Algae Based Polymers, Blends, and Composites: Chemistry, Biotechnology and Material Sciences offers considerable detail on the origin of algae, extraction of useful metabolites and major compounds from algal bio-mass, and the production and future prospects of sustainable polymers derived from algae, blends of algae, and algae based composites. Characterization methods and processing techniques for algae-based polymers and composites are discussed in detail, enabling researchers to apply the latest techniques to their own work. The conversion of bio-mass into high value chemicals, energy, and materials has ample financial and ecological importance, particularly in the era of declining petroleum reserves and global warming. Algae are an important source of biomass since they flourish rapidly and can be cultivated almost everywhere. At present the majority of naturally produced algal biomass is an unused resource and normally is left to decompose. Similarly, the use of this enormous underexploited biomass is mainly limited to food consumption and as bio-fertilizer. However, there is an opportunity here for materials scientists to explore its potential as a feedstock for the production of sustainable materials.

Several limitations associated with the conventional diagnostic approach, demands newer methods of evaluation of complicated nasal physiology and prediction of surgical interventions, made necessary on account of defects and diseases associated with the nasal cavity. This book presents the use of a technique based on functional imaging and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in generating useful data that can be used to determine and diagnose the upper airways condition. This study has the potential to revolutionize the field of medical diagnosis and can provide deeper insight and understanding of nasal anomalies. CFD along with conventional objective measurement devices can be effectively utilized to study the occurrence of revision surgeries. Such a step can be considered as a milestone and the beneficiaries would be the human subjects who would not be subjected to intuition based surgeries any more. This field of 'virtual surgery' can be deemed as the future of medical science in days to come. This book explores the possibility of regularizing the use of CFD as a diagnostic and decision making tool in treatment planning and decision making.