Heather Sheardown – författare

Advances in technology have rapidly changed the way we treat ophthalmic diseases, especially with the development of new biomaterials used as prosthetics, for drug delivery devices, or to regenerate tissue. Bridging the gap between biomaterials scientists and ophthalmologists, this book includes overviews of devices and cutting-edge research on current and future strategies to treat acute and chronic diseases in the eye. Edited by leaders in the field, the book provides perspectives for both biomaterials scientists and ophthalmologists. Biomaterials scientists are given a background to the challenges in ophthalmology that advanced materials could solve. Ophthalmologists are provided a background on materials to enable them to better understand the devices they are using and their advantages and challenges. All readers are provided with a critical review of the current and future state of devices that are being used or are under development in devices, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery.This book is for those working in biomaterials science, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and clinicians specialising in ophthalmology, as well as those working in polymer science-based medical technologies.

This reference work provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of functional polymers and polymeric materials, ranging from their synthesis and characterization, to properties, actual applications and an outlook on future perspectives. Including over 30 comprehensive review chapters, all written by leading international experts, this reference is also a sound introduction to this exciting field. The book is carefully edited by an international team of experts in the field, ensuring complete coverage of the relevant topics and concise representation.Functional polymers and smart polymeric materials play a decisive role for new innovations in all areas where new materials are needed. Optoelectronics, catalysis, biomaterials, medicine, building materials, water treatment, coatings, and many more applications rely on functional polymers. This work is a major reference for researchers, scientists, and practitioners working in any of these fields, or entering this vibrantresearch area.Key topics of this reference work include:Polymerization methods and polymer synthesisCharacterization and properties of new functional polymers and smart materialsFunctional polymer composites and blendsApplications of functional polymers and smart materials: for electro-optics and optoelectronics, in biology and in medical research, as coatings and adhesives, for gas sensing, in functional membranes for separation or proton conduction and many more