Polymer Gels: Perspectives and Applications (Gels Horizons: From Science to Smart Materials)

This book summarizes the recent advances in the science and engineering of polymer-gel-based materials in different fields. It also discusses the extensive research developments for the next generation of smart materials. It takes an in-depth look at the current perspectives and market opportunities while pointing to new possibilities and applications. The book addresses important topics such as stimuli responsive polymeric nanoparticles for cancer therapy; polymer gel containing metallic materials; chemotherapeutic applications in oncology; conducting polymer-based gels and their applications in biological sensors; imprinted polymeric gels for pharmaceutical and biomedical purposes; applications of biopolymeric gels in the agricultural sector; application of polymer gels and their nanocomposites in electrochemistry; smart polyelectrolyte gels as a platform for biomedical applications; agro-based polymer gels and their application in purification of industrial water wastes; polymer gel composites for bio-applications. It will be of interest to researchers working in both industry and academia.

Dr. Vijay Kumar Thakur is currently a Permanent Faculty in the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, UK. In the course of his academic career, he has published more than 100 SCI journal research articles in the field of chemical sciences/materials science and holds one US patent. Among these, ten of his research papers have been highlighted as “Highly Cited Papers” in Web of Science (less than 1% of published papers receive this ranking), while three others have been highlighted as “Hot Papers” (Hot papers are selected by virtue of being cited among the top one-tenth of one percent-0.1%) in a current bimonthly period in Web of Science). He has also published 33 books and 35 book chapters on the advanced state-of-the-art of polymer science/materials science/nanotechnology with numerous publishers. His research interests include the synthesis and processing of bio-based polymers, composites, nanostructured materials, hydrogels, polymer micro/nanocomposites, nanoelectronic materials, novel high dielectric constant materials, engineering nanomaterials, electrochromic materials, green synthesis of nanomaterials, and surface functionalization of polymers/nanomaterials.

Dr. Manju Kumari Thakur has been an assistant professor of Chemistry at the Division of Chemistry, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India since June 2010. She received her B.Sc. in Chemistry, Botany and Zoology; M.Sc., M. Phil in Organic Chemistry and Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the Chemistry Department at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India. She has extensive experience in the field of organic chemistry, biopolymers, composites/nanocomposites, hydrogels, and applications of hydrogels in the removal of toxic heavy metal ions, drug delivery. She has published more than 30 research papers in several international journals, has co-authored three books, and has also published 25 book chapters in the field of polymeric materials.

Dr. Stefan Ioan Voicu is currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at the University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering on functionalized polymeric materials from the same university in 2008. He has served as academic editor for the Journal of Nanomaterials and Journal of Chemistry. In addition, he is also an editorial advisory board member of Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials. He has published over 100 research articles in various journals and conferences.