From alchemy to industry, this authoritative volume is a synthetic history of chemistry through the ages, from its development as a scientific philosophy to its modern-day practical applications. A "New York Times" Notable Book. of illustrations.

The degradable nature of high-performance, wood-based materials is an attractive advantage when considering environmental factors such as sustainability, recycling, and energy/resource conservation. The Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites provides an excellent guide to the latest concepts and technologies in wood chemistry and bio-based composites. The book analyzes the chemical composition and physical properties of wood cellulose and its response to natural processes of degradation. It describes safe and effective chemical modifications to strengthen wood against biological, chemical, and mechanical degradation without using toxic, leachable, or corrosive chemicals. Expert researchers provide insightful analyses of the types of chemical modifications applied to polymer cell walls in wood, emphasizing the mechanisms of reaction involved and resulting changes in performance properties. These include modifications that increase water repellency, fire retardancy, and resistance to ultraviolet light, heat, moisture, mold, and other biological organisms. The text also explores modifications that increase mechanical strength, such as lumen fill, monomer polymer penetration, and plasticization. The Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites concludes with the latest applications, such as adhesives, geotextiles, and sorbents, and future trends in the use of wood-based composites in terms of sustainable agriculture, biodegradability and recycling, and economics. Incorporating over 30 years of teaching experience, the esteemed editor of this handbook is well-attuned to educational demands as well as industry standards and research trends.

Few people are aware of the great diversity of resin-producing plants or the remarkable roles resins play in the lives of plants and people. Plant Resins tells the whole story about these fascinating plant products.

Sunday Times Bestseller‘A paradigm-smashing chronicle of joyous entanglement’ Charles Foster Waterstones Non-Fiction Book of the Month (September) Are trees social beings? How do trees live? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings?

In addition to presenting methodology, it shows how to identify accident vulnerability in the two industries. It reviews the causes of the two major nuclear accidents and many fatal accidents in the chemical industry, including Bhopal. Many examples of applications of PSA to both industries are presented."--BOOK JACKET. "Problems are included at the end of many chapters with answers at the back of the book."--Jacket.

The past, present, and future of green chemistry and green engineering From college campuses to corporations, the past decade witnessed a rapidly growing interest in understanding sustainable chemistry and engineering. Green Chemistry and Engineering: A Practical Design Approach integrates the two disciplines into a single study tool for students and a practical guide for working chemists and engineers. In Green Chemistry and Engineering, the authors—each highly experienced in implementing green chemistry and engineering programs in industrial settings—provide the bottom-line thinking required to not only bring sustainable chemistry and engineering closer together, but to also move business towards more sustainable practices and products. Detailing an integrated, systems-oriented approach that bridges both chemical syntheses and manufacturing processes, this invaluable reference covers: Green chemistry and green engineering in the movement towards sustainability Designing greener, safer chemical synthesis Designing greener, safer chemical manufacturing processes Looking beyond current processes to a lifecycle thinking perspective Trends in chemical processing that may lead to more sustainable practices The authors also provide real-world examples and exercises to promote further thought and discussion. The EPA defines green chemistry as the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green engineering is described as the design, commercialization, and use of products and processes that are feasible and economical while minimizing both the generation of pollution at the source and the risk to human health and the environment. While there is no shortage of books on either discipline, Green Chemistry and Engineering is the first to truly integrate the two.