Publisher's Synopsis
This volume of Macromolecular Symposia contains papers presented at the 16th Polymer Networks Group Meeting held in Autrans, France in September 2002. The conference spotlighted recent experimental and theoretical developments in the field of Functional Networks and Gels, among which figure self–assembling systems, smart composite gels, photo–mechanical elastomers, electrically conducting rubbers, reinforcement and hyperelasticity effects in filled elastomers, ion–induced volume transitions and the behaviour of gels at interfaces. Numerous other topics of current interest, including modeling approaches, addressed the question of formation and structure–property relationships of networks and gels.
