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 is increasing due to their wide-spectrum tunability and many properties. 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 readers to develop a better understanding in this area.

Sabu Thomas, PhD, is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and Founding Director of the International and Inter University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He is also a full professor of polymer science and engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences of the same university. A prolific author and researcher, Professor Thomas has over 600 publications to his credit and has been cited over 23,683 times at last count.

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. He has published more than 80 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has co-edited many books.

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. She is currently a member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), the International Association of Concrete Technology, and the Malaysian Forest Product Association.

Józef 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.