Emerging Technologies in Polymer Processing

Merges computational modeling, rheology, and polymer characterization with a critical overview of emerging manufacturing techniques. Case studies bridge theory and practice, highlighting advances from machine learning and innovative 3D/4D printing to sustainable tissue engineering applications. This book integrates fundamental knowledge about computational modeling, rheology, and characterization of polymeric materials with a thorough and critical overview of advanced and emerging manufacturing techniques in polymer processing, including significant past and recent advances. All concepts are illustrated with case studies, so as to enable the reader to correlate theory with practical applications. It is intended for students, researchers, and R&D professionals engaged in developing advanced polymeric materials and products. Conventional polymer processing has been revolutionized by technologies such as computational modeling, machine learning, and advanced machine design. On the other hand, newer advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, 4D printing, electrospinning, and nanocellular foaming have emerged to enable manufacture of products that would impossible to produce by conventional methods. This book covers both of these aspects, as well as application-specific polymer processing techniques employed in the field of tissue engineering. Furthermore, it addresses fundamental issues related to advanced and emerging processing techniques of sustainable polymeric materials and their nanocomposites, which could shape future research and industrial application of these materials for sustainable future development.