The use of polymer composites in various engineering applications has become state of the art. This multi-author volume provides a useful summary of updated knowledge on polymer composites in general, practically integrating experimental studies, theoretical analyses and computational modeling at different scales, i. e. , from nano- to macroscale. Detailed consideration is given to four major areas: structure and properties of polymer nanocomposites, characterization and modeling, processing and application of macrocomposites, and mechanical performance of macrocomposites. The idea to organize this volume arose from a very impressive workshop - The First International Workshop on Polymers and Composites at IVW Kaiserslautern: Invited Humboldt-Fellows and Distinguished Scientists, which was held on May 22-24,2003 at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. The contributing authors were invited to incorporate updated knowledge and developments into their individual chapters within a year after the workshop, which finally led to these excellent contributions. The success of this workshop was mainly sponsored by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation through a Sofia Kovalevskaja Award Program, financed by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research within the "Investment in the Future Program" of the German Government. In 2001, the Humboldt Foundation launched this new award program in order to offer outstanding young researchers throughout the world an opportunity to establish their own work-groups and to develop innovative research concepts virtually in Germany. One of the editors, Z.

This book focuses on important aspects of materials chemistry by providing an overview of the theoretical aspects of materials chemistry, by describing the characterization and analysis methods for materials, and by explaining physical transport mechanisms in various materials. Not only does this book summarize the classical theories of materials chemistry, but also it exhibits their engineering applications in response to the current key issues. The chapters provide practical equations, figures, and references, providing suitable complement to the text. This book is designed to provide important information for scientists and engineers on experimental research in materials chemistry using modern methods. The methods and instrumentation described represent modern analytical techniques useful to researchers, product development specialists, and quality control experts in polymer synthesis and manufacturing.

Composites have many engineering advantages over traditional materials, including increased strength, lightness, chemical resistance, and more, making them ideal for use in high performance components in a range of applications from aerospace to construction, and medicine to consumer goods. However, the use of composites also drastically increases material and processing costs.

Multi-functionality combines multiple properties - such as thermal stability or electrical conductivity - into a single material to make it suitable for use in applications for which normally two or more materials would be required. By embedding a material with lightweight circuitry, for example, you can eliminate support chassis, enclosures, brackets and insulation materials not only saving weight and volume, but eliminating design and production costs for every part no longer needed.

Multi-functionality also allows for smart materials, including self-healing material, shape-memory polymers and piezoelectric materials.

Bringing together contributions from experts in the field of multifunctionality, this book presents the state-of-the-art in this exciting and rapidly developing field. It enables engineers and materials scientists to achieve multi-functionality in their own products, using different types of polymer matrices and various nano- and micro-sized fillers and reinforcements, including but not limited to carbon nanotubes and graphene.

The latest developments in a wide range of applications, including automotive/aerospace, electronics, construction and medicine are covered, and future trends are also discussed, making this book an essential reference for any researcher or engineer hoping to stay ahead of the curve in this high-potential area
Increase capability and efficiency by integrating new functionality into composite components
Save mass, volume and costs by replacing multiple existing parts with one multifunctional material.
Expert insight into the effects of different fillers and reinforcements, to achieve exciting new combinations of material properties."

This book focuses on important aspects of materials chemistry by providing an overview of the theoretical aspects of materials chemistry, by describing the characterization and analysis methods for materials, and by explaining physical transport mechanisms in various materials. Not only does this book summarize the classical theories of materials chemistry, but also it exhibits their engineering applications in response to the current key issues. The chapters provide practical equations, figures, and references, providing suitable complement to the text. This book is designed to provide important information for scientists and engineers on experimental research in materials chemistry using modern methods. The methods and instrumentation described represent modern analytical techniques useful to researchers, product development specialists, and quality control experts in polymer synthesis and manufacturing.

The use of polymer composites in various engineering applications has become state of the art. This multi-author volume provides a useful summary of updated knowledge on polymer composites in general, practically integrating experimental studies, theoretical analyses and computational modeling at different scales, i. e. , from nano- to macroscale. Detailed consideration is given to four major areas: structure and properties of polymer nanocomposites, characterization and modeling, processing and application of macrocomposites, and mechanical performance of macrocomposites. The idea to organize this volume arose from a very impressive workshop - The First International Workshop on Polymers and Composites at IVW Kaiserslautern: Invited Humboldt-Fellows and Distinguished Scientists, which was held on May 22-24,2003 at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. The contributing authors were invited to incorporate updated knowledge and developments into their individual chapters within a year after the workshop, which finally led to these excellent contributions. The success of this workshop was mainly sponsored by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation through a Sofia Kovalevskaja Award Program, financed by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research within the "Investment in the Future Program" of the German Government. In 2001, the Humboldt Foundation launched this new award program in order to offer outstanding young researchers throughout the world an opportunity to establish their own work-groups and to develop innovative research concepts virtually in Germany. One of the editors, Z.

Tribology of Polymer Composites: Characterization, Properties, and Applications provides an exhaustive overview of the latest research, trends, applications and future directions of the tribology of polymer composites. Covering novel methods for the synthesis of polymer composites and their properties, the book starts by reviewing the fabrication techniques, wear and frictional properties of polymer composite materials. From there, it features chapters looking at the tribological behavior and properties of specific polymer composite materials such as synthetic fiber-reinforced, cellulose fiber-reinforced, wood fiber, synthetic fiber, mineral fiber-reinforced, and thermosetting composites. Final chapters cover the tribology of polymer nanocomposites and particulate polymer composites and their metal coatings. Applied examples spanning a wide range of industries are emphasized in each chapter.

Tribology of Polymeric Nanocomposites provides a comprehensive description of polymeric nanocomposites, both as bulk materials and as thin surface coatings, and provides rare, focused coverage of their tribological behavior and potential use in tribological applications.

Providing engineers and designers with the preparation techniques, friction and wear mechanisms, property information and evaluation methodology needed to select the right polymeric nanocomposites for the job, this unique book also includes valuable real-world examples of polymeric nanocomposites in action in tribological applications.
Provides a complete reference to polmer nanocomposite material use in tribology from preparation through to selection and use.Explains the theory through examples of real-world applications, keeping this high-level topic practical and accessible.Includes contributions from more than 20 international tribology experts to offer broad yet detailed coverage of this fast-moving field.

Die Dynamik des Alterns moderner Gesellschaften erfahrt inzwischen als demographi- sches Phanomen und sozialpolitische Herausforderung breite Aufmerksamkeit. Vor die- sem Hintergrund uberrascht es, dass die raumlichen Bezuge jenes Prozesses bislang selbst aus Sicht der Raumwissenschaften nur am Rande aufgegriffen wurden. Das Er- kenntnisinteresse dieser sozial- und bevoelkerungsgeographischen Arbeit ist deshalb vor- rangig auf die Wechselwirkungen der Bezuge zwischen Personen und deren Umwelten im hoeheren Erwachsenenalter in ihrer Vielschichtigkeit, Komplexitat und Konkretheit gerichtet. Angesichts der Mehrdimensionalitat des Alternsprozesses und des fruhen Sta- diums raumbezogener Alternsforschung werden neben gegebenen Antworten auch viele Fragen aufgeworfen. Dies sollte Anlass sein, kunftig das interdisziplinare wissenschaft- liche Bemuhen zur Erklarung raumgebundener Alternsprozesse in den konkreten All- tagsumwelten zu intensivieren. Die Untersuchung wurde 1991 unter dem Titel "Raumbezogene Bedingungen und Perspektiven des demographischen Alternsprozesses in postindustriellen Gesellschaften" vom Fachbereich Geowissenschaften und Geographie der TH Darrnstadt als Habilitati- onsschrift angenommen. Ihre Durchfuhrung ware ohne die Mithilfe Vieler nicht moeglich gewesen. Hier koennen nicht alle im damaligen Vorwort genannten Forscher, Planer, In- terviewer und Betroffenen erneut namentlich angefuhrt werden, die das Vorhaben durch Information, Datenbeschaffung, Auswertung und Diskussion unterstutzten. Deshalb sei nochmals stellvertretend fur alle den kalifornischen und sudhessischen Befragten ebenso herzlich gedankt wie Christiane Huckelheim und Ulrike Simons fur ihr aussergewoehn- liches Engagement bei der Datenverarbeitung und kartographischen Ausfuhrung.

Es ist die Sehnsucht nach geschutzten Orten, die in diesen neun Gedichten von Klaus F. Stetter zu finden ist: sei es die Geborgenheit in der Familie oder die Geborgenheit in der Stille des inneren Selbst, das sich gegenuber einer lauten, modernen Welt abschottet. Neun Gedichte, die auch formal an eine ruhigere, stillere Form der Existenz erinnern, die in unserer Zeit nur noch selten anzutreffen ist.

The collapse of the Argentine economy in 2001, involving the extraordinary default on $150 billion in debt, has been blamed variously on the failure of neoliberal policies or on the failure of the Argentine government to pursue those policies vigorously enough during the 1990s. But this is too myopic a view, Klaus Veigel contends, to provide a fully satisfactory explanation of how a country enjoying one of the highest standards of living at the end of the nineteenth century became a virtual economic basket case by the end of the twentieth. Veigel asks us to take the long view of Argentina's efforts to re-create the conditions for stability and consensus that had brought such great success during the country's first experience with globalization a century ago.

The experience of war and depression in the late 1930s and early 1940s had discredited the earlier reliance on economic liberalism. In its place came a turn toward a corporatist system of interest representation and state-led, inward-oriented economic policies. But as major changes in the world economy heralded a new era of globalization in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the corporatist system broke down, and no social class or economic interest group was strong enough to create a new social consensus with respect to Argentina's economic order and role in the world economy. The result was political paralysis leading to economic stagnation as both civilian and military governments oscillated between protectionism and liberalization in their economic policies, which finally brought the country to its nadir in 2001.