Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements showcasing how nanotechnology is reshaping the healthcare landscape. This book provides a comprehensive overview of various nanomaterials used in healthcare, including metal nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, liposomes, and dendrimers, their synthesis and characterization techniques for healing applications. A significant focus of the book is on drug delivery systems, which are at the forefront of nanomedicine. Traditional drug delivery methods often face challenges such as poor solubility, rapid clearance from the body, and non-specific distribution. Nanocarriers, on the other hand, encapsulate therapeutic agents, protecting them from degradation and facilitating controlled release. This book explores various nanocarrier systems, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and micelles, and discuss their design and fabrication processes. Additionally, it highlights recent advancements in smart drug delivery systems that respond to external stimuli, such as pH or temperature changes, to release their payload at the desired site and time. In the area of diagnostics, this book covers the development of nanosensors and imaging agents that enable early disease diagnosis and monitoring. For instance, quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles are being investigated for their potential in imaging applications, providing real-time feedback on disease progression and treatment efficacy. The ability to detect biomarkers at extremely low concentrations lead to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.

Prof. Soney C. George is currently the dean of Research at Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappaly, and the director of Center for Nanoscience Technology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Blasé Pascal, France, and Inha University South Korea. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London, and a recipient of “National Technical Teachers Award 2022 from All India Council for Technical Education, Government of India and best researcher of the year 2018” award from APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananthapuram, India. His research interests are in the areas of Polymer Science, Polymer Blends & Composites, Nanocomposites, Polymer Tribology, Supercapacitors, Polymer Membranes & Transport phenomena.

Dr. Benjamin Tawiah is a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He obtained his Ph.D. from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University where he worked as a postdoctoral fellow. He also worked as a research associate in the City University of Hong Kong. He is currently a visiting scholar at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research interests are in the areas of nanofillers, nanocomposites, flame-retardant polymer composites, and second-generation batteries for energy storage.

Prof. Mohan Jacob is the dean of Research Infrastructure at James Cook University and has been serving as the associate dean of Research Education for the College of Science and Engineering since 2014. Currently, he focuses on the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials for various applications. He is a pioneer in Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis for waste conversion, particularly in the areas of “Waste to Resources” and “Waste to Energy” and circular economy. He has developed various microwave-assisted waste processing systems and scaled up these systems for industrial applications.

Prof. Józef T. Haponiuk has been employed at Gdansk University of Technology, Chemical Faculty, Polymer Technology Department since 1974. He obtained his Ph.D. title from the Technische Hochschule Leuna—Merseburg (Germany). His research interests are in the area of synthesis, technology, and applications of polyurethanes, biopolymers, polymer blends and composites, nanocomposites, polymers of natural origin, reactive extrusion of polymers, and recycling of polymers and rubber.