Smart Polymers and Their Applications


Book Description

Smart Polymers and Their Applications, Second Edition presents an up-to-date resource of information on the synthesis and properties of different types of smart polymers, including temperature, pH, electro, magnetic and photo-responsive polymers, amongst others. It is an ideal introduction to this field, as well as a review of the latest research in this area. Shape memory polymers, smart polymer hydrogels, and self-healing polymer systems are also explored. In addition, a very strong focus on applications of smart polymers is included for tissue engineering, smart polymer nanocarriers for drug delivery, and the use of smart polymers in medical devices. Additionally, the book covers the use of smart polymers for textile applications, packaging, energy storage, optical data storage, environmental protection, and more. This book is an ideal, technical resource for chemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, mechanical engineers and other professionals in a range of industries. - Includes a significant number of new chapters on smart polymer materials development, as well as new applications development in energy storage, sensors and devices, and environmental protection - Provides a multidisciplinary approach to the development of responsive polymers, approaching the subject by the different types of polymer (e.g. temperature-responsive) and its range of applications




Polymer Materials with Smart Properties


Book Description

The design of smart materials based on different natural and synthetic polymers represents one of the most attractive research areas over the last several years. Many efforts have been carried out to find new solutions for developing stimuli-responsive polymers sensitive to different triggers, which have a fast and reversible non-linear response to small changes of external stimuli or environmental conditions. In combination with other organic/inorganic/macromolecular compounds, new composite materials owning multifunctional properties can be designed. Thus, the inorganic nanoparticles incorporated into a polymer matrix provide novel functionalities to hydrogels and tuneable properties. This book reviews recent advances and developments of various classes of stimuli responsive polymer materials, different type of hydrogels for biomedical and pharmaceutical devices, scaffolds for tissue regeneration, and stimuli-responsive sensors or separation processes.




Smart Inorganic Polymers


Book Description

Provides complete and undiluted knowledge on making inorganic polymers functional. This comprehensive book reflects the state of the art in the field of inorganic polymers, based on research conducted by a number of internationally leading research groups working in this area. It covers the synthesis aspects of synthetic inorganic polymers and looks at multiple inorganic monomers as building blocks, which exhibit unprecedented electronic, redox, photo-emissive, magnetic, self-healing and catalytic properties. It also looks at the applications of inorganic polymers in areas such as optoelectronics, energy storage, industrial chemistry, and biology. Beginning with an overview of the use of smart inorganic polymers in daily life, Smart Inorganic Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Emerging Applications in Materials and Life Sciences goes on to study the synthesis, properties, and applications of polymers incorporating different heteroelements such as boron, phosphorus, silicon, germanium, and tin. The book also examines inorganic polymers in flame-retardants, as functional materials, and in biology. An excellent addition to the polymer scientists' and synthetic chemists' toolbox Summarizes the state of the art on how to make and use functional inorganic polymers, from synthesis to applications Edited by the coordinator of a highly funded European community research program (COST action) that focuses specifically on the exploration of inorganic polymers Features contributions from top experts in the field Aimed at academics and industrial researchers in this field, Smart Inorganic Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Emerging Applications in Materials and Life Sciences will also benefit scientists who want to get a better overview on the state-of-the-art of this rapidly advancing area.




Smart Polymer Nanocomposites


Book Description

Smart Polymer Nanocomposites: Biomedical and Environmental Applications presents the latest information on smart polymers and their promising application in various fields, including their role in delivery systems for drugs, tissue engineering scaffolds, cell culture sports, bioseparation, and sensors or actuator systems. - Features detailed information on the preparation, characterization and applications of smart functional polymer composites - Covers a broad range of applications in both the biomedical and environmental engineering fields - Chapters are written by authors with diverse background expertise from the faculties of chemistry, engineering and the manufacturing industry




Modification of Polymer Properties


Book Description

Modification of Polymer Properties provides, for the first time, in one title, the latest information on gradient IPNs and gradient copolymers. The book covers the broad range of polymer modification routes in a fresh, current view representing a timely addition to the technical literature of this important area. Historically, blends, copolymers, or filled polymers have been developed to meet specific properties, or to optimize the cost/properties relationship. Using the gradient structure approach with conventional radical polymerization, it has been shown that it is possible to optimize properties if appropriate gradients in the composition of copolymer chains are obtained. An overview of the gradient structure approach for designing polymers has not appeared in the recent literature and this title covers the different methods used to modify properties, offering the whole range of ways to modify polymers in just one volume and making this an attractive option for a wide audience of practitioners. The approach for each chapter is to explain the fundamental principles of preparation, cover properties modification, describe future research and applications as examples of materials that may be prepared for specific applications, or that are already in use, in present day applications. The book is for readers that have a basic background in polymer science, as well as those interested in the different ways to combine or modify polymer properties. - Provides an integrated view on how to modify polymer properties - Presents the entire panorama of polymer properties modification in one reference, covering the essential information in each topic - Includes the optimization of properties using gradients in polymers composition or structure




Polymer Nanocomposite-Based Smart Materials


Book Description

Polymer Nanocomposite-Based Smart Materials: From Synthesis to Application provides a broad, comprehensive review on all major categories of smart materials and their preparation routes. The main application fields and properties for these diverse types of smart polymer-based composite and nanocomposite materials are also discussed. Chapters on modeling methods and simulation look at the physical or chemical change response that is introduced by the effect of changing environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, mechanical force and light. Written by scholars and experts from around the globe, the book covers key aspects, such as synthesis, processing and applications of polymer and nanocomposite-based smart materials.




Biomedical Applications of Polymeric Materials and Composites


Book Description

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.




How Smart Are the Polymers?


Book Description

Smart polymer materials represent an exciting range of novel materials for advanced applications such as aeronautics and biomedical devices. These materials are able to sustain any external stimuli including temperature, pH, electric and magnetic fields and response in an adaptive and proportional manner to this environmental change. Two main categories of smart materials are able to encompass these features (ie: self-evolving materials and self-healing materials). Self-evolving materials can, for instance, reconfigure themselves on-the-fly to react upon changing environmental conditions. A variety of possible material candidates can be described as self-evolving materials including shape-memory polymers, adaptive hydrogels and actuators changing their properties in response to external stimulation. In addition to them, intrinsic self-healing polymers encompass these responsiveness features and are constructed on the basis of reversible bonding such as Diels-Alder reactions for locally healing these materials after experiencing damage. This book intends to propose a comprehensive knowledge on smart materials that encompass self-evolving materials and self-healing materials, including their implementation of 3D-printing technology. Combining smart materials and additive manufacturing has thereby been introduced as an inspiring way to provide more complex 3D objects with elevated adaptive properties. They are myriad issues that are still challenging with the construction of these smart materials, including their additive manufacturing, but the book will offer novel opportunities to obtain multi-responsive materials in advanced technology.




Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications


Book Description

Polymer-Based Advanced Functional Composites for Optoelectronic and Energy Applications explains how polymer-based smart composites and nanocomposites can be prepared and utilized for novel optical, sensor and energy-related applications. The book begins with an introductory section on the fundamentals of smart polymer composites, including structure-property relationships and conjugated polymers. Other sections examine optical applications, including the use of polymer-based smart composites for luminescent solar concentrators, electro-chromic applications, light conversion applications, ultraviolet shielding applications, LED encapsulation applications, sensor applications, including gas-sensing, strain sensing, robotics and tactile sensors, with final sections covering energy-related applications, including energy harvesting, conversion, storage, vibrational energy harvesting, and more. This is an essential guide for researchers, scientists and advanced students in smart polymers and materials, polymer science, composites, nanocomposites, electronics and materials science. It is also a valuable book for scientists, R&D professionals and engineers working with products that could utilize smart polymer composites. - Provides thorough coverage of the latest pioneering research in the field of polymer-based smart composites - Offers an applications-oriented approach, enabling the reader to understand state-of-the-art optical, sensor and energy applications - Includes an in-depth introductory section, covering important aspects such as structure-property relationships and the role of conjugated polymers




Tunable Hydrogels


Book Description

This book reviews the current knowledge on tunable hydrogels, including the range of different materials and applications, as well as the existing challenges and limitations in the field. It covers various aspects of the material design, particularly highlighting biological responsiveness, degradability and responsiveness to external stimuli. In this book, readers will discover original research data and state-of-the-art reviews in the area of hydrogel technology, with a specific focus on biotechnology and medicine. Written by leading experts, the contributions outline strategies for designing tunable hydrogels and offer a detailed evaluation of the physical and synthetic methods currently employed to achieve specific hydrogel properties and responsiveness. This highly informative book provides important theoretical and practical insights for scholars and researchers working with hydrogels for biomedical and biotechnological applications.