Advances in Biodegradable Polymers

Dear Colleagues,

Biodegradable polymers have become materials of hope for the future, and knowledge on the relationships among their structure, properties and functions is essential for prospective safe applications of such materials in the areas of human health and the environment. Unfortunately, most plastics produced by the petrochemical industry are not biodegradable and, therefore, accumulate in the environment. This continues to pose a growing challenge for authorities at both the local and national levels; hence, there is a demand for biodegradable polymers. Applying novel biotechnological and chemical approaches enable design of macromolecules with high added value and new biodegradable and bioactive polymers or oligomers for diverse applications in medicine, the cosmetic industry and agriculture are recently developed.

At the initial stages of the development of biodegradable polymers, research was focused on the effect of macromolecular architecture on final biodegradable properties. Unfortunately, aspects such as bio-safety of biodegradable polymers or nano-safety of their composites were, and still are, frequently neglected. In an effort to make biodegradable polymers safe, methodology of forensic engineering of advanced polymeric materials (FEAPM) is currently being developed, which should help to define and minimize potential failure of novel polymer products.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present a contemporary overview of recent developments in the field of biodegradable polymers. Reviews, full papers, and short communications, covering the aspects of the current trends in expansion of such polymeric materials are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Marek M. Kowalczuk
Guest Editor

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