Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials

This book provides information on thermal energy storage systems incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) which are widely preferred owing to their immense energy storage capacity. The thermal energy storage (TES) potential of PCMs has been deeply explored for a wide range of applications, including solar/electrothermal energy storage, waste heat storage, and utilization, building energy-saving, and thermal regulations. The inherent shortcomings like leakage during phase transition and poor thermal conductivity hamper their extensive usage. Nevertheless, it has been addressed by their shape stabilization with porous materials and dispersing highly conductive nanoparticles. Nanoparticles suspended in traditional phase change materials enhance the thermal conductivity. The addition of these nanoparticles to the conventional PCM enhances the storage. In this book, the history of Nano Enhanced Phase Change Materials (NEPCM), preparation techniques, properties, theoretical modeling and correlations, and the effect of all these factors on the potential applications such as: solar energy, electronics cooling, heat exchangers, building, battery thermal management, thermal energy storage are discussed in detail. Future challenges and future work scope have been included. The information from this book can enable the readers to come up with novel techniques, resolve existing research limitations, and come up with novel NEPCM, that can be implemented for various applications.

This book presents an in-depth exploration of biopolymers in biomedical engineering, spanning 15 chapters. Each chapter delves into different aspects of biopolymers, including their origins, development, potential, and sustainable sources, as well as advanced eco-friendly production methods. The text covers a wide range of applications, from advanced drug delivery systems and gene therapy to tissue engineering. Additionally, it addresses the use of biopolymers in the food industry and their role in packaging. The book also highlights the impact of artificial intelligence on creating sustainable biopolymers and advancing drug delivery technologies, including 3D and 4D methods for personalized treatments. It offers a thorough review of biopolymer-assisted drug delivery, implantable devices, and diagnostic applications. Furthermore, it discusses important patents, toxicity concerns, regulatory issues, and future prospects in the field. This comprehensive resource is invaluable for researchers, Ph.D. students, pharmaceutical and food industries working in the dynamic area of sustainable biomedical engineering.