Macromolecular Systems - Materials Approach – serie

Biopolymers from Renewable Resources is a compilation of information on the diverse and useful polymers derived from agricultural, animal, and microbial sources. The volume provides insight into the diversity of polymers obtained directly from, or derived from, renewable resources. The beneficial aspects of utilizing polymers from renewable resources, when considering synthesis, pro­ cessing, disposal, biodegradability, and overall material life-cycle issues, suggests that this will continue to be an important and growing area of interest. The individual chapters provide information on synthesis, processing and properties for a variety of polyamides, polysaccharides, polyesters and polyphenols. The reader will have a single volume that provides a resource from which to gain initial insights into this diverse field and from which key references and contacts can be drawn. Aspects of biology, biotechnology, polymer synthesis, polymer processing and engineering, mechanical properties and biophysics are addressed to varying degrees for the specific biopolymers. The volume can be used as a reference book or as a teaching text. At the more practical level, the range of important materials derived from renewable resources is both extensive and impressive. Gels, additives, fibers, coatings and films are generated from a variety of the biopolymers reviewed in this volume. These polymers are used in commodity materials in our everyday lives, as well as in specialty products.

Sensors and Actuators using polymeric systems is one of the most promising fields of "Intelligent Polymers", which is becoming more and more important associating with artificial sensing and actuating systems in living organisms. Some practical applications have now started to test in industry. The book covers optical, gas, taste, and other sensing systems using various kinds of polymers. Soft and wet actuating systems using polymer gels and networks are another field which caused excitation in the last year. The contributors are all pioneers in the field, and were selected from world-wide level. They provide the necessary background information and science to develop a basic understanding of the field, its supporting technologies and current applications. Besides, the overviews will provide a sense of how these supporting technologies can be combined to meet the requirements of advanced systems. Finally, the readers will learn about potential future developments.

The beneficial aspects of utilizing polymers from renewable resources, when considering synthesis, processing, disposal, and overall material lifecycle issues, suggests that this will continue to be an important and growing area of interest. The focus on greener chemistries in industry can be in part satisfied by exploring the range of polymers available from Nature. The information for each type of polymer includes aspects of synthesis, processing and properties. The wide range of polymers and their properties, including polyamides, polysaccharides, polyesters and polyphenols, among others, illustrates this diversity of materials. The reader will have a single volume which provides a resource from which to gain initial insights into this diverse field and from which key references and contacts can be drawn.

Sensors and Actuators using polymeric systems is one of the most promising fields of "Intelligent Polymers", which is becoming more and more important associating with artificial sensing and actuating systems in living organisms. Some practical applications have now started to test in industry. The book covers optical, gas, taste, and other sensing systems using various kinds of polymers. Soft and wet actuating systems using polymer gels and networks are another field which caused excitation in the last year. The contributors are all pioneers in the field, and were selected from world-wide level. They provide the necessary background information and science to develop a basic understanding of the field, its supporting technologies and current applications. Besides, the overviews will provide a sense of how these supporting technologies can be combined to meet the requirements of advanced systems. Finally, the readers will learn about potential future developments.

Braden and his coauthors give a comprehensive overview of the use of polymers and polymer composites as dental materials. These comprise polyelectrolyte based materials, elastomers, glassy and crystalline polymers and fibres. Such materials are used in dentistry as restorative materials, hard and soft prostheses, and impression materials. The chemistry of materials is reviewed, together with mechanical, thermal, visco-elastic and water solution properties. These properties are related to clinical performance, with emphasis on some of the difficulties inherent in developing materials for oral use. Indications are given of possible future developments.

Polymeric materials have special advantages over other materials used for the recording, storage and retrieval of information, telecommunication transmission and visualization of images. The authors describe the synthesis, the physico-chemical behavior and the applications of these highly sensitive macromolecular systems. They discuss the most essential developments in this field.For scientists and professionals working in the field of electrooptical and photooptical polymeric materials.