Amphiphilic polymer co-networks (APCNs) are a type of polymeric hydrogel, their hydrophobic polymer segments and hydrophilic components produce less aqueous swelling, giving better mechanical properties than conventional hydrogels. This new class of polymers is attracting increasing attention, resulting in further basic research on the system, as well as new applications. This book focuses on new developments in the field of APCNs, and is organised in four sections: synthesis, properties, applications and modelling. Co-network architectures included in the book chapters are mainly those deriving from hydrophobic macro-cross-linkers, representing the classical approach; however, more modern designs are also presented. Properties of interest discussed include aqueous swelling, thermophysical and mechanical properties, self-assembly, electrical actuation, and protein adsorption. Applications described in the book chapters include the use of co-networks as soft contact lenses, scaffolds for drug delivery and tissue engineering, matrices for heterogeneous biocatalysis, and membranes of controllable permeability. Finally, an important theory chapter on the modelling of the self-assembly of APCNs is also included. The book is suitable for graduate students and researchers interested in hydrogels, polymer networks, polymer chemistry, block copolymers, self-assembly and nanomaterials, as well as their applications in contact lenses, drug delivery, tissue engineering, membranes and biocatalysis.

It is the belief of the editors of this book that the recognition of block copolymers as being amphiphilic molecules and sharing common features with other well-studied amphiphiles will prove beneficial to both the surfactant and the polymer communities. An aim of this book is to bridge the two communities and cross-fertilise the different fields. To this end, leading researchers in the field of amphiphilic block copolymer self-assembly, some having a background in surfactant chemistry, and others with polymer physics roots, have agreed to join forces and contribute to this book.The book consists of four entities. The first part discusses theoretical considerations behind the block copolymer self-assembly in solution and in the melt. The second part provides case studies of self-assembly in different classes of block copolymers (e.g., polyethers, polyelectrolytes) and in different environments (e.g., in water, in non-aqueous solvents, or in the absence of solvents). The third part presents experimental tools, ranging from static (e.g., small angle neutron scattering) to dynamic (e.g., rheology), which can prove valuable in the characterization of block copolymer self-assemblies. The fourth part offers a sampling of current applications of block copolymers in, e.g., formulations, pharmaceutics, and separations, applications which are based on the unique self-assembly properties of block copolymers.

Acrylates—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ book that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Acrylamides. The editors have built Acrylates—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Acrylamides in this book to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Acrylates—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Young Talents in Polymer Science" that was published in Polymers

Issues in Industrial, Applied, and Environmental Chemistry: 2011 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Industrial, Applied, and Environmental Chemistry. The editors have built Issues in Industrial, Applied, and Environmental Chemistry: 2011 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Industrial, Applied, and Environmental Chemistry in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Issues in Industrial, Applied, and Environmental Chemistry: 2011 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

This proceedings collected together ninety-seven selected articles on recent research works and innovations in material science and energy engineering, presented at the 2014 International Conference on Materials Science and Energy Engineering (CMSEE 2014), held in Sanya, Hainan, China during December 12 - 14, 2014.CMSEE2014 covers a wide range of fundamental studies, technical innovations and industrial applications in material science and energy engineering, and were attended by 130 participants from different countries and regions in the world including China, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Egypt and Russia, to exchange notes on latest research, and synergic in future scientific collaborations.All papers submitted were subjected to a rigorous peer-review process by at least two independent reviewers to ensure that articles selected are of highest standard and are relevance to the aims and scope of CMSEE 2014.

Issues in Chemistry and General Chemical Research: 2011 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Chemistry and General Chemical Research. The editors have built Issues in Chemistry and General Chemical Research: 2011 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Chemistry and General Chemical Research in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Issues in Chemistry and General Chemical Research: 2011 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Issues in Materials and Manufacturing Research: 2011 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Materials and Manufacturing Research. The editors have built Issues in Materials and Manufacturing Research: 2011 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Materials and Manufacturing Research in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Issues in Materials and Manufacturing Research: 2011 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

Explore this one-stop resource for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization from a leading voice in chemistry RAFT Polymerization: Methods, Synthesis and Applications delivers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) and its applications to fields as diverse as material science, industrial chemistry, and medicine. This one-stop resource offers readers a detailed synopsis of the current state of RAFT polymerization. This text will inspire further research and continue the drive to an ever-increasing range of applications by synthesizing and explaining the more central existing literature on RAFT polymerization. It contains a beginner’s guide on how to do a RAFT polymerization before moving on to much more advanced techniques and concepts, like the kinetics and mechanisms of the RAFT process. The distinguished editors have also included resources covering the four major classes of RAFT agents and recent developments in processes for initiating RAFT polymerization. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to the mechanisms, theory, and mathematical modeling of RAFT Explorations of RAFT agent design and synthesis, dithioesters, dithiobenzoates, trithiocarbonates, xanthates, dithiocarbamates, macromonomer RAFT, and RAFT copolymerization Discussions of a variety of RAFT architectures, including multiblocks, combs, hyperbranched polymers, and stars Treatments of end group transformation, cationic RAFT, high-throughput RAFT, and RAFT in continuous flow An examination of sequence defined polymers by RAFT Perfect for organic chemists, polymer chemists, and materials scientists, RAFT Polymerization: Methods, Synthesis and Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of chemical engineers seeking a one-stop reference for this method of controlled radical polymerization with a wide range of applications in multiple areas.

A gel is a state of matter that consists of a three-dimensional cross-linked polymer network and a large amount of solvent. Because of their structural characteristics, gels play important roles in science and technology. The science of gels has attracted much attention since the discovery of the volume phase transition by Professor Toyoichi Tanala at MIT in 1978. MDPI planned to publish a Special Issue in Gels to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this discovery, which received submissions of 13 original papers and one review from various areas of science. We believe that readers will find this Special Issue informative as to the recent advancements of gel research and the broad background of gel science.