Degradable Materials

Perspectives, Issues, and Opportunities

This book addresses the fields of biodegradation, environmental degradation, and photochemical degradation. The purpose of the book is to establish guidelines for terminology, nomenclature, characterization techniques and methodology, mechanisms of degradation, standard reference materials, and issues and needs. This is the first scientific book of this nature based on the findings of the world's leading scientists (academic, industrial, and federal) in this field. Hard data is presented and soft data is identified under issues and needs. New areas covered are such topics as: biodegradation with in vivo applications, environmental degradation, including anaerobic, aerobic, characterization techniques and methodology, photochemical degradation, and secondary issues associated with degradation. This publication contains information vital to environmental scientists and engineers, biomaterials scientists, pharmaceutical technologists, and chemists.