This book gives an overview of recent advances in the science and technology of polymeric and organic materials. Speciality polymers and novel polymeric catalysts have been objects of intense research during the last decade; they have had great influence in the chemical industry and have spawned a variety of new application areas. At the same time, novel investigative methods such as atomic force microscopy and computer simulation have provided new insight into some of the fundamental principles of polymer science. In a systematic and comprehensive manner, each chapter of this book gives a self-contained review of a particular aspect of recent progress. This book is the first attempt to provide a background perspective to the research field of polymeric and organic materials and it will be of great value to both professional researchers and postgraduate students.

Covering current advances in the science and technology of polymeric and organic materials, each chapter is a self-contained review of progress, and particular emphasis has been placed on obtaining an overall understanding of the state of the art in each area. This is the first book to provide a background perspective on this field of research, and is suitable for both professional researchers and postgraduate students.