2. NANOPARTICLES IN A POLYMERIC MATRIX 346 2. 1 Classical Methods to Prepare Nanocomposites 348 2. 2 Other Methods to Prepare Nanocomposite Materials 350 3. NANOCOMPOSITES WITH NATURAL POLYMERS 351 3. 1 Materials and Processes 352 3. 2 Nanocomposites for Bioplastic Applications 353 3. 2. 1 Clay Modification 354 3. 2. 2 Processing 354 3. 2. 3 Analysis 355 3. 2. 4 Manufacturing and Properties of Thin Films 355 3. 2. 5 Conclusions 357 4. BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS 358 4. 1 Chitosan as a Matrix for Biomedical Applications 358 4. 2 Chitosan-Clay Nanocomposites 359 4. 3 Nanocomposites Based on Hydroxyapatite 360 5. SUMMARY 362 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 363 REFERENCES 363 Index 365 Contributing Authors Author Affiliation Chapter P. Aldred Christian Doppler Laboratory, Dornbirn, Austria 9 A. Bockarie PhiladelphiaUniversity, School of Science & Health 5 T. Bunik Philadelphia University, School of Science & Health 5 S. 1. Eichhorn 16 Univ. of Manchester, Manchester Materials Sci. Ctr. D. Eichinger Lenzing AG, Austria, Marketing Department 9 E. Evazynajad PhiladelphiaUniv. , School of Textiles & Mater. Tech. 5 S. Fischer Eindhoven Univ. of Technology, TNO Industrial Tech. 19 H. Firgo Lenzing AG, Research & Development Department 9 E. FroIIini Univ. ofSiio Paulo, Chemical Institure of Sao Carlos 12 T. Fujii Doshisha University, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering 17 B. R. George Philadelphia Univ. , School of Textiles& Mater. Tech. 5 A. Guo Pittsburg State Univ. , Kansas Polymer Research Ctr. 11 S. lavasundera U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Res.