The articles collected in this publication have previously been published in eight special issues of the Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, in honour of Dr. Allan S. Hoffman, who is known as a pioneer, a leader and a mentor in the field of biomaterials. The papers from renowned scientists from all parts of the world, representing the

The articles collected in this publication have previously been published in eight special issues of the Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, in honour of Dr. Allan S. Hoffman, who is known as a pioneer, a leader and a mentor in the field of biomaterials. The papers from renowned scientists from all parts of the world, representing the state-of-the-art in polymeric biomaterials today, have been rearranged into a logical order of sections, each having a distinct focus. The topics covered are: Surface Modification, Characterization and Properties; Protein Adsorption; Blood Interactions; Cell Interactions; Immobilized Cell Receptor Ligands and Immobilized Cells; Immobilized Biomolecules and Synthetic Derivatives of Biomolecules; New Polymers and Applications; Biodegradable Polymers and Drug Delivery; Water-Soluble Biomolecules, Sunthetic Polymers, and their Conjugates; Hydrogels.

In what is an extremely practical and applicable new work, experts provide concise explanations, with examples and illustrations, of the key techniques in this important field. In each case, after basic principles have been reviewed, applications of the experimental techniques are discussed and illustrated with specific examples. Scientists and engineers in research and development will benefit from an application-oriented book that helps them to find solutions to both fundamental and applied problems. They will know that the surfaces and interfaces of polymers play an important role in most of the application areas of polymers, from moulds, foils, and composites, to biomaterials and applications in micro- and nanotechnology.

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of the molecular design, characterization, and physical chemistry of soft interfaces. At the same time, the book aims to encourage the fabrication of functional materials including biomaterials. During the past few decades there has been steady growth in soft-interface science, and that growth has been especially rapid in the twenty-first century. The field is interdisciplinary because it involves chemistry, polymer science, materials science, physical chemistry, and biology. Based on the increasing interdisciplinary nature of undergraduate and graduate programs, the primary goal of this present work is to serve as a comprehensive resource for senior-level undergraduates and for graduate students, particularly in polymer chemistry, materials science, bioconjugate chemistry, bioengineering, and biomaterials. Additionally, with the growing interest in the fabrication of functional soft materials, this book provides essential fundamental information for researchers not only in academia but also in industry.

Nearly 4000 years ago, the Egyptians used linen, a natural polymeric material, for suturing wounds. About 600 B.C., the Indians used other forms of natural polymers such as cotton, horse hair, and leather in repairing wounds. Wound closure procedures using silk sutures, based mostly on polypeptides, are likely to have been practiced during the second century. Surgical application of natural polymers continued to represent the major use of polymers until the twentieth century. Not too long after the development of several major synthetic polymers, their use in biomedical applications has attracted the attention of many re searchers and clinicians. Over the past few years, interest in the biomedical applications of polymers has grown considerably. This has been the result of the inevitable collaborative efforts of in novative materials scientists, engineers and clinicians. The es tablishment of the Society for Biomaterials, in our opinion, cata lyzed the growing interest in the use of polymers for biomedical application. In a major effort to bring team players even closer, a five-day symposium on "Polymers as Biomaterials" was held in Seattle, Washing ton, in March, 1983 as part of the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. The symposium was designed to provide a forum for communicating technical and clinical data to colleagues with a broad spectrum of interest in the biomedical applications of polymers.

Offering nearly 7000 references-3900 more than the first edition-Polymeric Biomaterials, Second Edition is an up-to-the-minute source for plastics and biomedical engineers, polymer scientists, biochemists, molecular biologists, macromolecular chemists, pharmacists, cardiovascular and plastic surgeons, and graduate and medical students in these disciplines. Completely revised and updated, it includes coverage of genetic engineering, synthesis of biodegradable polymers, hydrogels, and mucoadhesive polymers, as well as polymers for dermacosmetic treatments, burn and wound dressings, orthopedic surgery, artificial joints, vascular prostheses, and in blood contacting systems.

Advanced Material Interfaces is a state-of-the-art look at innovative methodologies and strategies adopted for interfaces and their applications. The 13 chapters are written by eminent researchers not only elaborate complex interfaces fashioned of solids, liquids, and gases, but also ensures cross-disciplinary mixture and blends of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering and life sciences. Advanced interfaces operate fundamental roles in essentially all integrated devices. It is therefore of the utmost urgency to focus on how newly-discovered fundamental constituents and interfacial progressions can be materialized and used for precise purposes. Interfaces are associated in wide multiplicity of application spectrum from chemical catalysis to drug functions and the advancement is funnelled by fine-tuning of our fundamental understanding of the interface effects.