The area of macromolecular and supramolecular science and engineering has gained substantial interest and importance during the last decade and many applications can be envisioned in the future. The rapid developments in this interdisciplinary area justify a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in the research of materials and processes that is given in this monograph. This monograph is based primarily on synthetic architectures and systems covered by the contents of selected plenary and invited lectures delivered at the 1st International Symposium on Macro- and Supramolecular Architectures and Materials (MAM-01): Biological and Synthetic Systems, which was held from 11-14 April 2001 on the international campus of the Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology (K-JIST) in Kwangju, South Korea. In addition, it contains several complementing contributions in this novel field of science dealing with synthetic architectures and represents a unique compilation of reviewed research accounts of the in-depth knowledge of macromolecular and supramolecular materials and processes. It comprises 22 pioneering chapters written by 64 renowned experts from 13 different countries.

Polyampholytes are unique polymers containing acid/base and/or anionic/cationic groups in the main or side chains. Water-soluble and water-swelling polyampholytes exhibit properties that provide broad potential as structural biomaterials, drug delivery and chemo-mechanical systems, biosensors, energy storage devices, supercapacitors, and actuators, among others. This monograph reviews the innovative studies in this field over the past two decades, with the aim to analyze and systematize the literature in the context of emerging technologies. Offers a multidisciplinary perspective covering polyampholytes, polybetaines, and polyzwitterions in nanotechnology, biotechnology, medicine, catalysis, environment protection, and oil industry applications Demonstrates a wide range of applications for these materials with enough depth to provide critical fundamental knowledge for new researchers in the field Discusses polyampholyte-protected and gel-immobilized metal nanoparticles and enzymes that catalyze reactions of hydrolysis, decomposition, hydrogenation, and oxidation of various substrates in batch-type and continuous flow–type reactors Highlights the remaining persistent challenges in the development and application of these materials This book will appeal to readers who conduct materials research for biomedical, water treatment, and environmental remediation applications.

This book aspires to be a comprehensive summary of current biofuels issues and thereby contribute to the understanding of this important topic. Readers will find themes including biofuels development efforts, their implications for the food industry, current and future biofuels crops, the successful Brazilian ethanol program, insights of the first, second, third and fourth biofuel generations, advanced biofuel production techniques, related waste treatment, emissions and environmental impacts, water consumption, produced allergens and toxins. Additionally, the biofuel policy discussion is expected to be continuing in the foreseeable future and the reading of the biofuels features dealt with in this book, are recommended for anyone interested in understanding this diverse and developing theme.

The field of materials science and technology has undergone revolutionary advances due to the development of novel analytical tools, functional materials, and multidisciplinary approaches to engineering. Additionally, theoretical predictions combined with increasingly improved models and computational capabilities are making impressive contribution

In this first comprehensive compilation of review chapters on this hot topic, more than 30 experts from around the world provide in-depth chapters on their specific areas of expertise, covering such essential topics as: * Block Copolymer Systems, Nanofibers and Nanotubes * Helical Polymer-Based Supramolecular Films * Synthesis of Inorganic Nanotubes * Gold Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes * Recent Advances in Metal Nanoparticle-Attached Electrodes * Oxidation Catalysis by Nanoscale Gold, Silver, and Copper * Concepts in Self-Assembly * Nanocomposites * Amphiphilic Poly(Oxyalkylene)-Amines * Mesoporous Alumina * Nanoceramics for Medical Applications * Ecological Toxicology of Engineered Carbon Nanoparticles * Molecular Imprinting * Near-Field Raman Imaging of Nanostructures and Devices * Fullerene-Rich Nanostructures * Interactions of Carbon Nanotubes with Biomolecules * Nanoparticle-Cored Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers * Nanostructured Organogels via Molecular Self-Assembly * Structural DNA Nanotechnology With its coverage of all such important areas as self-assembly, polymeric materials, bionanomaterials, nanotubes, photonic and environmental aspects, this is an essential reference for materials scientists, engineers, chemists, physicists and biologists wishing to gain an in-depth knowledge of all the disciplines involved.

During the last decade, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes have attracted special interest as new nanocarbons with novel properties. Because of their hollow caged structure, they can be used as containers for atoms and molecules, and nanotubes can be used as miniature test-tubes. Chemistry of Nanocarbons presents the most up-to-date research on chemical aspects of nanometer-sized forms of carbon, with emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and nanohorns. All modern chemical aspects are mentioned, including noncovalent interactions, supramolecular assembly, dendrimers, nanocomposites, chirality, nanodevices, host-guest interactions, endohedral fullerenes, magnetic resonance imaging, nanodiamond particles and graphene. The book covers experimental and theoretical aspects of nanocarbons, as well as their uses and potential applications, ranging from molecular electronics to biology and medicine.

This text was ranked by ISI as having the Highest Impact Factor of all publications within Polymer Science. It is a collection of concise reports on the physics and chemistry of polymers.