to the principle of the technique, its kinetics aspects, the synthesis of the controlling agents, the range of polymerizable monomers, its potential for preparation of advanced organic and hybrid materials and its status at the industrial stage. The book details all stages of the field, with chapters detailing the history, recent developments and novel materials in this fast developing area. Edited and written by expert researchers working in the field and academia this book focuses on highlighting the kinetic aspects of nitroxide-mediated polymerization, providing insight into the kinetics that can sometimes be hard to follow in published papers. The book will be of interest to polymer chemists and materials scientists at graduate level and above.

A large amount of experimental data has been published since the debut of the original CRC Handbook of Thermodynamic Data of Aqueous Polymer Solutions. Incorporating new and updated material, the CRC Handbook of Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Data of Aqueous Polymer Solutions provides a comprehensive collection of thermodynamic data of polymer solutions. It helps readers quickly retrieve necessary information from the literature, and assists researchers in planning new measurements where data are missing. A valuable resource for the modern chemistry field, the Handbook clearly details how measurements were conducted and methodically explains the nomenclature. It presents data essential for the production and use of polymers as well as for understanding the physical behavior and intermolecular interactions in polymer solutions.

This book reviews comprehensively the opportunities and responsibilities of science, society and politics to combat plastic pollution in marine and freshwaters. It provides insights on what information is needed, and from whom, and it outlines policies proposed by various institutions including OSPAR, HELCOM and the European Union. Plastic waste has become a global threat to the aquatic environment that does not stop at country borders. Meanwhile, there are many efforts in science, industry, commerce and governments to tackle the problem worldwide. School education, NGO public actions, voluntary trade reduction measures, governmental management options and governmental regulatory actions are part of the portfolio of efforts to deal with the problem. Together with the companion volume Plastics in the Aquatic Environment - Part I: Current Status and Challenges, it provides scientists, policymakers and environmental managers with essential reference information on how this problem is being solved, what challenges and barriers are expected and how they can be overcome.

Reinforced rubber allows the production of passenger car tires with improved rolling resistance and wet grip. This book provides in-depth coverage of the physics behind elastomer reinforcement, with a particular focus on the modification of polymer properties using active fillers such as carbon black and silica. The authors build a firm theoretical base through a detailed discussion of the physics of polymer chains and matrices before moving on to describe reinforcing fillers and their applications in the improvement of the mechanical properties of high-performance rubber materials. Reinforcement is explored on all relevant length scales, from molecular to macroscopic, using a variety of methods ranging from statistical physics and computer simulations to experimental techniques. Presenting numerous technological applications of reinforcement in rubber such as tire tread compounds, this book is ideal for academic researchers and professionals working in polymer science.

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."