Nowadays, polymer self-assembly has become extremely attractive for both biological (drug delivery, tissue engineering, scaffolds) and non-biological (packaging, semiconductors) applications. In nature, a number of key biological processes are driven by polymer self-assembly, for instance protein folding. Impressive morphologies can be assembled from polymers thanks to a diverse range of interactions involved, e.g., electrostatics, hydrophobic, hots-guest interactions, etc. Both 2D and 3D tailor-made assemblies can be designed through modern powerful techniques and approaches such as the layer-by-layer and the Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, hard and soft templating. This Special Issue highlights contributions (research papers, short communications, review articles) that focus on recent developments in polymer self-assembly for both fundamental understanding the assembly phenomenon and real applications.

The term ‘miktoarm polymers’ refers to asymmetric branched macromolecules, a relatively new entry to the macromolecular field. Recent advances in their synthesis and intriguing supramolecular chemistry in a desired medium has seen a fast expansion of their applications. The composition of miktoarm polymers can be tailored and even pre-defined to allow a desired combination of functions, meaning polymer chemists can have complete control of the overall architecture of these macromolecules. By carefully selecting the composition, they can create supramolecular structures with intriguing properties, particularly for applications in biology. Miktoarm Star Polymers features chapters from experts actively working in this field, and provides the reader with a unique introduction to the fundamental principles of this exciting macromolecular system. Topics covered include the design, synthesis, characterization, self-assembly and applications of miktoarm polymers. The book is an excellent overview and up to date guide to those working in research in polymer chemistry, materials science, and polymers for medical applications.

Offering an overview of principles and techniques, this book covers all major categories of self-assembled polymers – properties, processes, and design. Each chapter focuses on morphology, applications, and advanced concepts to illustrate the advantages of polymer self-assembly across industrial and academic research. • Provides an organized, comprehensive overview of polymer self-assembly, its fundamentals, principles, and applications • Includes chapters on block copolymers, amphiphilic polymers, supramolecular polymers, rotaxenes, polymer gels, dendrimers, and small molecules in polymer matrices • Focuses on novel applications, block copolymer assembly to nanotechnology, photonics and metamaterials, molecular machines and artificial muscle, gels that can be applied to polymer science, materials science, and nanotechnology • Examines state-of-the-art concepts, like lithographic patterning and foldaxane • Discusses challenges and future outlook of a popular and emerging field of study

The directed self-assembly (DSA) method of patterning for microelectronics uses polymer phase-separation to generate features of less than 20nm, with the positions of self-assembling materials externally guided into the desired pattern. Directed self-assembly of Block Co-polymers for Nano-manufacturing reviews the design, production, applications and future developments needed to facilitate the widescale adoption of this promising technology. Beginning with a solid overview of the physics and chemistry of block copolymer (BCP) materials, Part 1 covers the synthesis of new materials and new processing methods for DSA. Part 2 then goes on to outline the key modelling and characterization principles of DSA, reviewing templates and patterning using topographical and chemically modified surfaces, line edge roughness and dimensional control, x-ray scattering for characterization, and nanoscale driven assembly. Finally, Part 3 discusses application areas and related issues for DSA in nano-manufacturing, including for basic logic circuit design, the inverse DSA problem, design decomposition and the modelling and analysis of large scale, template self-assembly manufacturing techniques. - Authoritative outlining of theoretical principles and modeling techniques to give a thorough introdution to the topic - Discusses a broad range of practical applications for directed self-assembly in nano-manufacturing - Highlights the importance of this technology to both the present and future of nano-manufacturing by exploring its potential use in a range of fields

This book explores functional polymers containing aromatic azo chromophores in side-chain, main-chain and other parts of their structures, known as azo polymers and which share common photoresponsive properties. It focuses on the molecular architecture of azo polymers, the synthetic methods and their most important functions, such as photoinduced birefringence and dichroism, surface-relief-grating (SRG) formation, and light-driven deformation of liquid crystal elastomers. It combines a general survey of the subject and in-depth discussions of each topic, including numerous illustrations, figures, and photographs. Offering a balance between an introduction to the core concepts and a snapshot of hot and emerging topics, it is of interest to graduate students and researchers working in this and related fields. Xiaogong Wang is a Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, China.

This book describes techniques of synthesis and self-assembly of macromolecules for developing new materials and improving functionality of existing ones. Because self-assembly emulates how nature creates complex systems, they likely have the best chance at succeeding in real-world biomedical applications. • Employs synthetic chemistry, physical chemistry, and materials science principles and techniques • Emphasizes self-assembly in solutions (particularly, aqueous solutions) and at solid-liquid interfaces • Describes polymer assembly driven by multitude interactions, including solvophobic, electrostatic, and obligatory co-assembly • Illustrates assembly of bio-hybrid macromolecules and applications in biomedical engineering

This primer introduces the theory of self-assembly of block polymers, most notably self-consistent field theory (SCFT). Block polymer self-assembly is a fascinating and highly interdisciplinary topic. This primer can be read at several levels, depending on what readers want to get out of it. Readers who want an overview of self-assembly in block polymer and what SCFT says about the process can read Chapters 1-3 and skip to Chapter 7 to see the open questions. If the reader is further interested in the output of SCFT calculations but not how those outputs are generated, they should read Chapter 6 as well. But if the reader wants to learn how to do the SCFT calculations themselves, Chapters 4 and 5 offer an accessible introduction to the theory and numerical methods, providing an excellent entry point into the literature. This primer includes data that the authors have computed using SCFT. All calculations use the open-source software package Polymer Self-Consistent Field (PSCF), developed by David Morse at the University of Minnesota. Take breaks from reading to watch ten “Insider Q&A” videos included throughout, which offer additional insight from experts in the field, such as An-Chang Shi, Chinedum O. Osuji, Frank S. Bates, Christopher M. Bates, Glenn H. Fredrickson, and Lisa Hall. Furthermore, this primer includes multiple features to aid and enhance readers’ learning. “That’s a Wrap” summarizes key concepts at the end of each chapter, while “Read These Next” suggests references that may interest further reading. A pop-up glossary ensures readers have definitions as needed throughout the primer.