Polymeric and composite materials are in high demand and their continuing development is making our life style more comfortable. The present book reviews the latest research results in the field and explores the technological advantages of these materials in environmental, biomedical, actuator and fuel cell applications. Also discussed are applications of polymeric and composite materials in such areas as shape memory polymers, green composites for artificial organs, geomembranes for the safe disposal of waste, removal of heavy metals and dyes, adhesives, sensors and actuators, fuel cells, membrane and environmental sustainability, etc.

Smart materials are the way of the future in a variety of fields, from biomedical engineering and chemistry to nanoscience, nanotechnology, and robotics. Featuring an interdisciplinary approach to smart materials and structures, this second edition of Artificial Muscles: Applications of Advanced Polymeric Nanocomposites has been fully updated to thoroughly review the latest knowledge of ionic polymeric conductor nanocomposites (IPCNCs), including ionic polymeric metal nanocomposites (IPMNCs) as biomimetic distributed nanosensors, nanoactuators, nanotransducers, nanorobots, artificial muscles, and electrically controllable intelligent polymeric network structures. Authored by one of the founding fathers of the field, the book introduces fabrication and manufacturing methods of several electrically and chemically active ionic polymeric sensors, actuators, and artificial muscles, as well as a new class of electrically active polymeric nanocomposites and artificial muscles. It also describes a few apparatuses for modeling and testing various artificial muscles to show the viability of chemoactive and electroactive muscles. It presents the theories, modeling, and numerical simulations of ionic polymeric artificial muscles’ electrodynamics and chemodynamics and features current industrial and medical applications of IPMNCs. By covering the fabrication techniques of and novel developments in advanced polymeric nanocomposites, this second edition continues to provides an accessible yet solid foundation to the subject while stimulating further research. Key features: Fully up to date with the latest cutting-edge discoveries in the field Authored by a world expert in the subject area Explores the exciting and growing topic of smart materials in medicine Mohsen Shahinpoor is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine and a leading expert in artificial muscles.

A comprehensive resource on ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) edited by the leading authority on the subject.

This book broadly reviews the modem techniques and significant applications of chemical sensors and biosensors. Chapters are written by experts in the field – including Professor Joseph Wang, the most cited scientist in the world and renowned expert on sensor science who is also co-editor. Each chapter provides technical details beyond the level found in typical journal articles, and explores the application of chemical sensors and biosensors to a significant problem in biomedical science, also providing a prospectus for the future.This book compiles the expert knowledge of many specialists in the construction and use of chemical sensors and biosensors including nitric oxide sensors, glucose sensors, DNA sensors, hydrogen sulfide sensors, oxygen sensors, superoxide sensors, immuno sensors, lab on chip, implatable microsensors, et al. Emphasis is laid on practical problems, ranging from chemical application to biomedical monitoring and from in vitro to in vivo, from single cell to animal to human measurement. This provides the unique opportunity of exchanging and combining the expertise of otherwise apparently unrelated disciplines of chemistry, biological engineering, and electronic engineering, medical, physiological. - Provides user-oriented guidelines for the proper choice and application of new chemical sensors and biosensors - Details new methodological advancements related to and correlated with the measurement of interested species in biomedical samples - Contains many case studies to illustrate the range of application and importance of the chemical sensors and biosensors

This book contains the majority of the papers presented at the NATO Ad vanced Research Workshop (ARW) held in Burlington, Vermont, USA on October 12-15, 1992. This ARW was the first of its kind to address the subject of intrinsically conducting polymers with an emphasis on processing and technological applications. The NATO ARW format was followed in that the subjects addressed here were limited in number but discussed in detail with the attendance being limited to a small number of selected scientists. The ARW brought together lecturers who are leaders in their respective fields from a wide range of NATO and non-NATO countries (a total of 11 countries) with the support of the NATO Scientific Affairs Division and some support from Champlain Cable Corporation. The total number of par ticipants was 33 and the number of presentations was 24. The speakers were chosen based on the topics selected for this workshop and repre sented industry, universities and government laboratories. The field of conducting polymers has grown rapidly during the past few years with important developments in materials processing and fabrica tion that brought about active research programs focusing on the use of these polymers as "smart" materials in technological applications and devices in academic and industrial research laboratories.

Monthly. Papers presented at recent meeting held all over the world by scientific, technical, engineering and medical groups. Sources are meeting programs and abstract publications, as well as questionnaires. Arranged under 17 subject sections, 7 of direct interest to the life scientist. Full programs of meetings listed under sections. Entry gives citation number, paper title, name, mailing address, and any ordering number assigned. Quarterly and annual indexes to subjects, authors, and programs (not available in monthly issues).

Since four decades, rapid detection and monitoring in clinical and food diagnostics and in environmental and biodefense have paved the way for the elaboration of electrochemical biosensors. Thanks to their adaptability, ease of use in relatively complex samples, and their portability, electrochemical biosensors now are one of the mainstays of analy