Elastomers

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the current state-of-the-art of elastomers for several applications. The main characteristic of elastomer materials is the high elongation and (entropy) elasticity of these materials. The use of filled elastomers, especially of new kinds of elastomer nano-composites, is currently of interest for rubber technologies.  It enables widespread application in engineering fields, especially for modern tire technologies, as well as for medical applications or consumer goods. Elastomers also find utility for a range of biomaterial applications. Bioelastomers are widely available in nature and have been shown to have specific properties often far superior to their synthetic counterparts.  All elastomers share typical features such as entropy driven elasticity, the presence of entanglements, and topological constraints of network chain conformations. These features still offer fascinating scientific challenges in polymer network synthesis, experimental and theoretical physics of polymer networks, and in modeling of elastomeric solids.

Papers are sought that discuss the latest research in the area or summarize selected areas in the field. The scope of the Special Issue encompasses frontier-of-science contributions in synthesis, characterization, and modelling of elastomers. Of particular interest are new structures and functionalities incorporated into elastomers leading to enhanced properties of crosslinked elastomeric materials.  Examples include conductive elastomers, biomimetic mechanically adaptive elastomers, bio-elastomers, photosensitive and light controlled elastomers, elastomers with autonomous self-healing properties, and other novel materials.

Prof. Dr. Gert Heinrich
Prof. Dr. Joey L. Mead
Guest Editors

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