The book provides a unique collection of 15 contributions by 15 internationally recognized scientists performing intensive research activity on the preparation and characterization of complex and multiphase materials based on macromolecules as well as on the evaluation and simulation of structure/properties relations. The topic is assuming a general increasing importance as providing a highly sustainable and modern approach to the present and future development of the important area of materials science and technology. The scientific route along the successive contributions goes from the controlled preparation of functional MM both by innovative polymerization reactions and preformed polymers modification (intramacromolecular complexity), to their combination with other MMs and materials to give blends and composites where new properties are conveniently achieved by morphologic complexity. The synergic behaviour of the different components in these last is obtained by reactive processing producing the necessary interfacial adhesion. Even if most examples deal with man-made MMs, biopolymers are also included. The various chapters provide in most cases an exhaustive fundamental description assisted by an up- to-date and broad list of relevant references The book is therefore an excellent informative and formative instrument for those involved in complex materials preparation and application in research and industry.

There are a number of methods used to synthetically prepare biopolymers, their models, and bioanalogous polymers. This work approaches the syntheses of the three major groups of biopolymers existing in nature - polypeptides, polysaccharides, and nucleic and teichoic acids - by ring-opening polymerization. Until now, this method has never been reviewed uniformly for these three groups. The majority of models prepared by ring-opening polymerization can not reach the complexity of the actual biological molecules. However, a better understanding of these biopolymers will aid in the use of such molecules in several fields of application in research and other high technologies, where they mimic functions of related biopolymers in living organisms.

The book provides a unique collection of 15 contributions by 15 internationally recognized scientists performing intensive research activity on the preparation and characterization of complex and multiphase materials based on macromolecules as well as on the evaluation and simulation of structure/properties relations. The topic is assuming a general increasing importance as providing a highly sustainable and modern approach to the present and future development of the important area of materials science and technology. The scientific route along the successive contributions goes from the controlled preparation of functional MM both by innovative polymerization reactions and preformed polymers modification (intramacromolecular complexity), to their combination with other MMs and materials to give blends and composites where new properties are conveniently achieved by morphologic complexity. The synergic behaviour of the different components in these last is obtained by reactive processing producing the necessary interfacial adhesion. Even if most examples deal with man-made MMs, biopolymers are also included. The various chapters provide in most cases an exhaustive fundamental description assisted by an up- to-date and broad list of relevant references The book is therefore an excellent informative and formative instrument for those involved in complex materials preparation and application in research and industry.