Lignin is one of the most abundant plant-derived feedstock on earth and qualifies as a renewable material. However, lignin is widely recognized as waste byproduct of the cellulosic ethanol and pulp and paper industry. How to properly modify lignin and develop it into functional polymers is a huge challenge, but an attractive research topic in both industry and academia.This book brings together leading engineering approaches to address the challenges of lignin valorization. It presents the chemistry and properties of different types of lignin, and explores the cutting-edge approaches of lignin modifications. Unlike any existing texts, this book not only summarizes the traditional ways of using lignin, but also presents various potential applications of lignin materials together with advanced processing techniques.The basis of lignin (its chemistry, types and properties) is described, as are different approaches to modify it. The features of lignin and its copolymers are explored and aligned with their potential applications. In addition to the carbon materials from lignin, the advanced fabrication approaches to engineer lignin-based micro/nano-structural materials are summarized.

Polymers are one of the most versatile and important materials used for capsule preparation despite various others available. Suitably formulated capsules can securely protect ingredients, deliver them to targeted sites, and release them expeditiously, improving functions and minimizing adverse effects. New polymers are constantly being explored to develop more efficient capsules as they are routinely used in pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products, nutrients, and food. This book focuses on the current state of the art of polymer-based capsules and delivery systems. It describes the formulation processes of capsules developed from redox-responsive polymers and polymer-functionalized carbon nanotubes, in addition to shedding light on coacervation of polymers for encapsulation. It reviews different active ingredients that can be used with polymer capsules in various products, encapsulation of essential oils using such capsules, and development of polymer capsules of cells and bacteriophages.

This book presents the research involving in situ gelling polymers and can be used as a guidebook for academics, industrialists and postgraduates interested in this area. This work summaries the academic contributions from the top authorities in the field and explore the fundamental principles of in situ gelling polymeric networks, along with examples of their major applications. This book aims to provide an up-to-date resource of in situ gelling polymer research.

This book presents the research involving in situ gelling polymers and can be used as a guidebook for academics, industrialists and postgraduates interested in this area. This work summaries the academic contributions from the top authorities in the field and explore the fundamental principles of in situ gelling polymeric networks, along with examples of their major applications. This book aims to provide an up-to-date resource of in situ gelling polymer research.

Biodegradable thermogels are a promising class of stimuli-responsive polymers. This book summarizes recent developments in thermogel research with a focus on synthesis and self-assembly mechanisms, gel biodegradability, and applications for drug delivery, cell encapsulation and tissue engineering. A closing chapter on commercialisation shows the challenges faced bringing this new material to market. Edited by leading authorities on the subject, this book offers a comprehensive overview for academics and professionals across polymer science, materials science and biomedical and chemical engineering.

All aspects of the personal care industry will be comprehensively discussed in Polymers for Personal Care Products and Cosmetics, including biological targets, safety issues, and the legal and regulatory aspects of this large industry. There will be a broad overview of cosmetic ingredients, vehicles and finished products as well as coverage of the main methodologies for microbiology, safety and efficacy testing. The reader will be provided with a solid background of the fundamentals of the area, before being brought up to date on the future of this field, along with discussion of the latest materials trends and future perspectives. Written by a World renowned expert in the area, the book will provide a unique look into this fast developing industry from interviews carried out with key experts in industry and academia. The advantages and disadvantages of the technologies involved in the development of these materials will be highlighted, providing a balanced and thorough review of the current state-of-the-art research. This book will appeal to researchers, academics and students working in polymer and materials chemistry, particularly those with an interest in personal care products.

This book describes the development of "smart" biomaterials based on the naturally derived poly- (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate](PHB). The first part of this book focuses on biodegradable multiblock thermoresponsive poly(ether ester urethane)s consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and PHB. The physical properties as well as applicative studies of these gels such as drug release and tissue engineering are presented. In the second part, the preparation of novel thermoresponsive micelles is presented. Using this copolymer, a thermoresponsive substrate was fabricated by drop-coating with an aqueous polymer solution, and used for the attachment and nonenzymatic temperature-induced detachment of human mesenchymal stem cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. The promising results from the studies show that these copolymers could be utilized as surface modifiers for tissue engineering applications. In summary, the synthesis of novel "smart biomaterials" and their application in the fields of drug delivery and tissue engineering are described in this book.