Fundamental Biomaterials: Polymers provides current information on findings and developments of biopolymers and their conversion from base materials to medical devices. Chapters analyze the types of polymers and discuss a range of biomedical applications. It is the first title in a three volume set, with each reviewing the most important and commonly used classes of biomaterials and providing comprehensive information on classification, materials properties, behavior, biocompatibility and applications. The book concludes with essential information on wear, lifetime prediction and cytotoxicity of biomaterials. This title will be of use to researchers and professionals in development stages, but will also help medical researchers understand and effectively communicate the requirements of a biomaterial for a specific application. Further, with the recent introduction of a number of interdisciplinary bio-related undergraduate and graduate programs, this book will be an appropriate reference volume for large number of students at undergraduate and post graduate levels. - Provides current information on findings and developments of biopolymers and their conversion from base materials to medical devices - Includes analyses of the types of polymers and a discussion of a range of biomedical applications - Presents essential information on wear, lifetime prediction and cytotoxicity of biomaterials - Explores both theoretical and practical aspects of polymers in biomaterials

Biopolymers are attracting immense attention of late because of their diverse applications that can address growing environmental concerns and energy demands. The development of various biomaterials creates significant advancements in the medical field as well, and many biopolymers are used for the fabrication of biomaterials. Together, biopolymers and biomaterials create great potential for new materials, applications, and uses. This new volume, Biopolymers and Biomaterials, covers the science and application of biopolymers and biomaterials. It presents an array of different studies on biopolymers and biomaterials, along with their results, interpretation, and the conclusions arrived at through investigations. It includes biopolymer synthesis, their characterizations, and their potential applications. The book begins with an explanation of the different biopolymers used in the textile industry, their advantages and disadvantages, and their applications.

Natural Polymers, Biopolymers, Biomaterials, and Their Composites, Blends, and IPNs focuses on the recent advances in natural polymers, biopolymers, biomaterials, and their composites, blends, and IPNs. Biobased polymer blends and composites occupy a unique position in the dynamic world of new biomaterials. The growing need for lubricious coatings and surfaces in medical devices—an outcome of the move from invasive to noninvasive medicines/procedures—is playing a major role in the advancement of biomaterials technology. Natural polymers have attained their cutting-edge technology through various platforms, yet there is a lot of novel information about them that is discussed in the book. This important work covers topics such as chitosan composites for biomedical applications and wastewater treatment, coal biotechnology, biomedical and related applications of second generation polyamidoamines, silk fibers, PEG hydrogels, bamboo fiber reinforced PE composites, jute/polyester composites, magnetic biofoams, and many other interesting aspects of importance to polymer research today.

Polymers are important and attractive biomaterials for researchers and clinical applications due to the ease of tailoring their chemical, physical and biological properties for target devices. Due to this versatility they are rapidly replacing other classes of biomaterials such as ceramics or metals. As a result, the demand for biomedical polymers has grown exponentially and supports a diverse and highly monetized research community. Currently worth $1.2bn in 2009 (up from $650m in 2000), biomedical polymers are expected to achieve a CAGR of 9.8% until 2015, supporting a current research community of approximately 28,000+. Summarizing the main advances in biopolymer development of the last decades, this work systematically covers both the physical science and biomedical engineering of the multidisciplinary field. Coverage extends across synthesis, characterization, design consideration and biomedical applications. The work supports scientists researching the formulation of novel polymers with desirable physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties for specific targeted biomedical applications. - Combines chemistry, biology and engineering for expert and appropriate integration of design and engineering of polymeric biomaterials - Physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties alongside currently deployed clinical applications of specific biomaterials aids use as single source reference on field. - 15+ case studies provides in-depth analysis of currently used polymeric biomaterials, aiding design considerations for the future

Provides insight into biopolymers, their physicochemical properties, and their biomedical and biotechnological applications This comprehensive book is a one-stop reference for the production, modifications, and assessment of biopolymers. It highlights the technical and methodological advancements in introducing biopolymers, their study, and promoted applications. "Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications" begins with a general overview of biopolymers, properties, and biocompatibility. It then provides in-depth information in three dedicated sections: Biopolymers through Bioengineering and Biotechnology Venues; Polymeric Biomaterials with Wide Applications; and Biopolymers for Specific Applications. Chapters cover: advances in biocompatibility; advanced microbial polysaccharides; microbial cell factories for biomanufacturing of polysaccharides; exploitation of exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria; and the new biopolymer for biomedical application called nanocellulose. Advances in mucin biopolymer research are presented, along with those in the synthesis of fibrous proteins and their applications. The book looks at microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as well as natural and synthetic biopolymers in drug delivery and tissue engineering. It finishes with a chapter on the current state and applications of, and future trends in, biopolymers in regenerative medicine. * Offers a complete and thorough treatment of biopolymers from synthesis strategies and physiochemical properties to applications in industrial and medical biotechnology * Discusses the most attracted biopolymers with wide and specific applications * Takes a systematic approach to the field which allows readers to grasp and implement strategies for biomedical and biotechnological applications "Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications" appeals to biotechnologists, bioengineers, and polymer chemists, as well as to those working in the biotechnological industry and institutes.

Biopolymers are endowed with excellent attributes such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and functional versatility, which render them an edge over other polymers. Today, they find broad applications in the biomedical field and pharmaceutical world. Nanotechnology has offered tremendous opportunities to design and tailor-make biopolymers augmenting their applications further. This book presents topical articles on the synthesis and applications of biopolymers, biopolymer nanoparticles and nanocomposites. The book includes chapters on conducting polymers, vegetable oils, chitosan and cellulose based polyurethanes, polymeric hydrogels, biopolymeric nanoparticles and nanocomposites, and their applications as drug carriers and sensors in cancer therapy and others. This book would be useful for students, scholars, and scientists interested in the synthesis, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of biopolymers and their nanocomposites.

Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics are a hot issue across the Plastics industry, and for many of the industry sectors that use plastic, from packaging to medical devices and from the construction indusry to the automotive sector. This book brings together a number of key biopolymer and biodegradable plastics topics in one place for a broad audience of engineers and scientists, especially those designing with biopolymers and biodegradable plastics, or evaluating the options for switching from traditional plastics to biopolymers. Topics covered include preparation, fabrication, applications and recycling (including biodegradability and compostability). Applications in key areas such as films, coatings controlled release and tissue engineering are discussed. Dr Ebnesajjad provides readers with an in-depth reference for the plastics industry – material suppliers and processors, bio-polymer producers, bio-polymer processors and fabricators – and for industry sectors utilizing biopolymers – automotive, packaging, construction, wind turbine manufacturers, film manufacturers, adhesive and coating industries, medical device manufacturers, biomedical engineers, and the recycling industry. Essential information and practical guidance for engineers and scientists working with bioplastics, or evaluating a migration to bioplastics. Includes key published material on biopolymers, updated specifically for this Handbook, and new material including coverage of PLA and Tissue Engineering Scaffolds. Coverage of materials and applications together in one handbook enables engineers and scientists to make informed design decisions.

This book details polysaccharides and other important biomacromolecules covering their source, production, structures, properties, and current and potential application in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. It includes a systematic discussion on the general strategies of isolation, separation and characterization of polysaccharides and proteins. Subsequent chapters are devoted to polysaccharides obtained from various sources, including botanical, algal, animal and microbial. In the area of botanical polysaccharides, separate chapters are devoted to the sources, structure, properties and medical applications of cellulose and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, pectins, and exudate gums, notably gum arabic. Another chapter discusses the potential of hemicelluloses (xylans and xylan derivatives) as a new source of functional biopolymers for biomedical and industrial applications. The algal polysaccharide, alginate, has significant application in food, pharmaceuticals and the medical field, all of which are reviewed in a separate chapter. Polysaccharides of animal origin are included with separate chapters on the sources, production, biocompatibility, biodegradability and biomedical applications of chitin (chitosan) and hyaluronan. With the increasing knowledge and applications of genetic engineering there is also an introduction in the book to nucleic acid polymers, the genome research and genetic engineering. Proteins and protein conjugates are covered, with one chapter providing a general review of structural glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin, together with their role in the promotion of cell adhesion in vascular grafts, implants and tissue engineering. Another chapter discusses general aspects of a number of industrial proteins, including casein, caseinates, whey protein, gluten and soy proteins, with emphasis on their medical applications, and with reference to the potential of bacterial proteins. Another natural polymer resource, microbial polyesters, although small compared with polysaccharides and proteins, is also gaining increasing interest in biomedical technology and other industrial sectors. One chapter, therefore, is devoted to microbial polyesters, with comprehensive coverage of their biosynthesis, properties, enzymic degradation and applications. By dealing with biopolymers at the molecular level, the book is aimed at the biomedical and wider materials science communities and provides an advanced overview of biopolymers at the graduate and postgraduate level. In addition it will appeal to both academic and industrial life scientists who are involved in research and development activities in the medical and biotechnology field.

Biopolymer-Based Formulations: Biomedical and Food Applications presents the latest advances in the synthesis and characterization of advanced biopolymeric formulations and their state-of-the-art applications across biomedicine and food science. Sections cover the fundamentals, applications, future trends, environmental, ethical and medical considerations, and biopolymeric architectures that are organized in nano, micro and macro scales. The final section of the book focuses on novel applications and recent developments. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists and advanced students in biopolymer science, polymer science, polymer chemistry, polymer composites, plastics engineering, biomaterials, materials science, biomedical engineering, and more. It will also be of interest to R&D professionals, scientists and engineers across the plastics, food, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. - Provides in-depth coverage of methods for the characterization of the physical properties of biopolymeric architectures - Supports a range of novel applications, including scaffolds, implant coatings, drug delivery, and nutraceutical encapsulation systems - Includes the use of experimental data and mathematical modeling, thus enabling the reader to analyze and compare the properties of different polymeric gels

"In the search for sustainable materials, natural polymers present an attractive alternative for many applications compared to their synthetic counterparts derived from petrochemicals. The two volume set, Natural Polymers, covers the synthesis, characterisation and applications of key natural polymeric systems including their morphology, structure, dynamics and properties. Volume one focuses on natural polymer composites, including both natural and protein fibres, and volume two on natural polymer nanocomposites. The first volume examines the characterization, life cycle assessment and new sources of natural fibres and their potential as a replacement for synthetic fibres in industrial applications. It then explores the important advancements in the field of wool, silk, spidersilk and mussel byssus fibres. The second volume looks at the properties and characterization of cellulose, chitosan, furanic, starch, wool and silk nanocomposites and the potential industrial applications of natural polymer nanocomposites"-- Provided by publisher.