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

Smart polymers are macromolecules capable of undergoing rapid, reversible phase transitions from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic microstructure when triggered by small changes in their immediate environment, such as slight variations in temperature, pH or ionic strength. Until now, it has always been considered that polymers are passive participants within the Bioseparation procedure. Smart Polymers for Bioseparation and Bioprocessing addresses an entirely novel theory that advocates a much more active role for smart polymers within this process than has previously been envisaged, and therefore focuses on the role of these smart polymers within bioseparation. With contributions from the leading researchers working on smart polymers and their applications, this volume offers a comprehensive overview of both the current state-of-affairs within this research field and the potential for future developments. This book will be of interest to those working on techniques of bioseparation and bioprocessing, polymer chemists developing new smart polymers, as well as graduates in biotechnology.

Smart Polymeric Nano-Constructs in Drug Delivery: Concept, Design and Therapeutic Applications provides a thorough discussion of the most state of the art material and polymer exploitations for the delivery of bioactive(s) as well as their current and clinical status. The book enables researchers to prepare a variety of smart drug delivery systems to investigate their properties as well as to discover their uses and applications. The novelty of this approach addresses an existing need of exhaustively understanding the potential of the materials including polymeric drug delivery systems that are smartly designed to deliver bioactive(s) into the body at targeted sites without showing side effects. The book is helpful for those in the health sector, specifically those developing nanomedicine using smart material-based nano-delivery systems. Polymers have unique co-operative properties that are not found with low-molecular-weight compounds along with their appealing physical and chemical properties, constituting the root of their success in drug delivery. Smart Polymeric Nano-Constructs in Drug Delivery: Concept, Design and Therapeutic Applications discusses smart and stimuli responsive polymers applicable in drug delivery, followed detailed information about various concepts and designing of polymeric novel drug delivery systems for treatment of various type of diseases, also discussing patents related to the field. The book helps readers to design and develop novel drug delivery systems based on smart materials for the effective delivery of bioactive that take advantage of recent advances in smart polymer-based strategies. It is useful to those in pharmaceutical sciences and related fields in developing new drug delivery systems. - Provides comprehensive overview of the potential role of polymeric systems in drug delivery - Explores the design, synthesis, and application of different smart material-based delivery systems - Includes fundamental and clinical applications

Undoubtedly the applications of polymers are rapidly evolving. Technology is continually changing and quickly advancing as polymers are needed to solve a variety of day-to-day challenges leading to improvements in quality of life. The Encyclopedia of Polymer Applications presents state-of-the-art research and development on the applications of polymers. This groundbreaking work provides important overviews to help stimulate further advancements in all areas of polymers. This comprehensive multi-volume reference includes articles contributed from a diverse and global team of renowned researchers. It offers a broad-based perspective on a multitude of topics in a variety of applications, as well as detailed research information, figures, tables, illustrations, and references. The encyclopedia provides introductions, classifications, properties, selection, types, technologies, shelf-life, recycling, testing and applications for each of the entries where applicable. It features critical content for both novices and experts including, engineers, scientists (polymer scientists, materials scientists, biomedical engineers, macromolecular chemists), researchers, and students, as well as interested readers in academia, industry, and research institutions.

Smart materials have been produced by conceiving of the idea of materials/systems having a fourth dimension. To match advances in instrumentation, efforts are being made to develop materials, resulting in smart materials with enhanced performance. In nature, the action of stimuli-responsive materials is reversible; this idea has attracted interest for its potential research and industrial applications. The challenge remains how to couple these applications with environmental consciousness. This book presents the basics of smart polymers and describes their current and future applications. This book is different from other books on the subject in that it explores polymer materials’ smart behavior in more depth, covering vibration damping, thermal and electrochemical energy, sensing at trace level, biotechnology, and so on. The 14 chapters in this book cover diverse areas, including: • Photoresponsive polymers that can be manipulated using a specific frequency of light • Designing polymers for vibration damping • Smart manipulations of hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic polymers • Biopolymers, including hydrogels for smart application, drug delivery, and other uses • Smart paints • Self-healing and shape memory polymers • Holography for data storage • Phase change polymers and solid polymer electrolytes for thermal and electrochemical energy • Molecular imprinting polymers for sub-ppm sensing and removal of unwanted materials • Smart textiles, and the concept of advanced textiles This book will be of particular interest to researchers, postgraduates, and industry experts. It offers an extensive introduction to the basics of smart polymers and their possible applications.

Smart Stimuli-Responsive Poymers, Films, and Gels Discover the most important developments in synthesis, simulation, and applications of a fascinating compound class There exist a range of natural materials that respond to environmental changes by altering their physical or chemical properties, known as stimuli-responsive polymers, these substances are responsive to light, temperature, pressure, and more. The study of these so-called “smart” polymers is essential to a range of application fields, many of which have generated cutting-edge research in recent decades. A comprehensive introduction to the subject is therefore well-timed Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels provides an introduction to these polymers and their applications. It includes producing these polymers through synthetic approaches, simulating their responses to different stimuli, and applying these materials in different industries and research capacities. Written to serve the requirements of advanced students and senior researchers alike, this timely work will drive years of research in this vital field. In Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels readers will also find: Treatment of mechanoresponsive, photoresponsive, and ionizing-radiation responsive polymers Applications in emerging fields such as sensors, biomedicine, catalysis, and more Interdisciplinary research into the properties and responses of these vital compounds Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels promises to become a seminal work for chemists, materials scientists, and industrial researchers seeking to incorporate these materials into a variety of industrial and research areas.

Advances and Challenges in Pharmaceutical Technology: Materials, Process Development and Drug Delivery Strategies examines recent advancements in pharmaceutical technology. The book discusses common formulation strategies, including the use of tools for statistical formulation optimization, Quality by design (QbD), process analytical technology, and the uses of various pharmaceutical biomaterials, including natural polymers, synthetic polymers, modified natural polymers, bioceramics, and other bioinorganics. In addition, the book covers rapid advancements in the field by providing a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical processes, formulation developments, explorations, and exploitation of various pharmaceutical biomaterials to formulate pharmaceutical dosage forms. - Provides extensive information and analysis on recent advancements in the field of pharmaceutical technology - Includes contributions from global leaders and experts in academia, industry and regulatory agencies - Uses high quality illustrations, flow charts and tables to explain concepts and text to readers, along with practical examples and research case studies

Smart polymers react sharply to small changes in physical or chemical conditions and present an intelligent response to chemical stimuli (i.e., chemical species -including biomolecules-, pH, solvents, redox, stimuli that trigger controlled depolymerization) and physical stimuli (i.e., temperature, light, mechanical stress and electrical stimuli). For these reasons, the interest in smart polymers has recently increased exponentially, especially in biological stimuli (i.e., application of polymer-based biosensors, drug delivery, tissue engineering, precision medicine and cell therapy). This book offers a unique opportunity to review the physical-chemical fundamentals of smart polymers, and their behaviour. It also provides an excellent review of the main applications of smart polymers.

The development of finely-tuned materials that adjust in a predictable manner by specific environment change is the recent arena of materials research. It is a newly emerging supra-disciplinary field with huge commercial potential. Stimuli-responsive materials answer by a considerable change in their properties to small changes in their environment. Responsive materials are becoming increasingly more prevalent as scientists learn about the chemistry and triggers that induce conformational changes in materials structures and devise ways to take advantage of and control them. Responsive Materials and Method offers state-of-the-art of the stimuli-responsive materials and their potential applications. This collection brings together novel methodologies and strategies adopted in the research and development of responsive materials and technology.

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