This volume covers experimental and theoretical advances on the relationship between composition, structure and macroscopic mechanical properties of novel hydrogels containing dynamic bonds. The chapters of this volume focus on the control of the mechanical properties of several recently discovered gels with the design of monomer composition, chain architecture, type of crosslinking or internal structure. The gels discussed in the different chapters have in common the capability to dissipate energy upon deformation, a desired property for mechanical toughness, while retaining the ability to recover the properties of the virgin material over time or to self-heal when put back in contact after fracture. Some chapters focus on the synthesis and structural aspects while others focus on properties or modelling at the continuum or mesoscopic scale. The volume will be of interest to chemists and material scientists by providing guidelines and general structure-property considerations to synthesize and develop innovative gels tuned for applications. In addition it will provide physicists with a better understanding of the role of weak interactions between molecules and physical crosslinking on macroscopic dissipative properties and self-healing or self-recovering properties.

A Brief History of Polymeric Cryogels Vladmir I. Lozinsky Basic Principles of Cryotropic Gelation Vladimir I. Lozinsky, Oguz Okay Synthesis, Structure-Property Relationships of Cryogels Oguz Okay, Vladimir I. Lozinsky Kinetic Analysis of Cryotropic Gelation of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/water Solutions by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Claudio De Rosa, Finizia Auriemma, Rocco Di Girolamo Cryogels via UV Irradiation Technique Petar D. Petrov, Christo B. Tsvetanov Inorganic Cryogels Oleg A. Shlyakhtin Cryogels for Biotechnological Applications Bo Mattiasson Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cryogels for Biomedical Applications Wankei Wan, A. Dawn Bannerman, Lifang Yang, Helium Mak.

The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science. The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics. Advances in Polymer Science enjoy a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned. Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students.

This volume covers experimental and theoretical advances on the relationship between composition, structure and macroscopic mechanical properties of novel hydrogels containing dynamic bonds. The chapters of this volume focus on the control of the mechanical properties of several recently discovered gels with the design of monomer composition, chain architecture, type of crosslinking or internal structure. The gels discussed in the different chapters have in common the capability to dissipate energy upon deformation, a desired property for mechanical toughness, while retaining the ability to recover the properties of the virgin material over time or to self-heal when put back in contact after fracture. Some chapters focus on the synthesis and structural aspects while others focus on properties or modelling at the continuum or mesoscopic scale. The volume will be of interest to chemists and material scientists by providing guidelines and general structure-property considerations to synthesize and develop innovative gels tuned for applications. In addition it will provide physicists with a better understanding of the role of weak interactions between molecules and physical crosslinking on macroscopic dissipative properties and self-healing or self-recovering properties.

The series Advances in Polymer Science presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in polymer and biopolymer science. It covers all areas of research in polymer and biopolymer science including chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, material science. The thematic volumes are addressed to scientists, whether at universities or in industry, who wish to keep abreast of the important advances in the covered topics. Advances in Polymer Science enjoy a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Single contributions can be specially commissioned. Readership: Polymer scientists, or scientists in related fields interested in polymer and biopolymer science, at universities or in industry, graduate students.

A Brief History of Polymeric Cryogels Vladmir I. Lozinsky Basic Principles of Cryotropic Gelation Vladimir I. Lozinsky, Oguz Okay Synthesis, Structure-Property Relationships of Cryogels Oguz Okay, Vladimir I. Lozinsky Kinetic Analysis of Cryotropic Gelation of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/water Solutions by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Claudio De Rosa, Finizia Auriemma, Rocco Di Girolamo Cryogels via UV Irradiation Technique Petar D. Petrov, Christo B. Tsvetanov Inorganic Cryogels Oleg A. Shlyakhtin Cryogels for Biotechnological Applications Bo Mattiasson Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cryogels for Biomedical Applications Wankei Wan, A. Dawn Bannerman, Lifang Yang, Helium Mak.