Functional materials have assumed a very prominent position in several high-tech areas. Such materials are not being classified on the basis of their origin, nature of bonding or processing techniques but are classified on the basis of the functions they can perform. This is a significant departure from the earlier schemes in which materials were described as metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, glass materials etc. Several new processing techniques have also evolved in the recent past. Because of the diversity of materials and their functions it has become extremely difficult to obtain information from single source. Functional Materials: Preparation, Processing and Applications provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments. - Serves as a ready reference for Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science researchers by covering a wide range of functional materials in one book - Aids in the design of new materials by emphasizing structure or microstructure – property correlation - Covers the processing of functional materials in detail, which helps in conceptualizing the applications of them

This book presents modern trends that regard the utilization of advanced functional materials for the development of innovative pharmaceuticals. Such materials include classes of lipids, polymers, proteins, and peptides, as well as inorganic materials, which find application in nanomedicinal products, drug delivery systems, medical devices, biotechnological products, and several other technologies. These products are promising for the therapy and diagnosis of diseases. Special attention is given to the available analytical techniques utilized for the evaluation of materials, their interactions, and their properties as well as the functionality of the final pharmaceutical forms. In addition, scale-up opportunities and limitations of nanomaterials and the current and emerging challenges in their clinical translation, with reference to relative regulatory aspects, are discussed. The book covers the latest advances in functional materials for biomedical applications and will serve as a guide for the industry and aid future research. It will be useful for upper undergraduate students and graduate students, young researchers (in the fields of pharmaceutics and materials sciences), scientists who want to enrich their knowledge on advanced drug delivery nanocarriers and their applications, researchers in the Big Pharma and readers who want to learn more about the role of nanoscience in the design and development of nanomedicines.

This book describes the latest research on nanopolysaccharides in the development of functional materials, from their preparation, properties and functional modifications to the architecture of diverse functional materials. Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles, including nanocellulose, nanochitin, and nanostarch have attracted interest in the field of nanoscience, nanotechnology, and materials science that encompasses various industrial sectors, such as biomedicine, catalyst, coating, energy, optical materials, environmental materials, construction materials, and antibacterial materials. This book establishes a fundamental framework, highlighting the architecture strategies of typical functional systems based on nanopolysaccharides and integrated analysis of their significant influence and properties to various functional behaviors of materials, to help readers to fully understand the fundamental features of nanopolysaccharides and functional materials. Addressing the potential for practical applications, the book also covers the related industrial interests and reports on highly valued products from nanopolysaccharides, providing ideas for future studies in the area. Intended both for academics and professionals who are interested in nanopolysaccharides, it is also a valuable resource for postgraduate students, researchers, and engineers involved in R&D of natural polymers, nanotechnology, and functional materials.

Functional Polysaccharides for Biomedical Applications examines the fundamentals and properties of these natural materials and their potential biomedical applications. With an emphasis on therapeutic and sensing applications, the book also reviews how polysaccharides can be modified for tissue engineering applications. Sections discuss the basics of polysaccharides, give an overview of the potential applications, look at novel materials and technologies for use in tissue regeneration and therapeutics, and detail current biomedical applications. With a strong focus on materials, engineering and applications, this book is a valuable resource for those with an interest in harnessing the biomedical potential of natural polymers. - Describes strategies for developing polysaccharides-based biomedical devices - Illustrates concepts and encompasses scope for clinical development - Provides advanced and comprehensive information on biomedical constructs

Thanks to their unique properties, chitosan and chitosan-based materials have numerous applications in the field of biomedicine, especially in drug delivery. This book examines biomedical applications of functional chitosan, exploring the various functions and applications in the development of chitosan-based biomaterials. It also describes the chemical structure of chitosan and discusses the relationship between their structure and functions, providing a theoretical basis for the design of biomaterials. Lastly, it reviews chemically modified and composite materials of chitin and chitosan derivatives for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, nanomedicine, drug delivery, and gene delivery.

Lignin-based Materials for Biomedical Applications: Preparation, Characterization, and Implementation explores the emerging area of lignin-based materials as a platform for advanced biomedical applications, guiding the reader from source through to implementation. The first part of the book introduces the basics of lignin, including extraction methods, chemical modifications, structure and composition, and properties that make lignin suitable for biomedical applications. In addition, structural characterization techniques are described in detail. The next chapters focus on the preparation of lignin-based materials for biomedical applications, presenting methodologies for lignin-based nanoparticles, hydrogels, aerogels, and nanofibers, and providing in-depth coverage of lignin-based materials with specific properties—including antioxidant properties, UV absorbing capability, antimicrobial properties, and colloidal particles with tailored properties—and applications, such as drug and gene delivery, and tissue engineering. Finally, future perspectives and possible new applications are considered. This is an essential reference for all those with an interest in lignin-based materials and their biomedical applications, including researchers and advanced students across bio-based polymers, polymer science, polymer chemistry, biomaterials, nanotechnology, materials science and engineering, drug delivery, and biomedical engineering, as well as industrial R&D and scientists involved with bio-based polymers, specifically for biomedical applications. - Unlocks the potential of lignin-based materials with advanced properties for cutting-edge applications in areas such as drug delivery, gene delivery and tissue engineering - Presents state-of-the-art methodologies used in the development of lignin-based nanoparticles, hydrogels, aerogels and nanofibers - Explains the fundamentals of lignin, including structure and composition, extraction and isolation methods, types and properties, chemical modifications, and characterization techniques

With its content taken from only the very latest results, this is an extensive summary of the various polymeric materials used for biomedical applications. Following an introduction listing various functional polymers, including conductive, biocompatible and conjugated polymers, the book goes on to discuss different synthetic polymers that can be used, for example, as hydrogels, biochemical sensors, functional surfaces, and natural degradable materials. Throughout, the focus is on applications, with worked examples for training purposes as well as case studies included. The whole is rounded off with a look at future trends.

"Functional Materials textbook is not simply a review of the vast body of literature of the recent years, as it holds the focus upon various aspects of application. Moreover, it selects only a few topics in favor of a solid and thorough treatment of the relevant aspects. This book comes in a good time, when a large body of academic literature has been accumulated and is waiting for a critical inspection in the light of the real demands of application." Professor Gerhard Wegner, Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany The chapters cover three important fields in the development of functional materials: energy, environment, and biomedical applications. These topics are explained and discussed from both an experimental and a theoretical perspective. Functional organic and inorganic materials are at the center of most technological breakthroughs. Therefore, the understanding of material properties is fundamental to the development of novel functionalities and applications.

Hydrogels are networks of polymer chains which can produce a colloidal gel containing over 99 per cent water. The superabsorbency and permeability of naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogels give this class of materials an amazing array of uses. These uses range from wound dressings and skin grafts to oxygen-permeable contact lenses to biodegradable delivery systems for drugs or pesticides and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Biomedical Applications of Hydrogels Handbook provides a comprehensive description of this diverse class of materials, covering both synthesis and properties and a broad range of research and commercial applications. The Handbook is divided into four sections: Stimuli-Sensitive Hydrogels, Hydrogels for Drug Delivery, Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering, and Hydrogels with Unique Properties. Key Features: Provides comprehensive coverage of the basic science and applications of a diverse class of materials Includes both naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogels Edited and written by world leaders in the field.

MATERIALS FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING A comprehensive yet accessible introductory textbook designed for one-semester courses in biomaterials Biomaterials are used throughout the biomedical industry in a range of applications, from cardiovascular devices and medical and dental implants to regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cancer treatment. Materials for Biomedical Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications provides an up-to-date introduction to biomaterials, their interaction with cells and tissues, and their use in both conventional and emerging areas of biomedicine. Requiring no previous background in the subject, this student-friendly textbook covers the basic concepts and principles of materials science, the classes of materials used as biomaterials, the degradation of biomaterials in the biological environment, biocompatibility phenomena, and the major applications of biomaterials in medicine and dentistry. Throughout the text, easy-to-digest chapters address key topics such as the atomic structure, bonding, and properties of biomaterials, natural and synthetic polymers, immune responses to biomaterials, implant-associated infections, biomaterials in hard and soft tissue repair, tissue engineering and drug delivery, and more. Offers accessible chapters with clear explanatory text, tables and figures, and high-quality illustrations Describes how the fundamentals of biomaterials are applied in a variety of biomedical applications Features a thorough overview of the history, properties, and applications of biomaterials Includes numerous homework, review, and examination problems, full references, and further reading suggestions Materials for Biomedical Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in biomedical materials science courses, and a valuable resource for medical and dental students as well as students with science and engineering backgrounds with interest in biomaterials.