Nanotechnology-driven Engineered Materials ― New Insights

Nanostructured materials are emerging as a new class of materials that exhibit unique microstructures and enhanced mechanical performance. As an outcome of this, these materials have attracted considerable attention in scientific communities all over the world.

There is continuous research to facilitate product development, thereby improving product quality and reliability in industry. This volume is devoted to novel architectures at the nano-level with an emphasis on new synthesis and characterization methods. Special emphasis is given for new applications of nanostructures and nanocomposites in various fields, such as nano-electronics, energy conversion, catalysis, drug delivery and nano-medicine.

The chapters are divided into sections focusing on:

• Nanoparticles Assembly and Nanostructured Materials
• Nanocomposites Properties
• Nanostructured Materials for Biomedical Applications

Sabu Thomas, PhD, is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences and Director of the International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. The research activities of Professor Thomas include surfaces and interfaces in multiphase polymer blend and composite systems; phase separation in polymer blends; compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends; thermoplastic elastomers; phase transitions in polymers; nanostructured polymer blends; macro-, micro- and nanocomposites; polymer rheology; recycling; reactive extrusion; processing–morphology–property relationships in multiphase polymer systems; double networking of elastomers; natural fibers and green composites; rubber vulcanization; interpenetrating polymer networks; diffusion and transport; and polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. He has supervised 68 PhD theses, 40 MPhil theses, and 45 Masters thesis. He has three patents to his credit. He also received the coveted Sukumar Maithy Award for the best polymer researcher in the country for the year 2008. Very recently, Professor Thomas received the MRSI and CRSI medals for his excellent work. With over 600 publications to his credit and over 23683 citations, with an h-index of 75, Dr. Thomas has been ranked fifth in India as one of the most productive scientists.

Professor Yves Grohens is the Director of the LIMATB (Material Engineering) Laboratory of the Universite de Bretagne Sud, France. His master’s and PhD degrees were from Besancon University, France. After finishing his studies, he worked as assistant professor and later professor in various reputed universities in France. He is an invited professor to many universities in different parts of the world as well. His areas of interest include physicochemical studies of polymer surfaces and interfaces, phase transitions in thin films confinement, nano and bio composites design and characterization, and biodegradation of polymers and biomaterials. He has written several book chapters, monographs, and scientific reviews and has published 130 international publications. He is the chairman and member of advisory committees of many international conferences.

Nandakumar Kalarikkal, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Physics at the School of Pure and Applied Physics, as well as the Joint Director of the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, India. Dr. Kalarikkal’s research group focuses on the specialized areas of nanomultiferroics, nanosemicondustors and nanophosphors, nanocomposites, nanoferroelectrics, nanoferrites, nanomedicine, nanosenors, ion beam radiation effects and phase transitions etc. The research group has extensive exchange programs with different industries and various research and academic institutions all over world and is performing world-class collaborative research in various fields. The Dr. Nandakumar Kalarikkal Centre is equipped with various sophisticated instruments and has established state-of-art experimental facilities that cater to the needs of researchers within the country and abroad. He has received several awards and has edited books with colleagues.

Oluwatobi Samuel Oluwafemi, PhD, is a Professor and National Research Foundation (NRF) (South Africa) rated researcher at the Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research is in the broad area of nanotechnology and includes green synthesis of semiconductor and metal nanomaterials for different applications that includes but is not limited to biological (imaging, labeling, therapeutic), optical, environmental, and water treatment. He has author and co-author many journal publications, book chapters, and books. He is a reviewer for many international journals in the field of nanotechnology and has won many accolades both local and international.

Praveen K. M. is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at SAINTGITS College of Engineering, India. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering Sciences at the University of South Brittany (Universite de Bretagne Sud) – Laboratory IRDL PTR1, Research Center "Christiaan Huygens," in Lorient, France, in the area of coir-based polypropylene micro composites and nanocomposites. He has published an international article in Applied Surface Science (Elsevier) and has also presented poster and conference papers at national and international conferences. He also has worked with the Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Mahatma Gandhi University, India; and the Technical University in Liberec, Czech Republic. His current research interests include plasma modification of polymers, polymer composites for neutron shielding applications, and nanocellulose.