Functionalized Engineering Materials and Their Applications

Scientists and researchers are looking for new smart materials to replace old or conventional materials for better performance and for new applications. The use of polymeric materials and nanomaterials are increasing due to their wide property spectrum and tunability. It is now easier to formulate materials for special purposes using these materials than using conventional materials and methods. Many commercial products made from polymeric materials and nanomaterials are now in use and on the market.

This book presents a diverse selection of cutting-edge research on the development of polymeric materials and nanomaterials for new and different applications. These include electrical applications, biomedical applications, sensing applications, coating applications, and others. A few chapters dedicated to materials for construction applications are also included. Discussions include the properties, behavior, preparation, processing, and characterization of various polymeric materials, nanomaterials, and their composites. Some of the chapter authors present theoretical studies of these systems, which can help the readers to develop a better understanding in this area.

This book will be a valuable reference for university and college faculty, industry professionals, postdoctoral research fellows, senior graduate students, civil engineers and researchers from R&D laboratories working to develop new smart materials.

Sabu Thomas, PhD, is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences and Director of the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. The research activities of Professor Thomas include surfaces and interfaces in multiphase polymer blend and composite systems; phase separation in polymer blends; compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends; thermoplastic elastomers; phase transitions in polymers; nanostructured polymer blends; macro-, micro- and nanocomposites; polymer rheology; recycling; reactive extrusion; processing–morphology–property relationships in multiphase polymer systems; double networking of elastomers; natural fibers and green composites; rubber vulcanization; interpenetrating polymer networks; diffusion and transport; and polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. He has supervised 68 PhD theses, 40 MPhil theses, and 45 Masters thesis. He has three patents to his credit. He also received the coveted Sukumar Maithy Award for the best polymer researcher in the country for the year 2008. Very recently, Professor Thomas received the MRSI and CRSI medals for his excellent work. With over 600 publications to his credit and over 23683 citations, with an h-index of 75, Dr. Thomas has been ranked fifth in India as one of the most productive scientists. He received his BSc degree (1980) in Chemistry from the University of Kerala, B.Tech. (1983) in Polymer Science and Rubber Technology from the Cochin University of Science and Technology, and PhD (1987) in Polymer Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

Nandakumar Kalarikkal, PhD, is the Director of the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology as well as an Associate Professor in the School of Pure and Applied Physics at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. His current research interests include synthesis, characterization, and applications of various nanostructured materials, laser plasma, and phase transitions. He has published more than 80 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has co-edited seven books. Dr.Kalarikkal obtained his Master’s degree in Physics with a specialization in Industrial Physics and his PhD in Semiconductor Physics from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, India. He was a postdoctoral fellow at NIIST, Trivandrum, and later joined Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India.

Pious C. V. is a research scholar at the School of Chemical Sciences of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He is an MTech graduate in polymer science and engineering. His current area of research is the development of supertough thermosets from self-assembled epoxy/amphiphilic block copolymer systems.

Zakiah Ahmad, PhD, is a Professor in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Head of Division (Structure and Materials) at the Universtiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. The research activities of Professor Ahmad include wood polymer composites composite from renewable raw materials, polymer-based nanocomposites, adhesive-timber connections/joints, timber engineering, and bonded-in timber connection. She is currently a member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), the International Association of Concrete Technology, and the Malaysian Forest Product Association. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Memphis State University, USA, Master’s in Statistics from the University of Memphis, USA, and PhD from the University of Bath, UK.

Jozef Tadeusz Haponiuk, PhD, is a Professor and Head of the Department of Polymer Technology, Gdansk University of Technology, Poland. The research activities of Professor Haponiuk include chemical technology; polymer engineering, polymer characterization, chemistry and technology of polymers and rubber, thermal analysis of polymers, and materials science. He received his MSc (1974) and PhD (1979) from TechnischeHochschuleLeuna - Merseburg (Germany). He received Habilitation from Gdansk University of Technology in 2004.