From the Back Cover
This book provides an overview on the latest advances in the synthesis, properties and applications of polymeric eco-composites and eco-nanocomposites reinforced natural fibers (e.g. pulp-fiber, flax, etc.) and nanofillers (e.g. organoclay, nano-SiC, etc.). Potential challenges and future directions of these composites are highlighted and addressed. This book offers numerous graphs and electron micrographs for easy understanding by students, researchers and practicing engineers.
Professor It-Meng (Jim) Low gained his B.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Engineering from Monash University prior to taking up lecturer positions first at Auckland University and then Curtin University, Australia. In 1986-1988, he conducted post-doctoral research with Professor Y-W Mai on fracture and toughening micromechanics of epoxy systems at Sydney University. He was awarded a Visiting Professorship by the Japanese Ministry of Education to work with Professor Niihara at Osaka University in 1995/1996. He is Fellow of the Australian Ceramic Society and serves on the editorial board of several journals. He is also Recipient of the prestigious 1996 Joint Australian Ceramic Society/Ceramic Society of Japan Ceramic Award for excellence in ceramics research. Professor Low has authored /edited more than 12 books and is Author of over 250 archival research papers. His h-index is 46 with more than 6670 citations. His research interests include polymer composites, nanotechnology, toughening and failure micromechanics. He is the current WA Branch President and Federal Councilor of the Australian Ceramic Society. He is also Recipient of the prestigious 1996 Joint Australasian Ceramic Society/Ceramic Society of Japan Ceramic Award for ceramics research.
Dr. Hatem R. Alamri received his B.Sc. degrees in Physics from Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 1998, and the M.Sc. degree in Physics from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA, in 2005. After that he received the Ph.D. degree in Physics (Nanocomposites) from Curtin University, Perth, Australia, in 2013. Since 2013, Dr. Alamri has been with Aljamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University. Dr. Hatem Alamri is broadly interested in studying environmentally friendly nanomaterials for improving their overall properties and reducing their production cost. His research generally involves the design and developing nanocomposites based on biodegradable polymers for renewable energy and watertreatment.
Dr. Abdullah M. S. Alhuthali received his B.Sc. degrees in Physics from Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 1996, the M.Sc. degree in Physics (Nanotechnology) from Curtin University, Perth, Australia, in 2007 and the Ph.D. degree in Nanophysics (Nanomaterials and Nano composites) from Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia, in 2013. In 2016, Dr. Alhuthali was appointed Head of the Physics Department at Taif University and supervised many academic and research committees. Dr. Alhuthali is broadly interested in nanomaterials with particular emphasis on thin films, glass systems, ceramic and radiation shielding materials and applications.
