Extensively revised and updated to keep abreast of recent advances, the fourth edition of this popular and highly regarded text continues to provide a broad-based, high-information text at an introductory, reader-friendly level that illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of polymer science. Significantly adding or amending the material, this new edition strengthens its aim to contribute a comprehensive treatment by offering a wide and balanced selection of topics across all aspects of the chemistry and physics of polymer science, from synthesis and physical properties to applications.

• Thoroughly revised and updated text to reflect new and emerging polymer applications beyond the electronics industry - particularly in biomedicine and environmental science.
• User-friendly style, modernised format, fully updated references.
• Completely revised pedagogical features including additional problems throughout the text, and with a broader range of difficulty.
• Provides instructors with an eResource containing solutions to the problems, as well as figure slides, additional problems and test questions.
• Expanded coverage of biopolymers, processing, and environmental-related topics including recycling, degradable polymers, and sustainability.

Valeria Arrighi (VA) is Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and Acting Head of Materials Chemistry. She graduated in Pure Chemistry in Italy and after teaching Chemistry for a year and spending a short period in industry, she returned to academia. She was awarded a PhD in Polymer Science in 1992 from Imperial College and continued working there as an RA before joining Heriot-Watt University in 1996, as Lecturer. Her main interest is in the study of the properties of polymers including mechanical, aging but also structure, dynamics and order. For some of these, her group is making extensive use of large scale neutron scattering facilities. Currently, main activities are in polymer nanocomposites and membranes for water purification. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and co-author of the polymer textbook: Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials (J.M.G. Cowie and V. Arrighi, 3rd edition, CRC Press, 2007).