The Rolduc Polymer Meetings, of which the contents of this volume represent the third, are already on their way to occupying a unique place in the crowded calendar of symposia on every aspect of polymer science and engineering. They combine manageable meeting size with a theme, 'Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology', which is often discussed but seldom realized in practice. The technological, or applied, areas of polymers have perhaps received more emphasis historically than those of other allied disciplines. Indeed, various plastic and rubber materials were successful items of commerce long before the macromolecular concept itself was firmly established. The more fundamental aspects of the field were also largely developed in industrial laboratories. The early work of Mark and Meyer at IG Farben, and that of Carrothers and Flory at Du Pont, are good examples of this. The present situation, in which polymers are being applied to more and more demanding end uses, from high performance materials on the one hand to the biomedical and electronics fields on the other, caIls for an ever greater understanding of the basic scientific principles governing their behavior. It is evident, therefore, that interactions between those engaged in the 'pure' and 'applied' parts of the field must be promoted effectively. The Rolduc Polymer Meetings contribute significantly to such interactions, not only by interweaving technological and scientific presentations, but also by providing a forum for the participants to discuss problems of mutual interest in all their complexity.

'Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology' is a theme that admits of countless variations. It is admirably exemplified by the scientific work of R. Koningsveld and C. G. Vonk, in whose honour this meeting was organized. The interplay between 'pure' and 'applied' is of course not confined to any particular subdiscipline of chemistry or physics (witness the name IUPAC and IUPAP) but is perhaps rarely so intimate and inevitable as in the macromolecular area. The historical sequence may vary: when the first synthetic dye was prepared by Perkin, considerable knowledge of the molecular structure was also at hand; but polymeric materials, both natural and synthetic, had achieved a fair practical technology long before their macromolecular character was appreciated or established. Such historical records have sometimes led to differences of opinion as to whether the pure or the applied arm should deserve the first place of honour. The Harvard physiologist Henderson, as quoted in Walter Moore's Physical Chemistry, averred that 'Science owes more to the steam engine than the steam engine owes to Science'. On the other hand, few would dispute the proposition that nuclear power production could scarcely have preceded the laboratory observations of Hahn and Strassmann on uranium fission. Whatever history may suggest, an effective and continuous working relationship must recognize the essential contributions, if not always the completely smooth meshing, of both extremes.

The aim of the Rolduc Polymer Meetings is to stimulate interdisciplinary discussions between academic and industrial polymer scientists and engineers. Experts are invited to review selected topics and to initiate discussions relating to future trends and developments. The general theme of these meetings is 'Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology'. In order to serve this goal, all participants are accommodated in Rolduc Abbey, a well-preserved medieval monument in Limburg (The Netherlands) to provide an optimum atmosphere for the exchange of ideas. About 350 participants took part in the 4th Rolduc Polymer Meeting, which was held from 23 to 27 April 1989. This volume contains invited and selected contributed papers on topics such as solution properties, chemistry, emulsion polymerization, liquid crystalline polymers, structure/ morphology and blends/composites. We are fully aware of the fact that the reader will not find an integrated presentation of lectures in this volume. Unfortunately, it is impossible to put down in writing the atmosphere of this and previous meetings. However, we hope that the reader will be stimulated to present his own views in forthcoming meetings after reading these proceedings. We wish to thank all contributors to this volume. P.l.L.

Polymer science has matured into a fully accepted branch of materials science. This means that it can be described as a 'chain of knowledge' (Manfred Gordon), the beads of the chain representing all the topics that have to be studied in depth if the relationship between the structure of the molecules synthesized and the end-use properties of the material they constitute is to be understood. The term chain indicates the connectivity of the beads, i.e. the multidisciplinary approach required to achieve the aim, knowledge, here defined as quantitative understanding of the relationship mentioned above in all its parts. Quite a few conferences are being held at which the disciplinar beads themselves are discussed in detail, and new results within their framework are presented. In this respect, the TUPAC Microsymposia in Prague have made themselves indispensable, to mention one successful example. The bi annual TUPAC Symposia on Macromolecules, on the other hand, supply interdisciplinary meeting places, which have the advantage and the disadvantage of a large attendance. Smaller-size conferences of a similar nature can often be found on a national level. The organizers of the young, but already well-appreciated, Rolduc Meetings on the interplay between fundamental science and technology in the polymer field struck an interesting chord' when they realized that focussing on the basic science behind technological problems would serve the purpose of concentration on insight along the chain of knowledge and avoid the surrender to too large a size for the meeting to really be a meeting.

Volume three deals specifically with the role of monomers and resins in radiation curing. The nature of the backbone of ologomers leads to the ultimate physical or chemical properties of the UV-cured material. This chapter also covers aspects of the chemistry of these compounds in relation to their end uses.

Keynote and lectures from invited speakers given at the Se- cond Pacific Polymer Conference in Otsu, Japan, are collec- ted in this book. Eminent Polymer Scientists from both aca- demic and industrial fields around the Pacific Basin contri- buted on the following topics: - Polymer Synthesisand Ractions - Polymer Characterization - Structure-Property-Relationships - High Performance Polymers - Bio-Related Polymers With contributions by H.R. Allcock, R.G. Davidson, T. Inoue, Y.H. Kim, E.A. McCullough, J.E. McGrath, G.F. Meijs, T. Nishi, Y.Nishida, I. Noda, R.M. Nowak, M. Okamoto, R.E. Prud'homme, J.P. Riggs, D.N. Schulz, D.H. Solomon, J. Sunamoto, M. Takayanagi, a.o.

"Maintains and enhances the high standards set in Parts A, B, and C. Provides comprehensive coverage of both recently developed and potentially available fibers emphasizing completely new applications. Examines the latest advances in bicomponent specialty fibers and ultra-high-strength/high-modulus fibers."

A classic text in the field of chemical engineering, this revised sixth edition offers a comprehensive exploration of polymers at a level geared toward upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduate students. It contains more theoretical background for some of the fundamental concepts pertaining to polymer structure and behavior, while also providing an up-to-date discussion of the latest developments in polymerization systems. New problems have been added to several of the chapters, and a solutions manual is available upon qualifying course adoption.

The book contains reports about the most significant projects from science and industry that are using the supercomputers of the Federal High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS). These projects are from different scientific disciplines, with a focus on engineering, physics and chemistry. They were carefully selected in a peer-review process and are showcases for an innovative combination of state-of-the-art physical modeling, novel algorithms and the use of leading-edge parallel computer technology. As HLRS is in close cooperation with industrial companies, special emphasis has been put on the industrial relevance of results and methods.

This text provides up-to-date coverage of both recently developed and potentially available fibers, emphasizing new applications. Highlighting preparation, properties, practical industrial uses and future research directions for high technology, this volume examines optical fibres, aramid and polyimide fibres for heat resistant applications, ceramic fibres, fibres with thermal adaptability and electrically conducting polymers for fibres.