Materials from Natural Sources : Structure, Properties, and Applications

This book comprises interdisciplinary topics including consolidating research activities in all experimental and theoretical aspects of natural advanced materials in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine including structure, synthesis, processing, physico-chemical properties, and applications.

The book covers formulation for natural and organic cosmetics, CO2 sequestration, drug delivery systems, biosensors, and other related topics. In addition, case studies including some data are presented that demonstrate the growing interest and cost benefits of biomaterials.

The main features of the book are:

1. It discusses the properties and applications of materials from natural sources from an environmental and biomedical engineering perspective.
2. It explores properties of natural materials used in drug delivery, biofuel, adsorbents, waste water treatment, cosmetics, and so forth.
3. It includes studies on recent and emerging biomaterials.
4. It details applications of natural materials in varied areas.
5. It introduces the structure and mechanisms of self-healing material, biomaterial, biofuel, polymers, and adsorbents.

This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in chemical, environmental, and natural resource engineering.

Dr. Ramesh Laxminarayan Gardas is a distinguished researcher and educator in the field of Chemistry. With the PhD in Chemistry from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, and postdoctoral research experience at prestigious institutions like the University of Coimbra, University of Aveiro (Portugal), and Queen’s University Belfast (UK), his expertise lies in ionic liquids' physico-chemical properties and applications.In 2010, he joined the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, as an Assistant Professor and rose through the ranks to become a full Professor in 2020. His work focused on 'Chemical Thermodynamics' and 'Phase Equilibria,' primarily exploring eco-friendly solvent systems. Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Gardas serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, and ranks among the "World’s Top 2% Scientists." His impact on the scientific community through research, teaching, and leadership is substantial.

Dr. Neha Patni is working as Assistant Professor (Chemistry) in Nirma University. She has more than 17 years of experience in the field of teaching and research. She obtained her PhD in the area of electrochemical applications of polymer. She has authored 2 books and 10 book chapters published by publication houses of international repute. She has also authored 16 papers published in International referred Journals and more than 50 papers presented/published in International Conferences/Proceedings. She has been conferred with the prestigious Award of Best Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Department for her Teaching Methodology in 2015 and Research Consultancy Awards for publishing quality research paper for the year 2020 from Nirma University. She has also won the Best Research Paper Award six times in various International Conferences. The projects guided by her, have received various National Awards like Earthian Face Off Challenge, First position-Technical Essay Competition, Outstanding Young Chemical Engineer Award. She is a life member of several organizations like Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI), Indian Society of Technical Education (ISTE), Association of Chemistry Teacher (ACT) etc. She has been appointed as Reviewer of International referred Journals in the area of polymer, industrial chemistry, energy and environment. She has organised various National Conference, workshop, symposium, webinar and International webinars. She has also completed five minor research projects under internal research grant. Being actively involved in R & D activities, her area of expertise are Polymer Science and Technology, Chemical sensors, Organic Solar cells etc.

Dr Amita Chaudhary is currently working as an Assistant Professor (Chemistry) in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Nirma University. She has completed her doctoral studies from the Chemical Engineering Department at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. She has published the number of papers in the area of ionic liquid synthesis, CO2 sequestration, corrosion science, and waste management, etc. in the International and National referred Journals. She has presented/published her research work in many International and National Conferences/Proceedings. She is actively involved in research and is highly passionate about R&D of new technologies. She has edited one book on “Advance Materials and Technologies for wastewater treatment” in CRC Press and 6 book chapters published by publication houses of international repute. She is certified with JRF-NET and GATE in Chemical Sciences. She has won the best paper presentation award at various conferences. She has a published patent on the synthesis of ionic liquid for carbon capture in collaboration of IIT Delhi and FITT, Delhi. She is actively involved in students Idea Lab projects based on interdisciplinary research and minor funded projects. She is a member of various prestigious organizations like ISTE, IIChE.