What is a supermaterial? A concise definition is by no means obvious, but a clue can be obtained from the topics discussed here..In addition to superconductors, the reader will encounter magnetic effects of many kinds, including giant and even colossal ones, organic conductors, photoconductors, and even 400-year-old Japanese ceramics. Processing is a prominent pursuit in supermaterials research, especially but not exclusively of the superconductors. The papers on characterisation an...

-On the Mechanisms Leading to Exfoliated Nanocomposites Prepared by Mixing By C. D. Han -Phase Behavior and Phase Transitions in AB- and ABA-type Microphase-Separated Block Copolymers By J. K. Kim, C. D. Han -New Class Materials of Organic–Inorganic Hybridized Nanocrystals/Nanoparticles, and Their Assembled Microand Nano-Structure Toward Photonics By H. Oikawa, T. Onodera, A. Masuhara, H. Kasai, H. Nakanishi -Poly(substituted Methylene) Synthesis: Construction of C–C Main Chain from One Ca...

Pattern formation is a fascinating and challenging aspect in polymer science. This book describes a number of unconventional approaches developed to control the morphology of polymer surfaces and materials, from random or simple patterns to complex structures. Specialists provide an up-to-date and complete overview of each technique in their respective field.

This thesis explores a route to induce and control the structure formation process in thin films by the use of strong electric fields. We investigate, establish and apply the use of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) lithography as a versatile patterning tool on the sub-micrometre and nanometre length scales for functional materials. Thin films are ubiquitous, they are found in nature and used in almost every aspect of daily life. While film instabilities are often undesirable in nature and tec...

Biopolymers from Renewable Resources is a compilation of information on the diverse and useful polymers derived from agricultural, animal, and microbial sources. The volume provides insight into the diversity of polymers obtained directly from, or derived from, renewable resources. The beneficial aspects of utilizing polymers from renewable resources, when considering synthesis, pro cessing, disposal, biodegradability, and overall material life-cycle issues, suggests that this will continu...

This book provides a multidisciplinary perspective (ranging from chemistry to physics and biology) of the current research and applications of organic and hybrid photonic crystals. The authors detail the chemical and physical tools used to develop organic photonic crystals, explain methods for engineering new nano-structures, and propose novel physical phenomena or technological applications based on such materials. Organic and Hybrid Photonic Crystal lasers, sensors, photovoltaic devices ...

This book addresses in an integrated manner all the critical aspects for building the next generation of biorecognition platforms - from biomolecular recognition to surface fabrication. The most recent strategies reported to create surface nano and micropatterns are thoroughly analyzed. This book contains descriptions of the types of molecules immobilized at surfaces that can be used for specific biorecognition, how to immobilize them, and how to control their arrangement and functionality...

As the demands put on the polymer/metal interface, particularly by the microelectronics industry, become more and more severe, the necessity for understanding this interface, its properties and its limitations, becomes more and more essential. This requires a broad knowledge of, and a familiarity with, the latest findings in this rapidly advancing field. At the very least, such familiarity requires an exchange of infonnation, particularly among those intimately involved in this field. Comm...

The book offers an in-depth review of the materials design and manufacturing processes employed in the development of multi-component or multiphase polymer material systems. This field has seen rapid growth in both academic and industrial research, as multiphase materials are increasingly replacing traditional single-component materials in commercial applications. Many obstacles can be overcome by processing and using multiphase materials in automobile, construction, aerospace, food proces...

Conformations and Solution Properties of Star-Branched Polyelectrolytes, by Oleg V. Borisov, Ekaterina B. Zhulina, Frans A. M. Leermakers, Matthias Ballauff and Axel H. E. Müller; Self-Assembled Structures of Amphiphilic Ionic Block Copolymers: Theory, Self-Consistent Field Modeling and Experiment, by Oleg V. Borisov, Ekaternia B. Zhulina, Frans A. M. Leermakers and Axel H. E. Müller; Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Polyionic Species of Branched Topology, by Dmitry V. Pergushov, Ol...

Viscometry is an easy, accessible, but at the same time significant, analytical method for the characterization of polymers in solution. This laboratory handbook offers clear guidelines and tips for the practical everyday application of viscosimetry, as well as supplying a comprehensive companion for the interpretation of viscosimetric data from simple to complex polymer solutions. It is written with the premise that general knowledge of the broad behavioral spectrum of polymer solutions i...

Mechanical Properties of Single Molecules and Polymer Aggregates Rüdiger Berger, Kurt Binder, Gregor Diezemann, Jürgen Gauß, Mark Helm, Katharina Landfester, Wolfgang Paul (Halle), Peter Virnau. Optical Properties of Individual Molecular Aggregates and Nano Particles Thomas Basché, Hans-Jürgen Butt, Gregor Diezemann, Jürgen Gauß, Klaus Müllen, Harald Paulsen, Carsten Sönnichsen, Rudolf Zentel. Structure Formation of Polymeric Building Blocks I: Self-assembly of Copolymers Kurt Binder, Holg...