"Functional Materials textbook is not simply a review of the vast body of literature of the recent years, as it holds the focus upon various aspects of application. Moreover, it selects only a few topics in favor of a solid and thorough treatment of the relevant aspects. This book comes in a good time, when a large body of academic literature has been accumulated and is waiting for a critical inspection in the light of the real demands of application." Professor Gerhard Wegner, Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
The chapters cover three important fields in the development of functional materials: energy, environment, and biomedical applications. These topics are explained and discussed from both an experimental and a theoretical perspective. Functional organic and inorganic materials are at the center of most technological breakthroughs. Therefore, the understanding of material properties is fundamental to the development of novel functionalities and applications.

From the Contents:

Preface/Introduction:
- Advanced Materials Development: Moving from Structural Properties towards Specialized Functions

Functional Materials: Synthesis and Applications
- Colloids preparation and polymerization in dispersed medium
- Fullerenes, graphenes and their application in functional materials
- Mesoporous materials
- Nanomaterials: Properties and applications
- Conjugated polymers for organic electronics
- Theoretical tools for the design of functional materials: From micro to macro properties

Development of New Materials for Energy Applications
- Materials for energy storage and conversion (batteries and supercapacitors)
- Membranes development and metal-air batteries
- Materials for fuel cells technologies
- Ionic Liquids for Li-ion batteries

New Trends in Biomaterials and Biomedical Imaging
- Biocompatible polymers for medical device and implant fabrication
- Functionalized nanoparticles for bioimaging and diagnostic applications
- Functional polymers and intelligent fibers for biomedical applications
- Silk: an inspiration for innovative biomaterials

Functional Materials for Sustainable Development
- Nanocellulose and other functional wood derivatives