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INTRODUCTION
Conducting Polymers
Biocompatible Polymers
Shape-memory Polymers
Conjugated Polymers
Bionanocomposites- Plasma Polymer in Bionanotechnology
Electro-active Polymers
HYDROGELS AND NATURAL POLYMERS
Need for Natural Polymers in Commercial and Medical Applications
Synthetic Polymer Hydrogels
Hydrophilic Polymers
Stimuli-responsive Polymers
Radio Labeled Polymers
Micro- and Nano-structured Polymeric Substrates
Natural and Synthetic Degradable Polymers
CONCLUDING REMARKS AND FUTURE TRENDS

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With its content taken from only the very latest results, this is an extensive summary of the various polymeric materials used for biomedical applications.
Following an introduction listing various functional polymers, including conductive, biocompatible and conjugated polymers, the book goes on to discuss different synthetic polymers that can be used, for example, as hydrogels, biochemical sensors, functional surfaces, and natural degradable materials. Throughout, the focus is on applications, with worked examples for training purposes as well as case studies included. The whole is rounded off with a look at future trends.

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Raju Francis is associate professor at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India. He obtained his PhD degree in chemistry from NIIST (RRL-T), University of Kerala, India, in 1998 and completed his postdoc at the University of Bordeaux, France, and at the University of Florida, USA. He was an exchange visitor at Toyo University, Japan, and at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include polymer-synthesis and applications, hybrid materials and environmental chemistry. D. Sakthi Kumar is professor in the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science and Deputy Director of the Bio Nano Electronics Research Center of Toyo University, Japan. He obtained his PhD in physics from the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam, India, in 1998. After completing his postdoc at the Thin Film Lab at the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, India, he moved to Toyo University. His research interests include nanodrug delivery, polymers and nanomaterials for biomedical applications, Bio Nano Electronics and Bio/Chemical sensors.

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