Ch. 1. Block copolymer thin films / J.-Y. Wang, S. Park and T. P. Russell -- ch. 2. Equilibration of block copolymer films on chemically patterned surfaces / G. S. W. Craig, H. Kang and P. F. Nealey -- ch. 3. Structure formation and evolution in confined cylinder-forming block copolymers / G. J. A. Sevink and J. G. E. M. Fraaije -- ch. 4. Block copolymer lithography for magnetic device fabrication / J. Y. Cheng and C. A. Ross -- ch. 5. Hierarchical structuring of polymer nanoparticles by self-organization / M. Shimomura ... [et al.] -- ch. 6. Wrinkling polymers for surface structure control and functionality / E. P. Chan and A. J. Crosby -- ch. 7. Crystallization in polymer thin films: morphology and growth / R. M. Van Horn and S. Z. D. Cheng -- ch. 8. Friction at soft polymer surface / M. K. Chaudhury, K. Vorvolakos and D. Malotky -- ch. 9. Relationship between molecular architecture, large-strain mechanical response and adhesive performance of model, block copolymer-based pressure sensitive adhesives / C. Creton and K. R. Shull -- ch. 10. Stability and dewetting of thin liquid films / K. Jacobs, R. Seemann and S. Herminghaus -- ch. 11. Anomalous dynamics of polymer Films / O. K. C. Tsui.

This book is a treatise on the thermodynamic and dynamic properties of thin liquid films at solid surfaces and, in particular, their rupture instabilities. For the quantitative study of these phenomena, polymer thin films (sometimes referred to as “ultrathin”) have proven to be an invaluable experimental model system. What is it that makes thin film instabilities special and interesting? First, thin polymeric films have an important range of applications. An understanding of their instabilities is therefore of practical relevance for the design of such films. The first chapter of the book intends to give a snapshot of current applications, and an outlook on promising future ones. Second, thin liquid films are an interdisciplinary research topic, which leads to a fairly heterogeneous community working on the topic. It justifies attempting to write a text which gives a coherent presentation of the field which researchers across their specialized communities might be interested in. Finally, thin liquid films are an interesting laboratory for a theorist to confront a well-established theory, hydrodynamics, with its limits. Thin films are therefore a field in which a highly fruitful exchange and collaboration exists between experimentalists and theorists. The book stretches from the more concrete to more abstract levels of study: we roughly progress from applications via theory and experiment to rigorous mathematical theory. For an experimental scientist, the book should serve as a reference and guide to what is the current consensus of the theoretical underpinnings of the field of thin film dynamics. Controversial problems on which such a consensus has not yet been reached are clearly indicated in the text, as well as discussed in a final chapter. From a theoretical point of view, the field of dewetting has mainly been treated in a mathematically ‘light’ yet elegant fashion, often making use of scaling arguments. For the untrained researcher, this approach is not always easy to follow. The present book attempts to bridge between the ‘light’ and the ‘rigorous’, always with the ambition to enhance insight and understanding - and to not let go the elegance of the theory.

This book comprises the contributions of several authors in the area of polymer physics by application of conducting polymers; hydrogel films on optical fiber core; thin film polymers; PDLC films application; photopolymers for holographic media; microwave absorption and EMI shielding behavior of nanocomposites based on intrinsically conducting polymers and graphene and carbon nanotubes; in the area of polymer synthesis of conducting polymers; oxidative polymerization of aniline; electro reductive polymerization; polysilanes with ordered sequences; radiation cross-linking poly(urethane-imide) and nitrogen-rich polymers as candidates for energetic applications; development of ruthenium complexes to novel functional nanocomposites. We hope that this book will help inspire readers to pursue study and research in this field.

Polymer films now play an essential and growing role in sensors. Recent advances in polymer science and film preparation have made polymer films useful, practical and economical in a wide range of sensor designs and applications. Further, the continuing miniaturization of microelectronics favors the use of polymer thin films in sensors. This new book is the first comprehensive presentation of this technology. It covers both scientific fundamentals and practical engineering aspects. Included is an extensive survey of all types of sensors and applications. The very detailed table of contents in the next pages provides full information on content. More than 200 schematics illustrate a wide variety of sensor structures and their function.

The theoretical and experimental study of polymers, polymer surfaces and thin films has undergone a revolution in the last 25 years. This book captures recent advances in this field. It covers equilibrium aspects, kinetics and reactions at interfaces. It is aimed not only at a research audience but also at beginners.

This book treats the important issues of interface control in organic devices in a wide range of applications that cover from electronics, displays, and sensors to biorelated devices. This book is composed of three parts: Part 1, Nanoscale interface; Part 2, Molecular electronics; Part 3, Polymer electronics.

The book series Nanomaterials for the Life Sciences, provides an in-depth overview of all nanomaterial types and their uses in the life sciences. Each volume is dedicated to a specific material class and covers fundamentals, synthesis and characterization strategies, structure-property relationships and biomedical applications. The series brings nanomaterials to the Life Scientists and life science to the Materials Scientists so that synergies are seen and developed to the fullest. Written by international experts of various facets of this exciting field of research, the series is aimed at scientists of the following disciplines: biology, chemistry, materials science, physics, bioengineering, and medicine, together with cell biology, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical chemistry, and toxicology, both in academia and fundamental research as well as in pharmaceutical companies. VOLUME 5 - Nanostructured Thin Films and Surfaces