"Polymer Science and Engineering: Challenges, Needs, and Opportunities," a report issued in 1981 by the National Research Council's ad hoc Panel on Polymer Science and Engineering gives ample support for the urgent need of increased commitment to basic studies on polymers. Needs and opportunities, mentioned in the Panel's list, included polymerization methods, specialty polymers, high performance materials, and in situ (reaction injection molding) polymerization for direct conversion of monomers/oligomers to useful shapes. Clearly, in all these and several other areas, advances in polymer synthesis are needed. Whether one takes a look at the commodity or specialty polymers area or considers areas of growing needs, such as polymers for the automotive, aerospace, electronics, communications, separations, packaging, biomedical, etc., advances in polymer synthesis are needed. Polymeric materials, as they are constantly being modified and improved, fine-tuned for current and additional needs, and more readily adopted by industry and the public, will have a vastly expanding influence on everyday life. However, lack of long-term support of meaningful size for basic research on all facets of polymer chemistry and engineering, with particular emphasis on making needed advances in polymer synthesis, could well stunt the growth of high techn.ology in our country. Expanding this thought, lack of attention to basic research on polymer synthesis could help foster or insure that we won't have materials with performance profiles to meet requirements of emerging technologies and national needs, in a reasonably economic and timely fashion.

Polymer latex particles continue to become increasingly important in numerous commercial applications. Advanced synthesis techniques are the key to developing new functionality for nanoparticles. These methods make it possible to tailor the size, chemical composition, or properties of these particles, as well as the molecular weight of the polymer

This book discusses synthesis and characterization of sustainable polymers. The book covers opportunities and challenges of using sustainable polymers to replace existing petroleum based feedstock. This volume provides insights into the chemistry of polymerization, and discusses tailoring the properties of the polymers at the source in order fit requirements of specific applications. The book also covers processing of these polymers and their critical assessment. The book will be of use to chemists and engineers in the industry and academia working on sustainable polymers and their commercialization to replace dependence on petroleum-based polymers.

Most practitioners and students of polymer chemistry are familiar, in general terms at least, with the established methods of polymer synthesis - radical, anionic, cationic and coordination addition polymerization, and stepwise con densation and rearrangement polymerization. These methods are used to synthesize the majority of polymers used in the manufacture of commercially important plastics, fibres, resins and rubbers, and are covered in most introduc tory polymer chemistry textbooks and in most undergraduate and graduate courses on polymer science. Fewer polymer chemists, however, have much familiarity with more recent developments in methods of polymer synthesis, unless they have been specifically involved for some time in the synthesis of speciality polymers. These developments include not only refinements to established methods but also new mechanisms of polymerization, such as group transfer and metathesis polymerization and novel non-polymerization routes to speciality polymers involving, for example, the chemical modification of preformed polymers or the linking together of short terminally functionalized blocks.

Most practitioners and students of polymer chemistry are familiar, in general terms at least, with the established methods of polymer synthesis - radical, anionic, cationic and coordination addition polymerization, and stepwise con densation and rearrangement polymerization. These methods are used to synthesize the majority of polymers used in the manufacture of commercially important plastics, fibres, resins and rubbers, and are covered in most introduc tory polymer chemistry textbooks and in most undergraduate and graduate courses on polymer science. Fewer polymer chemists, however, have much familiarity with more recent developments in methods of polymer synthesis, unless they have been specifically involved for some time in the synthesis of speciality polymers. These developments include not only refinements to established methods but also new mechanisms of polymerization, such as group transfer and metathesis polymerization and novel non-polymerization routes to speciality polymers involving, for example, the chemical modification of preformed polymers or the linking together of short terminally functionalized blocks.

This book reviews several domains of polymer science, especially new trends in polymerization synthesis, physical-chemical properties, and inorganic systems. Composites and nanocomposites are also covered in this book, emphasizing nanotechnologies and their impact on the enhancement of physical and mechanical properties of these new materials. Kinetics and simulation are discussed and also considered as promising techniques for achieving chemistry and predicting physical property goals. This book presents a selection of interdisciplinary papers on the state of knowledge of each topic under consideration through a combination of overviews and original unpublished research.

A highly readable introductory textbook on polymer science, ideal for those requiring a broad overview of the subject. Recent advances on special topics in polymer chemistry and polymers and the environment are included.