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

Derived from the fourth edition of the well-known Plastics Technology Handbook, Industrial Polymers, Specialty Polymers, and Their Applications covers a wide range of general and special types of polymers

From authors renowned in the fields of engineering and biology, this is the first book to integrate sensor and actuator technology with bioinspired design. Beginning with detailed descriptions of actuation and sensing mechanisms in plants and animals, the authors move on to apply these principles to synthetic design, offering in-depth knowledge of the development of state-of-the-art smart materials and devices. All of this is supported with a range of real-world applications, from tactile sensory systems in insects linked with the development of robotic hands, to the structural colour systems in nature used to inspire camouflage technology. Further examples are given of successful designs along with their integrated autonomous systems, such as flying and swimming, unmanned systems, and autonomous zero-energy building design. With a wide interdisciplinary appeal, this is an ideal resource for any student, practising engineer, or researcher interested in the connection between natural systems and synthetic design.

Updated throughout to reflect advances over the last decade, the Fifth Edition continues the handbook’s tradition of authoritative coverage of fundamentals, production methods, properties, and applications of plastics and polymer-based materials. It covers tooling for plastics fabrication processes, thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, foamed plastics, reinforced plastics, plastisols, and new developments in mold design. It also discusses rubber compounding and processing technologies. More recent developments in polymer fabrication and processing, including electrospinning, electrografted coating, polymer-metal hybrid joining, flex printing, and rapid prototyping/ 3D printing, are also presented. The handbook highlights advanced materials including natural and synthetic gfnanosize polymers, their unusual properties, and innovative applications, as well as polymer-carbon nanocomposites, graphene-based polymer nanocomposites, smart healable polymer composites, smart polymer coatings, electroactive polymers, polymer nanomaterials, and novel nano-/microfibrillar polymer composites. It offers updates on polymer solar battery development, plastics recycling and disposal methods, new concepts of "upcycling" and single-polymer composites, renewable synthetic polymers, biodegradable plastics and composites, and toxicity of plastics. The book also provides an overview of new developments in polymer applications in various fields including packaging, building and construction, corrosion prevention and control, automotive, aerospace applications, electrical and electronic applications, agriculture and horticulture, domestic appliances and business machines, medical and biomedical applications, marine and offshore applications, and sports.

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.

Examining smart 3D printing at the nanoscale, this book discusses various methods of fabrication, the presence of inherent defects and their annihilation, property analysis, and emerging applications across an array of industries. The book serves to bridge the gap between the concept of nanotechnology and the tailorable properties of smart 3D-print products. FEATURES Covers surface and interface analysis and smart technologies in 3D nanoprinting Details different materials, such as polymers, metals, semiconductors, glassceramics, and composites, as well as their selection criteria, fabrication, and defect analysis at nanoscale Describes optimization and modeling and the effect of machine parameters on 3D-printed products Discusses critical barriers and opportunities Explores emerging applications in manufacturing industries, such as aerospace, healthcare, automotive, energy, construction, and defense Smart 3D Nanoprinting: Fundamentals, Materials, and Applications is aimed at advanced students, researchers, and industry professionals in materials, manufacturing, chemical, and mechanical engineering. This book offers readers a comprehensive overview of the properties, opportunities, and applications of smart 3D nanoprinting.

Polymers in Organic Electronics: Polymer Selection for Electronic, Mechatronic, and Optoelectronic Systems provides readers with vital data, guidelines, and techniques for optimally designing organic electronic systems using novel polymers. The book classifies polymer families, types, complexes, composites, nanocomposites, compounds, and small molecules while also providing an introduction to the fundamental principles of polymers and electronics. Features information on concepts and optimized types of electronics and a classification system of electronic polymers, including piezoelectric and pyroelectric, optoelectronic, mechatronic, organic electronic complexes, and more. The book is designed to help readers select the optimized material for structuring their organic electronic system.Chapters discuss the most common properties of electronic polymers, methods of optimization, and polymeric-structured printed circuit boards. The polymeric structures of optoelectronics and photonics are covered and the book concludes with a chapter emphasizing the importance of polymeric structures for packaging of electronic devices. - Provides key identifying details on a range of polymers, micro-polymers, nano-polymers, resins, hydrocarbons, and oligomers - Covers the most common electrical, electronic, and optical properties of electronic polymers - Describes the underlying theories on the mechanics of polymer conductivity - Discusses polymeric structured printed circuit boards, including their rapid prototyping and optimizing their polymeric structures - Shows optimization methods for both polymeric structures of organic active electronic components and organic passive electronic components