Current Topics In Polymer Research

Polymers are substances containing a large number of structural units joined by the same type of linkage. These substances often form into a chain-like structure. Starch, cellulose, and rubber all possess polymeric properties. Today, the polymer industry has grown to be larger than the aluminium, copper and steel industries combined. Polymers already have a range of applications that far exceeds that of any other class of material available to man. Current applications extend from adhesives, coatings, foams, and packaging materials to textile and industrial fibres, elastomers, and structural plastics. Polymers are also used for most composites, electronic devices, biomedical devices, optical devices, and precursors for many newly developed high-tech ceramics. This book presents leading-edge research in this rapidly-changing and evolving field.

From weather-proof tires and artificial hearts to the o-rings and valve seals that enable successful space exploration, rubber is an indispensable component of modern civilization. Stiff competition and stringent application requirements foster continuous challenges requiring manufacturers to fund ever-expanding research projects. However, this vas

The Eleventh Biennial Polymer Symposium of the Division of Polymer Chemistry, Incorporated of the American Chemical Society was held November 20-24, 1982 at -the Cerromar Beach Hotel, Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico. The theme of the meeting was "High Performance Polymers. " On this occasion Professor Herman F. Mark received the Fourth Division of Polymer Chemistry Award for his outstanding achievements and his unique missionary role in the development of Polymer Chemistry. Professor Mark was the premier organizer of many important firsts in polymer chemistry, to name just a few - the first polymer journal, the pre-eminent Journal of Polymer Science; the first U. S. academic center of Polymer Science at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute which led to a long procession of eminent polymer scientists; the "High Polymer" Monograph series. In the Division of Polymer Chemistry, he was the first secretary-treasurer and chairman in 1955 •• A detailed biography follows along with Professor Mark's reminiscences on the Early Days of Polymer Science, the topic of his Award lecture. It was indeed a pleasure and ultimate honor to be the Chairman and organizer of the technical program of this Symposium. The fourteen invited lectures are given herein. I have tried and believe succeeded in presenting important current research by leading workers on High Performance Polymers.

This volume contains some of the papers presented at the 16th Italian Meeting on Polymer Science and Technology of the Macromolecular Italian Association (AIM) which was held in Pisa, Italy, on September 22-25, 2003. The content is devoted to polymer synthesis and Modification, structure-property relationships, blending and processing, nanostructured and hybrid systems, functional and special polymers, environmental aspects and recycling. The book offers a significant insight into the latest achievements in polymer science and technology in modern areas of ongoing research activities in Italy and throughout the world through the intense international collaborations in which Italian groups are engaged. Therefore, the volume may be of help to enlarge the research perspectives of polymer chemists, engineers and physicists in both academia and industry.