In this book, Professor Alexander Grosberg, one of the pioneers and leaders in the field of theoretical polymer science has selected the most important topics within polymer science and matched them with experts whocan clearly present the state of the art of each. Using this book readers will learn the fundamental concepts, as well as the techniques that are currently employed on the frontier of science.
Polymers are substances made of macromolecules formed by thousands of atoms organized in one (homopolymers) or more (copolymers) groups that repeat themselves to form linear or branched chains, or lattice structures. The concept of polymer traces back to the years 1920's and is one of the most significant ideas of last century. It has given great impulse to indus try but also to fundamental research, including life sciences. Macromolecules are made of sm all molecules known as monomers. The process that brings monomers into polymers is known as polymerization. A fundamental contri bution to the industrial production of polymers, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene, is due to the Nobel prize winners Giulio Natta and Karl Ziegler. The ideas of Ziegler and Natta date back to 1954, and the process has been improved continuously over the years, particularly concerning the design and shaping of the catalysts. Chapter 1 (due to A. Fasano ) is devoted to a review of some results concerning the modelling of the Ziegler- Natta polymerization. The specific ex am pie is the production of polypropilene. The process is extremely complex and all studies with relevant mathematical contents are fairly recent, and several problems are still open.
A powerful, unified approach to mathematical and computational modeling in science and engineering Mathematical and computational modeling makes it possible to predict the behavior of a broad range of systems across a broad range of disciplines. This text guides students and professionals through the axiomatic approach, a powerful method that will enable them to easily master the principle types of mathematical and computational models used in engineering and science. Readers will discover that this axiomatic approach not only enables them to systematically construct effective models, it also enables them to apply these models to any macroscopic physical system. Mathematical Modeling in Science and Engineering focuses on models in which the processes to be modeled are expressed as systems of partial differential equations. It begins with an introductory discussion of the axiomatic formulation of basic models, setting the foundation for further topics such as: Mechanics of classical and non-classical continuous systems Solute transport by a free fluid Flow of a fluid in a porous medium Multiphase systems Enhanced oil recovery Fluid mechanics Throughout the text, diagrams are provided to help readers visualize and better understand complex mathematical concepts. A set of exercises at the end of each chapter enables readers to put their new modeling skills into practice. There is also a bibliography in each chapter to facilitate further investigation of individual topics. Mathematical Modeling in Science and Engineering is ideal for both students and professionals across the many disciplines of science and engineering that depend on mathematical and computational modeling to predict and understand complex systems.
Very few polymer mechanics problems are solved with only pen and paper today, and virtually all academic research and industrial work relies heavily on finite element simulations and specialized computer software. Introducing and demonstrating the utility of computational tools and simulations, Mechanics of Solid Polymers provides a modern view of how solid polymers behave, how they can be experimentally characterized, and how to predict their behavior in different load environments. Reflecting the significant progress made in the understanding of polymer behaviour over the last two decades, this book will discuss recent developments and compare them to classical theories. The book shows how best to make use of commercially available finite element software to solve polymer mechanics problems, introducing readers to the current state of the art in predicting failure using a combination of experiment and computational techniques. Case studies and example Matlab code are also included. As industry and academia are increasingly reliant on advanced computational mechanics software to implement sophisticated constitutive models – and authoritative information is hard to find in one place - this book provides engineers with what they need to know to make best use of the technology available. - Helps professionals deploy the latest experimental polymer testing methods to assess suitability for applications - Discusses material models for different polymer types - Shows how to best make use of available finite element software to model polymer behaviour, and includes case studies and example code to help engineers and researchers apply it to their work
This comprehensive reference collects fundamental theories and recent research from a wide range of fields including biology, biochemistry, physics, applied mathematics, and computer, materials, surface, and colloid science-providing key references, tools, and analytical techniques for practical applications in industrial, agricultural, and forensic processes, as well as in the production of natural and synthetic compounds such as foods, minerals, paints, proteins, pharmaceuticals, polymers, and soaps.
Propelled by the success of the sequencing of the human and many related genomes, molecular and cellular biology has delivered significant scientific breakthroughs. Mathematics (broadly defined) continues to play a major role in this effort, helping to discover the secrets of life by working collaboratively with bench biologists, chemists and physicists. Because of its outstanding record of interdisciplinary research and training, the IMA was an ideal venue for the 2007-2008 IMA thematic year on Mathematics of Molecular and Cellular Biology. The kickoff event for this thematic year was a tutorial on Mathematics of Nucleic Acids, followed by the workshop Mathematics of Molecular and Cellular Biology, held September 15--21 at the IMA. This volume is dedicated to the memory of Nicholas R. Cozzarelli, a dynamic leader who fostered research and training at the interface between mathematics and molecular biology. It contains a personal remembrance of Nick Cozzarelli, plus 15 papers contributed by workshop speakers. The papers give an overview of state-of-the-art mathematical approaches to the understanding of DNA structure and function, and the interaction of DNA with proteins that mediate vital life processes.
Although the Fourier transform is among engineering's most widely used mathematical tools, few engineers realize that the extension of harmonic analysis to functions on groups holds great potential for solving problems in robotics, image analysis, mechanics, and other areas. This self-contained approach, geared toward readers with a standard background in engineering mathematics, explores the widest possible range of applications to fields such as robotics, mechanics, tomography, sensor calibration, estimation and control, liquid crystal analysis, and conformational statistics of macromolecules. Harmonic analysis is explored in terms of particular Lie groups, and the text deals with only a limited number of proofs, focusing instead on specific applications and fundamental mathematical results. Forming a bridge between pure mathematics and the challenges of modern engineering, this updated and expanded volume offers a concrete, accessible treatment that places the general theory in the context of specific groups.
This book provides a comprehensive account of the modern theory for the dynamical properties of polymer solutions. The theory has undergone dramatic evolution over the last two decades due to the introduction of new methods and concepts that have extended the frontier of theory from dilute solutions in which polymers move independently to concentrated solutions where many polymers converge. Among the properties examined are viscoelasticity, diffusion, dynamic light scattering, and electric birefringence. Nonlinear viscoelasticity is discussed in detail on the basis of molecular dynamical models. The book bridges the gap between classical theory and new developments, creating a consistent picture of polymer solution dynamics over the entire concentration range.
Filling a gap in the literature and all set to become the standard in this field, this monograph begins with a look at computational viscoelastic fluid mechanics and studies of turbulent flows of dilute polymer solutions. It then goes on discuss simulations of nanocomposites, polymerization kinetics, computational approaches for polymers and modeling polyelectrolytes. Further sections deal with tire optimization, irreversible phenomena in polymers, the hydrodynamics of artificial and bacterial flagella as well as modeling and simulation in liquid crystals. The result is invaluable reading for polymer and theoretical chemists, chemists in industry, materials scientists and plastics technologists.
Since the earliest dosage forms to modern drug delivery systems, came a great development and growth of knowledge with respect to drug delivery. Strategies to Modify the Drug Release from Pharmaceutical Systems will address principles, systems, applications and advances in the field.It will be principally a textbook and a reference source of strategies to modify the drug release. Moreover, the characterization, mathematical and physicochemical models, applications and the systems will be discussed. - Addresses the principles, systems, applications and advances in the field of drug delivery - Highlights the mathematical and physicochemical principles related to strategies - Discusses drug release and its possible modifications
