This is the first complete overview of the present state of the art of flexible barrier materials such as textile, paper and leather, including methods for barrier evaluation. It will be of interest to readers in industries, consumers, and members of the scientific community. The scope of the field is clearly delineated here for the first time, and it deals with a number of specific topics such as barrier to fire and antibacterial properties.

APPLICATIONS OF POLYMER NANOFIBERS Explore a comprehensive review of the practical experimental and technological details of polymer nanofibers with a leading new resource Applications of Polymer Nanofibers delivers a complete introduction to the basic science of polymer nanofibers as well as a review of their diverse applications. The book assesses their potential for commercialization and presents contributions from leading experts emphasizing their practical and technological details. New and up to date research findings are presented throughout the book in areas including filters, fabric, energy, fuel cells, batteries, sensors, biomedicine, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound dressings. The book also presents a fulsome analysis of the technology of electrospinning, the most convenient and scalable technique for nanofiber production. It also provides readers with practical information on relevant surface modification techniques. Applications of Polymer Nanofibers effectively balances theoretical background with practical applications of the technology, including insights into polymer nanofiber materials that will be useful for advanced students and researchers. Students, researchers, and industry professionals will also enjoy the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to electrospinning parameters and resulting nanofiber characteristics, including theoretical and practical considerations An exploration of textile applications of nanofibers, like protective clothing, filter fabrics, wearable devices, functional fabrics, and biomedical textiles A review of nanofiber mats as high-efficiency filters, including filtration developments, filters made with nanofibers, and the future outlook for nanofiber filters A treatment of nanofiber-based chemical sensors, including sensor materials, approaches to nanofiber sensor design, and gravimetric nanofiber sensors Perfect for researchers and graduate students studying polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, and nanotechnology. Applications of Polymer Nanofibers will also earn a place in the libraries of industrial researchers concerned with electrospinning, air filtration, fabrics, drug delivery, catalysis, and biomedicine.

The main focus of this book is on the development of electrospun membranes for advanced biomedical technologies including tissue engineering and drug delivery devices.Serving as a reference book for the beginner this book also provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges to be overcome in the future. Each section of the book covers not only the developments in the various fields of application of the electrospun meshes, but also the advances required for the successful development of new and high-end biomedical applications.Important areas tackled include:Biomedical applications of the technologySpecific aspects of equipments and materialsSurface characterization and functionalizationIn vitro testing with electrospun meshes. In all of these areas the main achievements, challenges ahead and expert opinions are given, making this book highly unusual in the level of detail covered.

Globally, fire retardants are needed to satisfy a multibillion dollar market and fire retardancy of polymetric materials is an important component of fire safety. This book covers the latest developments in new fire retardancy systems for engineers needing to use fire safe materials in their projects.

Functionalized nanomaterials have extremely useful properties, which can outperform their conventional counterparts because of their superior chemical, physical, and mechanical properties and exceptional formability. They are being used for the development and innovation in a range of industrial sectors. However, the use of functionalized nanomaterials is still in its infancy in many industrial settings. Functionalized nanomaterials have the potential to create cheaper and more effective consumer products and industrial processes. However, they also could have adverse effects on the environment, human health, and safety, and their sustainability is questionable, if used incorrectly. This book discusses the opportunities and challenges of using functionalized nanomaterials in a variety of major industrial sectors. Handbook of Functionalized Nanomaterials for Industrial Applications provides a concise summary of the major applications of functionalized nanomaterials in industry today. It covers the enhancements in industrial techniques and processes, due to functionalized nanomaterials, showing how they substantially improve the performance of existing procedures, and how they can deliver exciting consumer products more cheaply. Emphasis is given to greener approaches, leading to more sustainable products and devices. The legal, economical, and toxicity aspects of functionalized nanomaterials are also discussed in detail. - Highlights established industrial applications of functionalized nanomaterials and discusses their future potential for a range of industrial sectors - Discusses how functionalized nanomaterials are being used to create new types of commercial products and devices - Assesses the challenges of using functionalized nanomaterials in industry, setting out major safety and regulatory challenges

This book, the first published in this new sub-field of materials science, presents a coherent picture of the design principles and resulting properties of self-healing materials over all material classes, and offsets them to the current design principles for structural materials with improved mechanical properties. The book is not only a valuable asset for professional materials scientists but it is also suitable as a text book for courses at MSc level.

Growing awareness of environmental issues has led to increasing demand for goods produced from natural products, including natural fibres. The two-volume Handbook of natural fibres is an indispensable tool in understanding the diverse properties and applications of these important materials. Volume 2: Processing and applications focuses on key processing techniques for the improvement and broader application of natural fibres.Part one reviews processing techniques for natural fibres. Silk production and the future of natural silk manufacture are discussed, as well as techniques to improve the flame retardancy of natural fibres and chemical treatments to improve natural fibre properties. Ultraviolet-blocking properties, enzymatic treatment, and electrokinetic properties are also discussed. Part two goes on to investigate applications of natural fibres, including automotive applications, geotextiles, paper and packaging, and natural fibre composites (NFCs) for the construction and automotive industries. The use of flax and hemp, textiles made from jute and coir, antimicrobial natural fibres, and biomimetic textile materials are also considered, before a final discussion of enhancing consumer demand for natural textile fibres.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, the two volumes of the Handbook of natural fibres are essential texts for professionals and academics in textile science and technology. - Focuses on key processing techniques for the improvement and broader application of natural fibres - Reviews processing techniques for natural fibres, including silk production and the future of natural silk manufacture - Discusses ultraviolet-blocking properties, enzymatic treatment, and alectrokinetic properties, among other topics

Zinc oxide (ZnO) belongs to the class of transparent conducting oxides that can be used as transparent electrodes in electronic devices or heated windows. In this book the material properties of, the deposition technologies for, and applications of zinc oxide in thin film solar cells are described in a comprehensive manner. Structural, morphological, optical and electronic properties of ZnO are treated in this review.

The third edition of Fire Retardancy of Polymeric Materials provides a single source for all aspects of this highly challenging field of applied research. This authoritative book covers design and non-fire requirements that drive how these materials are fire protected. Detailed study and consideration of chemistry, physics, materials science, economic issues and fire safety science is necessary to address considerations of mechanical, thermal, environmental, and end-use requirements on top of fire protection means that the field requires. This thoroughly revised new edition continues to offer comprehensive coverage of the scientific approach for those developing fire safe materials. It covers new topics such as bio-based materials, regulatory issues, recycling, newer flame retardant chemical classes, and more details on how to flame retard materials for specific market applications. Written by a team of experts, this book covers the fundamentals of polymer burning and combustion and how to apply fire protection or flame-retardant chemistries to specific material classes and applications. The book is written for material scientists and fire safety scientists who seek to develop new fire safe materials or understand why materials burn in our modern environment. Features Connects fundamentals of material flammability to practical fire safety needs Covers current fire safety requirements and regulations affecting flame retardant selection Provides information on chemical structure-property relationships for flame retardancy Provides practical guidance on how to design fire safe materials for specific fire risk scenarios The new edition is expanded to 32 chapters and all chapters are updated and revised with the newest information

The purpose of this book is to show how general principles afford insight into laser processes. The principles may be from fundamental physical theory or from direct observation, but understanding of the general characteristics of a process is essential.