One of the most exciting areas of polymer research is the study of interfacial phenomena and their practical employment, especially with regard to the development of biomaterials used in novel medical applications. Offering the contributions of pioneering researchers from across the world, this cutting-edge volume reviews key research currently being undertaken. The text starts with an overview of thermodynamics, kinetics and other fundamental properties of polymer surfaces and interfaces. It then proceeds to discuss various ways to characterize and manipulate interfacial phenomena. It includes examples of practical applications such as vaccine delivery, tissue engineering, and the development of therapeutic lung surfactants.

This book covers the basics behind thermal hydraulics. It explores the characteristics of power reactors, thermal design principles, and how reactors generate heat. The text also presents transport equations for single- and two-phase flows. The authors discuss the thermodynamics of nuclear energy conversion systems, including nuclear power plants and a simplified power system. They also consider the thermal analysis of fuel, single-phase fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and two-phase flow dynamics and heat transfer. The final chapter presents a steady-state analysis of a single heated channel. A solutions manual is available for qualifying instructors.

High pressure biology is an old, fascinating and stimulating field of research. One of the major reasons for the interest in studying high pressure is that this environmental factor also plays an important role in thermodynamics and consequently in biology. Pressure, from a biological perspective, has a bearing on all living creatures. The book presents a panoramic view of this subject from molecules to the overall organism, via the cells and unicellular species, invertebrates and vertebrates, ectotherms and endotherms.

This book deals with the problems of the thermodynamics of systems containing flexible-chain polymers as the basis of polymer material science. The main thermodynamic quantities and concepts are introduced and discussed in the order of the objects getting more and more complicated: gases, magnets, low-molecular-weight substances and mixtures, and finally, polymers and polymer blends.

A comprehensive, best-selling introduction to the basics of engineering thermodynamics. Requiring only college-level physics and calculus, this popular book includes a realistic art program to give more realism to engineering devices and systems.