Times of Polymers (TOP) and Composites

The International Conference on "Times of Polymers (TOP) and Composites" was held in September, 2008 (Ischia-Italy). This was the fourth of a series of biennial work shops on "polymers timescales" resulting from a joint initiative of the Second University of Naples-SUN and the University of Naples Federico II. Scientists from chemistry to physics to engineering areas formed a homogeneous community as the contributions, even if spanning very different topics, subtend the concept of timescale of polymer based materials. In all, about 150 papers were submitted by scientists from all over the world. The conference is organised in oral sessions subdivided into three main general topics, namely: Timescales of Polymers (TP), Composites and Nano-Composites, Polymer Chemistry and Physics which included the following sub-topics: Viscoelasticity, Glassy State, Thin Films, Blends, Organic Electronics: OLED, OTFT, Polymer-based Sensors, Industrial Rheology, Durability/Degradation, Polymer Processing, Tissue Engineering, Foams, Biomaterials, Cultural Heritage, Fracture and Yielding, Properties Modelling. This book is organized in a way that the sequence of papers complies with the structure of the conference with many papers selected from the general poster session. The first part of the book spanned over the timescales of polymers in absence of chemistry-driven phenomena. The time dependent behaviour of several classes of polymers was tackled from different perspectives, from soft matter physics to structural design approach. The second section was mainly devoted to the different aspects that influence the response properties of Nanocomposites as well as structural composites. Many papers focused on the promising perspectives of carbon nanotubes, organically modified clays and metallic nanoparticles based polymers. Theoretical as well as experimental approaches were extensively addressed. The third section was devoted to the chemistry-induced physical changes in polymers. From optical properties to biocompatibility a wide range of systems was presented. The book is co-edited by Alberto D'Amore and Domenico Acierno, the co-chairmen of the conference, that pre-screened the submitted papers for topical applicability and by Luigi Grassia that, with his invaluable support, rendered realistic carrying out the book within a very "narrow timescale".