Catalytic olefin insertion polymerization has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, from both scientific and commerical points of view. The boundaries originally determined by Karl Ziegler have finally been exceeded and insertion polymerization is now a commercially attractive process and environmentally sound. On September 28 and 29, 2000, BASF AG hosted the Conference on Insertion Poymerization in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Experts from around the world gathered to present and discuss the state-of -the-art in insertion polymerization, with special emphasis on recent scientific breakthroughs, industrial applications and future prospects. This volume of Macromolecular Symposia contains many of the papers presented and provides an overview of the current state and predicted directions of insertion polymerization research and technology.

This book contains contributions to the Symposium of the Italian Macromolecules Science and Technology Association (AIM). This conference, which takes place every two years in various Italian cities, represents the most important gathering for the AIM members. The 17th AIM Symposium held in Naples in 2005 celebrated the 30th AIM anniversary. The symposium covered the following topics: Synthesis and modifications of polymers; structure, properties and macromolecular architecture; polymers for biomedical applications; functional polymers and polymers for special uses; biopolymers.

The progress in polymer science is revealed in the chapters of Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference, Ten Volume Set. In Volume 1, this is reflected in the improved understanding of the properties of polymers in solution, in bulk and in confined situations such as in thin films. Volume 2 addresses new characterization techniques, such as high resolution optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and other procedures for surface and interface characterization. Volume 3 presents the great progress achieved in precise synthetic polymerization techniques for vinyl monomers to control macromolecular architecture: the development of metallocene and post-metallocene catalysis for olefin polymerization, new ionic polymerization procedures, and atom transfer radical polymerization, nitroxide mediated polymerization, and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer systems as the most often used controlled/living radical polymerization methods. Volume 4 is devoted to kinetics, mechanisms and applications of ring opening polymerization of heterocyclic monomers and cycloolefins (ROMP), as well as to various less common polymerization techniques. Polycondensation and non-chain polymerizations, including dendrimer synthesis and various "click" procedures, are covered in Volume 5. Volume 6 focuses on several aspects of controlled macromolecular architectures and soft nano-objects including hybrids and bioconjugates. Many of the achievements would have not been possible without new characterization techniques like AFM that allowed direct imaging of single molecules and nano-objects with a precision available only recently. An entirely new aspect in polymer science is based on the combination of bottom-up methods such as polymer synthesis and molecularly programmed self-assembly with top-down structuring such as lithography and surface templating, as presented in Volume 7. It encompasses polymer and nanoparticle assembly in bulk and under confined conditions or influenced by an external field, including thin films, inorganic-organic hybrids, or nanofibers. Volume 8 expands these concepts focusing on applications in advanced technologies, e.g. in electronic industry and centers on combination with top down approach and functional properties like conductivity. Another type of functionality that is of rapidly increasing importance in polymer science is introduced in volume 9. It deals with various aspects of polymers in biology and medicine, including the response of living cells and tissue to the contact with biofunctional particles and surfaces. The last volume is devoted to the scope and potential provided by environmentally benign and green polymers, as well as energy-related polymers. They discuss new technologies needed for a sustainable economy in our world of limited resources. Provides broad and in-depth coverage of all aspects of polymer science from synthesis/polymerization, properties, and characterization methods and techniques to nanostructures, sustainability and energy, and biomedical uses of polymers Provides a definitive source for those entering or researching in this area by integrating the multidisciplinary aspects of the science into one unique, up-to-date reference work Electronic version has complete cross-referencing and multi-media components Volume editors are world experts in their field (including a Nobel Prize winner)

This volume contains the proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Transition Metal Catalyzed Polymerizations held in 1986. The papers provide a broad-based perspective covering recent scientific and technological advances in Ziegler-Natta and metathesis polymerization, including olefin, diene, and acetylene polymerization, and copolymerization. The emphasis on reaction kinetics of polymerizations in different reagent and catalyst environments makes this volume of interest to both academic and industrial researchers.

The proposed book focusses on metal mediated/catalyzed “controlled/living radical polymerization” (CRP/LRP) methods. It surveys a wide variety of catalyzed polymerization reactions, making it essentially a “one stop” review in the field. A significant contribution to polymer science is “metathesis polymerization” discovered by Grubbs and others. The book will cover various metathesis polymerization methods and implications in polymer industry.

Including recent advances and historically important catalysts, this book overviews methods for developing and applying polymerization catalysts – dealing with polymerization catalysts that afford commercially acceptable high yields of polymer with respect to catalyst mass or productivity. • Contains the valuable data needed to reproduce syntheses or use the catalyst for new applications • Offers a guide to the design and synthesis of catalysts, and their applications in synthesis of polymers • Includes the information essential for choosing the appropriate reactions to maximize yield of polymer synthesized • Presents new chapters on vanadium catalysts, Ziegler catalysts, laboratory homopolymerization, and copolymerization

The compact, affordable reference, revised and updated The Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Concise Third Edition provides the key information from the complete, twelve-volume Mark's Encyclopedia in an affordable, condensed format. Completely revised and updated, this user-friendly desk reference offers quick access to all areas of polymer science, including important advances in nanotechnology, imaging and analytical techniques, controlled polymer architecture, biomimetics, and more, all in one volume. Like the twelve-volume full edition, the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Concise Third Edition provides both SI and common units, carefully selected key references for each article, and hundreds of tables, charts, figures, and graphs.