This book summarizes the state ofthe art research presented at the Fourth International Conference on Frontiers of Polymersand Advanced Materialsheld in Cairo, Egypt in January 4-9, 1997. This conference follows the successful conferences held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1995, in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1993 andin New Delhi, India in 1991. These conferences focussed on the most recent and important advances in a wide range of carefully chosen subject areas dealing with advanced materials, their science and technology and new business opportunities resulting from recent technological advances. As its predecessors, the conference held in Cairo was truly international with strong participation of 488 deiegales representing 37 countries from the USA and Egypt, as weil as Europe, South East Asia, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East. The conference was organized by the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, The Arab Society ofMaterials Science and the State University ofNew Y ork at Butfalo. The stated goals ofthe conference were: • To highlight advances and new. findings in the general area of polymers and advanced materials. - • T o foster global collaboration between the USA, Egypt and other nations in the general field of polymers and advanced materials. • To promote the development of scientific ilifrastructure in this field among the different participating countries, especially in the Middle East. • To create a basisforfuture long-term scientific exchanges between the USA and Egypt, and/or other countries.

Increasing interest in lightweight and high-performance materials is leading to significant research activity in the area of polymers and composites. One recent focus is to develop multifunctional materials that have more than one property tailored as to the specified design requirements, in addition to achieving low density. The possibility of simultaneously tailoring several desired properties is attractive but very challenging, and it requires significant advancement in the science and technology of high-performance functional polymers and composites. This volume presents a selection of new approaches in the field of composites and nanomaterials, polymer synthesis and applications, and materials and their properties. Some composites/nanocomposites and interfaces are explored as well, some with medical applications. The authors also look at simulations and modeling, synthesis involving photochemistry, self-assembled hydrogels, and sol-gel processing.

Increasing interest in lightweight and high-performance materials is leading to significant research activity in the area of polymers and composites. One recent focus is to develop multifunctional materials that have more than one property tailored as to the specified design requirements, in addition to achieving low density. The possibility of simultaneously tailoring several desired properties is attractive but very challenging, and it requires significant advancement in the science and technology of high-performance functional polymers and composites. This volume presents a selection of new approaches in the field of composites and nanomaterials, polymer synthesis and applications, and materials and their properties. Some composites/nanocomposites and interfaces are explored as well, some with medical applications. The authors also look at simulations and modeling, synthesis involving photochemistry, self-assembled hydrogels, and sol-gel processing.

This book reviews several domains of polymer science, especially new trends in polymerization synthesis, physical-chemical properties, and inorganic systems. Composites and nanocomposites are also covered in this book, emphasizing nanotechnologies and their impact on the enhancement of physical and mechanical properties of these new materials. Kinetics and simulation are discussed and also considered as promising techniques for achieving chemistry and predicting physical property goals. This book presents a selection of interdisciplinary papers on the state of knowledge of each topic under consideration through a combination of overviews and original unpublished research.

Polymers are used in everything from nylon stockings to commercial aircraft to artificial heart valves, and they have a key role in addressing international competitiveness and other national issues. Polymer Science and Engineering explores the universe of polymers, describing their properties and wide-ranging potential, and presents the state of the science, with a hard look at downward trends in research support. Leading experts offer findings, recommendations, and research directions. Lively vignettes provide snapshots of polymers in everyday applications. The volume includes an overview of the use of polymers in such fields as medicine and biotechnology, information and communication, housing and construction, energy and transportation, national defense, and environmental protection. The committee looks at the various classes of polymersâ€"plastics, fibers, composites, and other materials, as well as polymers used as membranes and coatingsâ€"and how their composition and specific methods of processing result in unparalleled usefulness. The reader can also learn the science behind the technology, including efforts to model polymer synthesis after nature's methods, and breakthroughs in characterizing polymer properties needed for twenty-first-century applications. This informative volume will be important to chemists, engineers, materials scientists, researchers, industrialists, and policymakers interested in the role of polymers, as well as to science and engineering educators and students.

Polymer Science and Nanotechnology: Fundamentals and Applications brings together the latest advances in polymer science and nanoscience. Sections explain the fundamentals of polymer science, including key aspects and methods in terms of molecular structure, synthesis, characterization, microstructure, phase structure and processing and properties before discussing the materials of particular interest and utility for novel applications, such as hydrogels, natural polymers, smart polymers and polymeric biomaterials. The second part of the book examines essential techniques in nanotechnology, with an emphasis on the utilization of advanced polymeric materials in the context of nanoscience. Throughout the book, chapters are prepared so that materials and products can be geared towards specific applications. Two chapters cover, in detail, major application areas, including fuel and solar cells, tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery, membranes, water treatment and oil recovery. - Presents the latest applications of polymers and polymeric nanomaterials, across energy, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields - Contains detailed coverage of polymer nanocomposites, polymer nanoparticles, and hybrid polymer-metallic nanoparticles - Supports an interdisciplinary approach, enabling readers from different disciplines to understand polymer science and nanotechnology and the interface between them

Polymers are huge macromolecules composed of repeating structural units. While polymer in popular usage suggests plastic, the term actually refers to a large class of natural and synthetic materials. Due to the extraordinary range of properties accessible, polymers have come to play an essential and ubiquitous role in everyday life - from plastics and elastomers on the one hand to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins on the other hand. The study of polymer science begins with understanding the methods in which these materials are synthesized. Polymer synthesis is a complex procedure and can take place in a variety of ways. This book brings together the "Who is who" of polymer science to give the readers an overview of the large field of polymer synthesis. It is a one-stop reference and a must-have for all Chemists, Polymer Chemists, Chemists in Industry, and Materials Scientists.

Processing Technology for Bio-Based Polymers: Advanced Strategies and Practical Aspects brings together the latest advances and novel technologies surrounding the synthesis and manufacture of biopolymers, ranging from bio-based polymers to synthetic polymers from bio-derived monomers. Sections examine bio-based polymer chemistry, discuss polymerization process and emerging design technologies, cover manufacturing and processing approaches, explain cutting-edge approaches and innovative applications, and focus on biomedicals and other key application areas. Final chapters provide detailed discussion and an analysis of economic and environmental concerns, practical considerations, challenges, opportunities and future trends. This is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists and advanced students in polymer science, bio-based materials, nanomaterials, plastics engineering, biomaterials, chemistry, biotechnology, and materials science and engineering, as well as R&D professionals, engineers and industrialists interested in the development of biopolymers for advanced products and applications. - Focuses on the processing of bio-based polymers, covering both traditional methods and innovative new approaches - Offers novel opportunities and ideas for developing or improving technologies for biopolymer research, preparation and application - Examines other key considerations, including reliability and end product, economic concerns, and environmental and lifecycle aspects

In the only book to focus on new developments and innovations in this hot field international experts from industry and academia present everything scientists need to know. The first section provides general concepts of the synthesis and properties of epoxy polymers and serves as a basis for the subsequent chapters. The second section includes new types of epoxy polymers recently commercialized or not yet present on the market, while the third section includes chapters related to the capacity of generating controlled nanostructures in epoxy-based materials. A fourth section is devoted to innovations in epoxy-based materials such as adhesives, coatings, pre-pregs, structural foams, injection-molded products and self-healing epoxies. Concluding remarks and perspectives are discussed in a short final section. The result is a one-stop reference source, collecting scientific and technological breakthroughs otherwise spread over hundreds of publications, patents and reports.