Polymers are substances containing a large number of structural units joined by the same type of linkage. These substances often form into a chain-like structure. Starch, cellulose, and rubber all possess polymeric properties. Today, the polymer industry has grown to be larger than the aluminium, copper and steel industries combined. Polymers already have a range of applications that far exceeds that of any other class of material available to man. Current applications extend from adhesives, coatings, foams, and packaging materials to textile and industrial fibres, elastomers, and structural plastics. Polymers are also used for most composites, electronic devices, biomedical devices, optical devices, and precursors for many newly developed high-tech ceramics. This new book presents leading-edge research in this rapidly-changing and evolving field.

It is generally accepted that a new material is often developed by ?nding a new synthesis method of reaction or a new reaction catalyst. Historically, a typical example may be referred to as a Ziegler–Natta catalyst, which has allowed large-scale production of petroleum-based polyole?ns since the middle of the 20th century. New polymer synthesis, therefore, will hopefully lead to creation of new polymer materials in the 21st century. This special issue contributed by three groups focuses on recent advances in polymer synthesis methods, which handle the cutting-edge aspects of the advanced technology. The ?rst article by Yokozawa and coworkers contains an overview of the - action control in various condensation polymerizations (polycondensations). Advanced technologies enabled the control of stereochemistry (regio-, g- metrical-, and enantio-selections), chemoselectivity, chain topology, and st- chiometry of monomers, giving a high molecular weight polymer. It has been recognized for a long time, however, that polycondensation is a dif?cult p- cess in controlling the reaction pathway, because the reaction is of step-growth and the reactivity of monomers, oligomers, and polymers are almost the same during the reaction and hence, the molecular weight of polymers and its d- tribution (M /M ) are impossible to regulate. The authors’ group developed w n a new reaction system (chain-growth condensation polymerization), changing the nature of polycondensation from step-growth to chain-growth; namely the propagating chain-end is active, allowing for control of the product molecular weight as well as the distribution.

Polymers are used in everything from nylon stockings to commercial aircraft to artificial heart valves, and they have a key role in addressing international competitiveness and other national issues. Polymer Science and Engineering explores the universe of polymers, describing their properties and wide-ranging potential, and presents the state of the science, with a hard look at downward trends in research support. Leading experts offer findings, recommendations, and research directions. Lively vignettes provide snapshots of polymers in everyday applications. The volume includes an overview of the use of polymers in such fields as medicine and biotechnology, information and communication, housing and construction, energy and transportation, national defense, and environmental protection. The committee looks at the various classes of polymersâ€"plastics, fibers, composites, and other materials, as well as polymers used as membranes and coatingsâ€"and how their composition and specific methods of processing result in unparalleled usefulness. The reader can also learn the science behind the technology, including efforts to model polymer synthesis after nature's methods, and breakthroughs in characterizing polymer properties needed for twenty-first-century applications. This informative volume will be important to chemists, engineers, materials scientists, researchers, industrialists, and policymakers interested in the role of polymers, as well as to science and engineering educators and students.

This book represents the proceedings of the First International Conference on Frontiers of Polymer Research held in New Delhi, India during January 20-25, 1991. Polymers have usually been perceived as substances to be used in insulations, coatings, fabrics, and structural materials. Defying this classical view, polymers are emerging as a new class of materials with potential applications in many new technologies. They also offer challenging opportunities for fundamental research. Recognizing a tremendous growth in world wide interest in polymer research and technology, a truly global "1st International Conference on Frontiers of Polymer Research" was organized by P. N. Prasad (SUNY at Buffalo), F. E. Karasz (University of Massachusetts) and J. K. Nigam (Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, India). The 225 participants represented 25 countries and a wide variety of academic, industrial and government groups. The conference was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Chandra Shekhar and had a high level media coverage. The focus of the conference was on three frontier areas of polymer research: (i) Polymers for photonics, where nonlinear optical properties of polymers show great promise, (ii) Polymers for electronics, where new conduction mechanisms and photophysics have generated considerable enthusiasm and (iii) High performance polymers as new advanced polymers have exhibited exceptionally high mechanical strength coupled with light weight.

Composite materials are made from at least two different materials with significantly different properties and behaviour. When such materials are combined, the produced composite has completely different characteristics compared to the individual components. In ancient Egypt, the earliest composite materials where created to form bricks out of mud and straw for building constructions. Polymeric composites are steadily growing and are one of the most promising material classes, which have the opportunity to deal with new challenges approaching from the market. These materials are often stronger, lighter or less expensive when compared to traditional materials, but the demands and needs are getting more diverse and complex. Modern composites comprise the incorporation of filler in micro and nanoscale, as well as the construction of specific structure especially the imitation of nature - to create new or improved material properties. This book gives an overview of the scientific investigations carried out in recent years. The topics discussed are forging an arc over different kinds of composite materials such as composites based on commonly available polymeric raw materials, but also composites based on biological raw materials as well as the achievable material properties comprising mechanical, electrical, structural and tribological properties. Additionally, the book is also shedding light on the construction and structuring of such composites using nature as an inspiring example.

Photochromism is the reversible phototransformation of a chemical species between two forms having different absorption spectra. During the phototransformation not only the absorption spectra but also various physicochemical properties change, such as the refractive index, dielectric constant, oxidation/reduction potential, and geometrical structure. The property changes can be applied to photonic equipment such as erasable memory media, photo-optical switch components, and display devices. This book compiles the accomplishments of the research project titled “New Frontiers in Photochromism” supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. The project focused not only on the above-mentioned classical subjects in photochromism, such as color changes, optical memory, and optical switches, but also on fundamental physicochemical studies and unprecedented application fields that have not yet been explored in photochromism. The latter topics include light-driven mechanical motion, photocontrol of surface wettability, metal deposition on solid materials, photocontrol of chiral properties, ultrafast decoloration dyes, and femtosecond laser experiments, among others.