Polymer Science and Innovative Applications: Materials, Techniques, and Future Developments introduces the science of innovative polymers and composites, their analysis via experimental techniques and simulation, and their utilization in a variety of application areas. This approach helps to unlock the potential of new materials for product design and other uses. The book also examines the role that these applications play in the human world, from pollution and health impacts, to their potential to make a positive contribution in areas including environmental remediation, medicine and healthcare, and renewable energy. Advantages, disadvantages, possibilities, and challenges relating to the utilization of polymers in human society are included. - Presents the latest advanced applications of polymers and their composites and identifies key areas for future development - Introduces the simulation methods and experimental techniques involved in the modification of polymer properties, supported by clear and detailed images and diagrams - Supports an interdisciplinary approach, enabling readers across different fields to harness the power of new materials for innovative applications

Chemistry, Manufacture and Applications of Natural Rubber, Second Edition presents the latest advances in the processing, properties and advanced applications of natural rubber (NR), drawing on state-of-the-art research in the field. Chapters cover manufacturing, processing and properties of natural rubber, describing biosynthesis, vulcanization for improved performance, strain-induced crystallization, self-reinforcement, rheology and mechanochemistry for processing, computer simulation of properties, scattering techniques and stabilizing agents. Applications covered include natural rubber, carbon allotropes, eco-friendly soft bio-composites using NR matrices and marine products, the use of NR for high functionality such as shape memory, NR for the tire industry, and natural rubber latex with advanced applications. This is an essential resource for academic researchers, scientists and (post)graduate students in rubber science, polymer science, materials science and engineering, and chemistry. In industry, this book enables professionals, R&D, and producers across the natural rubber, tire, rubber and elastomer industries, as well as across industries looking to use natural rubber products, to understand and utilize natural rubber for cutting-edge applications. - Explains the latest manufacture and processing techniques for natural rubber (NR) with enhanced properties - Explores novel applications of natural rubber across a range of industries, including current and potential uses - Discusses resources and utilization, and considers sustainable future development of natural rubber

This volume is a comprehensive guide to the industrial use of polymer composites. Edited contributions demonstrate the application of these materials for different industrial sectors. The book covers the benefits, future potential, and manufacturing techniques of different types of polymers. Contributors also address challenges in using nanopolymers in these industries. Readers will find valuable insights into the current demand and supply of polymer composites and future scope for research and development in this field of polymer science. The volume presents seven chapters, each exploring a different application of polymer composites. Chapter 1 discusses the use of polymer additives for improving classical concrete and the workability and durability of polymer composite concrete. Chapter 2 explores the use of polymer nanocomposites in packaging, including smart/intelligent packaging, modified atmosphere packaging, and vacuum packaging. Chapter 3 delves into the use of polymer composites in tissue engineering, including manufacturing techniques and various applications. Chapter 4 explores energy storage applications for polymer composites, while Chapter 5 discusses their use in microbial fuel cells. Chapter 6 explores the use of carbon nanotubes in polymer composite gas sensors. Finally, Chapter 7 discusses the use of polymer composites in automotive applications. This is an ideal reference for researchers, scientists, engineers, and professionals in the fields of materials science, polymer science, engineering, and nanotechnology. The content is also suitable for graduate and postgraduate students studying industrial manufacturing.

In recent years, the use of renewable raw materials and natural biopolymers has increased significantly to overcome the issues associated with environmental pollution and dwindling fossil fuel resources. Lipids and proteins are inexpensive, renewable raw materials, which are considered ideal feedstock for the development of a variety of functional materials. This book provides an international viewpoint on recent developments in the utilisation of lipids and proteins together, for the development of functional materials in food engineering, environmental and industry applications. This book presents the cutting-edge research in the utilization of lipids and proteins in food, cosmetics, therapeutics, food packaging, water remediation, biofuels, lubricants, biomaterials, and composite preparations. Researchers, scientists, engineers and students working on lipids and proteins derived materials will benefit from this book, which is highly application oriented. Focusing on the latest developments in the field, this will be the first book to describe lipids and proteins together, allowing it to act as a single reference for researchers working in this area.

Porous Polymer Science and Applications aims to provide recent developments and advances in synthesis, tuning parameters, and applications of porous polymers. This book brings together reviews written by highly accomplished panels of experts working in the area of porous polymers. It encompasses basic studies and addresses topics of novel issues concerning the applications of porous polymers. Chapter topics span basic studies, novel issues, and applications addressing all aspects in a one-stop reference on porous polymers. Applications discussed include catalysis, gas storage, energy and environmental sectors making this an invaluable guide for students, professors, scientists and R&D industrial experts working in the field of material science and engineering and particularly energy conversion and storage. Additional features include: Provides a comprehensive introduction to porous polymers addressing design, synthesis, structure, properties and characterization. Covers task-specific applications of porous polymers. Explores the advantages and opportunities of these materials for most major fields of science and engineering. Outlines novel research areas and potential development and expansion areas.

Food and agricultural waste is a huge global issue that has detrimental effects on society, the economy, and the environment. Plant leaves, stems, roots and peels (outer leaves and stems) are among the wastes and by-products from agriculture and the food business, along with residues from oil production, fruit and vegetable peels, and seeds. High concentrations of dietary fiber, phytochemicals, cellulose, and hemicellulose are typically found in these residues. As the next environmentally conscious step of waste valorization, research from recent years has demonstrated that employing organic ingredients/biodegradable fibers generated from waste and by-products in the food packaging business may be an efficient strategy to reduce the quantity of food waste and by-products. In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in finding alternative polymer materials as high-value novel packaging materials through the valorization of agricultural waste. Thus, utilizing agricultural wastes and by-products as raw materials for food packaging could help cut down on the amount of waste produced. Agro-Wastes for Packaging Applications provides an update on the strategies for valuing agricultural waste and how these might be used in packaging. It also includes recent research on these approaches and presents an innovative strategy for developing sustainable, green, and biodegradable packaging options. A detailed overview of the packaging application of valorized agricultural waste materials is discussed, and concept clarification is achieved using flowcharts and figures supported by the latest research investigations. These agricultural leftovers are abundant sources of polysaccharides, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which can be processed further utilizing various physicochemical techniques and other unconventional techniques to create nanocellulose fibers or crystals. The main goal of this book is to provide food experts and the general public with superior, environmentally friendly, sustainable packaging materials that can be used in place of plastic polymers. Key Features Contains abundant information on advanced valorization techniques for different types of agricultural wastes Provides information on possible applications of component/constituents obtained by the valorization Discusses the impact of the incorporation of these valorized components in different packaging systems Reviews the legal standards and future trends in the commercialization of these derived polymers in food packaging industries

Molecular Characterization of Polymers presents a range of advanced and cutting-edge methods for the characterization of polymers at the molecular level, guiding the reader through theory, fundamentals, instrumentation, and applications, and supporting the end goal of efficient material selection and improved material performance. Each chapter focuses on a specific technique or family of techniques, including the different areas of chromatography, field flow fractionation, long chain branching, static and dynamic light scattering, mass spectrometry, NMR, X-Ray and neutron scattering, polymer dilute solution viscometry, microscopy, and vibrational spectroscopy. In each case, in-depth coverage explains how to successfully implement and utilize the technique. This practical resource is highly valuable to researchers and advanced students in polymer science, materials science, and engineering, and to those from other disciplines and industries who are unfamiliar with polymer characterization techniques. - Introduces a range of advanced characterization methods, covering aspects such as molecular weight, polydispersity, branching, composition, and tacticity - Enables the reader to understand and to compare the available technique, and implement the selected technique(s), with a view to improving properties of the polymeric material - Establishes a strong link between basic principles, characterization techniques, and real-life applications

Polymeric Nanocomposite Materials for Sensor Applications covers all the important aspects of polymer composite-based sensors, from fundamentals to fabrication. Key chapters focus on the materials used for sensors and their characterization, properties, fabrication and classification. Various applications of polymeric sensors are also discussed in detail. This book is an essential reference resource, not only for the materials scientist, but also for researchers, academics, technologists and students working in the sensor technology industry. In modern society, sensors are used in electronics, food packaging, construction, automobile and aerospace applications. The advancement of smart technologies has increased their usage because of their affordability and reliability. Among the materials used for the fabrication of sensors, polymer composites are the most preferred because they are lightweight, versatile, low cost and easy to process. - Discusses fundamentals, classification, recent progress, and the current status of polymer nanocomposites in sensing applications - Includes coverage of materials and their application-specific modeling - Addresses safety issues and environmental degradation - Includes broad coverage of a wide range of engineering applications, including food, safety, healthcare, automotive and aerospace - Covers pressure sensors, gas sensors, pH sensors, ion selective sensors, alcohol sensors, humidity sensors, aromatic small molecule sensors, enzyme sensors, immunosensors, strain sensors and electrochemical sensors

An all-in-one reference work covering the essential principles and techniques on thermal behavior and response of polymeric materials This book delivers a detailed understanding of the thermal behavior of polymeric materials evaluated by thermal analysis methods. It covers the most widely applied principles which are used in method development to substantiate what happens upon heating of polymers. It also reviews the key application areas of polymers in materials science. Edited by two experts in the field, the book covers a wide range of specific topics within the aforementioned categories of discussion, such as: Crucial thermal phenomena - glass transition, crystallization behavior and curing kinetics Polymeric materials that have gained considerable interest over the last decade The latest advancements in techniques related to the field, such as modulated temperature DSC and fast scanning calorimetry The recent advances in hyphenated techniques and their applications Polymer chemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, and process engineers can use this comprehensive reference work to gain clarity on the topics discussed within and learn how to harness them in practical applications across a wide range of disciplines.

Control the development of polymer crystals with this groundbreaking introduction Polymer crystallization is a crucial component of polymer development that impacts processing, applications, presentation, and more. Intervention in the polymer crystallization process, in the form of nanofilters, compatibilizers, and more, has the potential to improve optical and chemical properties, improve degrees of crystallinity, and increase hardness of polymer composites. The myriad applications of crystalline polymers make this one of the most exciting and fast-growing fields in polymer research. Polymer Crystallization provides a comprehensive introduction to this field and its most important recent developments. It characterizes and analysis an expansive range of crystalline polymers and discusses possible mechanisms for influencing their crystallization processes to impact a variety of outcomes and applications. These applications include industries from food packaging to automotive parts to medical and aerospace materials. Polymer Crystallization readers will also find: Detailed treatment of polymer morphology, rheology, modeling, and more Thorough introduction to the fundamentals of polymer crystallization Discussion of environmental safety issues and avenues for future research Polymer Crystallization is a useful reference for materials scientists, polymer scientists, biomedical scientists, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in these and related fields.