This volume covers experimental and theoretical advances on the relationship between composition, structure and macroscopic mechanical properties of novel hydrogels containing dynamic bonds. The chapters of this volume focus on the control of the mechanical properties of several recently discovered gels with the design of monomer composition, chain architecture, type of crosslinking or internal structure. The gels discussed in the different chapters have in common the capability to dissipate energy upon deformation, a desired property for mechanical toughness, while retaining the ability to recover the properties of the virgin material over time or to self-heal when put back in contact after fracture. Some chapters focus on the synthesis and structural aspects while others focus on properties or modelling at the continuum or mesoscopic scale. The volume will be of interest to chemists and material scientists by providing guidelines and general structure-property considerations to synthesize and develop innovative gels tuned for applications. In addition it will provide physicists with a better understanding of the role of weak interactions between molecules and physical crosslinking on macroscopic dissipative properties and self-healing or self-recovering properties.

Self-Healing Polymer-Based Systems presents all aspects of self-healing polymeric materials, offering detailed information on fundamentals, preparation methods, technology, and applications, and drawing on the latest state-of-the-art research. The book begins by introducing self-healing polymeric systems, with a thorough explanation of underlying concepts, challenges, mechanisms, kinetic and thermodynamics, and types of chemistry involved. The second part of the book studies the main categories of self-healing polymeric material, examining elastomer-based, thermoplastic-based, and thermoset-based materials in turn. This is followed by a series of chapters that examine the very latest advances, including nanoparticles, coatings, shape memory, self-healing biomaterials, ionomers, supramolecular polymers, photoinduced and thermally induced self-healing, healing efficiency, life cycle analysis, and characterization. Finally, novel applications are presented and explained. This book serves as an essential resource for academic researchers, scientists, and graduate students in the areas of polymer properties, self-healing materials, polymer science, polymer chemistry, and materials science. In industry, this book contains highly valuable information for R&D professionals, designers, and engineers, who are looking to incorporate self-healing properties in their materials, products, or components. Provides comprehensive coverage of self-healing polymeric materials, covering principles, techniques, and applications Includes the very latest developments in the field, such as the role of nanofillers in healing, life cycle analysis of materials, and shape memory assisted healing Enables the reader to unlock the potential of self-healing polymeric materials for a range of advanced applications

Hydrogels Based on Natural Polymers presents the latest research on natural polymer-based hydrogels, covering fundamentals, preparation methods, synthetic pathways, advanced properties, major application areas, and novel characterization techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of each natural polymer-based hydrogel are also discussed, enabling preparation tactics for specific properties and applications. Sections cover fundamentals, development, characteristics, structures and properties. Additional chapters cover presentation methods and properties based on natural polymers, including physical and chemical properties, stimuli-responsive properties, self-healing properties, and biological properties. The final section presents major applications areas, including the biomedical field, agriculture, water treatments, and the food industry. This is a highly valuable resource for academic researchers, scientists and advanced students working with hydrogels and natural polymers, as well as across the fields of polymer science, polymer chemistry, plastics engineering, biopolymers and biomaterials. The detailed information will also be of great interest to scientists and R&D professionals, product designers, technicians and engineers across industries. Provides systematic coverage of all aspects of hydrogels based on natural polymers, including fundamentals, preparation methods, properties and characterization Offers a balanced assessment of the specific properties and possibilities offered by different natural polymer-based hydrogels, drawing on innovative research Examines cutting-edge applications across biomedicine, agriculture, water treatments, and the food industry

Self-healing is a well-known phenomenon in nature: a broken bone merges after some time and if skin is damaged, the wound will stop bleeding and heals again. This concept can be mimicked in order to create polymeric materials with the ability to regenerate after they have suffered degradation or wear. Already realized applications are used in aerospace engineering, and current research in this fascinating field shows how different self-healing mechanisms proven successful by nature can be adapted to produce even more versatile materials. The book combines the knowledge of an international panel of experts in the field and provides the reader with chemical and physical concepts for self-healing polymers, including aspects of biomimetic processes of healing in nature. It shows how to design self-healing polymers and explains the dynamics in these systems. Different self-healing concepts such as encapsulated systems and supramolecular systems are detailed. Chapters on analysis and friction detection in self-healing polymers and on applications round off the book.

Self-healing, a property of autonomically triggered recovery after damage, is one of the most outstanding properties observed in biological materials. Among various strategies for self-healing materials, intrinsic system which use inherent reversibility of physiological interactions or chemical bonds attracted most attention. Smart materials, which possess the property of rapid response to environmental changes, provide an approach to self-healing materials due to their biomimicking functions. Herein, this dissertation aims at design and synthesizing intrinsic self-healing protein hydrogels with different functionalities. Firstly, we present herein a strategy for construction of self-healing protein hydrogels with thermal method. Repeated self-healing events with about 100% recovery extent was observed. However, external thermal requirement to trigger the self-healing mechanism in this system prevents its application in biomedical area. Then, a new class of protein hydrogel system was developed at room temperature under physiological pH based on cooperation of ion-mediated protein-protein interaction and bridging effect. Excellent self-healing properties of this hydrogel system were observed without external stimuli at room temperature under physiological pH, and this behavior can be promoted with the presence of divalent ions in physiological concentration. In addition, superior biocompatibility has been demonstrated by in vitrocytotoxicity analysis, suggesting potential biomedical application of this material in drug delivery, biological repair and tissue engineering. In order to improve healing efficiency and broaden the scope of applications of self-repairing protein hydrogels, a third system was brought. The protein hydrogels were fabricated by adjusting pH of the protein solutions. Rapid recovery as well as stronger healing capability were observed and quantitatively studied. In addition, this hydrogel exhibits self-adhesion and autofluorescence, which expand its application to where versatility of material is required under abrasive condition. Stimulus-responsive repairing to original state of mechanical properties in intrinsic self-healing protein hydrogels were demonstrated. The easy preparation and modification of the hydrogels opens an avenue in design of self-repairing materials with other desired functionalities.

This comprehensive book describes the design, synthesis, mechanisms, characterization, fundamental properties, functions and development of self-healing smart materials and their composites with their allied applications. It covers cementitious concrete composites, bleeding composites, elastomers, tires, membranes, and composites in energy storage, coatings, shape-memory, aerospace and robotic applications. The 21 chapters are written by researchers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

In 2006 the Dutch government funded an 8 year and 20 million euro research program on Self Healing Materials. The research was not to be restricted to one material class or one particular healing approach. It was to explore all opportunities to create self healing behavior in engineering and functional materials and to bring the new materials to a level where they could be tested in real life applications. At its launch, the IOP program was the very first integrated multi-material approach to this field in the world. The research was to be conducted at Dutch universities working in collaboration with industry. With the IOP Self Healing Materials program coming to an end, this book presents the highlights of the pioneering research in the field of self healing materials in the Netherlands. Given the diversity of topics addressed, the book will be of value to all materials scientists working in the field of materials and materials by design in particular, as well as industrial engineers and developers with an interest in increasing the reliability and reducing the maintenance of their products. The book will also be an inspiration to students and show them how an unspecified concept of self healing can be translated to new materials with exceptional behavior.