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The Handbook of Composites From Renewable Materials comprises a set of 8 individual volumes that brings an interdisciplinary perspective to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the interplay between the synthesis, structure, characterization, processing, applications and performance of these advanced materials. The handbook covers a multitude of natural polymers/ reinforcement/ fillers and biodegradable materials. Together, the 8 volumes total at least 5000 pages and offers a unique publication. Volume 1 is solely focused on the Structure and Chemistry of renewable materials. Some of the important topics include but not limited to: carbon fibers from sustainable resources; polylactic acid composites and composite foams based on natural fibres; composites materials from other than cellulosic resources; microcrystalline cellulose and related polymer composites; tannin-based foam; renewable feedstock vanillin derived polymer and composites; silk biocomposites; bio-derived adhesives and matrix polymers; biomass based formaldehyde-free bio-resin ; isolation and characterization of water soluble polysaccharide; bio-based fillers; keratin based materials in biotechnology; structure of proteins adsorbed onto bioactive glasses for sustainable composite; effect of filler properties on the antioxidant response of starch composites; composite of chitosan and its derivate; magnetic biochar from discarded agricultural biomass; biodegradable polymers for protein and peptide conjugation; polyurethanes and polyurethane composites from bio-based / recycled components.

A continuous demanding in raw chemicals cost reduction and processing simplification facilitates the exploration and development of new materials in current plastics industries. In this study, a novel carbonaceous filler material “asphaltene” extracted from inexpensive and abundant asphalt is blended into a thermoplastic elastomer poly(styrene–butadiene–styrene) copolymer (SBS) for the fabrication of hybrid composites at different loadings via melt-compounding. Due to its intrinsic molecular rigidness and desirable compatibility with SBS, the prepared asphaltene/SBS composites displays excellent thermo-mechanical properties by improving the storage modulus in the glassy region by 19 % and in the rubbery region by 305 %, as well as increasing the thermal stability by up to 20 °C. The overall mechanical properties are also enhanced substantially by incorporation of asphaltene into the SBS matrix according to the filler loading in SBS: the tensile strength increased by 2.2 MPa, the maximum elongation by 268 %, Young’s modulus by 214 %, and toughness by 100.4 %. Although the introduced asphaltene inevitably led to a gradual increment in the viscosity of polymer melts from the filler–filler and filler–polymer interactions, homogeneous dispersion of the reinforcing fillers at optimum loading (20–30 wt%) in SBS matrix is still sustained.

The development of multi-stimuli-responsive shape memory polymers has received increasing attention because of its scientific and technological significance. In this work, epoxy elastomers with reversible crosslinks are synthesized by polymerizing an anthracene-functionalized epoxy monomer, a diepoxy comonomer, and a dicarboxylic acid curing agent. The synthesized elastomers exhibit active responses to both light and heat enabled by the incorporated anthracene groups. When exposed to 365 nm UV light, additional crosslinking points are created by the photo-induced dimerization of pendant anthracene groups. The formation of the crosslinking points increases modulus and glass transition temperature of the elastomers, allowing for the fixation of a temporary shape at room temperature. The temporary shape remains stable until an external heat stimulus is applied to trigger the scission of the dimerized anthracene, which reduces the modulus and glass transition temperature and allows the elastomers to recover their original shapes. The effects of external stimuli on the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the elastomers are investigated experimentally and are correlated with molecular dynamics simulations that reveal the changes of structure and dynamics of the anthracene molecules and flexible chains.

This book provides engineers and materials scientists a useful framework to help take advantage of the latest research conducted in this rapidly advancing field-enabling them to develop and commercialize their own products quickly and more successfully.Plant oil is one of the most attractive options as a substitute for non-renewable resources in polymers and composites, and is producing materials with very promising thermomechanical properties relative to traditional, petroleum-based polymers. In addition to critical processing and characterization information, the book assists engineers in deciding whether or not they should use a plant oil-based polymer over a petroleum-based polymer, discussing sustainability concerns, biodegradability, associated costs, and recommended applications.The book details the advancements in the development of polymeric materials and composites from plant oils, and provides a critical review of current applications in various fields, including packaging, biomedical, and automotive applications.

The fracture toughness of a series of ring-opening metathesis polymerization-based Dilulin/dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) copolymers was evaluated by utilizing the essential work of fracture method and the structure-fracture property relationship was thoroughly analyzed. Both dynamic mechanical analyzer and scanning electron microscope demonstrated a reaction-induced phase separation in the copolymers. The copolymers’ composition-dependent morphologies showed a significant effect on their fracture behavior. The maximum value for the essential work of fracture was found with Dil30DCPD70, which may be explained by their less heterogeneous structure and high cross-link density. The highest non-essential work of fracture was observed with samples made from Dil40DCPD60, which is possibly a consequence of the formation of a rigid DCPD-phase.

Keeping in mind the advantages of bio-based materials, this book focuses on the potential efficacy of different biocomposites procured from diverse natural resources and the preparation and processing of the biocomposites to be used for a variety of applications. Each chapter gives an overview on a particular biocomposite material and its processing and successful utilization for selected applications.

This unique multidisciplinary 8-volume set focuses on the emerging issues concerning synthesis, characterization, design, manufacturing and various other aspects of composite materials from renewable materials and provides a shared platform for both researcher and industry. The Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials comprises a set of 8 individual volumes that brings an interdisciplinary perspective to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the interplay between the synthesis, structure, characterization, processing, applications and performance of these advanced materials. The Handbook comprises 169 chapters from world renowned experts covering a multitude of natural polymers/ reinforcement/ fillers and biodegradable materials. Volume 1 is solely focused on the Structure and Chemistry of renewable materials. Some of the important topics include but not limited to: carbon fibers from sustainable resources; polylactic acid composites and composite foams based on natural fibres; composites materials from other than cellulosic resources; microcrystalline cellulose and related polymer composites; tannin-based foam; renewable feedstock vanillin derived polymer and composites; silk biocomposites; bioderived adhesives and matrix polymers; biomass-based formaldehyde-free bioresin; isolation and characterization of water soluble polysaccharide; biobased fillers; keratin-based materials in biotechnology; structure of proteins adsorbed onto bioactive glasses for sustainable composite; effect of filler properties on the antioxidant response of starch composites; composite of chitosan and its derivate; magnetic biochar from discarded agricultural biomass; biodegradable polymers for protein and peptide conjugation; polyurethanes and polyurethane composites from biobased / recycled components.

Radiation-induced fibrosis is a potentially severe late complication after high-dose radiotherapy. Over the last decade, there has been increasing use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to treat both primary and metastatic malignancies. While there has been evolving evidence of appropriate dose constraints for certain organs receiving hypofractionated radiotherapy, the risk, and appropriate dose constraints to limit the risk of radiation-induced muscle fibrosis are poorly defined. In this report, two patients are presented who underwent SBRT for osseous oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma. While the treatment was well-tolerated with no acute toxicities and complete local control of the metastasis, both patients experienced late toxicity of radiation-induced fibrosis in the adjacent musculature. In both cases, toxicity was nonresponsive to medical interventions and was severe enough to require surgical resection of the affected tissue. Following surgery, both patients reported improved pain relief and mobility. Further studies are needed to explore the dose constraints that may reduce the risk of radiation-induced muscle fibrosis in five-fraction treatment.