The focus of the book is the modification of surfaces to tailor them for a specific purpose. Using this method of surface modification, materials chosen for their bulk properties (tensile strength, temperature stability, density, price can be optimized for any particular application, which can lead to improved hardness, biological inertness or activity, corrosion resistance, low or high friction or adhesion, water repellency or wettability, or catalytic activity. The works of the author — many of his crucial papers are included — touches upon these surface properties and spans fields including catalysis, analytical surface science, self-assembled monolayers, tribology, biomaterials, superhydrophobicity and polymer coatings.

This book contains papers on bioactive polymers presented by distinguished scientists at the Third International Conference on Polymers in Medicine, sponsored by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and the European Society for Biomaterials. In accordance with the scope and objectives of the Conference, the papers shed light on two major topics connected with the formulation and utilization of bioactive polymers and related composites in the fields of biomaterials, polymeric drugs and drug delivery systems. Polymers in Medicine III thus contains much useful information in an interdisciplinary area that constitutes a suitable outlet for both conventional and specialty polymers.