The art of using chemical agents for medication dates back into antiquity, although most of the earliest examples used plants, herbs, and other natural materials. The old Egyptian medical papyri, which date from before 1400 B. C., contain dozens of examples of such medicinal plants and animal extracts. In the Old Testament of the Bible, we can find references to using oil to soften the skin and sores (Isaiah 1:6), the use of tree leaves for medicine (Ezekiel 47:12) and various medical balms (Jeremiah 8:22). Not all these recipes were effective in curing the ailments for which they were used...

Polymer modifications represent a valuable synthetic approach to unique polymer compositions, structure, and properties not readily available by the direct polymerization of monomers. Modified polymeric products already exist in the commercial world (modified celluloses, for example) so the approach is not new. However, it is an interesting and chaU nging opportunity to develop new materials for a variety of specialty applications using the "chemistry on polymers" approach. This book contains papers presented at the symposium on Polymer Modification held at the National American Chemical...

Although in nature the vast majority of polymers are condensation polymers, much publicity has been focused on functionalized vinyl polymers. Functional Condensation Polymers fulfills the need to explore these polymers which form an increasingly important and diverse foundation in the search for new materials in the twentyfirst century. Some of the advantages condensation polymers hold over vinyl polymers include offering different kinds of binding sites, their ability to be made biodegradable, and their different reactivities with various reagents under diverse reaction...

The Second Edition of Giant Molecules presents an introductory textbook on large molecules that exhibit specific physical and biological properties related to their size, orientation, and environment, making this subject accessible to students from high school to universities.
Written by Charles Carraher, author of more than forty books on the subject, this up-to-date guide presents material in an integrated fashion, marrying fundamentals with illustrative applications. The text assumes no previous formal scientific training, and includes new and updated questions and answers, a...

Metal- and metalloid-containing macromolecules are defined as large molecules (i.e., polymers, DNA, proteins) that contain a metal or metalloid group affiliated with the molecule. Compiled by an all-star cast of macromolecular experts, Macromolecules Containing Metal and Metal-Like Elements, Volume 2, Organoiron-Containing Polymers

• Provides useful descriptions of applications for the reader to apply in his/her research into materials, polymers, and medicine/drug development.
• Covers non-linear optical materials, speciality magnetic materials, liquid crystals,...

Some have predicted that the coming several decades will be the decades of "biotechnology," wherein cancer, birth defects, life span increases, cosmetics, biodegradation, oil spills and exploration, solid waste disposal, and almost every aspect of our material life will be affected by this new area of science. There will also be an extension of emphasis on giant molecules: DNA, enzymes, polysaccharides, lignins, proteins, hemoglobin, and many others. Biotechnology has been defined in various ways. In one sense, this field is older than human history and references to the human use of...

Metal- and metalloid-containing macromolecules are defined as large molecules (i.e., polymers, DNA, proteins) that contain a metal or metalloid group affiliated with the molecule. This volume describes what is possible with metal-containing polymers where the metal is an essential ingredient in obtaining desired optical and electronic properties. Covering applications in nonlinear optical materials, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, field-effect transistors, chemosensing devices, and biosensing devices, this indispensible guide focuses on the photochemistry and...

This book series Macromolecules Containing Metal and Metal-like Elements brings new concepts and developments in the titled area of research. Volume 9 focuses attention on the area of supramolecular chemistry, supramolecular architecture and supramolecular self-assemblies that involve materials containing metals and metal-like elements and the potential applications of these interesting hybrid materials.

''A must for anyone interested in metal-containing polymers and all its aspects.'' ---American Scientist ''Nicely organized...well-written....An excellent shapshot of the current state of this field.'' ---MRS Bulletin, July 1998

The vast array of libraries in the world bear mute witness to the truth of the 3000-year-old observation of King Solomon who stated " ... of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh." Yet books are an essential written record of our lives and the progress of science and humanity. Here is another book to add to this huge collection, but, hopefully, not just another collection of pages, but rather a book with a specific purpose to aid in alleviating the "weariness of the flesh" that could arise from much studying of other journals and books in order to...