The polydiacetylenes are a class of polymers that are attrac ting increasing attention worldwide. There are many reasons for this interest one of the most important being the availability of many polydiacetylenes as macroscopic, high quality, single crystals. This fact was first reported in the pioneering work of Prof. G. Hegner on the solid-state polymerization of disub stituted diacetylenes in the late 1960s. Since then studies of the polymerization process and the properties of monomers and polymers have advanced understanding of solid-state reactivity and the physiCS of quasi-one-dimensional materials. More recently work on soluble polydiacetylenes, gels and films has been of interest for both academic and technological reasons. Progress in this area has required a combination of research disciplines ranging from synthetic organic chemistry to solid state physics. The interdisciplinary effort required for success ful research in polydiacetylenes was reflected in the mix of chemists, physicists and materials scientists who attended the Workshop. The emerging potential for commercial applications of polydiacetylenes was also evident in the nearly equal partici pation of academic and industrial/government scientists. The WOrkshop was the first major international meeting to focus solely on polydiacetylenes. It provided a forum in which problems of mutual interest could be discussed by scientists with diverse backgrounds and interests. It also satisfied the need for a review of the science of these materials at a time when this basic understanding is leading to technological applications.

The organization of polymers near defects is a general question of both scientific and technological interest. The relationship between microstructure and properties must involve a discussion of defects. But defects in macromolecular materials are not as clearly defined as in more ordered systems. Schemes to classify defects must rely on the symmetry of the phase, the dimensionality of the defect and the nature of the deformation induced. Several researchers such as Kleman (1983) and Wunderlich (1973) have classified macromolecular defects using these constraints. Defects in polymer systems have not been thoroughly studied because of difficulties in imaging the local regions around defects in organic materials with high energy electron beams. Also, defects are difficult to isolate and study in detail because most polymer systems have a intermediate amount of disorder present in the bulk structure.

In the last decade, much progress has been made in these materials. This book presents a highly coherent coverage of supramolecular, photosensitive and electroactive materials, namely those that have been extensively investigated for applications in fields of electronic and photonic technologies. This extensive reference provides broad coverage of on different types of materials, their processing, spectroscopic characterization, physical properties and device applications.The implications reach from molecular recognition in synthetic and natural complexes to exciting new applications in chemical technologies, materials, nanostructures, functional materials, new generation catalysts, signal transducers, medical and biomedical applications and novel separation techniques. All these applications rely on supramolecular properties such as molecular recognition, molecular information, and tailored molecular assemblies.This book is aimed to present a highly coherent coverage of supramolecular, photosenstive and electroactive materials and their applications in electronic and photonic technologies. The research behind these materials constitute some of the most actively pursued fields of science.Key Features* Covers supramolecular photosensitive and electroactive materials* Provides recent developments on metallophthalocyanines and polydiacetylenes* Include various types of supramolecular materials, their processing, fabrication, physical properties and device applications* Role of polyimides in microelectronic and tribology* Describes Photosynthetic and respiratory proteins, Dendrimers* A very special topic presented in a timely manner and in a format

Concise Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia culls the most used, widely applicable articles from the Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia - more than 1,100 - and presents them to you in a condensed, well-ordered format. Featuring contributions from more than 1,800 scientists from all over the world, the book discusses a vast array of subjects related to the: synthesis, properties, and applications of polymeric materials development of modern catalysts in preparing new or modified polymers modification of existing polymers by chemical and physical processes biologically oriented polymers This comprehensive, easy-to-use resource on modern polymeric materials serves as an invaluable addition to reference collections in the polymer field.

This volume brings together contributions from world renowned researchers on molecular nonlinear optics. It takes as its impetus work done over the last five years in which newly developed optoelectronic devices havedeepened our understanding of the fundamental physics and chemistry underlying these materials. Organic materials involving thin films, polymers, and resulting devices will be emphasized.