Vikas Mittal (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199581924
- eISBN:
- 9780191728853
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199581924.001.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
Polymer nanocomposites with practically all the commercial polymer matrices have been synthesized and nano-scale filler dispersion has been achieved with varying degrees of success. The commercial ...
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Polymer nanocomposites with practically all the commercial polymer matrices have been synthesized and nano-scale filler dispersion has been achieved with varying degrees of success. The commercial polymer nanocomposites studied to a great extent are unfortunately non-biodegradable like polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene etc. To a small extent, these nanocomposites are reformed or recycled into other products after one life cycle, however, the properties of such recycled materials are very poor. Therefore, subject of bio-based nanocomposites and biodegradable nanocomposites has become topic of interest in the recent years and a number of suitable bio-based and biodegradable polymer matrices have been developed and their property enhancement have been reported after the incorporation of the inorganic filler materials. These systems include poly(lactic acid), poly(butyl succinate), alginate, cellulosic plastics, gelatine, starch, soy protein based polymers, plant oil based polymers, poly(hydroxyalkanoates), bio based epoxies, etc. Various inorganic filler systems like clay, spherical particles as well as nanotubes have been incorporated in these matrices. The various properties which have been enhanced include mechanical performance, thermal properties, gas diffusion resistance, flammability, rheological performance, biodegradation etc. Though the commercial applications of these bio-nanocomposites are in infancy, but these materials have a huge commercial potential. The book provides the description of the subject as a whole, from the basic introduction to the more specific systems and advancements. The use of such nanocomposites for packaging as well as for sensors has been depicted.Less
Polymer nanocomposites with practically all the commercial polymer matrices have been synthesized and nano-scale filler dispersion has been achieved with varying degrees of success. The commercial polymer nanocomposites studied to a great extent are unfortunately non-biodegradable like polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene etc. To a small extent, these nanocomposites are reformed or recycled into other products after one life cycle, however, the properties of such recycled materials are very poor. Therefore, subject of bio-based nanocomposites and biodegradable nanocomposites has become topic of interest in the recent years and a number of suitable bio-based and biodegradable polymer matrices have been developed and their property enhancement have been reported after the incorporation of the inorganic filler materials. These systems include poly(lactic acid), poly(butyl succinate), alginate, cellulosic plastics, gelatine, starch, soy protein based polymers, plant oil based polymers, poly(hydroxyalkanoates), bio based epoxies, etc. Various inorganic filler systems like clay, spherical particles as well as nanotubes have been incorporated in these matrices. The various properties which have been enhanced include mechanical performance, thermal properties, gas diffusion resistance, flammability, rheological performance, biodegradation etc. Though the commercial applications of these bio-nanocomposites are in infancy, but these materials have a huge commercial potential. The book provides the description of the subject as a whole, from the basic introduction to the more specific systems and advancements. The use of such nanocomposites for packaging as well as for sensors has been depicted.
Adelheid Voskuhl
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226034027
- eISBN:
- 9780226034331
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226034331.003.0004
- Subject:
- History, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
This chapter examines the mechanics of two automata in two ways. First, it analyzes their clockworks to uncover correspondences between individual mechanical modules and the effects they bring about ...
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This chapter examines the mechanics of two automata in two ways. First, it analyzes their clockworks to uncover correspondences between individual mechanical modules and the effects they bring about in the moving android. The analysis also gives insight into other parts of the automata's history, such as the exceptional skill that went into designing and building them; key similarities and differences between the two; choices that the artisans made as to where to devote most of their technical skill and effort; conflicts between artistic and mechanical principles that the artisans solved; and social and economic functions that the automata served in their makers' lives. The chapter then explores the automata's mechanical performance as a cultural scenario in its own right. This scenario's connotations and valences are examined in three contexts: at music-making women in the eighteenth century, at the role of sentiments in music, and finally at the general social and political relevance of sentiments.Less
This chapter examines the mechanics of two automata in two ways. First, it analyzes their clockworks to uncover correspondences between individual mechanical modules and the effects they bring about in the moving android. The analysis also gives insight into other parts of the automata's history, such as the exceptional skill that went into designing and building them; key similarities and differences between the two; choices that the artisans made as to where to devote most of their technical skill and effort; conflicts between artistic and mechanical principles that the artisans solved; and social and economic functions that the automata served in their makers' lives. The chapter then explores the automata's mechanical performance as a cultural scenario in its own right. This scenario's connotations and valences are examined in three contexts: at music-making women in the eighteenth century, at the role of sentiments in music, and finally at the general social and political relevance of sentiments.
Francisco M. Fernandes, Margarita Darder, Ana I. Ruiz, Pilar Aranda, and Eduardo Ruiz-Hitzky
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199581924
- eISBN:
- 9780191728853
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199581924.003.0009
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
Gelatine is a well-known structural protein widely used in the daily life, as well as in the scientific and technological areas for the preparation of a great variety of composite materials. But in ...
More
Gelatine is a well-known structural protein widely used in the daily life, as well as in the scientific and technological areas for the preparation of a great variety of composite materials. But in spite of its abundance and common use, gelatine presents itself as a complex biopolymer with a mixed character between a protein, since it is derived from collagen, and a synthetic linear polymer with random spatial arrangement above certain temperature. For numerous applications, mainly in biomedicine, the biocompatible and biodegradable properties of gelatine are crucial, and usually the reinforcement of biopolymer matrix by assembling to inorganic or hybrid nanoparticles is also required to improve its mechanical stability. Alternative treatments such as chemical crosslinking may also contribute to reduce water swelling and enhance the mechanical properties as well as thermal stability. The incorporation of inorganic solids into the proteinous matrix allows tailoring both the mechanical and functional properties of the resulting gelatine-based composites. Many strategies may be followed to tune the functional properties: selection of inorganic solids offering the desired functionalities, grafting of suitable functional groups to the gelatine hybrids, or combination of additional polymers or fillers in ternary composites. In this way, advanced functional materials of increasing complexity are developed from the basis of a very common biopolymer, opening the way for a wide range of applications of the gelatine-based nanocomposites.Less
Gelatine is a well-known structural protein widely used in the daily life, as well as in the scientific and technological areas for the preparation of a great variety of composite materials. But in spite of its abundance and common use, gelatine presents itself as a complex biopolymer with a mixed character between a protein, since it is derived from collagen, and a synthetic linear polymer with random spatial arrangement above certain temperature. For numerous applications, mainly in biomedicine, the biocompatible and biodegradable properties of gelatine are crucial, and usually the reinforcement of biopolymer matrix by assembling to inorganic or hybrid nanoparticles is also required to improve its mechanical stability. Alternative treatments such as chemical crosslinking may also contribute to reduce water swelling and enhance the mechanical properties as well as thermal stability. The incorporation of inorganic solids into the proteinous matrix allows tailoring both the mechanical and functional properties of the resulting gelatine-based composites. Many strategies may be followed to tune the functional properties: selection of inorganic solids offering the desired functionalities, grafting of suitable functional groups to the gelatine hybrids, or combination of additional polymers or fillers in ternary composites. In this way, advanced functional materials of increasing complexity are developed from the basis of a very common biopolymer, opening the way for a wide range of applications of the gelatine-based nanocomposites.
